Advice Needed: Gay-Themed Screenplay

proudtobedad · Jun 6, 2007

Hi everyone!

After several years away from the world of entertainment to raise my kids, I've written a screenplay (after once swearing to never write another!)

This one is a gay-themed drama, with comedic and musical elements. While I envision it being done economically, due to the musical elements, a strictly "low-budget" film is highly unlikely.

While I knew going into this that writing a gay-themed spec script was not the first step on the path to riches, I also knew that (emotionally) I had to tell this story. Consequently, it really feels like the best thing I've ever written.

And yet, now that it comes time to get this script into the marketplace, I'm at a loss. Before I hear a chorus of "write what the market will buy", I really need some advice.

As I don't have an agent, part of me thinks that I should head in that direction, offering this script as my entree/writing sample. And then pitch other more mainstream specs/ideas to get my career moving.

The other part of me thinks that, as I want this script to get made and feel that this project could be incredibly successful, I should instead target production companies likely to finance such projects.

What advice do you have? Are there either lit agents or production companies more likely to "bite" at such material that I should target first? Is it better to target lit agencies or production companies first?

What would you do if you were me??? Any advice or leads would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Kergan

AFS · Jun 6, 2007

Don't know if this is the direction you're headed in, but if I were you, I'd check this out:

http://www.oscars.org/nicholl/index.html

Also, if I were YOU, I would send ME 100 dollars. American. Small bills, please.

proudtobedad · Jun 7, 2007

Thanks! Any other advice out there as to whether to pursue agents, production co's, etc, and--if so--any leads on who might be appropriate?

Writer2011 · Jun 7, 2007

Write it if you want---it's your story.

NikeeGoddess · Jun 7, 2007

One in Ten

since Nichol's is closed
go here:
http://screenplaycontests.com/oneinten/

AFS · Jun 7, 2007

That's pretty sound advise.

Are one in ten people gay? I didn't know that.

NikeeGoddess · Jun 7, 2007

i think one in ten people are left-handed (as opposed to right-handed)

Joe Calabrese · Jun 7, 2007

I would write the story you feel the need to tell, regardless of marketablility.

Hollywood is looking for great stories, don't let anyone tell you to chase the gravy train and write what is marketable, because that is subjective and not timeless. What is hot today already has a dozen sold scripts and dozens more being read. However, great stories are timeless and if you find a producer that is passionate about your story, they will buy it.

The trick is finding that one producer out of hundreds that would love your story.

The best way is to market yourself. Competitions is not only a confidence builder (if you win), but also a gauge of your work's quality. read my article on competitions here

Look at the databases (IMDB, etc) and see what producers have made similar films and query them. Look at those same films and see if the associate producers are now producers and query them too.

Network, talk it up, but more important... Write your ass off and make it a great story.

It may take a year, two or a hundred, but perseverance pays off.

proudtobedad · Jun 7, 2007

Great advice--Thanks!

DanielD · Jun 7, 2007

To Proudtobedad.
I would definately go with Joe's advice.
A great story, will always be preferred.
If it's characters are well written,along with structure and formatting,it should gain some interest.
I read somewhere that "Great stories are not always sold,even lesser scripts are taken on prior to these.Yet ,it is the great stories(scripts) which endure, and gain greater merit, and appreciation with the passing of time" .
Well,something like that anyway.

To Joe Calebrese.
Very good advice,and wisdom.
Daniel.