Hello all,
This is my first post and I am a 27 year old screenwriter (among other things) from Miami, FL. Writing has always been apart of my life and it continues to be my passion. I write songs, scripts, stories and I am working on my first novel. I have written a few screenplays but have not shot anything as of yet. I have a collection of horror short stories that will soon be available to purchase from Severed Head Publishing.
For the last few years I have been working on a script for a short film so I can produce and shoot myself and then submit it to various festivals. The problem is that the script went from being a 5 minute revenge-story short into a 45 minute crime saga. Now the problem I am facing is that the project has become too big for me to take on right now and and I was thinking about expanding the script into a feature and trying to sell it and start working on several shorts that I can realistically be able to shoot and produce.
Which brings me to my question of what is the best route to get my screenplay into the hands of people who seek to purchase screenplays? Can I send it to a particular studio for them to review or is it the old classic tale of just knowing someone who can get it to someone else who will read it and then... and so on.
"Wanting people to listen, you can't just tap them on the shoulder anymore. You have to hit them with a sledgehammer, and then you'll notice you've got their strict attention." - John Doe/Se7en
Studios will not real an unsolicited screenplay. So sending it
to a studio won't do you much good. But it won't hurt either.
If you don't have any screenplay sales under your belt, you're
going to have to approach an agent cold. Without being able to
say, "Hey, I've sold a script! Sign me.", you have to entice them
some other way. There are two ways to get somebody to read
your script. You can network and get to know them on a personal
level, then ask them to read your script as a favor. Networking,
however, can take years to cultivate the kind of relationship where
an agent is willing to do you the personal favor of considering
your script without it feeling like you're using him. Your other
option is to query. Send a letter to agents, asking them to read
your script. Since you don't have any sold or produced screenplays
under your belt, your letter has to convince them that your script
is worthwhile anyway.
In order to maximize your chances of getting a sale or agent, you
should submit to prodCos as well as agents. An option (or better,
a sale) to a prodCo can often do wonders when it comes to finding
an agent. Almost any agent would be happy to take on a client
(and take his 10%) that's already done the legwork and found money
for his work. When sending query letters to prodCos, call ahead
of time and make sure you know how to spell the name of the person
you're sending it to, and what their exact title is. Screenplays are
read and considered by the Development (or Creative) department.
Just call the prodCo (contact info is listed in the Hollywood Creative
Directory) and ask the receptionist if they accept new material... and
if they do, to whom you should address the letter, and what their title is.
You should NEVER send your script (or a treatment or anything other
than the query letter itself) unless the company first asks for it. Legal
reasons prevent companies from accepting or even looking at material
submitted without their express permission or a pre-existing working
relationship. At best, your script (or treatment or whatever) will be
returned to you unopened, or thrown away. At worst, you'll be put on
the company's blacklist and never allowed to submit anything again.
Just send a query letter... if they want to read your script, they'll ask
for it.
The best way to optimize your chances of getting an option or a sale is
to send it to as many people as possible. Agents, if they like the script,
will send it to the prodCos they have connections with. prodCos, if they
like the script, can pay you for your work, or at least give you the clout
to get an agent.
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
