MY SERVICES
PITCHES AND OUTLINES
You have a vision, but sometimes you don’t know what you don’t know. From the pitch to the outline, I can work with you to brainstorm, prepare for and offer feedback on your pre-writing materials.
SCRIPTS
Layering. Texture. Specificity. From capturing the proper formatting to ensuring that your voice reads loud and clear, I can work with you to get your ideas executed onto the page.
ONGOING COUNSEL
Be it a check-in meeting on a specific project or general career support, I can offer ongoing counsel on an as-needed basis.
LET’S GET STARTED
I’ve had some off the chart mentors in my career.
Two honorable mentions: I learned from the amazing (Emmy winning) Actor, Writer, Producer, Dan Bucatinsky (Hacks, Scandal, Web Therapy, Who Do You Think You Are, The Comeback), on how to debate every angle of an idea/pitch as well as the art of selling. His enthusiasm and work ethic still shape the way I approach writers and material. And Executive Producer, Director, Greer Shephard (Longmire, The Closer, Nip/Tuck), showed me early on in my career how to be a writer’s advocate and to stand by them, even when in the moment it might not be beneficial to me. In the long run, if I’ve learned nothing else… It’s all about maintaining good relationships.
But perhaps some of the most inspiring mentors have been among the hundreds of talented writers I’ve worked with along the way… Nurturing, guiding and at times, when the stars align, may even include a network sale.
I absolutely treasure writers. I admire their all consuming need to tell a story, their passion(s) and unique points of view. Whether you’re an emerging, mid-level or long-established writer, I’m here to give you more than script analysis. I like to look at a writer’s life experience and how it might be applied to what they’re writing about; Forcing them to dig in and ask questions that inevitably lead to lightbulb moments, which then lead to richer pieces of material. I see myself as part therapist; I want to help shatter any blockage. I see myself as part interior designer; I come into your house and help you decorate or take down any unnecessary walls or rearrange the furniture. Lastly, I see myself as part coach; I encourage you to see your material (the structure, the characters, the world and themes) in a whole new light with the most important tool you have: Your Voice.
HOW I WORK
- 01The Plan
- 02The Services
- 03The Follow Up
The Plan
I like to start off by having a conversation with you. Listening to what your intent is, what themes you’re exploring and why you want to write this particular story. For me, it’s helpful to get to know you both as a writer and as a human.
01The Services
After having a conversation, I have you send me your material (unless you’re verbally pitching me something). Once I receive, I dive in. I take a read and begin to mull and absorb. When I’m done, I send you detailed notes, questions and suggestions ranging from general to specific page notes.
02The Follow Up
After I send you the written notes, I suggest you do your own mulling and absorbing and when you’re ready, we can go over any questions you might have via phone, zoom or email.
03PITCHES ONLY
One listen and/or read through along with specific, detailed notes.
Verbal Pitch: $300
Written Pitch: $400
Verbal and Written Combo: $600
TV OUTLINES
One read through along with specific, detailed notes.
Half Hour: $400
One Hour: $500
ORIGINAL PILOT & SPEC SCRIPTS
One read through along with specific, detailed notes.
Half Hour: $500
One Hour: $600
The LookBook: $400
FEATURES
One read through along with specific, detailed notes.
Feature(s): $750
ONGOING COUNSELING: $100 an hour per zoom, call, or meeting
Some writers like the consistency of having someone to turn to at any given time in the process. I will provide a time when we can get on the phone or Zoom or meet in order to work out any kinks or stumbling blocks you’re having. I can talk you through any anxiety or walls you’re coming up against in a constructive, empathetic way.
Don’t see what you’re looking for? No worries. For other inquiries, don’t hesitate to reach out.
TESTIMONIALS
Rebecca is a dream to work with. Smart. Insightful. Creative. Supportive. And insanely gifted. Rebecca truly understands the writer’s journey. She doesn’t try to make the process about her ideas– it’s always about helping the writer find the best version of their idea. That is a truly rare quality in this town. And I can say from personal experience that she has helped make my work better. Not to mention, Rebecca has great taste. In people and material. She understands the marketplace and what the buyers are looking for and responding to. I would work with her again in a heartbeat.
