Kristin Palombo

Create a Compelling Script

If your goal is to sell your script or get hired as a TV or film writer, Kristin can help. As a creative producer and writer, she knows how hard it is to go from the blank page to a compelling script. She has the utmost admiration for good writing. And, more importantly, Kristin loves writers. She gets them. They are "her people." The fact is, getting top notch feedback is part of the writing process. Showrunners and professional writers depend on Kristin's notes, and so will you. Because, at the end of the day, no matter what your experience level, it's what's on the page that counts. Here are Kristin's rules by which to write:

1. What is the DRIVE??? (The train must leave the station in Act 1.)

2. What is the STORY? (What are you trying to say?)

3. Nothing goes on the page unless it ADVANCES PLOT or REVEALS CHARACTER.

4. Character Character Character. Know the character arcs FIRST.

5. SHOW who the characters are, don't tell what they do. (What are the life changing moments that define a person?)

6. Every scene must be COMPELLING! (Not interesting, compelling!)

7. Every scene must have a TWIST.

8. Pack a punch! Less is more. Every letter and every punctuation mark must have a purpose.

9. Every character must be flawed.

10. Each act break MUST leave you hanging and desperate for more.

(BTW, Kristin gives her mentor Nancy Miller full credit for teaching her these rules - far easier said than done!) 

Testimonials

"Kristin's talent to read scripts and give notes is off the charts. Kristin knows how to handle us, work with us, encourage us... Without making us feel like we are stupid or that she knows more about writing than us. She makes a writer excited to go home and get to work, making the script better. She knows what she's doing and is my right hand every step of the way."   -  Nancy Miller  (Nashville, Saving Grace, The Closer, Any Day Now)

"Kristin's amazing knack for identifying and diagnosing script problems has long made her the first person we go to with new material. Her notes are thoughtful, smart, and supportive. She doesn't waste your time with what will sell (because who on earth really knows?), she gives you what will work -- what will make your script just plain better."  -  Megan Lynn & Wade Solomon  (Good Trouble, The Fosters, Cult, Against The Wall, Saving Grace)

"Kristin has played an invaluable part in all of my projects for the last three years. She's been my creative sounding board and advisor -  a wise and friendly development executive who is always on the side of what's best for the story. She's helped me shape ideas, hone pitches and revise story boards & scripts. She understands how producers and studios think because she's been there dozens of times - on hundreds of projects."   -  Ric Arthur  (Hawaii Five-0, The Last Ship, NCIS, Commander in Chief)

"I wrote a spec pilot called Against the Wall that I later sold to Lifetime. I gave Kristin the script to read before anyone else. She gave me remarkable notes. I truthfully don’t believe my script would have been as tight and well- defined without Kristin’s input. Her notes add depth, humor and heart. Kristin knows storytelling and it shows in her notes. Kristin is my go-to person whenever I write a script."  -  Annie Brunner  (All Rise, Against The Wall, Saving Grace, Huff, Beverly Hills 90210)

A professional assessment and constructive critique includes:

• General notes

• A copy of your script with handwritten page-by-page notations

• A 60-minute meeting on ZOOM or in person to go over the notes and suggestions

Rates depend on length of script, half-hour, one-hour or feature. Consulting also available for pitches, treatments, bibles and outlines. To request a consultation/rates, email Kristin at soundbathbliss@gmail.com.

As a Creative Producer Kristin has developed / sold the following shows:

• Tulsa (2014 - 2018) Mini-series starring Octavia Spencer about the 1921 race riot in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Studio was Sony - Sold to Oprah Winfrey Network. Producing Partner to Showrunner & Creators Nancy Miller, Valerie Woods and Dayna North.

• St. Jude, Missouri (2015 - 2016) 1-hour cop show: part procedural, soap & social commentary. Studio was 20th Century Fox - Sold to Fox Network. Producing Partner to Showrunner / Creator Nancy Miller and EP Judy Smith.

• Sex, Lies and Handwriting (2013 - 2015) 1-hour character driven procedural inspired by the book. Studio was Lionsgate / Tandem Productions / Sea to Sky Entertainment - Sold to ABC, SAT1, TF-1 and Bell Networks. Producing Partner to Showrunner & Creators Nancy Miller and Annie Brunner.

• Rage (2013) 1-hour latina superhero action drama. Studio was Lionsgate / Televisa / Travieso Productions / POW! Entertainment - Sold to Sy-Fy Network. Producing Partner to Showrunner & Creator Nancy Miller and co-creator with Stan Lee.

• Teresa (2011 - 2013) 1-hour grounded soap based on the successful telenovela format. Studio was Lionsgate / Televisa - Sold to ABC Network. Producing Partner to Showrunner & Creator Nancy Miller.

To request a script consultation/rates, email Kristin at compellingscript@gmail.com.