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The Script CURBsultant
Want your script worked on by a writer who’s written with Larry David, The Farrelly Brothers and the guys who wrote “Deadpool?”
Then get your script worked on by
The Script CURBsultant
FEATURED WORK IN:
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Two and a Half Men
The Ranch
The NOW
U. of Pennsylvania Law School
(Not a writing job, but still impressive, right?)
Hi, my name is Steve Leff, and let me first address the name of this site -- “The Script CURBsultant?” It makes no sense. I mean, yes, I’m a writer/consulting producer on “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” so I guess if you meld one element (“Curb”) with the second (I’m a consultant on the show) it arguably makes a smidgen of sense… oh, who am I kidding, no it doesn’t! “CURBsultant” implies I’m offering my consulting services to “Curb,” which is stupid because Larry already hired me to do that (does he regret that decision? Probably). But no, instead, I’m offering my script consulting services to you, meaning my moniker of “CURBsultant” is clearly just a ploy to let you know that I write for arguably the greatest comic mind and greatest comedy show of all time. Shameless? Yes. Pathetic? No question. And yet, I strangely stand by it… here’s why:
Unlike most script readers and script consultants,
I’ve actually written for TV shows you’ve not only watched, but have loved to watch.
I’m talking about shows that have endured, shows that people talk about, such as:
As you can imagine, it’s tough getting hired to write on these shows – competition is fierce and, to get the gig, your writing and ideas need to really stand out. And while I may be a mess in other areas of my life… okay, while I’m definitely a mess in other areas of my life… one thing I do excel at is crafting ideas, stories, characters, dialogue and scripts that get bought and that get me hired.
I’ve written scripts that have been bought and have gotten me hired by some of the most successful people in Hollywood… and I can help do the same for both your TV and movie scripts.
In addition to writing on “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Two and a Half Men,” “The Ranch” and a host of other shows that will fail to impress you, I’m also an accomplished screenwriter. One of my screenplays (“Doc and Howie Whack a Granny”) achieved the Triple Crown: (1) it sold to the legendary Ivan Reitman and Paramount Pictures, (2) it convinced two of the best writers on the planet -- Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick (“Deadpool” and “Zombieland”) -- to attach themselves as directors and (3) it was voted to the Black List, which sounds extremely negative but is actually quite laudatory: it’s an annual list of the Best Unproduced Screenplays of that year.
I co-wrote another screenplay entitled “The Now” with the legendary Peter Farrelly (I know I already used “legendary” to describe Ivan Reitman, but what can I say – they’re both legends) and the very funny Pete Jones (“Hall Pass”) that stars Dave Franco and Bill Murray.
Finally, not to brag, but I also received a Writers Guild Award nomination for Best Comedy Writing for my writing on "Curb Your Enthusiasm."
Here I am!
Here I am!
Okay, reading that over, that definitely comes across as bragging… but come on, it’s not every day you get nominated for best comedy writing by your fellow writers! (Actually, it’s TWO days since I was nominated in both 2021 and 2022… ugh, there I go again, sounding like I’m bragging! But I’m not “bragging,” I’m simply “informing” – you know, so you can make an informed decision… what, now it’s a crime to inform?)
Look, bottom line, I’ve been in your shoes… assuming your shoe size is a Men’s 5 ½. Okay, my foot’s not that that small, but the point is, I know what it’s like as a writer to doubt your writing and your scripts, and wonder, “Am I just wasting my time? Am I ever gonna get my Big Break?”
Well, I know you’ll have a much better shot at getting that Big Break if you dig down deep to transform your script from merely a good one into an absolute great one.
And I can help you do that.
Just check out my services below, figure out what’s best for you and take that first step toward making that script sale and getting that writing job!
Sevices
Script Analysis and Guidance Services
If you would like me to analyze your script, and then offer my guidance regarding the changes you should make to bolster all elements of your script -- which in turn will substantially improve the chances of your script selling and/or getting you a professional writing job -- choose one of the below two options:
Script Coverage, Analysis and Guidance
2 pages of notes from 2-time Writers Guild Awards Best Writing Nominee
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Breakdown of your script’s characters, conflicts, structure, stories, set pieces and dialogue.
