Selling scripts

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Stylianou

is it really so hard to sell a script as a first time writer? I know your all eager to type in 'Reality check dude' but if the story is good enough how hard can it be?

i can feel you all aching to rip me to shreds!

does anybody know of any films that were written by new writers?
 

NikeeGoddess

yes it is that hard b/c a majority of the scripts bought are written by seasoned writers. just think how hard it would be for you to convince a production (studio) company to invest $100 million on your idea. that's a lot of mula!

there ARE scripts produced by first time writers but, the reality check: those writers have been writing for 10 years and sold their 5th script; not their first that they wrote a few months ago. and many of those were major contest winners which brought them enough exposure for the producers to even look at their script.

another reality check: your writing improves so drastically year after year at plugging away at your craft that you'll probably be so embarrased at your first attempt; embarrased that you even showed it to people --- that is, if you stick with it ;)

none of this is ripping you to shreds. you must be pre-jaded :lol

write on!
 

Stylianou

fair enough. I guess i'm a little delutional. I truly think my screenplay is destined to be made. I love it and thats rare for me as i am my hardest critic. i read alot of profesh/published scripts and I do believe that mine can compare. I'm not saying that i have a natrual talent for screenwriting but...well, thats exactly what i'm saying!:lol
 

NikeeGoddess

if you enter your script in a major contest and become a finalist then you can use that to get automatic exposure and the fuel you need to get an agent.

so write the next one already.

rewrite on!
 

William Haskins

go here and post 5 pages of your script:

p068.ezboard.com/bdonedeal

then... don't live or die by what feedback you get, but look objectively at the range of feedback. then imagine this as a microcosm of what your script would go through as it makes the rounds of industry readers.

nothing is universally lauded anymore. there are as many opinions as there are producers, and your script is not destined for any more, or any less, than those parameters will allow.

best of luck to you.
 

Stylianou

dont worry wil, i'm not gonna live or die by constructive criticism. thats why i'm here dude.

i would love to post my pages and cant wait to but unfortunatly its not copy written yet. As soon as it is, i'll get on with getting feedback from you guys. thanks


p.s scripts that are entered into comps, can they not be published as a movie or does the competion exposure ruin that chance?
 

kojled

stylianou

extremely difficult to sell script. my advice - forget it. concentrate on craft. if you are a talented writer you can find work. weekly rate for assignments is through the roof. a few good samples can land this type work for you. result - you could make huge money for years and never sell a script, never even get a screen credit. so - forget selling, focus on craft.


zilla
 

Ron239

How do you get anyone legit to actually READ THE MATERIAL?

The larger question is, how do you get anyone legit in the industry to read your material? That seems to be the major hurdle.
You can be a phenomenal writer with good sample scripts, but how in the world do you get anyone who is bona fide legit to read them?
I would be very curious to know how many of these working Hollywood writers actually broke in, because it is a mystery to me. An absolute mystery.
That hooey about writing a great script and burying it and agents breaking down your door is just that -- baloney.
 

desmas

It's hard because most first time writers bring bad scripts to the table.

If you think you've got talent then go for it. What do you have to lose?

My advice to you is find an agent. Most studios will not even look at a script if it is not represented by an agent.

Invest some time preparing a pitch for the studios. You got to sell them your idea and tell them why they need to make it into a movie!

You want to here of a first time writer making it big. Christopher McQuarrie. He wrote the ScreenPlay Usual Suspects directed by Bryan Singer.

Chrsitophers first ScreenPlay was Public Access. It wasn't really a hit but it did enough for his career to get noticed.
 

Vigorish9

"my advice is to find an agent" desmas

yes, they hangout in packs at grocery stores and are as accesible as grapes. getting an agent can be a dfficultas selling a script.

vig
 

desmas

I don't care if you like the advise are not. You don't have representation your script sees the trash can.
 

JustinoXV

"My advice to you is find an agent. Most studios will not even look at a script if it is not represented by an agent."

Make that all studios, as well as most studio backed or celebrity attached prodcos.

