With Love, From Romance by Kathy Cranford - Drama, Romance - When a reporter receives a Valentine’s Day themed assignment, a postmark sends her on a journey to a town named Romance. 88 pages - pdf format

Writer interested in feedback on this work

Ok, so most of you know I’m the “Hallmark girl”, right?  I’ve been trying to channel El Dave and work on my slug lines and generally just clean things up a bit - but I finally got this one finished (well, until the advice starts coming).  So don your hip boots and wade on into the wholesome sweetness…if you dare. LOL.   Thanks in advance - you guys are the best!

Steve (SAC) and Dena are writing Hallmark scripts too. You are definitely not alone.

Quoted from Grandma Bear Steve (SAC) and Dena are writing Hallmark scripts too. You are definitely not alone.

Then I consider myself in good company!  

Although hot off the press, as of last night, this is in the hands of two different producers who are reviewing now.  Appreciate crossed-fingers and good vibes for luck!

Quoted from Grandma Bear Steve (SAC) and Dena are writing Hallmark scripts too. You are definitely not alone.

Not currently writing anything, but I do intend to wade in. Though I do prefer to wear my hip boots with a speedo.

I think I might have read this one, or at least the first act, I think. Very pleased to hear you have this in front of two producers!

86 pages seems a little light for this type of script, though. 103-105 pages for Hallmark, Lifetime, Uptv, etc.

Steve

Quoted from SAC Not currently writing anything, but I do intend to wade in. Though I do prefer to wear my hip boots with a speedo. I think I might have read this one, or at least the first act, I think. Very pleased to hear you have this in front of two producers! 86 pages seems a little light for this type of script, though. 103-105 pages for Hallmark, Lifetime, Uptv, etc. Steve

Yes Steve, I did post several months back in the “My scripts in progress” area. I picked this up and put it down multiple times but finally made myself get serious about finishing it (taking notes of suggestions from this group). As to the page length, I listened to a podcast two or three years  ago done by a writer that did a lot of screenplays for Hallmark. I can’t even remember her name now but she said one of her cardinal rules was “never write past page 84”. Her reasoning was that it gives the director some wiggle room in expanding certain scenes if necessary and also leaves room for rewrites or delving more deeply into extra character or scene building, etc. And also she noted that most Hallmark movies come in right at 84 minutes!  Anyway, that always stuck in my head after that - not sure if any of that is true or not. LOL. Anyway, if someone says they need more, I can always write more.  

Quoted from kcranford Although hot off the press, as of last night, this is in the hands of two different producers who are reviewing now.  Appreciate crossed-fingers and good vibes for luck!

Wow - that's super news - congrats. Rooting for you!

Quoted from Don With Love, From Romance by Kathy Cranford - Drama, Romance - When a reporter receives a Valentine’s Day themed assignment, a postmark sends her on a journey to a town named Romance. 85 pages - pdf format Writer interested in feedback on this work

Ahh, best of luck!!

Wow! How'd you manage that, Kathy?
Crossing my fingers for you.

Quoted from kcranford Yes Steve, I did post several months back in the “My scripts in progress” area. I picked this up and put it down multiple times but finally made myself get serious about finishing it (taking notes of suggestions from this group). As to the page length, I listened to a podcast two or three years  ago done by a writer that did a lot of screenplays for Hallmark. I can’t even remember her name now but she said one of her cardinal rules was “never write past page 84”. Her reasoning was that it gives the director some wiggle room in expanding certain scenes if necessary and also leaves room for rewrites or delving more deeply into extra character or scene building, etc. And also she noted that most Hallmark movies come in right at 84 minutes!  Anyway, that always stuck in my head after that - not sure if any of that is true or not. LOL. Anyway, if someone says they need more, I can always write more.

I would think that established writers who have multiple produced scripts might be able to get away with that. That said, when I was optioned briefly many moons ago, I believe I had the same rationale — the movies themselves always fall into the 84 minute range. The producer told me it needed to be 105 pages specifically so they could eliminate scenes, meaning give them more than they could use so they can be the ones to whittle it down and choose the best scenes for the film. Ever since then it’s been 105 for me.

Either way you choose to go, always best of luck.

This is awesome news, Kathy.  Fingers and toes firmly crossed.

I'm diving back in to make a couple revisions to this script.  I received a much appreciated PM from one of the members here with some amazing advice and ideas after they had read the script (Since it was a PM, I won't name the person here publicly, but you know who you are).  I so appreciate all of your input and hope I can return the favor soon.

As an aside, I've decided that having screenplays is a lot like having kids.   Just when you think you have all the messes cleaned up, you find another that needs your attention.  **Sigh**

I could see myself surfing through the channels, stumbling across this and getting hooked. I am impressed with the amount of research you did. It’s possible you didn’t do any research, you just knew all that stuff. In any case, the story pulled me in and kept me there.

Here's to happy stories and happy writers!
Good luck.

Thank you so much, D.A.!  I appreciate your time in reading the script, and glad you enjoyed the story.  The real town of Romance is only about 50 miles from me.  The story of the school teacher naming the town is true as well as the thousands of cards that arrive each year for the "Romance" postmark.  The rock painted with hundreds of names is real too. The rest is pure fiction created by yours truly - so not a great deal of research done. LOL

I'm still waiting for you to share your work and hoping I get the honor of being the first to review it.  

Thanks again for the read and for your kind thoughts.

Kathy