Producer asked for my script.

send them the script
wait 3 or 4 weeks then call them up... say, "i'm jr calling for <<insert name>> about the status of my script <<insert name>>.
make sure you get the person's name you speak to and keep it on file.

if they're still reading it then either they haven't gotten to it yet or good, they're passing it around. ask for a specific date when you should call back.

if they've finished reading it they'll say, "we're passing" and then make sure you ask why and get specific reasons so you know what to do to make your next time that much more closer to success.

if they want the script then congratulations. ask them what to do next.

good luck and don't stop writing and rewriting to wait for an answer.

you should invest in some real screenwriting software. most producers have both final draft and movie magic and you won't have to worry about converting anything.

PDF is pretty much standard for electronic submissions. Everyone can read this format without problems.

Asking you to sign a release form is pretty standard too, although the "common things" you mention like car chases seem a little unfocused, usually release form wording is more general, concerned with your accepting that any duplication of ideas and stories and characterization with existing properties the prodco is already handling is entirely coincidental.

If they come back and ask you for any money, to cover admin or reading fees or suchlike -- don't. Come back here and tell us. (A family member writing to you sounds kinda odd, and prompts me to mention this.)

Lastly -- good luck!

-Derek

NikeeGoddess said:

send them the script
wait 3 or 4 weeks then call them up... say, "i'm jr calling for <<insert name>> about the status of my script <<insert name>>.
make sure you get the person's name you speak to and keep it on file.

if they're still reading it then either they haven't gotten to it yet or good, they're passing it around. ask for a specific date when you should call back.

if they've finished reading it they'll say, "we're passing" and then make sure you ask why and get specific reasons so you know what to do to make your next time that much more closer to success.

Click to expand...

An alternative to calling to follow up is to e-mail or snail-mail--whatever mode they contacted you initially is probably best to follow up with. Calls tend to be discouraged unless specifically invited.

A lot of producers take longer (sometimes much longer) than 4 weeks to know whether your script is a pass or consider, and if it's a consider (or a pass, for that matter), you may never hear back from them. Keep trying to get it into more people's hands. You can follow up every 4-6 weeks with a courteous e-mail, but it's not likely to make much difference. If they love the script they'll be in touch with you.

Good luck with it and well done. It must feel really good for the producer to contact you like that.

Congrats! Are they signatory to the guild? Watch your six on that.

don't worry about being a member of the wga. it's a catch-22 you have to sell something first to become a member.

and i do prefer the phone call to emails - it's nice to have conversation about your script. they don't mind. phones are still used. and they pay someone to answer them. in 4 weeks - make the call.

Inktip is kind of like shopping at a flea market, there are gems to find but there are more vagrants shopping than good stuff to buy.

NikeeGoddess said:

don't worry about being a member of the wga. it's a catch-22 you have to sell something first to become a member.

and i do prefer the phone call to emails - it's nice to have conversation about your script. they don't mind. phones are still used. and they pay someone to answer them. in 4 weeks - make the call.

Click to expand...

What I mean is this - are they signatory with the writer's guild of america? Being (verifiably) a WGA signatory is the first litmus test of legitimacy.

And yes, you get into the guild if you sell something, but only if you sell it to a guild signatory producer. If you set something up with a non-guild producer, it doesn't count.

Check out www.wga.org.

You can make a thriller/horror for US$400,000 but it will have 'low production values.' I don't mean it will be a bad film - look at Blair Witch - but it will be a certain type of film.

Even if you're not yet a WGA member you can still ask for a WGA contract which I would do (ie a contract which incorporates the relevant WGA provisions).

Don't sign away your option for too long though: if it's US$400K give them 12 months to make it: at that level they won't have any name actors or expensive kit: sounds like DV so they'll be able to do it quickly. If you think yours is a US$3m script then you could hold out for a bigger budget prodco. They'll cheat some of the effects in post or 'cheat' it in the shoot because that's cheaper than trying to set them up for real (eg shooting scenes at night and showing part of what you've written).

Bottom line though: if they're serious movie-makers and have the money, go for it! do they have distribution links or distribution plan (even straight to DVD) yet? Worth asking as a litmus test of their seriousness.