|
Edited on Wed May-20-09 03:37 PM by Javaman
Unless you have some sort of direct contact with either: a star, an agent, a studio exec and/or they owe you a massive favor or you have incriminating evidence on them, the likelihood of getting someone to read it on that level is slim to none.
Okay, that's not saying it's completely impossible.
first write the script. no one and I mean absolutely no one in the film industry unless you are Spielberg will give you the time of day based on an idea, dream or concept. Sad but very true.
once the script is completed (it's never done), and by completed I mean has gone through at least 5 to 6 drafts, then register it with the writers guild and copy write it. At the very least you can do a poor mans copy-write by mailing a copy to yourself and keeping it sealed. The post mark date acts as a time stamp.
Next, have your friends read it and give hard critique. Not, "i liked it but I don't know why", that's the kind of criticism that makes writers go postal. You want, "I found the main character believable but the love interest didn't have enough depth for me. She came off as whiny".
After you make the corrections based on your own opinion (don't rewrite something or some character just because someone didn't care for something or someone in the script. rewrite it because their criticism made sense. And because you agreed. It's your baby, remember that)
After two more rewrites, it's completed (a script is never ever done). It's time to let go. You shop it around. How do you do that? The are now literally hundreds of script writing competitions out there now. Some good, some down right awful. Do your homework and found out which will get you the most exposure.
And if the script stands up on it's own merits, you will get nibbles or a big bite.
This is basically how it works now. The idea of bumping into someone at a party and selling them your script based on a short conversation is a complete fantasy. But I can't say it doesn't happen, it just doesn't happen to someone out of the blue. You have to know someone to be at that party, the party must have A list people that have that kind of influence, etc.
Oh and one more thing: work on a pitch. If you do get that moment in the sun and someone wants to know about your script (you must have a finished script, they won't pay you to write it, ESPECIALLY if you are an unknown), you give them a 30 second pitch. if they want to know more, have an expanded 3 to 5 minute pitch. If they are asking for the expanded version, allow the conversation to flow naturally, because at that point, it's less about the script and more about you. Be nice, be friendly be open to suggestions, but also don't be a push over. Take their suggestions and or advice. Remember, if they are a big wheel, they have been doing this a lot longer than you have and may give you really good ideas as to what to do next.
If you haven't picked up on it by now, I lived this life for a good chunk of my life. It's not for the faint of heart. Writing is hard work. But more so, you have to be willing to swim through a lot of bullshit that has less to do with your script than it does with other peoples egos.
Hope this helps. Good luck!! :)
On edit: if you have any other questions PM me. cheers!
|
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
