Spy Kids (2001) 48
staff writers: description of 75; joke writers and 86–7; writing assistant for 88–9
stalker ex thriller 31–2
step deal 120, 121, 125, 126, 182–3
Stolen Child (2012) 34
storylines: related to action films 42–3; related to adventure films 48–50; related to crime stoppers 49–50; related to everyday hero concept 43; related to hostage-taking concept 42–3; related to kidnapping concept 42–3; related to sitcoms 79
story theft 130–1
studio movies 7, 10, 11
studios: analysis paralysis syndrome and 12; financing issues for 13–14
submission release agreement 127, 130
subtext, creature features and 37–8
subtitles 24, 25, 183
talent agents 115–16
target portfolio 98–100
Teach Yourself Screenwriting (Frensham) 63
television and VOD platforms 25, 27, 34, 76, 77
television writing: agents and 116; backdoor pilot and 92–3; breaking in to 75–6; catch-22 of 85–6; entry points into 86–92; getting feedback about 83–4; gold-mine demographics for 79–81; holding onto 84–5; judgment of 83; spec script for 77–83; type of 78; where to begin 76–7
territory, defined 183
terrorism, storylines related to 42
That 70’s Show (tv show) 77
3 Holiday Tails (2011) 31
three step deal 126, 183
3 Times a Charm (2011) 37
top secret spy adventure, storylines related to 48–9
transactional video on demand (TVOD) 34, 133
treasure hunters, storylines related to 50
treatment, defined 183
Tremors (1990) 38, 39
turn-around process, defined 183
TV spec script see television writing
tween-themed programming 81
Two and a Half Men (tv show) 80, 81
two step deal, defined 183
UCLA Extension classes 84
VOD platforms 25, 27, 34, 76, 77
Voice, The (tv show) 77
Walking Tall (2004) 43
WGA signatory, defined 184
Wheel of Fortune (tv show) 77
woman-in-peril thriller: description of 31; guidelines for 33–4; producers and distributors and 31; real-world examples 34; types of 31–3
writer-for-hire agreement 119, 128, 139, 145–57
writers see screenwriter/screenwriting
writer’s employment agreements 127–8
writers’ groups 72
Writers Guild of America 85, 128–9, 183–4
Writer’s Store classes 84
writing assistant 88–9
writing coverage process 56
writing services, defined 182
Xtinction: Predator X (2010) 41
Your Script Sucks!: 100 Ways to Make it Better (Akers) 66
About the Author
Scott Kirkpatrick is a film and television distribution and development executive. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and daughter.