Screenplay is done

[WritingFool]

After 9 long years, and finally getting enough time to write the darn thing, I am finished with my masterpiece.
Anyone got any good tips as to what reputable agents are going for the big budget action/adventure genre right now?

Im heading to L.A. in 2 weeks, to see what I can rustle up.

[JustinoXXV]

You can check the sales at www.scriptsales.com for a sample.

[dpaterso]

Wow, I admire your attention span, I can't remember anything about 9 years ago, never mind what I was writing at the time.

If you haven't already, look at bison's "Legit source" thread, test-driving a couple of the trial options might get you the list you're looking for.

What happens if someone asks, "What else have you got?"

-Derek
Derek's Web Page - stories, screenplays, novels, insanity. (http://hometown.aol.co.uk/DPaterson57/scripts.htm)

[JustinoXXV]

"What happens if someone asks, "What else have you got?"

Let him across that bridge if and when he comes to it.

[dpaterso]

Methinks anyone heading to L.A. to see what they can rustle up had better have an answer for that particular question ready. No, it's not what WF asked, but it's maybe worth mentioning casually in passing, just in case.

-Derek
Derek's Web Page - stories, screenplays, novels, insanity. (http://hometown.aol.co.uk/DPaterson57/scripts.htm)

[Joe Calabrese]

DO NOT tell an agent or producer that it took 9 years to write!

If it took that long to write, then an agent won't want you because they will be dead before they make money off of you.

As for a producer, if it took 9 years, how long for a rewrite?

A year. That's the longest I would advertise.

[Enigma]

"What happens if someone asks, "What else have you got?"

Let him across that bridge if and when he comes to it.

Tell me about it! Everyone we're talking to has asked that question.

[IWrite]

Im heading to L.A. in 2 weeks, to see what I can rustle up.
Hey WF - congrats for finishing - I do hope you found time to rewrite several times as well.

Can you clarify what you mean by heading out and rustling up? Are you moving here? Staying a week? two? a month? Do you have connections in the business here? Have you been querying agents and producers and setting up meetings? Planning to attend a particular seminar or screenwriting event?

This is a business that operates off of connections. You will need to have some kick-*** social skills and an unbelivable "6 degrees radar" to establish the type of connections that you will need in a week or so.

If you have no connections and have not set anything up - then you should probably view your trip as more of a vacation. This is not a cold calling type business where you can pick up the phone and shmooze your way into a meeting or a read. If you are planning on staying for a substantial amount of time, then be prepared for the reality that it could take months to network the way you will need to. Connecting with people who are both in a position and are willing to help you can take time. In the meantime you should take the time to educate yourself about how this business functions. Your plan to head out here and try to rustle something up makes me think you may not have done the research about the business that you need to.

Good Luck

[maestrowork]

LA is a cool place. Just be smart and shmooze. Don't be naive and wear multiple hats (not just the writer's). You'll be fine. I love LA.

[NikeeGoddess]

going out there with no connections is probably a big waste of time. you can cold call and invite someone to lunch (paying for it, of course) but it's highly unlikely that they'll accept the offer.

i recommend going to this guy http://www.sherwoodoakscollege.com/
he has some great contacts....face to face.

good luck!

[WritingFool]

Thanks for all the links guys/gals.
Few weeks visiting family, interviewing a few agents that have shown an interest.
Have a friend who went to UCLA for writing, and wants me to meet a few of his friends.

9 years. Yup, long time, but no one but me and all you need to know that..k?
Got a series as my initial, then gunna hit em hard with the screenplay.

I could have finished this story 8 years ago, but it had to be perfect. Its never flowed like it has now, and as I look back its the same concept, but a completly different story all together. Im very glad I've been patient with it.
And, the rewrites dont bother me. I can sit down and write another story with these characters. They have a life of their own after 9 years. Heck, if I wanted to I could change genres of the story with all these guys.
When I come back, Im going to post my stuff here, and see what you guys think.
Only after I get it into circulation.

Heres one thing though. I dont really want to write anything else. Im not looking to do this forever, Ill be happy with earning a pretty penny off this alone.
From there who knows, but is that going to be something against me, if all Im looking for is to be a one hit wonder? Actually, two hit wonder? :)

But hey, if the story's strong, no ones going to argue with it.
We'll just have to wait and see, right?
Thanks again.

[Joe Calabrese]

Sounds like a plan. Good luck.

[WritingFool]

Hey Joe, went to one of the links that was posted scriptsales.com, saw your screenplay up there. Congradulations. Is it optioned, or straight sale, and out of your hands now?
Good stuff!
Wonder if you had anyone inparticular you felt would be a lead there.
Care to share the details of what your manager was able to get for it?

either way, congradulations again.

[Chesher Cat]

Heres one thing though. I dont really want to write anything else. Im not looking to do this forever, Ill be happy with earning a pretty penny off this alone.
From there who knows, but is that going to be something against me, if all Im looking for is to be a one hit wonder? Actually, two hit wonder? :)


I wouldn't tell any agents you are not in it for the long haul. I don't know any agents interested in repping someone who doesn't want a "career." First scripts rarely garner the big sale or any sale, even if they are good and well written. Mostly, a good first script gets you meetings with producers to pitch what else you have and possibly an opportunity to write one of their ideas or rewrite on another script. It's just usually not worth it for an agent to invest their time in a client that doesn't want to keep writing.

Good luck with your trip - I'm sure you will meets lots of interesting people here and have some good stories to take home with you.

[Joe Calabrese]

Thanks for the congrats. I

I won't go into many details but the money was more than fair considering it was from an indie company.

After I won 3rd at Slamdance with that script, this producer was one of the few who had real strong interest in it, but we could never settle on terms. He finally caved a few months ago and we signed the deal.

There will be rewrites needed from my end, but not until the project is greenlit.

As for my manager, he did not negotiate the deal for me, I did that myself with my lawyer. Only an agent can negotiate deals. He did however, advise me to whether it was a good deal or not in private.

[Rock]

Writing Fool:
Good luck on the LA Trip - I am going out July 11 to finalize a deal with an Indy producer that picked up my script and we will be doing a casting call while I am there. Like Joe - I did the deal myself - I only hope their funding does not dry up or run out before the project is done. I am one of the project writers and they expect to start shooting in August.
If you are looking for a place to market your work - InkTip.com is good. $40 for six months worth of posting per script . But is has to be registered before you can post it. You also need to know how many sets., characters, etc. This is all part of the set up. I have had much luck with producers - large and small - looking at my work there.
Hope to see your movie on the big screen some day.......Rock