Sally B. Merlin

"I'll tell you, meeting you is the best part of all of this.
And not just because you like my writing. Friends are the
gift fate sends you to help you deal with what they’re
going to dish out. I'm so glad you are my friend. I'm
so glad you're in my corner."
Pauline B.J. (First e-book being made into a movie)

"…you made me feel at ease and comfortable. I was filled with great excitement and eagerness as I found my head rumbling with new ideas." Burt D.

"First and foremost, let me say that the amount and the quality of your work is bold and inspiring." Lisa C.

"A special thank you to you for White Squall. We want you to know how very much we appreciate your contribution to the film. Chris Zarpas, Scott Free (Ridley Scott)

"GOT WRITER’S BLOCK? DIAL 1-800-SALLY. Thanks for being there…"Tim D.

"I just wanted to thank you. You are an incredible confidence booster for me. In fact, so much so that I’ve finally done something I’ve always wanted to do – enter a beauty contest!" Lance C. Working Actor

"I applaud you because you seem to have learned how to get genuine pleasure out of your work. I value you more than just a consultant. You are a wise and extraordinary woman…" David R.

"I can’t believe it. I’m told I have a million dollar book deal here…You gave me the hands on experience I needed to send me on my way. For that I will always be grateful…" Holly L.

"Your articles in scr(i)pt are always well written, instructive
the general public as well as the industry. Please keep on
writing them and congratulations on taking stand against
unnecessary violence and for creativity - you are an evolved
visionary."
Claire S. The People Fund

"…your vision helped get the story back to the clean, hard line it needs to have. I’m very excited about both form and style…" Dennis L.

"She has a knack for pulling everything into focus until you're
seeing more clearly than you ever dreamed possible. An
amazing creative experience."
Holly C.

"Thank you again for all your help and valuable insights..."
Ron Reis "Working World"

"I hope you realize how much I appreciate your help.
Without you, I'd be a podiatrist in Des Moines.
Dave Z.

"Your musings in scr(i)pt magazine have been an inspiration
for me. You write as a prophet of passion and deepening
truth."
Joe P.

"Yes, please, please send me writers that you love. I know
that you have great taste so I would love to read anyone you
recommend."
Bettina Viviano/Viviano Films "Three To Tango"

To Whom It May Concern;

It gives me great pleasure to recommend to you Sally Merlin. I've known Sally for the past 10 years, and in that time I've come to respect not only her professionalism, but her personal dedication to filmmaking as well.

Sally is one of those rare people who is exceptionally skilled in the art of deal making. Her skills as an agent are respected throughout the industry. But more important, she is known as a person who finds emerging talent, nurtures it and finds it a home. She has been instrumental in the careers of some of Hollywood's most exceptional talent.

I can reccomend Sally unequivocally for any position that demands knowledge of filmmaking, extensive contacts throughout the industry, drive, dedication and a thorough understanding of "how to get things done."

Sally is an exceptional person who I recommend with no reservations. She would be an asset to any organization.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Kennedy
President, Amblin Entertainment

To Whom It May Concern:

Sally Merlin was recommended to me by a highly respected producer-director and an acclaimed screenwriter. On the basis of their enthusiastic endorsements, I engaged her as a script consultant on a very important project in development at Segue Productions.

Sally did an exceptional job for us. There are many people in the film industry who claim to have great story sensibilities. Sally actually delivers on this promise. Her understanding of story is deep and her judgment with respect to screenwriting is keen and insightful. She was extremely helpful to us in escalating our script to a higher level of quality. On top of that, she could not be more pleasant to work with. I cannot recommend her more highly

Sincerely,

B. Kipling Hagopian

President

To whom it may concern:

I have known Sally since 1986. While a producer at Orion Pictures, she took me under her tutelage and developed my first script with me, "A PASSAGE HOME". That single experience set me on a path of success as a screenwriter and of personal growth as a human being. Eight years later, NBC is in the process of purchasing that script.

For various uninteresting reasons, Sally and I went separate ways for several years. In that time I participated in classes and seminars of nearly all of the notable Hollywood script gurus. While I gained knowledge from each, I returned to Sally.

