Emmy-Winning Writer-Producer of “BAND OF BROTHERS” offers Mentoring and Consulting to writers
Rated “Cream of the Crop” in Creative Screenwriting’s “The Best Script Analysts and Consultants“! (June 2010)
WHEN I FIRST BEGAN WRITING, these are some of the things I dreamed of doing, that I’ve now been fortunate enough to achieve:
- To work with people and companies at the highest level of the business
- To work on something that reached huge numbers of people, to great acclaim
- To have an ongoing ten-year-plus career making my living at it
- To be a client of powerful agents with highest-level access and relationships
- To win some of the biggest awards the industry offers
- To write professionally in a variety of media, formats and genres, on projects I passionately care about, believe in, and am proud of
I couldn’t have done this without mentors and partners from inside the business who gave me ongoing feedback on my work, and helped me take it to the next level. This has been the most important resource in moving my writing career forward – input and guidance from professionals who write (or work with writers) for a living. I now try to provide that for other writers who I have met at speaking engagements like the Screenwriting Expo.
For reading and evaluating a typical length feature film screenplay, I charge:
$435 for a Basic Package, which includes any one of the following:
- A four-page written evaluation, covering concept, characters, story, and writing style — with a thorough analysis of the project’s potential, what I felt you were trying to achieve, and how best to improve it moving forward.
- A one-hour conversation, in which all of the above is covered with slightly less detail (and no written backup), but with an opportunity for extended back-and-forth discussion.
- My ongoing margin notes detailing all my reactions that I had to the material as I was reading it, giving you a specific sense of how it was working for a professional reader at each point along the way.
$519 for an Extended Package, which includes any two of the above.
$595 for a Complete Pacakge, which includes all three of the above.
For television scripts, the rates are $299/$375/$439 for one-hour length, and $239/$315/$379 for half-hour length. I also consult on fiction and non-fiction manuscripts, documentaries, and works in other media, and adjust these rates accordingly.
My hourly rate for all other consulting is $95. I also offer ways to earn free or discounted consulting by referring other writers to me – you can read about that here.
Finally, I offer a service called “Fifteen and Four,” where for $145, I will read the first fifteen pages of your script, plus an outline document of up to four pages, and give you feedback on both, in a one-hour conversation.
If you want to discuss a project I might be able to help with, or learn more about how I work, please e-mail me!
“I would not have made it this far without Erik’s very direct and constructive criticism. At a time when it’s difficult to get a break, it’s great to be able to receive feedback from a top pro. I’ve worked with dozens of consultants, and his script notes are the best I’ve ever received. Amazing that such a talented writer does consulting. He’s reasonably priced and a nice guy. I will be using his services again in the future!” – STEPHEN HOOVER, 2010 Grand Prize Winner, “Table Read My Screenplay”; 2009 Gold Prize Winner, PAGE International (Thriller/Horror Category)
“I’ve worked with half a dozen evaluators before finding someone of Erik Bork’s caliber. Thanks in part to his invaluable insights, my screenplay placed highly enough in Script Savvy’s contest that they are now recommending it to producers. Erik has an exquisitely attuned sense of truth and is willing to give critical, hard-to-hear feedback so important in helping me hone my scripts. His points are always about the screenplay and not his ego. Perhaps most importantly, Erik listens. His intention is to work with me as an ally and I trust that completely.” – JEFF COTTON, Honorable Mention (Top 4 of 157 entries), Script Savvy’s Monthly Screenplay Contest, April 2010.
I first met Erik at a San Diego Filmmakers meeting. With so many people offering similar services I was lucky to have had the chance to hear Erik speak and get to know him. I felt very good about choosing Erik and was not disappointed.
We met over a Skype session and I knew I had chosen wisely, as he accurately summed up my treatment, pointed out the strengths and weaknesses, and delivered professional, constructive and helpful criticism that helped me move my project forward. It was good time and money well spent.
In a town where it is difficult to separate what is truth from fiction Erik Bork is the real deal. His credits and accomplishments are well known. Erik brings his experience to you in a frank and friendly manner. My time with him improved my vision of my work and re-focused the screenplay, strengthening the concept. Always respectful, Erik sought ways to sharpen not just the project at hand but also my craft. His practical suggestions during our session brought positive results to all my writing projects.
Thank you Erik!
Jeff Michaels
I have consulted with many script analysts, but Erik is the best! Not only does he have a very wide ranging expertise, but he is gentle, kind, full of creative ideas, and takes an active interest beyond the call of duty in the client’s work. My screenplay, The Journey, will be much, much better because of his comments. I plan to consult him again after I complete the second draft. There is no better way to spend your screenplay development money than to get a consultation with Erik! Also, his prices are very reasonable and competitive.—Trisha Howell, published author, actress, screenwriter
Apart from being a great writer and giving us the benefit of his expertise and experience, Erik Bork was able to enter into the world of our feature length screenplay, giving my writing partner and I thought provoking analysis and insights.
When you work with Erik you know he is truly listening and present every step of the way. A rare gift indeed.
Thanks for being there Erik!
Our nonprofit organization discovered Erik after our short film script had already been written. As I am a copywriter and had never written a script, Erik’s knowledge and constructive criticism was extremely valuable and helped us to greatly improve before shooting. The purpose of the videos was to raise funding and awareness of the humanitarian crisis in North Korea through the eyes of three refugees and one volunteer. Erik pointed out sections of the storyline that would have confused people unaware of the issue and provided suggestions for a stronger opening and closing.
