As a student of Rod Whitaker (as Trevanian he wrote the EIGER SANCTION and the LOO SANCTION), a Directing Fellow at the Center for Advanced Film Studies at the American Film Institute (Tony Vellani), the leader of the Directors Workshop at the Ensemble Studio Theater of LA and as an Instructor of Film Production and Acting at Southern Methodist University, Tom Herod not only knows video production, he knows STORIES, and how to make them WORK in feature films and shorts. He has served as a dramaturg (script consultant/doctor) on a number of projects, and with one read can make your next draft jump up several notches. Here are some comments of some people who have benefited from Tom’s advice:
Paul Csige, Writer/Director/Producer of feature film, ONCE IS ENOUGH
“Tom, I was thinking of adding a credit of Story Development and including your name. Would that be alright with you?… I really want to give out credit everywhere it is deserved and your story suggestions really helped make the film as good as it became. Thank you once again.”
Zachary Slocum, Screenwriter/Producer
“Tom is incredibly thoughtful and has a strong grasp not just on the technical elements of writing a good screenplay but also the entertaining and human elements that make us love the art of cinema”
Bobby Hawthorne, Novelist
“It’s been a remarkable journey, and I wouldn’t have finished, and even if I had finished, it wouldn’t be what it is now without your help, so thanks.”
Sam Ingraffia, Writer, Actor
“Great comments!”
Jan Williams, Novelist
“I found Tom especially helpful in brainstorming about my project, and in helping to shape my ideas in practical, compelling ways. He was of great help!”
Please DO NOT SEND UNSOLICITED SCRIPTS! If you want advice on your story, please ONLY SEND AN EMAIL WITH: the type of script (drama, comedy, suspense, action, adventure, etc.) and a brief log line (ONE sentence that tells what the story is about, i.e. “a comedy about a divorced couple getting back together”). That’s all to start with! Don’t send more, until asked to do so.
UNSOLICITED SCRIPTS WILL NOT BE OPENED AND WILL BE DELETED.
If Tom agrees to read your script, a single read and a one hour phone conversation will cost $100 in advance. More extensive advice is available and negotiable.
