How can something so short be so scary???

icerose · Feb 12, 2007

I was cleaning my house today and the phone rang. "Restricted."

Okay, someone with a wrong number again. So I answered it with this assumption in mind.

"Hello?"

"Hi, this is so and so from such and such production company." Came the voice of a woman.

"Oh." Was all I could manage to push out.

"You queried me and I said I'd call?"

"Yeah."

"I have to say I fell in love with your proposal and I'd like to see it as soon as possible."

"Oh."

"Could you send it to my office?"

"Yep."

"Great, this is the address."

"This is for the Ocean Deep right?"

"Right."

"The sooner we get it the better, we're looking at beginning filming before this fall and we need to fill up the slate."

"Uhuh."

"So if you could send it to me I'll put it on top of the stack."

"Okay."

"Thanks, bye."

During this whole conversation I felt like I was standing in a crowded public place and suddenly all of my clothes fell off. I was freaked out. She apparently didn't think me a total idiot because she still asked for it, but dang, I was blindsided and I don't know if it would have better if I had known she was going to call or if it was just as well cold call.

I definitly didn't have the babbling idiot syndrome this call but dang! Could I possible have managed any lower of a vocabulary??

scarletpeaches · Feb 12, 2007

Oh. I thought this thread was about the phrase I used to break up with my last boyfriend.

Opty · Feb 12, 2007

I thought it was about dclary's wee wee.

razormoney · Feb 12, 2007

oooh

ouch

Chumplet · Feb 12, 2007

So... this was real? Not a dream? If it's real, then YIPPPEEEEEE!

odocoileus · Feb 12, 2007

Ragnarok · Feb 12, 2007

Congrats!

Stealth66 · Feb 12, 2007

Congratulations, IceRose! :e2headban

That's probably how my side of the conversation would've gone, too. Hehe.

I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for ya.

icerose · Feb 12, 2007

Thanks everyone. Yeah it was real. It felt surreal but it was real. I was completely freaked out for at least an hour.

MrJayVee · Feb 12, 2007

Good luck to ya, but...

I certainly don't want to jinx anything -- and I wish you only the best of luck, IceRose -- but something sounds a tad bit fishy about this.

Do proceed with caution.

Good luck!

icerose · Feb 13, 2007

Thanks JayVee for the word of caution but the company is legit with good credits and I've actually seen and liked a few of their movies.

icerose · Feb 13, 2007

This whole week has been surreal. We moved last weekend (well not this last one but the one before) to a new apartment, which has been a fantastic move for us. We're close to his work, and so forth.

I hadn't sent out any queries in a while so I figured it was time for another round and after this phone call, I've gotten three requests for scripts since, out of the new batch of queries. I only sent four each were for different scripts.

It's so...weird. It feels like I'm in a dream state and only imagining all of this.

Rainy Night · Feb 13, 2007

All that preparation and then when you least expect it the phone rings ... see, you didn't have to worry about the kids after all ... I look forward to seeing your name on the big screen.

jonpiper · Feb 13, 2007

So. It's true. The less, the better. Congrats and good luck.

icerose · Feb 13, 2007

Thanks Rainy,
I think it's a bit early for that as I haven't even passed the reading stage, but thanks.

So it seems Jon. Less time to hang yourself, which the way it was going I could have very easily done.

whistlelock · Feb 13, 2007

Outstanding Icerose, I'm hoping it goes all the way to the screen.

icerose · Feb 13, 2007

Thanks Whistlelock, I do too. Hopefully it won't take long for them to get back and when they do it will be positive.

Joe270 · Feb 13, 2007

You will hit this one out of the ballpark, Ice. I wish you all the best.

You need to find out from screenwriters who went past this stage to find out what to do next. You might want to review the website on phone pitches, you are past the elevator pitch deal I suffered through. I have the feeling they will want to get a feel for you, if they would enjoy working with you, if you have a healthy sense of the business, if you have a sense of the business of the business, etc. Years ago, I had script conference calls (I guess, don't remember much) for spec teleplays, and all I really recall about them was an nice, easy conversation. I was not nervous, was not put on the spot. I felt a part of a team. I suspect your next stage will resemble this. Still, seek out those who know (or at least remember) about this next stage.

