On 6/26/07
From: Bina Shah - Karachi, Pakistan
June 5, 2007 - 7:24 AM
To: Roy


Dear Ayers,

I have just finished reading your critique of my book.

THANK YOU SO MUCH for your beautiful reading of my novel and your illuminating comments.

I want to give you a big hug for helping me out so much. I can see that you really care about my work and I value the hours you must have put into reading this so carefully, as well as the care that you have towards me as a writer. I can see why you are so good at your job, too.

God bless you!

Love, Bina

Published Author of "786 Cybercafe" and "Where They Dream In Blue" and recently "Blessings"



Dear Bina

Glad to help. Sounds like it working for you. Can't wait for the final draft.

Roy Ayers Baxter, Jr.

On 5/31/07, Steve Caliban <elcaliban@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello, I'd like more information on the writers' lab.
Steve




Dear Steve,

The Writer's Lab is a laboratory that studies the essence of story telling in the forms of song, short story, novel, play, screenplay and commercials.

Here's the basics. I help professional writers improve their work. Whether you are a student in film school or a seasoned writer writing novels, short stories, speeches, plays, musicals, feature motion pictures, documentaries or songs, I can help you write better.

In the first session or critique you will immediately see results. I can give you knowledge that will stay with you the rest of your life and will improve your work for the rest of your life. I have worked with many professionals, amateur's, students and even beginners. I am at this moment working with five published screenwriters, two published novelists, seven song writers and composers and many others who are working to be successful in various types of writing.

If you read SHOOT FROM THE HIP on http://www.nohoartsdistrict.com/tv  (film & motion pictures) or my answers in AskRoy you will get a simplified version of some of the ways in which I can help.

When you join the LAB you get direct and specific answers to your questions, a critique of your work and learn techniques I have discovered, others I have developed and used in works that find success not only commercially but artistically.

I believe John Gallishaw was correct when he wrote, "It is my contention that every problem facing a (writer) has already been met and solved by some other writer."

I will show you how they did it. And how I do what I do. With that knowledge you can do whatever you want with it to write better than you have ever written before. For example, recently I have rewritten and solved a major error in a script written by a famous screenwriter who has previously won an Academy Award. I did it for a major producer at one of the five major studios in LA. I did it as a script doctor and without credit. However, if the ego of that award winning screenwriter would have been more sound, I could have told him how to do it and he could have rewritten it himself with out me doing it for him. Sadly, he will probably need help in the future again on his next screenplay because the writing problem he had will most likely be repeated until he learns a new technique that will forever correct the reoccurring problem.

No matter who you are, no matter where you have been, no matter how successful you are artistically or commercially, you will find that what I have to offer will improve your work considerably.

Writing is forever a growing experience for those who truly love it. If you love it then you will most likely enjoy what I have to offer. If, by chance you don't love the process of writing, but never-the-less have some passion that must be fulfilled by doing it - you will most likely begin for the first time to love it once you work with me. If you have ever had writers block, you will probably never have it again once you have worked with me.

Of course, you may find me far too demanding of your talents; but if you work hard and keep an open mind you will eventually gain strength to endure my rigorous training program.

I warn you NOW - writing takes great effort, dedication, passion, training, developing many skills and perfecting them. It also takes an open mind that wants to know more in order to live a better life.

Perhaps you already know these things. If so, you are on the right path. I can help you go the extra mile or two necessary to be the writer you have always wanted to be.

Roy Ayers Baxter, Jr
-----Original Message-----
From: Walter Dalton
Sent: Friday, April 14, 2006 7:12 PM
To: info@nohoartsdistrict.com
Subject: a query

I'm a playwright living in Seattle.  I've written a very powerful
Fatrhe & Son drama in two acts. Its world premier is July here in
Seattle at The Theater Schmeater.  It's two-acts and two actors with all the actors in a grimy East Dearborn (Michigan) bar.  Any interest in reading the play?  Cheers...walter Dalton 

Walter,

If it is being staged, I’d rather see it. I love a well written play. And I love live productions. I have seen many in Karachi over the past year. Even when they are in a language that is difficult for me to understand, the immediate actor audience reactions are amazing.

