Dumb Question.

[Soujiro]

I checked the search function to see if it had already been asked, but it didn't turn up anything. Maybe I didn't use the magic words, but here it goes.

I recently sent out my first five query letters to the big agencies (ICM, Endeavor, ATL, Gersh, and CAA). I didn't expect them to be like "Send us your script new writer", but I did expect a response saying no. I haven't gotten a thing, so I'm wondering if I didn't do something right.

I kept it short(one page), included my information, and I included an SASE. Now I was prepared beforehand that most won't respond at all, but it's still a shock that I didn't get one SASE back. Out of five, not one sent it back. How much trouble would it be to send one back?

For those of you who got their SASE back saying whatever, what was in it? Was it a typed letter from them? Was it a letter you put in there giving them choices? Yes or No?

Before I realized it, I had printed the query letter on a twenty lb piece of paper, and I've been told it should be twenty-four. Does it really matter?

I'm trying to pinpoint what I did wrong. You might be asking "Was your query letter top notch?" I'll tell you it could've been better, yes, but would that make them not at least send back the SASE?

It makes me question the simplest thing, like did I mail it correctly. I brought the Hollywood Representation directory to get the individual names of the agents, so I could address it to someone. I put the Company's name, then the agents name, then the address. Stuff you know how to do, you start to question it because of the results.

Sorry for the long post, but I guess that's how some writers do. Thanks for any answers.

[zagoraz]

Don't feel bad. Some people send out 20 or 30 or 100 and never hear a thing. Your problem may lie in where you decided to send your queries. None of the big agencies typically accept unsolicited scripts from unknown writers. They've got their hands full with people that are already established.

Send out a second round of queries, say, 10, this time. But this time send them to smaller agencies. Do some more research. Really try and pinpoint some agents that handle the type of stuff you write. You may not get any bites to read your script, but chances are a couple of SASE's will come back to you.

Another way to get read is to win or place in some of the better contests that are out there. I managed to finish in the quarterfinal round at Slamdance this year and it got me some reads. But keep in mind contests are tricky. Most of the early round readers are hacks just like us, and winning or placing high is three parts skill one part luck. But in my case, it was worth the $30 entry fee. Good luck.

[Optimus]

Hi, Soujiro. Welcome to the board. Yours isn't a dumb question at all. It's one that everyone new to this field asks.

I recently sent out my first five query letters to the big agencies (ICM, Endeavor, ATL, Gersh, and CAA). I didn't expect them to be like "Send us your script new writer", but I did expect a response saying no. I haven't gotten a thing, so I'm wondering if I didn't do something right.

I don't know what your query looked like (i.e. how it was formatted, how you worded things, what information you included, etc.) so I can't tell you if you did or didn't do something right.

As long as you addressed your letters to specific agents and not just the agency itself with a "To Whom it may concern" type of greeting, then your letters probably made it. You said you did that, so you were on the right track with that.

In most cases, though, you won't ever hear back. Many agents don't even bother sending a "no." They either don't have the time or don't have the desire. Most of the bigger agencies have "no solicitation" policies which preclude them from even accepting queries. I've gotten some queries back unopened with "Return to sender. We do not accept unsolicited materials" or something to that effect.

Some agents open the letters and, if they don't like what they read, the forward them to the legal department (ICM and CAA, for instance) who returns the letter to you with an enclosure stating their policies about not accepting queries/material, etc.

However, if the query piques the agent's interest, he/she won't do this. They'll contact you.

I kept it short(one page), included my information, and I included an SASE. Now I was prepared beforehand that most won't respond at all, but it's still a shock that I didn't get one SASE back. Out of five, not one sent it back. How much trouble would it be to send one back?
Like I said, many don't have the time or don't want to fool with it. Don't take it personally. That's just how it is.

I always tell people to take the Ron Popeil (the rotisserie roaster infomercial guy) approach to queries, "Send it and forget it."

Mail them off with the expectation that you'll never hear back because, as I said, you probably won't. That way you won't be calendar-watching for the next few weeks. You'll drive yourself crazy doing that.

