Head Writer/Showrunner of the CBS series, Murder, She Wrote, for which he wrote 24 episodes, creator/writer of 9 series pilots, Novelist, Screenwriter, Playwright Thomas B. Sawyer is unique among consultants. Based in Malibu, CA, Tom brings to his analysis of your material his years of professional writing of produced, successful screenplays and teleplays, plus buying and overseeing scripts from other writers.
Tom’s Screenplay/Teleplay consultations include detailed written critiques, comments, and suggestions aimed at maximizing your script’s commercial potential – these based on the realities of the marketplace. This includes extensive notes on overall story, as well as structure of individual scenes, characters, their design and their development, plus dialogue and action, along with form, and explanations for how to improve them – how to make your screenplay punchier and more audience-satisfying. He also provides examples of professionally-written screenplays, teleplays and related material. His consultations cover your entire project, from logline to premise to entire script, including specific directions for reducing page-count.
Tom also offers consultation for Treatments and/or Step Outlines. This also includes thorough, specific notes on all aspects of the premise and basic concept, on through your approach, plot development and story-structure. It consists of insightful suggestions for ways to more effectively tell your story, including nuanced proposals for changes in characters, pacing, construction and audience-expectations, and includes relevant examples of professionally-written work.
Each submission must also include the Logline and one-or-two-page Synopsis, which will also be critiqued on how well they serve as initial selling-pieces. He handles all genres except fantasy.
Tom also consults on TV Series Pilots, Series Bibles and Pitches ("Leave-Behinds"). For pricing or if you have other questions, please ask: tom@thomasbsawyer.com
"This is great news, Tom! I'm sure many new writers will benefit greatly from your wisdom and experience. Your witty personality doesn't hurt, either."
Dennis Palumbo
Former Hollywood screenwriter, now a licensed therapist
& author of the Daniel Rinaldi mysteries
"I cannot tell you how amazing it is to have someone reading my work and giving me such helpful and astute advice!"
Jacquelyn
"My learning curve has been extraordinary. I have used every suggestion you've made and they have been insightful and practical and pushed me to discover things I NEVER would have arrived at on my own. What an adventure Tom!"
Manuela