Best of luck to you and your production.

Roy 

On 4/16/06, Walter Dalton <walterdalton@comcast.net> wrote:
It's being staged up here in Seattle.  If you can come up, I'll
certainly comp your ticket (wish I could comp more but alas a
struggling artist...you know the drill) I'll give you the dates and
particulars in the near future...if you can't make it, I could
certainly set up a reading in LA...I'll be there in June for two
weeks...cheers...Walter Dalton...ps my credits can be found on IMDB
(under Wally Dalton & Walter Dalton) 

Walter,

Thanks. I'd love to visit Seatle again. I am traveling soon and may
just be able to make it there to see your work. If not, I would like
to hear the reading in LA. Please send your script by email to me at
my gmail address. Thanks.

Roy Ayers Baxter, Jr. 

-----Original Message-----
From: david setter
Sent: Monday, October 10, 2005 10:03 AM
To: Roy@nohoartsdistrict.com

Subject: I would like to option a book

Roy,

I have just read a novella that I would like to develop into a film. I have researched it enough to know that the book is out of print and that the author is now being published by a new publisher. The author is Canadian as is his publisher.

To whom do I request the option and is there a boilerplate form this request should take?

David in L.A.


David,

First try and contact the original publisher. Ask them if they still have publishing rights. If not, then contact the new publishers of the author’s latest work and ask them if they have rights to the material you want. If not, then, possibly they can help you get in touch with the author.

Whomever you contact, write a simple one page query letter explaining what you want and asking if they can assist you. If you’re lucky, call or meet the author, do it with a reserved and sober attitude. Never approach them like a fan and ask for an autograph. Act professional. Many well intentioned producers have had the mistaken belief that the star actually enjoys fame. Few do. What they enjoy is appreciation, not fame.

Options are a curious thing. They can take many forms. They can be a simple agreement stating your intentions and the writer’s permission for you to use their work. Many times they are a bit more complex. An entertainment lawyer can help you, allot.

Usually, options are for a limited time, such as six months to one year. You will need at least that much time to arrange and finalize any deals in Hollywood. Many times you’ll need a lot more time, but most writers do not give more than six months for a good reason. They want to keep their options open until a powerful producer with connections makes an offer they can’t refuse. The odds for this are slim unless they are very successful and well known. Sometimes they may be amenable to at least discussing and negotiating a mutually beneficial option arrangement.

Good luck and tell me how it goes.

Roy           (TOP)

Copyright 2005 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reproduction of any kind is strictly prohibited without the expressed written permission of the copyright owner.

Subject: question regarding production rights for screenplay version vs. original play

HI,Roy,
You may not be the right person to ask, but I'm frustrated looking on the web. I am looking for who to contact for permission to produce a community theatre (rural Florida) production of XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX. I have a copy of the play from Samuel French, but our theatre group thinks the movie has much more meat and drama to it, than the play version. I don't know who to contact about permission to do the screenplay version, and where to get a copy of it. It was produced by Universal, by XXXXXXXXX about 1964 with XXXXXXXXX, XXXXXXXX, and XXXXXXXX. I believe the screenplay is by XXXXX XXXXX XXXXXX. The original play is by XXXXXX XXXXX. Can you help guide me in the right direction? A phone number or email would be a great help. All I seem to get on the web searches is Universal Studios attractions, places that only carry the play version, or a list of law suits against Universal. ACKK! Thanks for any guidance you can offer.

Terry Beauchamp, Publicity Chair
Suwannee Valley Players, Inc.
PO Box 550
Chiefland, FL 32644
svplayers@aol.com (email)
website: www.svplayers.com

Dear Terry,

Submit a detailed proposal and treatment to:

mary.ledding@nbcuni.com
Corporate Legal
Universal Studios

If things work out and you produce it, please send me an invitation
and I will do my best to fly out and see it.

