how can I break in?

[ladyvincenza]

OK, maybe this is the silver dollar question, and I haven't read every post on this section, but I'd love to write scripts for movies/TV and, other than one embarrassing play in college, have no real experience, though I've done lots of other writing professionally. It feels like you need to have written and sold a script before you can, well, sell a script, so it's like a classic case of you can't get a job without experience and you can't get experience without a job. Any advice? I'd also love to write for radio, like NPR, and despite having an "in," as a friend of mine works at NPR and approached the writing dept. for me, haven't had any luck.
Thanks for any suggestions.
Sarah

[Kosh]

You have to write a few spec scripts that will work as your resume. Without any contacts, I guess you just query agents and productions companies about your scripts.

[JulieJames]

write lots and lots of spec scripts, and know what the people you are querrying are looking for before you query them.

[odocoileus]

http://www.kullervo.com/The_Twelve_Steps.html


http://www.kullervo.com/The_Business.html


There's no one way in.

Paul Attanasio was an arts critic for the Washington Post. Aaron Sorkin & Mamet were playwrights. Tarrantino was a video store clerk and aspiring actor who networked like crazy.

Brook Busey Hunt was a graduate writing student, journalist for alternative weeklies, blogger, and happy ending massage girl. John Rogers did standup comedy out in the boonies. Joe Esterhaz did groundbreaking feature articles for Rolling Stone and the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Richard Price was and is a novelist. Craig Mazin started off in the marketing department. Aaron McGruder created a comic strip for his college paper which became syndicated in hundreds of dailies. Dan Futterman was and is an actor.

Of the working TV staff writers I've known, almost all of them went this way: office PA > writer's assistant > staff writer.

[mario_c]

Well, some clear packing tape and a razor. Cut a hole in the window, pop the latch-oh, into the Business, I see. *nevermind*

But seriously folks, write a great script and pitch the hell out of it. If you don't live in LA, you can always get a list of agents and prodcos and send queries or call. Mandy.com has a free list, but the HCD Online list is easier to navigate for my money. Also consult the WGA website.

[imagegod]

Write a script as efficient as 2001: A Space Odessey.
Write a script as moving as Casablanca.
Write a script as fun as A Hard Days Night
Write a script as playful as North by Northwest
Write a script with the child-like longing of The Wizard of Oz
Write a script as taught as Fail Safe
Write a script as powerful as Citizen Kane...

And if you can't, (and if you also desire to create the greatness of these movies) you must pursue efficiency, movement (the movement implied by passion), and of course, power.

Good luck!

[WriteKnight]

How do you make rabbit stew?

First, catch a rabbit.



The rabbit in this case, is a brilliant script. You 'break in' by writing a brilliant script.
Then you write another one while that one is making the rounds and entered in contests.
Then you write another one while the first one is rejected, the second one gets a bit of notice.
Then you write another one - to prove you can do it to yourself. And you realize the first one wasn't as good as you thought.
Then you write another one, that's god-awful, and convinces you not to write anymore.
Then you write another one, because you need to... you can't stop yourself from writing.
You read books, go to seminars, join writer's forums - and YOU. KEEP. WRITING.

And there's no guarantee you'll ever 'break in'.

You write screenplays because you LOVE to write screenplays. You re-write screenplays because they need to be re-written. You re-write those, because someone is interested in it, IF you make these changes...


How does an architect 'break in' to the business? He draws up plans. Then he has to convince someone that they are brlliant, and EXACTLY what that person wants to spend tons of money on.

Same thing.

Good luck!

[ladyvincenza]

Thanks for your help, everyone.

[Stijn Hommes]

Breaking in is illegal in most parts of the world. You'd have a better future if you just tried to write some killer scripts and sell them ;)