Submit the first 60 pages of your book along with a 1-2 page book proposal (if applicable) and receive an in-depth, one-hour story notes call with the executive of your choice. You’ll receive specific suggestions on how to elevate your book's prose, pacing, characterization, tone, and marketability.
Questions? Email terra@roadmapwriters.com!
I love to hear a nibble of inspiration -- did you get into a fight with your girlfriend as you arrived at her parents' house for the first time? I want to know what the tone of the movie is going to be in how you deliver your pitch. Is it funny? I want to laugh! Is it suspenseful? I want to guess what's coming next. No matter what, I want to leave the pitch able to explain the big picture concept to a fellow executive or a director. The final cherry on top is getting a taste of the details that are going to make the story sing. If you can help a producer zero in on one small, delicious, detail-- a baby being nursed mid-interrogation, or a character's catchphrase--the more likely they are to keep thinking about your project.
I love grounded stories that get at something universal. Beyond characters that feel real, almost ripped from a documentary or your corner store, I love a story with true heart. I welcome the irreverent, and the earnest, and have no issue if things get heavy, as long as we're looking for the light in the dark. I am most interested in developing and producing stories that lend themselves to feature format. I like closure. That being said, I have a background in limited series development, and love to find whatever form best fits a story.
My favorite stories to develop are those making their own path to production. Be it a first feature that is shootable at a micro-budget, or an inspired premise that is well-executed. Anything that opens a viewer up to a new community -- skateboarding teens a la SKATE KITCHEN, marching band members via DRUMLINE, or the motel subculture in THE FLORIDA PROJECT. I especially love working with writer/directors and helping them see their creativity through to production.
Favorite movies include, but are not limited to: JUNO, THE BIG CHILL, THE DAYTRIPPERS, WHEN HARRY MET SALLY, THE SLUMS OF BEVERLY HILLS, ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN, DOG DAY AFTERNOON, LITTLE WOMEN (2019), EMMA (2020), A SIMPLE FAVOR, ERIN BROKOVICH, HEARTBURN, THE LAST DUEL, DAZED AND CONFUSED, BARBARIAN, THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD. What are yours?
Stories of women's heavy trauma: domestic abuse, sexual assault, kidnapping. Gratuitous violence, heavy drug use and addiction. And I am sorry to say, action movies are not my jam.