If you'll go to Done Deal @ www.scriptsales.com, you'll see most sales are made by agencies such as CAA, ICM, William Morris, etc.

These agencies do not read unsolicited screenplays. They do not take query letters.

How can you get read by these agents? You need to be in the industry, and get an industry referral. Or you need to have already sold a script. Or you need a deal on the table.

I think anyone who just says get an agent clearly isn't thinking or doesn't know much about the film industry. But since get an agent is your advice, surely you can elaborate even further and tell people how they should go about getting agents. And don't say queries, as top line agencies don't accept them.
 

Vigorish9

i will try harder to say what i mean since you seem to be an advocate of that.

agents are VERY very, very, very dfficult to procure. everybody already knows that having n agent is basically what you want to do. so, getting an agent is of course paramount, AFTER you are good enough to get one.

you just don't put an add in the paper asking for an agent.


vig
 

desmas

WIll if that was your point then yes I will have to agree with you there.

Agents are tough to attract but not impossible.

But let's be honest here. It takes only one good Screenplay to get noticed. You can write 20 bad ones before you have any talent to write a good one but it's that one that get's you the deal.

If you manage to hit it on your first try than all the success to you.

For me anyways I am more concern with Mastering the art than to complain about how hard it is to break through.
 

maestrowork

Reminds me of a joke:

How many screenwriters does it take to screw in a light bulb?

100. One to screw it in and 99 to sit around Starbucks saying, “I could have done that – if someone would only give me a break.”
 

Noah1

If you'll go to Done Deal @ www.scriptsales.com, you'll see most sales are made by agencies such as CAA, ICM, William Morris, etc.

These agencies do not...take query letters.
Click to expand...
Not true.

They just don't take crappy query letters or query letters for crappy concepts.
 

NikeeGoddess

don't waste your time trying to contact studios

look for and query smaller independent production companies. those with "first look" deals with studios have more clout.
but even those without that deal can work out their own packaging.
 

JustinoXV

"They just don't take crappy query letters or query letters for crappy concepts."

Calll any of those agencies, and you'll likely get a response saying that they accept no unsolicited materials, including queries.

Catch someone in a good enough mood, and yes, you might get someone who'll say send in a query. This is sufficiently rare you'll have to use other ways of getting your work out.
 

Noah1

I'm speaking from personal experience, Justino. This has worked for me several times and gotten me a few reads at some of the agencies you listed. I used both emailed and snail-mailed queries.

Like I said before, though, it won't work if your query letter or concept are crap.

Perhaps that's why it hasn't worked for you?
 

maestrowork

I seriously doubt Justino's experience is the only truth here. Granted, I don't doubt his experience is valid, but I am sure there are other ways. I mean, did he actually call every agent in town to find out that they don't accept queries? A friend of mine just optioned two of his screenplays through his agent. Yes, he got an agent without having sold anything first. He wasn't even an insider -- he was a novelist before he started doing scripts. (Okay, so maybe that's the way he started first.) Granted, his agent is a small one, but they got his screenplays out. Not everyone is CAA and not everyone needs to be.

I'd like to hear from those who have procure an agent and/or sold their screenplays through their agents.
 

JustinoXV

sold

Well, Noah1, did any of these agencies sign you? I don't think so. A good query or logline doesn't necessarily mean one has a good script. Apparently you were passed on.:)

Getting read in Hollywood isn't that big a deal. Most scripts sent in are going to be rejected, so people out in LA are overall dismissive of queries.

As for not everyone needing to be CAA or ICM, you do indeed need an agency of this rank if you expect to have a career selling screenplays to studios.

Not optioning. Most scripts optioned are never actually purchased.
 

Vigorish9

Re: sold

scripts that are purchased hardly ever make it to screen either.

vig
 

kojled

Re: sold

justino

noah is correct. the agencies you listed will take queries and they will read scripts by unrepped writers.

and yes they do sign newbies based on these reads. and yes they do sell some of these acquisitions

and no you don't need to be at one of the big 3 (or 5 or whatever it is) like caa or icm to 'have a career selling screenplays to studios'


zilla
 
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