Good luck,

Roy


On 8/6/05, SVPlayers@aol.com <SVPlayers@aol.com> wrote:

Thanks for the lead, Roy! I'll pass this on to the director and hope it works out for us to get the screenplay version and the rights through them.

We'd LOVE to have you come see us. We're a pretty SMALL rural theatre, but there's some talent there beyond what you might expect! I love this show, and am excited about putting it up. I really appreciate your quick response and help.

I'll keep you posted on what develops. We also have a WEBSITE, if you want to check us out further: We're in the process of updating this season. We're at: www.svplayers.com

Thanks again!

Terry Beauchamp, Publicity
Suwannee Valley Players, Inc.
PO Box 550, 25 E. Park Avenue
Chiefland, FL 32626
theatre ph: 352-493-ARTS
home ph: 352-335-9137
email: svplayers@aol.com
webpage: http://www.svplayers.com/


Terry,

I started in theatre when I was a child. Live stage is the best place to learn how to perform. I would love to visit your theatre.

Good luck on the project.

Roy

-------------

On 8/13/05, SVPlayers@aol.com <SVPlayers@aol.com> wrote:

Roy,

Is there a mailing address for this person? I tried emailing, and haven't had a response. Or... does it just take the folks at Universal a long time to answer emails? I'd like to get this settled, since we are already announcing our new season, and are on the web page. I'd like to give the proper credit. I'm so glad you are interested in seeing the show. Check out our new season information (most is updated, now) at www.svplayers.com  Thanks for your help. You sound like an interesting person. Of course, anyone wants to talk THEATRE, and I'm already interested! I'll keep you posted on what happens from my end

Terry.



Terry,

Universal is one of the largest corporations in the entire world of entertainment. They own Pollygram, which at this time is the largest music publishing company in the world, and Universal Music Group, Universal Studios, Universal Television, and Universal Theme Parks, etc.

They do not accept unsolicited mail packages (by land or air) for many reasons. They need to protect themselves from intellectual property suits and malicious mail.

Today, most of us use email.

So, it takes time for them to respond.

However, they are very good at what they do, because they like to be successful and make money. So, I think they will respond in good time. However, the process will take time due to their due diligence, paper work, and contract negotiations with you.

Be persistent and patient at the same time. It's worth the effort.

If your “production” of their movie script is successful, then, it may give validity to the idea that the story contains a contemporary theme. To a corporate environment such as Universal Studios, they may like the idea of using a grass roots theatre in the heartland of America for a good testing ground to justify a remake of the movie.

I hope you and Universal “go for it!”

When we are prepared both mentally and physically for a specific opportunity that presents itself, we will have good luck.

So, good luck.

Roy.            (TOP)

Copyright 2005 Roy Ayers Baxter, Jr. ALL RIGHTS RESEVERED. Reproduction of any kind is strictly prohibited without the expressed written permission of the copyright owner.

On 8/22/05, Lei wrote:

Hi Ayers, 

Read your stuff, it's good.  I have not had any formal training in writing but have some ideas for stories and books.  It's just a matter of doing it.  Once I get started on something it's difficult to stop and that usually gets me in trouble.  I mean, I am then late for work, can't focus at work, etc.

If I do finish a book, I want you to read it and then tell me if it should be published and how to do that.  Am I asking too much?   Your job sounds so interesting and you get to experience foreign countries.

Didn't know you were from the country.  Honey, You were poor.  Have to tell me more about that sometime.  I love the country, having owned a horse boarding facility for 12 years was good for me.  I learned a lot about animals and people.

Take care, I will write again soon.

Lei

Dear Lei,

You are not alone. You have the same difficulties and time constraints and fears as many other writers.

Many people are afraid to write me due to fear and embarrassment in asking for help. It takes some degree of humility to ask for help when we have been taught all of our lives to be strong and self sufficient. These qualities are a sign of strength to a point and a sign of weakness when, in point of fact, we need help.

Write. And don't let your fears stop you. Use those fears by writing about them. Express every fear you know until they surrender to you. Then you will write with abandon. 

What do you think? 