If they like what they read, you'll hear from them. Trust me.

It might benefit you to post your query letter here so that we can take a look at it.

I would also strongly encourage you to post your query in the Loglines and Query Letters forum on the Done Deal messageboard at www.scriptsales.com/boards (http://www.scriptsales.com/boards).

That messageboard is dedicated to screenwriting. Absolutewrite is good, but there aren't nearly as many screenwriters here as there are novelists and poets. Done Deal is a great community of screenwriters - both pro and aspirant - where you can learn a lot about screenwriting; both the craft and the business end.

Dpaterso, Steph, and myself post there regularly.
For those of you who got their SASE back saying whatever, what was in it? Was it a typed letter from them? Was it a letter you put in there giving them choices? Yes or No?

I've gotten some back with the standard, "We don't accept unsolicited...." line in it. I've also gotten some with polite handwritten notes that say, "Send it to me" or "Thanks, but no thanks" or something to that effect.

However, as I said, if they are interested, you'll hear from them. It's usually a lot quicker and more convenient for the agent to shoot you and email or pick up the phone, so remember to include your email address and phone number in your queries.

Give the agent every possible way there is to communicate with you.

Before I realized it, I had printed the query letter on a twenty lb piece of paper, and I've been told it should be twenty-four. Does it really matter?

No, it doesn't really matter. I usually try to print mine on "fancier" business paper that is usually 24 lb. Personally, I like the linen paper and envelopes. I don't know why, but there's just a cool texture to them. I also use a color other than plain white (I think the color I used is "Ivory") to help my envelopes and letters stand out a tad from the rest of the dreck the agent/agent's assistant has to dredge through.

It also looks more professional than regular paper which is a plus.

When I'm querying, I usually try to send out 5-10 queries a week. Cast your net as widely as possible to increase your chances for responses. Out of 100 queries, you might hear back from 40-50 of those (if you're lucky). Out of that 40-50, you might get 20 "yes."

I'm just making those numbers up, but I'd say they're about average. However, concept is key. So, if you have a killer concept and a really intriguing story laid out in a fantastic, well-written query letter, then your chances of getting favorable responses will increase exponentially.

[Optimus]

Site link removed per request of other site's Webmaster

[Elijah Phoenix]

Or you can go in thru the back door. Send a fan letter to a screenwriter or a Director. I found an address for a retired Producer once when i wanted to ask him something about a piece of work he did years ago. It lead to numerous emails. Eventually, he came to enjoy hearing from me. Sometimes it would take a week to hear from him. I asked him to take a look at something I wrote. He said he would. i sent it to him. I made a few good contacts from that. I still write to the retired producer every now and then. When somethin he made is going to be on i write and tell him I'm gonna watch it. Then we talk about it.

I guess sometimes people just want to get a fan letter or just talk about the business without people asking them for something. When those guys retire, they like to reminisce about their work. Make a retired pen pal. Don't ask for help breaking in. They can't just pick up the phone and make your dreams come true.
They do like to talk about the business of writing and entertainment.

[Soujiro]

Thanks for all your replies, they really helped a newbie like myself. I knew that it would happened, but there was a little hope that I would get at least a call on that first shot. I'm a keep my head up, and keep trying to make it happen.

I'll do more research, try out the smaller agencies this time around, and see what happens. Anyway, I like this place, so I think I'll stick around.

[scripter1]

I hope you continue to find things helpful and enjoyable here.

I have to ask you, HOW much of a newbie are you?
How many scripts have you written? How long have you been writing?
Have you entered this script into any contests or gotten any feedback on it?
Are you SURE it is ready to be sent out?