All that brad size and card stock worry didn't matter at all in the end. Your work stood out. If you wrote this in crayon, I'll be ticked off.

icerose · Feb 13, 2007

Thanks Joe,

My problem is I don't know anyone in the business so I always run here and post because I don't have anyone else to talk to about this. Which website? There's a website that outlines what happens in phone pitches?

This conversation was good, she was nice, didn't put me on the spot, I just didn't handle it well, at least not in my own standards. I hope the next contact I am more at ease, but I somehow doubt myself capable of being such as I'm not very good in the spotlight, especially when I have to talk.

I don't worry too much about the package, just that it looks somewhat professional and it holds together. I certainly did not write it in crayon so no worries there. I avoid my own handwriting, as I hate it, on submissions of any kind. The printer is my friend.

whistlelock · Feb 13, 2007

Ice, go scoot around Done Deal. The forums there have some FAQ's and archived posts from Pro's about the next stages of the game.

And you could log in and ask some further questions there too.

2Adverbs is, or was, another good site for this sort of thing. I think it's still around, but i"m not sure.

icerose · Feb 13, 2007

Thanks Whistlelock. I really appreciate that!

Joe270 · Feb 13, 2007

I looked around for help here on the cooler, but found little for screenwriters in production meetings. There is a literary agent responding to questions down in the lit section, but I don't think he can help much with Hollywood processes.

I have checked out done deal, they seem more harsh. But you are a grown up writer, maybe that's exactly what you need now. Come back here for support, you have it from many writers here.

Still, many writers in Absolute Write seem to have the expertise you need, it's a matter of linking up with them.

Also, if you graduated from a nearby college which has a scriptwriting program, call them for help as an alumni. If you did not graduate, or did not attend that school, lie about it.

MrJayVee · Feb 13, 2007

Clearing the first hurdle...

Here’s what will most likely happen next:

The company will receive your script, then someone will eventually read it (probably a reader). They will either tag the script with “Recommend,” “Consider,” or “Pass.” Very few scripts get the first two. If they “pass” the script, you might hear something back: “Thanks, but the script’s not for us at the present time.” That’s it, it’s over for that script. But…if they like the script, you’ll probably get a phone call: “Hey, we really love your script, and we think it’s right for our next slate of films, but we’d like to talk to you about some changes.” From there, all sorts of things can happen. You could exchange phone calls with a development exec or producer…they could option your script, or buy your script outright (less likely). They could offer you the first rewrite, see how well you do on it, then keep you on if they like what you’re giving them. Keep in mind, chances are good they’ll cut you lose after that first rewrite, then if/when the script goes into production, you’ll be paid whatever fee has been negotiated. (If there is any monetary negotiation going on, get yourself some representation.) There are several different ways this can all go. But you’ve cleared the first hurdle (hopefully there will be more), so congrats!

clockwork · Feb 13, 2007

icerose said:
Thanks Joe,

My problem is I don't know anyone in the business so I always run here and post because I don't have anyone else to talk to about this. Which website? There's a website that outlines what happens in phone pitches?

This conversation was good, she was nice, didn't put me on the spot, I just didn't handle it well, at least not in my own standards. I hope the next contact I am more at ease, but I somehow doubt myself capable of being such as I'm not very good in the spotlight, especially when I have to talk.

I don't worry too much about the package, just that it looks somewhat professional and it holds together. I certainly did not write it in crayon so no worries there. I avoid my own handwriting, as I hate it, on submissions of any kind. The printer is my friend.

Hi, Ice. Congrats again, you're on a roll at the moment!

Not entirely sure if I can help you but I have had quite a few pitch meetings for features, both spec and treatments, with big players here in the UK - if you want my take on it, feel free to PM or whatever.

icerose · Feb 13, 2007

Hi Joe,
Harsh doesn't really bother me. I won't be leaving this board any time soon, but if I can get more help, that's always a good thing.

Jay,
Thanks, I've passed that first hurdle once before. Got 3 pages back from the assistant producer about why they couldn't pick it, detailing what they did like and what wasn't working. They have asked me to keep in touch with that project and others, so I aim to do that. Their feedback was wonderful and it covered from beginning to end, I couldn't believe they did that for me. It was very kind.

I hope this one passes that hurdle and that it gets the thumbs up this time, but even a rejection like that one would be great too.

How can something so short be so scary???

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