Roy

On 8/24/05, Lie wrote:

If you print my letter to you, it will be my first time in real print.  Please go ahead.

I've been thinking more and more about writing and a friend of mine has been after me to do this for a long time.  She says I have a gift, but I'm desperately trying to find it.

I have many ideas and start to write them, then they just get to be a rambling of ideas and thoughts.  I suppose taking a class in writing wouldn't hurt me.

Take care.  Gas prices are getting outrageous and no increase in salaries.  That figures.

Best wishes, Lei

Rambling ideas are the beginnings of great thoughts. Most great thinkers think eclectically. So, encourage your rambling and write without censure. “Writer's block” comes from censorship of our mind. We stop writing due to fear of what we are thinking and how we are expressing it. Stop the censer and stop being afraid to ramble. I write ten times more than I will ever print. But the nine drafts help me get to the tenth. 

I was at Twentieth Century Fox with two producers who had read one of my scripts and liked it, alot. They asked how many drafts I wrote before getting to the final one. My lawyer and agent laughed, loudly. Stars and other directors and producers sitting at other tables in the crowed Fox lunchroom looked my way. The two producers chuckled a bit embarrassed with their question, “What? Was it your first?” they asked with a certain admiration of such an achievement. The roar from our table was even louder and the world became still. The two producer’s eyes were wide. “What?” they asked in wonder? The room was waiting for an answer. And my agent, Ken, said with a smile, “It’s probably his hundredth.” “Really?” “Actually, it’s more like a hundred and fifty,” I confessed. The whole room smiled and went back to work.

Roy           (TOP)

Copyright 2005 Roy Ayers Baxter, Jr. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reproduction of any kind is strictly prohibited without the expressed written permission of the copyright owner.

-----Original Message-----

Sent: Friday, October 21, 2005 4:58 AM
To: roy@nohoartsdistrict.com

Subject: Writing

Dear Roy, I've taken your advice and started writing without abandon. Some of it is just ramblings, but most of it is pretty good. I've noticed as I write, more and more ideas pop into my head and then I tend to lose my train of thought.
I've decided to write out an outline first. I will try to follow that.
Have any other ideas to keep me on track?
Thanks so much for your help and for publishing my letters. It's boosted my confidence.
Lei Michigan

Lei,

You did it. You jumped into it and found it isn’t so scary... This is a great moment.

You found you could abandon censorship and write. Good! But that scares you. So, you decide you must cut back and make it take some form... this can be dangerous at this moment.

Outlines can begin to control you as you censor those things that seem to be incompatible with your outline. Outlines and treatments can close you in. This is not necessary at this time. Just write. Trust me. I and many others have been through it all before. Just write and write and write. When you get tired, take a rest. Reward yourself for the good work you have done.

Take a walk, wash dishes, feed your kids, dogs, cats, and watch a good movie, play some game or knit or do anything relaxing… Sleep on it. When you wake up with a thought, which, inevitably you will do, no matter what time of day or night it is, get up and start writing down the bones of your thoughts without censorship of your ideas or thoughts. You must get into a habit of writing everything you can down into stories or notes or poetry or essays or just phrases that are close to your heart. This habit of writing is the most important thing you can learn to do right now. Enjoy it, not because you are writing anything worth selling or something that makes you famous, but because you want to get into the habit of writing. Write down your thoughts because its fun!

This habit will grow on you and eventually make you a writer. Realize there is nothing to fear. There is no failure if you are not concerned about selling it or impressing anyone with it. You are writing because you want to record your thoughts. This will train you more than anything else.

To make it more comfortable and fun, I place a towel near my writing table for my cats to lay and keep me company. They are my best writing partners. Every now and then, I sit back and pet them. Sometimes I take my big sketch book and my cats and I go out on the landing and I write and draw with a pen. I carry a sketch book on walks and sit and write in brief spurts of thought. I carry my sketch book with me all of the time in order to capture my thoughts whenever and wherever I am. It is not a chore. It is a pleasure. Find ways to make it convenient and pleasurable.