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Guidance on how to strengthen your script’s characters, conflicts, structure, stories, set pieces and dialogue.
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Assistance with logline creation/formation.
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30 minute follow-up phone call to go over notes, and ask any follow-up questions. (Don't underestimate the value of a phone call! Phone call is a great way for you to ask more pointed questions about your script and get even more specific advice on how you can improve it!)
Pricing
TV Script
$135 (10 day turnaround)
$165 (5 day turnaround)
$195 (3 day turnaround)
Feature Film Script
$175 (10 day turnaround)
$195 (5 day turnaround)
$245 (3 day turnaround)
Script Coverage, Analysis and Guidance PLUS
3 pages of notes from 2-time Writers Guild Awards Best Writing Nominee
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Breakdown of your script’s characters, conflicts, structure, stories, set pieces and dialogue, with guidance on how to strengthen each area.
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Assistance with logline creation/formation.
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60 minute follow-up phone call to go over notes, and ask any follow-up questions. (60 minute phone call! Which means you can ask even MORE questions about your script, and get even MORE advice and guidance as to how to make it better!)
Pricing
TV Script
$250 (10 day turnaround)
$275 (5 day turnaround)
$315 (3 day turnaround)
Feature Film Script
$300 (10 day turnaround)
$330 (5 day turnaround)
$395 (3 day turnaround)
Rewriting Services
If you would like me to actually participate in the rewrite of your script, which will greatly improve the chances of your script being sold and getting you a writing job, choose one of the below options.
Punch-Up and Polish
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I will punch-up your dialogue -- making your dialogue crisper, funnier, faster and more dramatic/emotional.
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I will polish the stage direction -- making it shorter, more compelling, more engaging.
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I will improve the “flow” of your script – which will improve its readability, which makes a more favorable impression on the reader.
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I will do a “cut pass,” where I propose cutting certain script material that is too long, not necessary and/or slows the momentum of your story.
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I will clean up all spelling and grammatical errors (a necessary and underrated element, as readers often put down error-laden scripts).
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We’ll hop on the phone for 30 minutes afterward to discuss the changes, and I will make additional punch-ups/polishes that you would like incorporated into the script.
Pricing
TV Script
$350 (10 day turnaround)
$400 (5 day turnaround)
Feature Film Script
$425 (10 day turnaround)
$500 (5 day turnaround)
Punch-Up, Polish and Scene Reconstruction
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I will punch-up your dialogue -- making it crisper, funnier, faster.
-
I will polish the stage direction -- making it shorter, more compelling, more engaging.
-
I will improve the “flow” of your script – which will improve its readability, which leaves a more favorable impression on the reader.
-
I will do a “cut pass,” where I propose cutting certain script material that is too long, not necessary and/or slows the momentum of your story.
-
I will clean up all spelling and grammatical errors (a necessary and underrated element, as readers often put down error-laden scripts).
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I will reconstruct and add original material to 2 of your existing scenes to elevate the comedy, conflict, drama and/or emotion within the scene, which will in turn elevate the entire story and script.
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We’ll hop on the phone for 30 minutes afterward to discuss the changes, and I will polish my work in accordance with your thoughts.
Pricing
TV Script
$550 (10 day turnaround)
$675 (5 day turnaround)
Feature Film Script
$625 (10 day turnaround)
$775 (5 day turnaround)
Punch-Up, Polish and Add 2 Original Scenes/Set Pieces
-
I will punch-up your dialogue -- making it crisper, funnier, faster.
-
I will polish the stage direction -- making it shorter, more compelling, more engaging.
-
I will improve the “flow” of your script – which will improve its readability, which leaves a more favorable impression on the reader.
-
I will do a “cut pass,” where I propose cutting certain script material that is too long, not necessary and/or slows the momentum of your story.
-
I will clean up all spelling and grammatical errors (a necessary and underrated element, as readers often put down error-laden scripts).
