GETTING STARTED 

1. CHOOSING A COACHING PROGRAM

If, after reading the descriptions of the packages on the COACHING pages, you’re unable to decide which is the best package for you, please email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with your questions and a description of your situation, and we will help you select or design an approach that best suits your project, situation, deadline and budget.

Here is a simple guide for choosing your package:

• If you're a screenwriter or novelist and you have a story concept (or list of story ideas), a story outline, a manuscript, or a treatment, and you want to make certain the story you choose to develop is properly structured, has emotionally involving characters, and has real commercial potential, then purchase a STORY DEVELOPMENT PACKAGE for SCREENWRITERS or NOVELISTS.

• If you're a screenwriter or filmmaker with a concept or a completed outline or treatment, but have yet to write the first draft of their screenplay get the FIRST DRAFT PACKAGE.
  
  
• If you have a completed screenplay and you want Michael’s personal coaching, margin notes and page notes on all elements of story, character, plot structure, style, dialogue, commercial potential and theme, get the SCRIPT COACHING PACKAGE.
  
  
• If you want all of the components of the Script Coaching Package, but want to work with Michael through your initial draft, and outline incorporating your changes, and a full second draft, then choose the COMPLETE REWRITE PACKAGE.
  
  
• If your goal is to work intensively with Michael to complete several complete rewrites and a polish of your script so it is professional caliber within six months, and then receive his guidance on pitching and marketing it, apply for the MASTER COACHING PROGRAM.
  
  
• And if none of these packages precisely suit your particular project, situation or budget, then email us and we’ll design an individual program based on Michael’s hourly rate (discounted if you purchase a 6-HOUR BLOCK).

2. SIGNING UP FOR COACHING

• SUBMITTING
  When you’ve selected your coaching package and are ready to submit your work and send payment (see below), please send us all the information on our CLIENT REGISTRATION page.  When you email it to us, please attach your material.  We accept .pdf files only.  Screenplays must be properly formatted in Final Draft or Movie Magic Screenwriter, and sent as a .pdf.
  
  
• PAYMENT
  We accept checks, money orders, wire transfers, and credit card payments through PayPal.  Checks or money orders should be made payable to Michael Hauge.
  
  Unless you can pay by check drawn on a US bank clients outside of the US must pay by credit card, or transfer the payment directly to Michael’s bank account. Please email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for details.

3. SCHEDULING A COACHING SESSION

• Turnaround time for any coaching session is usually less than two weeks.
  
  
• After you’ve purchased your package and sent us your registration information, whenever you're ready for a coaching session, email us a list of at least SIX dates and times you're available between the hours of 10AM and 7PM PDT, Monday through Thursday, and Friday between the hours of 10AM and 3PM PDT, for the three weeks following the date you send the email. Allow up to 2 1/2 hours for our first session, and up to two hours for every session after that (except for pitch coaching).
  
  
• When emailing your availability, please list all the times for my time zone (PDT). I have clients in about 8 different time zones around the world, and we run the risk of mixing up our meeting time if I have to do the calculations.
  
  
• Give me as many scheduling choices as possible. The more options I have, the sooner I can schedule our session. I always schedule the earliest possible time for us to meet or speak.

4. PREPARING AND SENDING YOUR WORK

• CLICK HERE to read our Consultation Submission Checklist before sending your work.
• All work must be emailed DIRECTLY to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at least 48 hours prior to your session.
  
• Put your name, project title and page numbers on all your material.
• Please proofread your work for spelling, punctuation, format and typos.
• If emailing your work, always attach your documents. Never put any material in the body of an email.
• Emailed outlines, treatments or manuscripts should be attached as .pdf documents; emailed screenplays must be properly formatted in Final Draft or Movie Magic Screenwriter, and sent as .pdf files.
• If mailing a hard copy of your material, omit covers and brads, and print on one side of the page only.
• Mail any hard copies, checks or money orders to: Michael Hauge, 5250 Lemona Avenue, Sherman Oaks, CA 91411

5. CANCELLING YOUR SESSION

• If you need to cancel your session, please notify us by phone or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at least 24 hours in advance. You are never charged for cancelling a session, provided you give us at least 24 hours notice. Otherwise you will be charged for one hour of Michael’s time at his regular hourly rate. Any cancellation on your part might delay us an additional week or two, as we will have to begin the process of scheduling a new session all over again.

6. PREPARING FOR THE SESSION

• Please read or watch any of Michael’s books and DVDs that were included in your package.
  
• Review the Key Story Questions for Novels or Screenplays.
• Have a printed copy of the script to refer to.
• Michael never likes to end a session if a client needs a bit of extra time. So please allow an extra 10 minutes to begin, in case Michael’s previous session went over schedule.
• If you have not heard from Michael within 10 minutes of the scheduled appointment, please call us at 818-995-4209 to make sure there was no miscommunication about the time.

7. AFTER THE SESSION

• RECORDINGS AND PAGE NOTES
  We will email you any written comments on your script or manuscript, along with the recording of your coaching session, within 24 hours of your session.

• STAYING IN TOUCH
  If, at any time during the coaching process, you feel puzzled, confused, frustrated or blocked, please email us immediately. Michael is very good at responding to your questions and concerns or getting you back on track. But we can’t help if we don’t know you’re stuck!

If you have any further questions please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call us at 818-995-4209.

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