Script Consulting
Script Consulting
“Victoria was invaluable on the documentary “3 Seconds in October” which recently aired nationally on PBS. Vicki received a well-deserved Emmy for her outstanding Story Editing work on the film. Her involvement in the film — starting with pre-production all through final editing — was critical to the film’s success. Vicki is highly skilled and very communicative, with a strong and creative sense of story. On top of it all, Vicki is a pure joy to work with.”
“I’ve taken many, many classes in playwriting over the years, but Vicki Daly is hands down one of the best teachers. She does more than critique your work — and she does that in a meticulous and thoughtful manner; she pulls out the best in you by zeroing in on the value of your work and then challenges you to turn it into a play worth producing. She made me dig, explore, think and even bleed a little! After almost 20 years, I’m starting to feel like a playwright!”
“I’m used to showing my scripts to colleagues and relatives, then sorting through their scattershot, conflicting responses. But when I shared my full-length play with Victoria Z. Daly, something wonderful happened: she guided me not with directions but with incredibly useful questions. Sometimes I had to wrestle with those questions two falls out of three, but when I took them to the ground they always opened up new ideas and solutions. I thought I was starting out with a good script. Now I know it’s good!”
“I have taken many play development classes and workshops around New York City, but Victoria’s script consulting services were by far the most useful to me. Nothing advanced the development of my scripts faster and further than her honest, constructive, implementable notes. Victoria helps immensely to develop dramatic character arcs and tighten the cause-and-effect relationships between scenes. She truly helps you explore why you are writing this play and what are the big questions you’re trying to figure out. ”
Where It Starts
When I sit down to focus on your script, I bring to it all my related experience: an MFA in Dramatic Writing from NYU; my work across the U.S. and internationally as a Faculty Member at the Dramatists Guild Institute and as an independent script consultant; and fifteen years running the award-winning 9th Floor Actors and Writers Collaborative in New York City.
I've won an Emmy as story/editor producer (PBS;) taught playwriting bootcamps and workshops; produced television at Lifetime; worked in script development for studios like Warner Brothers; published in national magazines including Glamour and Portfolio, and trained and performed as a physical actor.
And I’m an award-winning playwright myself (see the News and My Story pages for more info.) I love a great collaboration, and I want to work with you to make your script what you want it to be.
Philosophy
My goal as a dramatist-mentor is to recognize the impulse and intention in your script and to help you fulfill that intention.
Process
Before we start our time together, I’ll encourage you to ask your own set of questions.
I read your script at least twice. As I read, I’ll write line notes: observations, comments on where I’m intrigued or laugh, questions about craft or your intent.
I’ll write a set of summary end notes (generally about 3-4 single-spaced pages.) These will include thoughts about your script’s strengths; potential areas for clarification and deepening; and next steps.
We’ll have a virtual meeting, by phone or video chat, in which we’ll discuss all of this.
We’ll also discuss:
- the deep roots of what you write about
- the roots of this particular script
- why your play belongs on a stage or your film on the screen
- (optional): texts to read and/or writing exercises.
In the end, I'll aim to have you recharged and fired up to tackle another draft.
Find Out More
For more in-depth info, watch this interview. **
** Specific discussion of script consulting starts at about 26:00.
To Reach Me
Contact me. We'll determine pricing based on your needs and the project.
Or, if you're a member of the Dramatists Guild of America, you can book me through the Dramatist Guild Institute's Plays in Progress portal.