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Originally posted by Derstink1
Can I re-send my script, new and improved to these producers? ( It isn't the story that's the problem, it's a horriffic true life story which affects all consumers... it was my ability to write a screenplay correctly).

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No. this is why it's best to only send you very best material in its very best form.

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How long does it take before one hears from a producer about their work?

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If they are interested you usually hear back in under a month.

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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)

When I worked for a producer, I was the guy who took a stack of scripts home and read them on the weekend.

On Monday, the producer would say:
"Read anything good?"

And I would say:
"Nope."

Granted there was a time or two when my answer was different.
Those were the exciting days. Those were the days we contacted the writers!

If the production company gets a lot of submissions, it's possible the reading can be delayed. Additionally, if the script does not strike the particular reader as extraordinary, it's possible the script won't get passed to the producer. As a result, the writer won't get the call.

This is especially true without agent representation. An agent often has a personal relationship with the producer, or someone within the production company who can provide current reading status.

But like Instigator said, if you aren't 100% sure your work is complete and outstanding (to the best of your ability), then you really need to put your script in a drawer for a few weeks. Then go back and rework it into a masterpiece.

Go here: www.filmmakingstuff.com

Ok, thanks, but what I need to know is, how important are ones skills in writing a screenplay if the story is extrodinary? Can't a screenplay just be re-worked until it's perfect? In my case my story does include a few nationally known people and effects every consumer in the country... probably Europe too. Something another forum member mentioned, which I read earlier. The thing is, my script is now I believe perfect as I can get it and I have a screenwriter with five credits on IMDB giving me coverage as I write this... he agrees it's an unbelievable story. So...in this case the story isn't the issue. What can be done in a case such as this?

We are each of us angels with only one wing. And we can fly only by embracing each other. By:
Luciano de Crescenzo

quote:

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Originally posted by Derstink1

Ok, thanks, but what I need to know is, how important are ones skills in writing a screenplay if the story is extrodinary? Can't a screenplay just be re-worked until it's perfect?

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Very important. The only thing a writer has to set himself apart
from other writers is their skill in writing. Even the most extraordinary
story told poorly won't catch the attention of people in the position
to option it.

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The thing is, my script is now I believe perfect as I can get it and I have a screenwriter with five credits on IMDB giving me coverage as I write this... he agrees it's an unbelievable story. So...in this case the story isn't the issue. What can be done in a case such as this?

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Now that you have the script as perfect as you can get it, you can start
submitting. Those two different producers that read the not so good
version may or may not contact you again. If they do, you're in luck!
You can resubmit when asked. If they don't contact you again there
are thousands of producers out there.

Keep submitting.

Thank you, I hear you... I'll just keep submitting

We are each of us angels with only one wing. And we can fly only by embracing each other. By:
Luciano de Crescenzo

You're welcome. And a belated welcome to filmmaking.net!

A lot of new writers are under the false impression that their story is so strong
it will carry poor presentation. Or that readers, producers and agents will be
willing to look past the writers flaws because the extraordinary story.

Jason has covered scripts so he knows first hand that the way the script is written
is THE most important thing. I was a reader for several major producers and
prodCo's - I covered several scripts that had excellent stories but had to "Pass"
because of too many flaws in the writing. Be aware that a submission is the entire
package - not just one aspect. It's not like a term paper - this was excellent, this
not so much so I'll give you a "B".

You must submit ONLY "A+" work every time.

While we are on the subject of presentation...

Please never send your script in a 3 ring binder, a honeycomb binder or anything weird. Card stock cover and two brass brads should do the trick. And this goes without saying, but make sure the script is in proper screenplay format! Hahaha!

I know I'm laughing, but you would be surprised how many people submit screenplays in the wrong font, etc.

Go here: www.filmmakingstuff.com

Thanks, I already have this and haven't made the mistake... I've made others like thinking my script is perfect then realizing weeks later that I spelled words wrong which spell check didn't catch, ( right spelling , wrong usage). I decide dialog can be better said or I figure out that I used a tecnique no longer accepted. Worse yet, not enough action compared to dialog... whew!!! With this now all figured out, I'm changing still more today, which I hadn't even thought of before now.

I don't want to send my script out again before it's perfect. That said, have any tips on when one knows? Because I've fooled myself many times already.

I read somewhere, a good script smells like a movie. Do you know this smell? Share please.

We are each of us angels with only one wing. And we can fly only by embracing each other. By:
Luciano de Crescenzo

For us, the air smelled like a crazy deadline! We had to go, or miss opportunity.

But if you have time, only you can know. There are stories of writers who have gone back to work years after "perfection" only to refine and rework.

One strategy that may be useful: put your script in a drawer and forget about it for a couple weeks. During the downtime, begin work on a whole new screenplay. Once you finish the first draft of a new screenplay, put in a drawer - and then reread and tinker with the first script.

This sort of frees your mind and creates just enough distance to gain perspective - and hopefully point out some of those errors.

Anyway, hope this makes sense.

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Go here: www.filmmakingstuff.com

Thanks... I'll take your advice. But, my TRUE-LIFE story concerns something that's going on in our world today. I don't believe I have a few years, yet then again if society doesn't hear about this, consumers will still be dealing with what they don't know... So, the sooner the better. I will put my script away for a couple of weeks. In the meantime I'll work on the other two . I hope someday soon someone will, " smell the crazy deadline." Thanks again for your input.

We are each of us angels with only one wing. And we can fly only by embracing each other. By:
Luciano de Crescenzo