There's so much to accomplish in the first act of a feature. Worse, if the reader isn't hooked by page 15, they'll likely stop reading. For the First 30 Consultation, you'll submit the first 30 pages of your feature or one-hour pilot script, and then have a 30-minute story notes call with the executive. They will help you boost your hook and refine your set up to make sure it is as strong as possible so readers HAVE to know what happens next.
Questions? Email terra@roadmapwriters.com
Just be yourself! Even if it's the best idea, it's about who I'm working with more than what I'm working with.
The best material can multitask - it can be meaningful and also entertaining while mastering its genre.
True crime.
Sam Schoen is a producer, development executive, and story strategist with over a decade of experience developing, financing, producing, and acquiring projects across film, television, theater, documentaries, interactive media, and emerging formats. As the founder of Dam Pictures, LLC, she partners with writers and filmmakers to develop stories that are both commercially viable and emotionally resonant, believing the best projects are greater than the sum of their parts. She is passionate about stories that entertain first and leave audiences just a little more curious, empathetic, or activated than when they walked in
Most recently, Sam held contracts with the Sundance Film Festival and the Berggruen Institute while independently producing under the Dam Pictures banner. Previously, she served as Director of Original Series at Topic Studios, (THEATER CAMP, INFINITY POOL, SPOTLIGHT). Prior to Topic, she held creative and production roles at Groundswell Productions (SNOWFALL, THE MAGICIANS, SIDEWAYS), Gunpowder & Sky (CAM, HER SMELL, HEARTS BEAT LOUD, EVERYBODY'S EVERYTHING), Warrior Poets, Scott Rudin Productions, and Mark Canton's Mad Riot Entertainment.
Having worked across every stage of a project's lifecycle—from development and packaging through financing, production, acquisitions, and distribution—Sam brings both creative and strategic insight to every collaboration. She specializes in helping writers strengthen their stories, sharpen their pitch materials, and position their projects for today's marketplace.
Sam is also currently pursuing her J.D. through Syracuse University College of Law's hybrid JDi program, designed specifically for working professionals, allowing her to continue producing while expanding her expertise in entertainment law and the business of storytelling.
After registering, you will receive instructions on how to submit your material in your order confirmation email. After submitting your material, please allow about 3-4 weeks to receive proposed times for scheduling your call with the exec. If you haven't heard from your exec by the 3-4 week mark about scheduling, please email terra@roadmapwriters.com so we know to check in with them on your behalf about their proposed dates/ETA for you.
**Please note only features and one-hour pilots are eligible for First 30 Consultations. Half-Hour pilots are ineligible for First 30 Consultations.
Be sure to familiarize yourself with Roadmap's Code of Conduct.
Questions? Email terra@roadmapwriters.com
Cancellation Policy: You may cancel your registration for a refund or Roadmap gift card if you have not yet submitted your material for review. However, once your material has been received by Roadmap, your registration cannot be canceled. Having revised material or a desire to retroactively apply a discount or gift card code are not grounds for cancellation, refunds, or gift card credit. Once your material has been submitted, the only acceptable grounds for cancellation and a refund or gift card credit is an unforeseen, ongoing emergency on the part of either the writer or the exec resulting in more than 6 weeks without any scheduling update from the exec via direct contact or Roadmap, or a sudden change in the exec's ongoing availability. In the instance of an irreconcilable scheduling issue, the writer may still receive a written feedback report from the exec. In this case, the writer is not entitled to a refund or gift card credit as the exec has read the submitted material and provided written feedback in lieu of the call.