No unsolicited submissions=......

You just query. As yourself.

I send 'em anyway. Sure it's a long shot, most likely a waste of effort, but ya never know. But I will add, I tend to focus on boutiques.

'No unsolicited submissions' just means you can't send them the whole manuscript. You can send a query.

Yes, query all you want. If your synopsis wows them, they will ask for you to send either a part or the whole script for them to look at.

I personally, send a short sample (10-20 pages) along with the query, so they can see my style.

Sunburn said:

...Make a cold call and try to convince them that your material is worth reading?

Also is it ok for me to portray myself as my own manager/agent?

Click to expand...

Don't do this. You always hear about people who manage to succeed using "stunts" of one kind or another. What you don't hear about is the overwhelmingly greater majority of people who try these kinds of stunts and get themselves permanently banned from who-knows-how many different places.

Of course you're looking to get your script read, but in the longer term you're looking to establish professional working relationships and to establish yourself as a professional writer in a community of other working professionals who know you and can trust you.

You start off doing something like pretending to be your own manager, even presuming it works for a time, for sure that's something that's going to come out, probably sooner than later and it's not going to be good news when it does.

Regarding cold calling, what I always used to do (and I have to preface this by saying that it was a long time ago so I don't know how effective it is these days) is that when you cold call and introduce yourself as a screenwriter, the moment of truth generally comes when they ask you if you have an agent.

If you just say no -- then you're dead, because they'll tell you that they don't accept unagented submissions -- good bye.

But if you say, "No, I submit my material through my attorney," -- while some places still won't go for it, for a number of places, submitting through an attorney will get you over that hump.

Now, while it would be nice to submit through an entertainment attorney, they can come steep. If you're a working screenwriter, you can establish a percentage deal. If you're not, you can't, and you'd have to pay one a retainer, presuming you could even find one.

However, if you're just looking to submit material and nothing more, any attorney with an office and some letterhead will suffice to do that. You just need a cover letter to the effect of, "As per my client's conversation with you on XYZ, I'm submitting the following screenplay, ABC, for your consideration."

If it comes down to actually negotiating a deal, of course, just any lawyer won't do -- you actually will need an entertainment attorney, and if you don't have the money to pay a retainer (which was around five grand twenty years ago) you can check into the Volunteer Counsel for the Arts, a program that most states have, which provides free or inexpensive legal assistance for members of the arts community.

NMS

I was under the impression that even a query is not accepted in no solicitation type agencies. That's how it sounded over the phone, I'd say, I know you don't accept so and so, but may I please submit just a query and they'd say NO. Yes I know now not to call from what I was told here, I didn't know before I came here and did it due to lack of info on the web about the agencies, [shields face] I don't do it anymore.

veinglory said:

'No unsolicited submissions' just means you can't send them the whole manuscript. You can send a query.

Click to expand...

That's cool. I either didn't know or forgot. Thanks for explaining.

A polite and short email summing up your film in three lines asking if they'd like to read a 3 page synopsis/treatment and/or the screenplay itself is not going to offend anyone.

Hillgate said:

A polite and short email summing up your film in three lines asking if they'd like to read a 3 page synopsis/treatment and/or the screenplay itself is not going to offend anyone.

Click to expand...

Granted, but do you nose your way into a direct e-mail to an agent or the general submission inbox...A To whom it may concern letter?

BetsyComedy said:

I was under the impression that even a query is not accepted in no solicitation type agencies..

Click to expand...

'No unsolicited submissions' explicitly allows queries. Some agencies are closed to queries as well, but that is not what NUS means.

Lots of contact on Stage32, but you have to weed through patch to find the right one for you. You can always post a request or join a discussion there.

I wouldn't cold call any producers, agents or directors. Query them.

tri

max929 said:

Granted, but do you nose your way into a direct e-mail to an agent or the general submission inbox...A To whom it may concern letter?

Click to expand...

I would always try and single out an individual if you can, be polite and brief...you will not offend them: after all, you may have the next great thing and if they can glean that from a short email you've got a fighting shout in getting your treatment or script (maybe only the first 10 if you're lucky) read.