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I really enjoyed the characters and plot. It'd be cool to see it filmed! Or even adapted to a novel. In any case, thought I'd let you know. I hope to read more from you in the future!
Best wishes,
Michelle Barrett
At first it seemed innocent enough, and I appreciated that somebody read and liked the script (even though it was an older, terrible draft). However, I quickly noticed that the only thing the email actually said about the script was the page count. Everything else was super generic. So, erring on the side of caution, I decided not to reply in case it was spam or a phishing scam.
Three days later, Michelle wrote again:
I should be thanking you for writing it, Lewis. ! I'm not a writer. I'm a housewife but a voracious reader and fan of screenplays and novels. I love the escape from reality they offer. I do have some friends who are in the industry. They actually got me into reading more. I've read a lot of scripts where the dialogue isn’t anything like someone would actually speak. Among other things, I think you did a really good job with the dialogue. Characters are key. That much I know. It came off natural and with personality. That's awesome. I wish you continued success! I'll definitely check out any other works you're involved in. Have a wonderful week!
Best wishes,
Michelle Barrett
So far, so similar. This seems even more shady, as she continues to talk about the script without actually talking about the script. I'm curious, wondering what the deal is and what is trying to be gained through this communication. Once again, I ignore it.
Finally, I received an email today:
Hi Lewis,
I was talking to my friend John about your work the other day and he really liked what I had to say. We went to school together. He’s a professional screenwriter and novelist who also helps market manuscripts. He said I could share you this big list of producers and financiers you can market your scripts to. They're always looking for new material. He just asks that you don't post it online or sell it: LINK OMITTED
Best wishes,
Michelle Barrett
All in all, my BS meter is off the freaking charts with these. Out of curiosity, my wife followed the link to the file in question using a dummy dropbox account on her phone: It was an excel spreadsheet filled with lists of studios, organized by what they accepted from whom (e.g., 'accepts query letters/scripts from unproduced, unrepresented writers'). It was a lot of information, and at no point was there any pitch for a service or fee.
What I'm really trying to find out is: has anybody else received communication like this? If so, what did you do / do you know what the deal is with it?
I still have not responded to the email, and still do not intend to. What are your guys' thoughts?
Received something similar but not too detail as yours. Actually exchanged a couple of emails with her just thanking her and offering to read something of hers(didn�t know what she wanted at the time). But it at the end it came down to John lol. I declined and wished her best on her endeavors. And communication has stopped since. She didn�t send link though lol.
I say ignore it.
Gabe
Just Murdered by Sean Elwood (Zombie Sean) and Gabriel Moronta (Mr. Ripley) - (Dark Comedy, Horror) All is fair in love and war. A hopeless romantic gay man resorts to bloodshed to win the coveted position of Bridesmaid. 99 pages. https://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-comedy/m-1624410571/
Yeah. I’ve gotten the EXACT same email by the same woman. Twice, but the first was months ago usin a different name basically, I think she’s just writing to sell this other guy’s services. Whatever they may be. I forgot exactly what it was. Just ignore.
I notice that a lot of scammers like to use female names. Sometimes they may even come up with pretty-looking avatars. I suppose it's down to how stupid/desperate some men are when it comes to female attention.
I got the same set a while ago. The writer mistakenly signed one email Jennifer Barrett instead of Michelle Barrett. It's the John guy trying to sucker people for sure.
I got the same exact letters verbatim, well except for my name and the title of the script. It was from Michelle Barrett.
Award winning screenwriter Available screenplays TINA DARLING - 114 page Comedy ONLY OSCAR KNOWS - 99 page Horror A SONG IN MY HEART - 94 page Drama HALLOWEEN GAMES - 105 page Drama
I got a similar email back in September from someone calling herself Judy Barrett, at first just complimenting me on a script. I politely thanked her, then she wrote back suggesting I turn it into a novel. I told her I preferred the performing arts and pointed out the script had already been produced. She then referred me to a guy named John Halas at http://ScreenwritersForHire.Com and http://FictionGhostwriter.Com to help me turn it into a novel. I stopped responding to her at that point.
I don’t know if it’s a phishing scam or just a script consultant trying to drum up clients, but it’s definitely someone trying to take advantage of writers.
Yeah, I received the same, didn't reply until the third email I think. By then it was obvious she was hawking services for this John guy, or as someone said above, perhaps Michelle is John in a Philip K. Dick sort of way. I thanked her/him/it and that was that, haven't followed up the links she/he/it sent.
I really liked the characters and plot. It'd be cool to see it filmed! Or expanded to a TV show or movie. In any case, thought I'd let you know. I hope to read more from you in the future!