Shannon Lisa

Screenplay Consultant & Script Coverage Specialist

Freelancing Career • Trabajador autónomo

Sep 2023 - Present • 2 yrs 9 mos

I help screenwriters, indie filmmakers, and creative teams turn promising concepts into scripts that actually work on the page and for the reader. Every script has a story it wants to tell. My job is to help you tell yours as powerfully as possible. I specialize in script coverage, screenplay analysis, and story development for feature films, TV pilots, and web series. I look at your script the way an industry reader would — evaluating narrative structure, pacing, character arcs, dialogue authenticity, and formatting compliance with professional standards (Final Draft, Movie Magic, industry formatting guidelines). But I don't just tell you what's working and what's not. I tell you why, and more importantly, what to do about it. Here's what that looks like in practice: When your second act starts to drag, I'll help you find the scene that needs to go — or the scene that's missing. When your protagonist feels flat, I'll help you uncover what's driving them and where their arc needs to bend. When your dialogue sounds stiff on the page, I'll show you exactly where it loses authenticity and how to bring your characters to life through what they say — and what they don't. I work with writers at every level. If you're writing your first script, I'll guide you through the process with clarity and patience. If you're a seasoned writer looking for a sharp second set of eyes, I'll give you the kind of notes that push your work to the next level. Either way, you get honest, professional, and actionable feedback — no fluff, no ego, just the truth about what your script needs. Because here's what I believe: a great script doesn't happen by accident. It happens when someone cares enough to ask the hard questions. I'm here to ask those questions with you — and help you write something worth putting on screen. Let's make your script stand out.

Editorial Assistant

Penguin Random House • Tiempo completo

Jan 2018 - May 2023 • 5 yrs 4 mos

Supported an editorial team in evaluating manuscript submissions across fiction and nonfiction, where I developed a sharp eye for what makes storytelling work — and what doesn't. I assessed narrative structure, pacing, character depth, and dialogue authenticity, then delivered clear, actionable feedback that helped authors transform promising drafts into polished, submission-ready manuscripts. I proofread line-by-line, corrected formatting inconsistencies, and ensured every project maintained a professional, industry-standard presentation while preserving each writer's unique voice. This experience taught me how to identify the specific problems holding a script back — weak openings, flat character arcs, unnatural dialogue, or structural gaps — and how to solve them without rewriting the writer's vision. Whether collaborating with first-time storytellers or experienced authors, I focused on one thing: helping them feel confident that their work was clear, compelling, and ready for the next step. That's exactly what I bring to your script — honest, expert feedback that saves you time, reduces costly mistakes, and positions your story to stand out to readers, competitions, and industry professionals.