Screenwriting is not an easy thing to do. Unlike others who offer quick fix recipes for success, Sally tells you the truth about the process. If you're not willing to give your ideas and dreams one hundred percent commitment, she probably is not the person for you because she will demand of you what she demands of herself.

While time and space prevent me from detailing Sally's entire process I will summarize by breaking it down into two parts: First is structure. While a three act structure is imperative to screenwriting, it is largely used improperly. By that I mean, that most teachers use as a toll for analysis rather than a way to begin. Sally teaches structure organically as derived from character. She challenges you as the writer to go deep within yourself to understand and then commit to what you are writing about. Consequently, the process becomes a highly personal exploration of self rather than the fulfillment of a self imposed paradigm. The result will be a script that is original and unique to you, rather than the standard fare of boiler plate writing so pervasive in Hollywood. This kind of work comes at some cost however, which leads me to my second point about Sally and that is, her commitment and support of her clients. Working with Sally you will never feel as though your work is being criticized. Sally has a God given talent to bring the best out through nurturing and support. She works more like a partner than as a mentor.

Since working with Sally over the past three years, I have sold five pictures, two of which are being produced currently. One, "White Squall", is being directed by Ridley Scott. My career hasn't been the same since. I owe much of this success to Sally.

If you are interested in really doing it as a writer, or if you are a producer who needs help with a project, I can recommend no one more highly than Sally Merlin. Her brilliant analysis skills combined with her personal loyalty and commitment are attributes difficult to find in our business.

After working with Sally, writers and producers will come away with an approach to screenwriting and will enter or continue into the business with a new sense of confidence and personal commitment to their craft.

Behind every great novelist is a great editor. Screenwriters should consider that. I'll never be without her.

Sincerely,

Todd Robinson

The Wisdom of Chairman Merlin’s "Complete Screenplay Workbook

Have you ever met anyone who thought they knew everything about writing screenplays? If not, make sure you shake my hand the next time you see me at a workshop or a reading. Before you’re put off by the arrogance, please let me explain.

I was, at one point, represented by a very influential agent at William Morris. Success and all its trappings were, I believed, right around the corner. I had meetings with well-known producers and actors. I had assumed the Hollywood attitude. In the end, my agent left Willie Mo for a prestigious producer’s spot at a major; leaving me with a vague suspicion that her first production (a flop) bore an uncanny resemblance to an idea I had pitched.

Burned to a crisp by my Hollywood experience, I vowed to forgo screenwriting forever. Then I met Sally Merlin. An interesting person, I thought. A little too touchy feely, perhaps, but well enough connected that she could help revive my moribund screenwriting career.

We agreed to work on one of my already completed scripts ("They loved it at 20^th Century Fox," my agent proclaimed). Naturally, Sally suggested many changes!! ("Michael Taylor at Orion said it’s a ‘perfect’ piece of writing!") Okay, okay, I’ll play along. You want a re-write; you’ll get a rewrite! It won’t hurt to fake it! I’ll dazzle her with a little bit of editing and then I’m off and running back to LaLa Land!

Then she handed me something called The Complete Screenplay Workbook. "Do the assignments!" Sally commanded. Assignments?? Oh great…I’ve run into a latter day "Our Miss Brooks".

So…let’s analyze these assignments. Probably a piece of cake.

© Assignment #4, How does the main character change? Well, he’s one way in the beginning…then something happens to him about the middle and he gets kind of messed up…but then everything’s all right and he’s all better by the end. They all live happily ever after. (I really liked this last assignment, I felt I stretched myself on that one).

© Assignment #5, The Plot. Plot??!! Now this is too much. This little woman is absolutely insane! Plot!! Hasn’t she seen "Battleship Earth?" All you need is a high-concept script and/or a multi-million dollar megastar! These days, the only plots in Hollywood are at Forest Lawn Cemetery!

Okay…so I exaggerate (but only slightly) my initial reaction to the workbook. Then something strange happened when I sat down and actually worked through each one. Things about the script became clearer. Options in plot and character development emerged. Structural flaws became obvious and easily correctable.

I became a better…a much better writer. And, astonishingly, a more insightful person.

I’ve always considered it a delicious irony that Sally’s last name is "Merlin". Because in my view she’s most definitely a wizard, and alchemist. She transformed my leaden script into gold.

There’ll always be a place for her in my Malibu beach house!

Mike Elliott