So, please, just write without censure and enjoy putting down your thoughts what ever they are. You will soon find you are writing thoughtfully as you do when you think things out in the normal course of the day, but you will put down personal feelings about your doubts, dreams, wishes, and your sadness, anger, resentment, and hateful thoughts, angry thoughts, forgiving thoughts, joyful laughter thoughts and reminiscing thoughts and so much more. Soon, they will begin to take a shape far beyond any outline you could have devised.

Trust me on this one. I write more than most people because I like to write and I write about anything and everything and in anyway and in any form and any genre. I have no fear of writing bad. I do it all of the time. But within the bad there is good and if I write like I do, the good begins to grow and soon takes over the garden.

Follow my method. It will help you be the writer you can be. If you start to get too involved in polishing your work at this time, you will find your writing to become a chore and this will soon burden you and you will not grow as quickly as you could if you follow my method.

Once you have gotten into the habit of writing, I will tell you how to proceed from this point onward.

So, write with a certain joy and you will become a successful writer.

RoyRoy           (TOP)

Copyright 2005 Roy Ayers Baxter, Jr. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reproduction of any kind without the expressed written permission of the copyright owner is strictly prohibited.

 

Chris,  

Quick answer: 

Ask the editor, company, publisher or agent what they require. 

LONG ANSWER: 

Good writing is sorely missing on screen in Hollywood. While I say, “…missing on screen…” I do not mean there are no good writers in Hollywood.  They’re just missing in action, while cliché impostures, poorly written adaptations and poorly rewritten remakes are the ones actively financed. 

History shows us that a well told story (ala Seabiscuit 2001, Million Dollar Baby 2004, In America 2004) has more chance of making box office than 100 million dollars of noise from guns, cars and human body parts banging together. 

In saying this, I am not saying that action is bad. 

ACTION IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY IN A WELL WRITTEN NOVEL AND SCREENPLAY. 

But guns, car chases and sex do not guarantee exciting, suspenseful and meaningful action. Guns, sex scenes and car chases are events and nothing else. Meaningful action is a great deal more than an event (I explain why in my seminars and other writings). 

Now, to answer your question on font and size… 

Bigger is better, but like all things, only to a point. 

I personally use 12 point. 

Commonly, Courier New or Times New Roman works. 

However, before you submit your work to anyone… 

The best thing to do is ask… 

“What are your requirements?” 

They will certainly tell you. This is the standard procedure we should practice. It saves time and money. 

Personally, if I am given a choice by the editor, I will choose what “feel” (feeling) I think the story needs. You see, if I am doing a period piece (historical) type of work such as what I am writing in Pakistan at this time, I will use Times New Roman to subtly help me implant the image of a classical piece into the mind of a reader. If I’m doing a modern piece, I usually use Courier. 

I believe art is in the details of a work. Many writers have good ideas and are pretty good writers. What separates one writer from another is the details we put into our work. Although the size or font can be a small detail no one seems to notice, except subconsciously; yet that detail, along with the thousands of millions of other details used in our writing, conjunctively, stirs up certain perceptions that slowly and powerfully involve the reader emotionally, and thus adds to their enjoyment, instilling in the reader a certain confidence that their investment in reading is worth the time and effort they put into it. 

SCREENPLAYS: 

Technically, I use 12 point for 3 reasons. 

1) I want everyone to know that I'm not trying to reduce the number of pages by squeezing more words onto one page. A professional reader can spot the tricks. 

2) Many people who read scripts use glasses. Small letters tire eyes. So, when a script comes to me in 10 point, I’m less likely to read it. I will read 12 point with ease. 

3) It is my opinion that 12 point is closer to helping us estimate running time. Of course, depending on the directors take, there is no sure way of telling how long a page may run on screen. An actor may take as long as three minutes to say one line. A different actor may take only three seconds. A writer may use a whole page to describe action that takes 30 seconds on screen. Another may use one sentence to describe over 3 minutes on screen. So, there is no sure way of telling exactly how long each page will play on screen. Before editing is finished some pages may be cut while others replaced by new material. 