-
I will create and write 2 ORIGINAL scenes/set pieces for your script that will make your script more memorable by adding additional comedy, conflict, drama and/or emotion.
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We’ll hop on the phone for 30 minutes afterward to discuss the changes, and I will polish my work in accordance with your feedback.
Pricing
TV Script
$750 (12 day turnaround)
$850 (7 day turnaround)
Feature Film Script
$825 (14 day turnaround)
$950 (10 day turnaround)
“Get You Started” Starter Pack
Have an idea for a TV show or movie, but having trouble getting the script started? I can help by:
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Helping you crystalize “What is your movie about?”
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Helping you create defined, interesting and compelling characters.
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Brainstorming your script’s story, its arc, where your story goes vs. where your story could/should go.
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Evaluating your characters’ current obstacles vs. your characters' potentially more compelling obstacles.
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Helping you construct and write your outline, which will put you in a position to start your script!
Script Trainer
What do you do when you’re in a work-out rut? When your work-out isn’t giving you the results you want, you start losing your motivation to work-out and instead of hitting the weights you start gaining the weight? You hire a trainer.
So what should you do when you’re in a writing rut? When you can’t find the motivation to start a script, finish a script or when all your changes to a script are just making the script different instead of better?
You hire a trainer – a Script Trainer.
Someone who, on a regular basis, will coach you, motivate you, prod you, practically force you to write more and write better. And if you hire me to be your Script Trainer, here is what you’ll get:
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Three writing assignments per week, to get you writing. (These assignments won’t be theoretical – they’ll address specific areas of the script that should be strengthened, with further discussion of specifically how these areas can be strengthened.)
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Five 30-minute phone calls a week with me – not one call per week, but five – to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your idea, script, scenes, story, characters, dialogue, and whatever other elements are holding your script back… and how we will go about transforming those script weaknesses into script strengths.
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A One-Page weekly written assessment by me evaluating your script progress -- where your weekly changes worked, where they did not, and pitches and suggestions for changes to make for the upcoming week.
Just like having a trainer only one day a week isn’t going to do much for your body, having a Script Trainer one day a week isn’t going to do much for your script. But having a trainer/mentor helping and talking to you 5 DAYS PER WEEK? That’s gonna get your habits, and your script, in tip-top shape!
4 Week Program - $850 (5 phone calls per week – that’s 10 hours of instructive phone calls!)
8 Week Program - $1500 (5 phone calls per week – that’s 20 hours of instructive phone calls!)
TV Script
$850
Pricing
Feature Film Script
$950
Pricing
TV Script
$850 (4 weeks)
$1500 (8 weeks)
Feature Film Script
$950 (4 weeks)
$1550 (8 weeks)
GHOSTWRITING
Got an idea for a TV show or movie but want someone else to ghostwrite it for you? Contact me, and maybe we can work something out!
Meet Steve
Meet Steve
Steve grew up (to the extent he grew up -- he’s only 5’4 1/2” and yes, half-inches matter to Steve) in Chicago. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, Steve proceeded to waste his law school tuition (sorry, Dad) and moved to L.A. to pursue a career in writing. Steve has written on “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Two and a Half Men,” “The Ranch,” “Good Morning Miami,” “Inside Schwartz,” “Off Centre,” “The PJs,” “Carpoolers,” “Roommates,” “Marvin, Marvin” and “Teen Angel.” Steve has also sold over 15 TV pilots to Fox, ABC, Sony, Warner Bros., Disney and Nickelodeon. On the movie-side, Steve’s screenplay “Doc and Howie Whack a Granny” was named to the Black List and sold to Paramount Pictures, while another screenplay he co-wrote with Peter Farrelly and Pete Jones, “The Now,” was released in 2021. Steve’s IMDB credits can be found at Steve Leff - IMDB. In his spare time, Steve loves playing tennis, ping-pong and Blokus with his wife and two kids... and also enjoys Diet Coke, bagels and worrying.
Ready to get started? Send me an email with details about your project and I'll be in touch soon.
Contact Steve at Steve@Scriptcurbsultant.com
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