Portfolio Review
As a literary manager, one of the most common questions I get is, "How do I know if I'm ready to start looking for representation?
This 4-part consultation will get you ready.
Do you have at least two solid scripts in your portfolio?
If so, you might be ready to start looking for an agent or manager to take your screenwriting career to the next level.
But you only get one chance at a first impression!
Before you start querying, make sure your scripts go the distance.
INTRODUCING
THE PORTFOLIO REVIEW
A working literary manager will meet with you four times and read two scripts. Together we will determine what your next steps should be for your career.
THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY IS SECRETIVE AND CONFUSING
When trying to get someone to read your material, it can feel like shouting into the abyss.
You don't know what is wrong with your material, and you're at a loss for how to fix it.
If you're tired of entering competitions and not making any real progress, you need honest feedback from someone who works with professional screenwriters every day.
MEETING 1
FIRST SCRIPT NOTES
I'll read your primary sample and give you detailed notes on what's working, what isn't, and how to fix it.
You will get an honest evaluation about whether this is ready to send to managers/producers and how marketable the premise is considering the current buyer mandates.
MEETING 2
SECOND SCRIPT NOTES
Before you're ready to start seeking representation, you need to have a second script that's as good as your first one.
This will be another round of in-depth notes, diagnosing specifically what isn't working in your script and offering actionable feedback for how to fix it and what skills to focus on developing.
MEETING 3
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL REVIEW + STRATEGY
In our 3rd meeting, we'll take a look at the additional materials you have in your portfolio. I'll review:
- A one-page summary of a 3rd script (or a treatment for the script you plan on writing next).
- A page of loglines (whether you have written the scripts for them or not, I can tell you what will be helpful to include in your portfolio).
- Bio
- Query Email
I will then give you specific, actionable strategies for developing your skills, building your network, and creating opportunities for yourself.
MEETING 4
REWRITE READ + CHECK-IN
A minimum of 3 (and a maximum of 6) months after our 3rd meeting, we'll schedule a check-in.
During this session, I will read a new draft of one of the scripts we discussed in our first two meetings.
I will also ask about the career development steps you've been taking. Together we will look at the results you're getting and determine if any specific changes should be made in your strategy. I will offer additional next steps guidance for where to go from here.
About Me
I'm Audrey Knox, a literary manager at Cartel Entertainment.
- I have been working in the Film/TV industry for 14 years.
- I have been a manager representing screenwriters since 2018.
- I have worked as a Script Consultant for Stage 32 and Roadmap Writers since 2017.
- My clients have written on P-Valley, Ginny & Georgia, grown-ish, Reasonable Doubt, Single Drunk Female, The Upshaws, Nancy Drew, Tom Swift, Robot Chicken, and Raising Dion.
- I represent writers with feature films produced by Lionsgate, Hallmark, Tubi, and Lifetime.
- I have a degree in Screenwriting from Chapman University.
- I studied under Jen Grisanti through her 8-Week Storywise Teleseminar and have since returned to her class as a guest speaker.
- I have mentored at the Stowe Story Labs and The Good Word Writers' Retreats.
- I learned screenplay structure from Corey Mandell's Professional Screenwriter courses, Structure Intensives, and Sequence Intensives.
- I have taught 8-week classes on pilot writing and feature writing.
- I write about story structure and the business of screenwriting for my 3.5k Email Newsletter subscribers and my 16k LinkedIn followers.
I offer individual consultations with feedback on a single script.
But if you have multiple projects and are looking for a holistic conversation about your career, a Portfolio Review is a better step for you.
Audrey's an integral part of my creative process, and possesses two rare qualities- impeccable taste, and a deep understanding of the TV and Film marketplace. Her guidance at critical moments have elevated my work, and helped my stories resonate with buyers. Scripts Audrey helped me hone consistently receive enthusiastic responses from Producers. Equally important, she's helped me focus on properties that can sell, and spared me from years of writing and re-writing projects that aren't right for the marketplace. Audrey's my creative comrade, and I guess she's yours now too!
- Zen Freese (Staff Writer, How We Roll)
Audrey is phenomenal to work with: full of great advice, provides actionable feedback, and is a brainstorming machine. Not to mention concise and honest without ever talking down. She truly knows story inside and out. The side effect to all this is her guidance can be rather addictive. Highly recommend!
- Lisa Garvey
In the 14 months I’ve mentored with Audrey Knox, she has been incredible at guiding me in writing and revising outlines, treatments, loglines, and scripts for five screenplays in four different genres. I have taken hundreds of webinars and classes and received feedback from a dozen industry professionals, but mentoring with Audrey has had the greatest impact in taking my writing to a higher level.
Audrey is a master at identifying knots in a script or outline, and then clarifying how to unravel them. Her approach to constructive feedback is to illuminate the problems and then give the writer the creative choice on how to fix them. That really works for me. I especially enjoy it when we collaborate on solutions to story issues together, during our call.
Her comments are always positive, her advice so insightful. Her feedback can cover the ‘30,000 foot overview’ of a story, down to a single line of dialogue in a script. Before mentoring with Audrey, I had reached a point of frustration and felt down about my writing. But after our first call, I felt optimistic and excited to make the revisions we discussed.
In addition to Audrey’s razor-sharp skills at story structure, she excels at defining and tracing the beats of a character’s development and arc from beginning to end of a story/script. Her feedback and suggestions have blown me away by how well she knows my characters and what they need. I have asked myself, ‘Wow! Why didn’t I see that myself?’
On a personal level, Audrey is a pleasure to work with. She’s encouraging, compassionate, articulate, and upbeat. She’s always understanding and flexible when I’ve asked to reschedule a call. I feel uplifted and eager to work on my writing at the end of each call.
- Martha Caprarotta
Our script consultation provided challenging information that I’ve wasted a lot of money desperately searching for. Audrey is amazing.
- Braxton Joy
If you want someone to take your money and give you a pat on the back, go elsewhere. Audrey offers a professional, no-bullshit approach to notes that get to the heart of the revision process and offer an individualized roadmap to not sucking. Working with her will change your writing for the better.
- Claire Utely
Audrey Knox is the ultimate catalyst for creative brilliance. Her feedback on my one-hour dramedy was a revelation, pushing me to delve deeper into character arcs, motivations, and the overarching seasonal journey of my series. With Audrey's expert guidance, I refined my script and unearthed a new perspective that I never would have found alone. She's a muse, a coach, and a great eye to have on your scripts. Audrey is an indispensable asset at any stage of a screenwriter's career.
- Jason Gregory (screenwriter and screenwriting lecturer in the English department at the University of Central Florida)
A good sounding board is hard to find. Audrey's deep dive into the material yielded thought-provoking and actionable guidance. I have a stronger screenplay because of her.
- Will Bermender