But when I see a script in 10 or 11 pt., I always watch to see if they are trying to reduce the page count. If they use 10 point and the script is 120 pages, I know that most likely in actual shooting time it will probably be 24 pages longer and perhaps as much as 144 minutes total running time. 

Of course, like I said, each writer and each director is different; so, in the end the page count can only be an estimation at best. 

For me, a 120 page script at 12 point Times New Roman or New Courier with a good precise writer and an efficiently detailed director will probably run on average about 120 minutes. 

BACK 2 NOVELS: 

Readers and editors like to jot down notes. So… 

DOUBLE SPACE ALL NOVELS AND SHORT STORIES FOR SUBMISSION 

NOW AS 4 GRAMMER… 

Well, you’re in luck. I’ve had quite a bit of experience with this problem. 

When I attended the graduate program in the University of Iowa Writer’s Workshop, I was sent to a special class to improve my grammar and spelling. So, what I’m about to tell you is worth quite a bit of money and time. 

Spelling by phonics can be deceiving. Why? Because each of us were born in different places surrounded from birth with different accents and pronunciations. For instance, I was born in Tennessee. My southern accent was sutl an’ ah biat strang to northrners an ya kn kina heer itn ma soun’ uv ma vois. So, I was told not to waist my time trying to spell by sounds. I don’t remember the name of the young student Fellow who was teaching me, but, I will always remember what he said that helped me improve dramatically my spelling and grammer… “ops” grammar.  

He told me, “Most people, even those who seem to use phonetic spelling rules, actually don’t use them. Consider this, when you ask someone to help you spell a word, what is one of the first things they want to do? They either want to see how you spell it, or they grab a pen and paper and write in down on a piece of paper. Why is that? Their eyes remember how it looks. And it is their eyes, more than their ears that tell them how to spell the word. Their eyes do not deceive them as much as their ears. The eyes recognize the same letters spelled either correctly or incorrectly as they remember them, whereas the sounds of the various accents and ‘exceptions to the’ rules of spelling continually deceive us. So, my young teacher’s answer to my problem was to carry a dictionary with me at all times and begin to look at words and memorize their spelling. 

Did it work? Well, I use his wise words today and although I am not a great speller, I am certainly much better than I used to be. Witnesses to this fact are some of my employees in Pakistan who are learning English. Everyday they ask me to spell words and the majority of the time I am correct without using a dictionary. Soooo… 

MY REOMMENDATION IS TO USE YOUR COMPUTER SPELL CHECK 

…and your dictionary every chance you get. 

Now as for playing with the spelling of certain words for effect, by all means do it and do it playfully, just as I did, above. But please communicate. If no one can understand what you are writing or the meaning of your writing, you have a serious problem unless that is the effect you want. 

GRAMMER (opps there I go agin and agin…) 

“Grammar,” he said, “is an important tool for helping the reader understand what you are trying to say.” 

Very interesting choice of words, there, “What you are trying to say”. 

He told me to write as if I am talking –saying the words out loud – naturally conveying my thoughts to the reader as if they were listening with their ears rather than their eyes. He told me, that most of the current teaching of grammar is not current to the times. All of the greatest writers around the world, from Shakespeare to Kerouac to J.K. Rowling, listened to the sounds of the people on the streets and back roads of their country and expanded the vocabulary and current thinking of grammar. It is their works we revere. 

This rang true to me. I have come to believe famous writers are not ahead of their time, they are with the times. They write as a person thinks and speaks, today. “They’re with it”. As we read them we can hear them and we feel it. 

 “Do the same,” he said. 

So, my mantra became, “WRITE AS I SPEAK.” 

I’ve found it to be one of the best ways of speaking, unpretentiously, with my own voice. Hum? Perhaps that’s why so many scholars and teachers recognize famous writers have a voice. 

You may already know these things, but you asked about grammar and perhaps some of my readers may gain a grain that feeds their writing for years to come. 

Thanks for writing. Good luck on your projects. 

Roy           (TOP)