Updated Script Consulting Web Site

In addition to writing my own screenplays, I have an active consulting business in which I critique and/or re-write other people's scripts. I also adapt short stories and novels into screenplays. My client base ranges from New York City to western Canada, Sweden, and Paris - and I look forward to expanding it further.

Check out my web site, and click "contact me" for more information.

Mara Lesemann Script Consultant

Screenplay Consulting Plus Re-Writes & Adaptations

As we continue to roll out my new feature DETOURS (with upcoming screenings at The Strand Theater in Lakewood NJ and the Golden Door International Film Festival in Jersey City in September), I look forward to working with both new and returning screenplay clients.

My services include feedback on how to improve your existing script, re-writing it if it's time for a fresh eye, and turning your short story or novel into a screenplay. Check out my web site at the link below for more information (including pricing) as well as feedback on my work.

Mara Lesemann: Screenwriter & Script Consultant

Interview on "Rolling Tape" Podcast

I met actor, writer and host Forris Day Jr. several years ago, when he gave my first feature, Surviving Family, a great review, and also interviewed me for "Scared Stiff Reviews."

Forris is now working with the Borgus Network on a new podcast called "Rolling Tape." I greatly enjoyed being interviewed by him recently about Women in Film, as well as both Surviving Family and my new fesature, DETOURS.

Check out the interview at the link below - the photo is of the wonderful Tara Westwood, who stars in both movies. And if you like the podcast, subscribe!

Paul Sorvino at the DETOURS Premiere

Mara Lesemann, Tara Westwood, & Paul Sorvino

It was wonderful to have DETOURS cast member Paul Sorvino join us and a wonderful full house at the Muvico Theaters for our premiere at the Sunscreen Film Festival in Saint Petersburg, FL. Paul is best known for his work in the classic mafia film Goodfellas and we love having him play charming coffee shop owner Joe DiMaria.  Tampa Bay Times' movie critic Steve Persall moderated a terrific question and answer session after the movie.

A great crowd turned out

DETOURS Premiere at the Sunscreen Film Festival

Gary Busey & Tara Westwood

DETOURS had a wonderful premiere this past Saturday at the Sunscreen Film Festival in Saint Petersburg, Florida!  We had the pleasure of shooting the climactic scenes of the movie in the area - including on Tampa Bay - and it was great to be back.

I traveled with our wonderful star and my fellow producer Tara Westwood; we were both thrilled with how well-organized and well-attended the festival was.  It helped that we were interviewed by the lovely folks at Tampa news station Bay News 9 - quite a few people told me that they came out because they saw the interview, which you can check out here:

We had an enthusiastic and near-capacity crowd for our screening at the beautiful Muvico theater in downtown Saint Petersburg - the movie looked and sounded fantastic.

Tara was on a terrific panel on acting with Oscar-nominated actor Gary Busey, who was at the festival with his new feature Candiland. We both had the pleasure of participating in a panel on Women In Film, which was moderated by Linda J. Brown, head of the Cinematography Department at USC and director of the wonderful documentary You See Me. 

It was a great weekend, and we've got more DETOURS screening news coming soon! 

"Detours" Cast/Crew/Special Guest Screening

Above: q& with 3 producers: screenwriter Mara Lesemann (left) and stars Tara Westwood & Carlo Fiorletta

We had a great cast, crew, & special guests screening of Detours recently at Anthology Film Archives in Manhattan. It was the first time that I watched it with both a big screen & great Dolby sound together, and it was everything I'd hoped it would be.  More importantly, the audience loved it, which was wonderfully rewarding for everyone involved. We're more excited than ever to share the movie at film festivals and then with the world as a whole.

Here are a few photos by Hank Gans.

At left:  it was great to have actor & director
 Griffin Dunne join us; he's shown with Detours star and producer Tara Westwood. 

Above: Capacity crowd watches Detours