The following is not hyperbole: Marilyn Horowitz changed my life, and it only took her a few months. For ten years (!) I was imprisoned with an idea that I had a deep passion for but felled by a lack of confidence and living with a belief that I had no business trying to write a 120 page screenplay. I felt the pain of that thorn in my side every single day. Whenever I would see a pop culture or news item related to my idea, I would feel shamed that I was too cowardly to even try. I had googled “screenplay coaches” about a hundred times over the years before wimping out….but this time was different.
Marilyn had me at “roadmap.” What a soothing, beautiful word. Finally, some boundaries…she has a ’system!’ ! I could take my log line and enter it into the “Marilyn Machine” and “presto change-o”….a finished screenplay! Well, it was not that simple….but almost! Marilyn’s style…her tough yet encouraging and loving tutelage was exactly what a 65 year old “fraidy cat” like me needed. She plugged me into her system and I almost instantly became a “whirling dervish” at the keyboard. I was (and still am) astounded at what Marilyn’s magic touch pulled out of me. After 10 years of stress it only took me 10 weeks to write. 152 pages! And it’s GOOD! Whether it sits on my coffee table to impress my friends and family, or it wins the next Best Picture Oscar….I really do not care. This is my triumph! I am proud of myself beyond words. Marilyn Horowitz was the greatest gift I have ever given myself.