I hate to be blunt and I mean no personal attack but the vast, vast majority of newbie writer's scripts aren't good enough to be considered. The writing in the query letters and loglines isn't good enough to be considered.
The writer may have a wonderful concept inside their head but for what ever reason it doesn't make it out of their head and on to the paper. (query or script)

If you haven't saught feedback on your work yet, now is the time to do it.
Post a logline, post a query letter, and post NO MORE then 10 pages of the script.(it's FREE) Quite often issues with a script can be discovered and explored right here on the boards. We may either give you some things to work on (NONE of the regulars are trolls. If we offer you feedback and advice it is because we really believe that it would help and needs your attention, and it will be based on solid screenwriting principles.) or if you've got the gift we will give you some tips on querying or point you towards some directories, or offer advice on how to best present your concept,or just compliment you, tell you to keep fighting the fight and that you'll eventually hit pay dirt.

The hard part is to write a great story.
The tricky part is to get it in to the right hands, the hands that are looking for just that kind of story.

I once sent out 60 queries. I got ten envelopes sent back with just a stamp on them. Three sent me back a standard letter "Sorry, we are not accepting new projects at this time" or "This script doesn't fit our needs at this time."
I got one phone call. An actual real, LIVE, CALL. It didn't work out though.

So, 1 out of 60. For the money I spent on stamps it wasn't worth it.

If you are going to do a lot of querying, learn how to peel the stamps back off so you can use them again.

Actually, I've heard recently that SASE aren't really called for any more. That if they want to talk to you they will e-mail or call.
Is that true?
It makes sense. Why write a letter when you can just telephone?

[Soujiro]

I've been writing for a year, and I have one completed script (the one I'm trying to sell), and one that I thought was complete, but really is first draft material. I posted my first script on triggerstreet.com, and man I only got two replies. The poster wondered if I was american because of all the grammatical errors. I emailed her, and she gave me a run down on where I went wrong. Looking back on it, I saw where I went wrong. I tried to be a Quentin Tarrantino, and the plot was laughable. When I finished it though, you couldn't tell me nothing, I knew it was good. It's funny how you look back at your first script and realize how bad it was.


Now my second script I think I've improved a lot, and I feel it would make a decent movie. It's still dialogue heavy because I feel that is one of my strengths, but I'm straying away from QT's style, and finding my own voice.

I didn't have to look at my screenwriter's guide book that much for input, just kind of came naturally. Also, the first time around I just started writing, but I knew my beginning and my ending. With my second script, I wrote a four page outline, and that made it much easier. The story flows better but the only concern I have about it is, is there enough action? Enough conflict that will keep the audiences' interest. More then anything I struggle with concept. So that's what I'm trying to improve as we speak. I have many ideas but like you said, sometimes I have a hard time putting it on the page.

I do believe in the notion that you really start writing well around your 5th or 7th script, but I just want to believe in this one so badly, you know? Like most people, I'm a bit of a realest, so I know that this script probably won't see the light of day, and my real good material will come as I continue to write.


I'm still debating on posting my query or first ten pages of it here.

It's probably not smart to really try to pursue a career just yet, not until I become more seasoned, but that lust for having one of my scripts be acted out on the big screen got the best of me. I'll probably fall back and keep perfecting my craft, but I think I will enter it into some contests, just to see how it does.

[pstudios]

:faint: Woah! My script was accidentally sent to someone it was not ready to go to. 1st this guy threw my query out, called me and we agreed over the phone that I needed more education and go get it quick! I've been doing just that. Each class and/or workshop allows 4 improvement. Since then my writing is 180% better, but has a long way to go. After it gets there, this guy will look at it again. As a result of storms I lost workshops, and had to start over in new state. Things happen 4 a reason and there's acutally more resources here in the high desert hills than I had back home(ie: general writer's groups-some screen writer's, with g'd critique skill and a college w/in one hr. that has a course).

This site here is a place that has helped me imensely. I can post pages- get feedback and not have to ruin my reputation while I stumble and learn. It's a very safe place to learn. Also as U review others work U learn too. I personally don't get a good gut feeling w/ Triggerstreet. Also U can take time here to learn and polish and when that's done, then enter the contests.

4 me I find it better not to go beyond where I happen to be ready to go, or put it this way run before I learn to walk.

I know the critiques here can seem though, but these people here are glad to help you and sometime's it's not easy to hear the truth, but better that than try to skip valuable steps and fall.

Jennifer