Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Tanner.
Hi Jessica, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Ever since I was a kid, I loved creative writing and storytelling. In high school, I used to write my stories during class (and take notes). Luckily nobody noticed, so I was able to multi-task. I knew that I wanted to make a living doing what I loved and that was telling stories. In 2014, I enrolled at the Academy of Art University and dove into the craft of screenwriting. I ended up getting an internship at Cinelou Films in 2016 as a script reader and realized that I also had a love for the development side of filmmaking as well. In 2017, I got my first taste of “entrepreneurship” when I worked for Coverfly as a Script Analyst. Not only did I get to make money working from home doing what I loved, but I was also able to help other writers, like myself, improve their stories. Working at Coverfly showed me how working from home is not a fantasy. It can be done. I knew I had to put the work in and I created my own script consulting company in 2020 (during the pandemic). I started everything from scratch, including my website, my Instagram page, and my YouTube channel. Even though Coverfly was my starting point, the main thing that was missing (in my opinion) was not being able to establish that personal connection with other writers. My boss would be a go-between with us and just pass on information. Now that I have my own business, I have the freedom to do complimentary zoom sessions with a client after completing a coverage evaluation to make sure that they go into the rewrite with confidence & clarity. I love it!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This has definitely NOT been a smooth road. There were highs and lows. One of my biggest struggles was getting out of my own way and learning to trust the process. I come from an educated family, but nobody in my immediate family is an entrepreneur, so I really had nobody to go to for real advice. My mother is extremely supportive, but she can only tell me so much. I also learned the importance of investing in myself to get to the next level in my business and in life. I ended up hiring a Brand Marketer for my Instagram Business Account (Seantal Panton) and she really helped me pivot and rebrand myself effectively. The audience I have now on Instagram is because I implemented Seantal’s strategies. She helped me learn the importance of video content, adding value, and above all, CONSISTENCY. I also want to add that I never would have been able to really start my business if I hadn’t been able to move back home with my family. We see a lot of people on social media who seem to have it all, but you never truly know. I remember I had a client Zoom session and she was so embarrassed for me to find out that she lived with her parents and I laughed and said so do I. In that moment, I realized how humble beginnings are when you can impact your audience the most. Relatability is stronger than we think. Even now, I am learning how being transparent with your audience is the best thing that I can do. I’m learning how to share my shortcomings, my mistakes, and above all, the lessons that helped me improve.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a Screenwriter/Script Consultant. I am known for providing “straight up no chaser feedback” for screenwriters BEFORE they send their script to a contest, fellowship, or festival. This type of feedback is called “Script Coverage.” A coverage evaluation includes detailed feedback on the plot, story structure, character development, pacing, tone, theme, conflict, budget, and emotional investment. I also have formatting and proofreading services for screenwriters as well to make sure that their script is up to industry standard before they send it out into the universe. I am most proud of being able to help other writers by creating content that I WISH I had when I was in film school or figuring out my first screenplay. I think what sets me apart from others is my ability to have fun/silly moments in a lot of my content. I remember when I first started doing reels on Instagram, I was so nervous, but I began to tell myself to just act like I was hanging out with my friends and telling a story. Once I started doing that, my audience naturally gravitated towards me even more. I realized that I didn’t have to be so serious and stuffy all the time and that people appreciated me being my authentic self.
What were you like growing up?
I was really shy growing up. I was always a creative, but I did not like being around large crowds and I mostly gravitated towards a small group of friends. Most of my peer groups in school were artists like me. They weren’t all necessarily writers, but they were into anime, painting, drawing, etc. I was that person who would always talk back to the TV when I was watching my favorite movie or show. I knew at a young age that I wanted to write TV shows, especially historical dramas. I would predict what characters in a TV show would say and 9 times out of 10, they would say verbatim what I had just said 5 seconds earlier. I used to drive my grandma crazy when we would watch TV together because I was always questioning why the characters behaved a certain way. Fast forward to the present and I am now teaching my audience why and how the character’s behavior speaks volumes
Pricing:
- Full Script Coverage $199.99
- The 1st 10 Pages Script Coverage Special $150.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://writescript.biz/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessica_writescript/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessica.tanner.982
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ScriptWrite
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheScriptSurgeon
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessica_writescript