The finished videos can be found at http://vimeo.com/linkglobal/videos under these titles: Joseph, Jane, Shin, Nomads. We’ll definitely be going back to Erik again!
Esther Lee
My writing partner and I have spent a lot of time this year working on spec sitcom scripts and Erik has done two things for us very well.
First, he’s helped us focus our energies on writing only the scripts that make the most sense for our goals. Before we even began using his services, we spoke to him at length about what we wanted to achieve and he’s offered to take a look at our simple outlines so we wont do any unnecessary writing.
Second, he’s focused our work on those projects. His notes have steered us away from gimmicks and helped us concentrate on character and story first. If he doesn’t agree with a direction of the story or character, he thoroughly explains why and offers up possible suggestions to illustrate his points.
Bottom line, Erik is a professional who understands character, story and structure. His notes are thorough and appropriate for our goals and specific to our project. I would highly recommend him.
Robert Gustafson
Shock. Disbelief. Just a couple of words to describe how I felt when I realized this talented pro was willing to consult at such an affordable price. Thank you!
Synergy. Connection. Words to describe what our one on one meeting was like in LA. Everything Erik explained and brainstormed just made total sense to me… from character and plot development to steps to take for a rewrite. Things fit. Eric also has a nice disposition – not a Hollywood snob.
Detailed. Efficient. These words describe the analysis he sent before our meeeting and the notes he sent via e-mail after our meeting.
He will help bring life to your script!
As my sister and I began our current writing project we prayed for the right people to cross our path on this journey to help us successfully tell our story. I met Erik at the LA Writer’s Conference. Hearing his background and impressive accomplishments along with the fact that he is very warm and approachable, I felt assured that he was one of those people. His fees and the steps to initiate the process were reasonable and clear. He promised one thing. “I try to give more value than I receive.” He absolutely fulfilled that.
I believe Erik really cares about people and he really loves what he does. It is evident in his sincerity. He is very professional, prompt to always respond and gave abundant sound advice, detailed notes and explanations mapping our direction. We gained tremendous insight, instruction, and inspiration.
Erik IS the man. I’m an author and wanna be screen writer. After penning four books I thought screen writing would be a snap. Then I tried it and discovered how challenging it really is. Without Erik’s help I would still be lost in the wilderness. His advice has been invaluable and his prices are very reasonable. I would recommend him to anyone and everyone.
To be really useful, script analysis should be like good medicine––specific to the problem, evidence-based, therapeutic and prompt. Erik Bork provides all of that and as a bonus gives the distinct impression he actually cares about your success.
Erik- Thanks for the detailed notes and recent feedback on my script. Your assistance and attention to detail is not only appreciated, but also cherished. The amount of input you gave has really made an impact on my re-writing focus and your pointers on new approaches has really changed my focus for the better.
Big Help:
I had been working on my Romantic Comedy for 2 years and it was Erik’s analysis that solved my problems. Now, the script is done and l am ready to send it out to producers.
Thanks Erik
After attending one of your seminars at the Screenwriters Expo it was apparent, after sharing stories of successes and failures, that you had insightful knowledge of the inner workings of the entertainment industry. You offered a very, in-depth, comprehensive analysis of my sitcom pilot that has given me many ideas on it’s development that I wouldn’t have considered before. Even with all of the success you’ve had, I can tell that you still enjoy working with new writers and helpling them along in the process.
Thanks Erik
Hi Erik:
I very much enjoyed your workshop at the LA Writer’s Conference. Thank you for sharing your years of experiences and beneficial expertise. I have been focusing on a much deeper look at each scene. I have posted a banner above my computer that reads: Compelling, Entertaining, Believable and Unique….often easier to read than to write but I like the end results!
I hope to get some coaching from you soon, thanks again.
Peace,
Sharmyn
Author: “40 Something & Single”
Erik, your presentations were the buzz of the conference. I’ve been attending SCWC since 2004 and now help out with staffing logistics, leaving me little time for attending sessions. However, I knew you would be there and hoped I could sit long enough to take in a workshop. I finally was able to sneak into your Sat a.m. session and was blown away by your humility, approachability, clarity and common sense. Trust me; this is not always the case in a screenwriting presenter. For some reason, in fact, those who have written the least seem to be the most authoritarian and least flexible in their approach. Your embrace, not only of differences between individual ambitions but also of wildly variant subject material, signals to me your seriousness and effectiveness as a teacher and writer. (You handled everything from religious memoir to romantic comedy, including fiction, non-fiction and script formats, and helped everyone see the necessity of emotional hooks in all.) Thank you so much for your outstanding contribution to the event, as well as giving me (as an attendee) much-valued encouragement and wisdom to help sustain me along the writing path.
Hi Erik,
Thank you for the article. It is a nice summation of your presentation. I have taken the words “Compelling, entertaining, believable and unique” to heart and literally am looking at every paragraph I write to see if it fulfills this guideline.
That is the unique thing about the concept. It is NOT a formula, rather a guideline. It is flexible and can be adapted to any writer or genre.
I really enjoyed your sessions at the conference and look forward to working with you in the near future.
Kindest Regards,
Jeff
I have read the books, paid for coverages and consultations, listened to the experts at seminars, and otherwise sought to understand this crazy business, but I can honestly say that Erik Bork’s insight and advice is outstanding, Give him a chance to help you. You won’t regret it.
Buck McLean