Putting my script in Rebecca Stay’s hands was the smartest move I’ve ever made. I gave her my script and in turn Rebecca gave me her experience. She generously spent time with my pilot, gave me extensive, well-crafted notes and helped me to put the story I had in my mind’s eye on the page. Through her guidance, my script improved – and it landed me representation at a major agency. Rebecca not only elevated my writing, she elevated my career.
It’s impossible to oversell how much Rebecca and my work with her has impacted my career. She has respect for the writer’s voice, while helping you craft and structure your script in a way that conveys that voice, while also adhering to industry standards. Quite simply, she became my first and only writing teacher. With the samples she helped me hone, I signed with CAA, Anonymous Content and I’ve staffed on four shows in less than three years. I can’t recommend her enough. And on top of all that, she’s an absolute joy to be around and work with.
The year was 1999. Rebecca Stay read my newly published novel, The Perks of Being a Wallflower. She found me in New York City and said that she thought I might have a knack for TV. Her vision lead me to writing some freelance episodes for a show she was working on. Those episodes lead me to a love of TV. That love lead me to selling my first pilot to Rebecca. That pilot experience was so great that I wrote another pilot for a show I co-created entitled Jericho. The moral of the story is… get to know Rebecca Stay. She is one of the most intelligent, supportive, and nurturing people I have ever worked with, and I thank her for the rest of my days.
It was my great pleasure to work with Rebecca Stay in development for several years, during which we worked on several pilots together, including my first series to go to air, The D.A., which led directly to my next writing gig, The Closer. Rebecca just doesn’t understand development and story, she understands writing for the screen. Knowing how something can translate from the page to the stage is almost an art form in itself. Rebecca is that artist.
Rebecca is the perfect antidote to the notes a writer gets these days, those generic, pre-determined attempts to reduce every script to a copy of another; she’s a welcome reminder that development means nurturing an individual writer’s voice toward a finished script. In my times working with Rebecca, I eagerly welcomed her thoughts (well, as eagerly as I could welcome anything besides unbridled praise), because they not only bettered my stories and scripts with great ideas I hadn’t considered, but always did so with a steady eye on the idea’s original intent. If you want to work with someone who really loves writers (and honestly, you’ve met writers — they’re not easy to love), get Rebecca on your team.
In my career as a television writer/producer, I had the privilege and pleasure of working with Rebecca over the course of almost seven years. I was able to experience her creative input as well as her graceful, professional and level-headed demeanor when dealing not just with writers, but with other network executives, directors, and producers. She has an almost radar-like ability to focus and zero-in on what needed to be honed and developed. I enjoyed collaborating with her. I also feel like I learned something from an unbelievably smart and sensitive and knowledgeable professional — who has always had a talent for story — and ultimately the development and execution of scripts.
Rebecca is real value-added to any type of project. In addition to being a pleasure to work with, her creative instincts are spot-on and readily travel across genres. Whether focused on the details that help make a script come alive or on bigger picture strategies for getting a pitch sold — you want Rebecca as part of the collaboration!
Rebecca not only has a brilliant brain for the artistry and craft of scriptwriting, but she has a deep respect for your voice and your process. This is truly what makes her THE writer’s advocate. She has a sharp aesthetic, a reliable eye on how to commercially position your work, and will keep you focused on your unique ways of weaving story, writing dialogue, and creating your best possible script.
I have worked with Rebecca Stay on numerous projects over the last ten years. She’s a trusted colleague and friend who is passionate about her relationship with writers. Her notes and guidance are always spot on and she processes the key skill of knowing how to shape an intelligent, marketable script.
Rebecca is a veteran television executive who is a dream to work with. She’s smart, creative, supportive, and, importantly, well-connected. She understands how to develop a script, but also how to guide a writer through the development process. She supports the writer’s vision, trying to make the best version of what the writer is trying to say. And she has great taste in material.