The One & Only Inktip Super Thread

Teddy it can't hurt, but I'm not sure how much it will help.

The movie business is basically a "push" business and sites like inktip are "pull" technology. What I mean by that is the paradigm for the business is that writers and agents submit projects TO the production companies. A site like inktip requires that producers go to the site and seek out projects.

Most production companies (even smaller ones) are literally inundated with unsolicitied queries and submissions by agents. They have neither the time nor the need to go out on the web looking for screenplays.

And sites like inktip have no vetting process, they will post anything submitted so quality is always a concern, which is one reason that many producers don't want to waste their time with the scripts on sites like these - more often than not, they're bad.

That said, there are some producers who do so. It's usually producers with a) very little or no development money who are looking to option properties for very little or no money so they can then go out to investors. or b) producers who are seeking very specific projects (i.e. a biography of Albert Einstein or a film set in a Bulgaria because they have investors and contacts in Bulgaria.)

Almost all the producers who look for scripts on inktip are independent producers seeking to produce on a low budget (under 5 million). Many are specifically looking for non-Guild writers which often (but not always) means that upfront pay will be very low.

If you do post your work on inktip be sure to check out any producer who contacts you. Anyone can hang out a shingle and call himself a producer. Ask for their credits but also check imdb, google, etc. Also try to negotiate a short time-frame for the option. Options normally range from 6 to 18 months. If they want a 12-month or 18-month option, and they aren't paying you alot for the option - some will only want to pay you a dollar or a couple hundred dollars - offer them a shorter one with an option to renew - but if they renew they will have to pay you more money for the extension. Generally speaking, the more money someone has invested in a project the more motivated they are to make it come to fruition.

Finally, if you decide to post on intip, that does not mean you shouldn't be proactive and query agents and producers. You need to actively be seeking representation and/or a sale.

But before you post, make sure that your script is ready to go.

I've used them in the past and for $40 bucks it's pretty worthwhile in my opinion. In the six months I had a script up there, I got about a dozen or so requests, some from larger, well respected companies, most from small fish.

Now, if I took that same $40 and used it for postage and envelopes to submit queries (which would be translate about 80 companies) instead, would I have gotten the same amount of read requests?

Maybe. Maybe not. I would hope that any marketing of one's work would be an all encompasing attack, using cold queries, phone calls, pitch meetings, and any web based avenues-- like inktip. Whatever I can afford to spend.

In other words, I wouldn't just do inktip and sit by the phone. I would look at any and all ways of getting my script out there in people's hands.

Good luck.

Joe

Nice people, nice website, but. . .

I've listed a few of my scripts off and on on Inktip over the last few years.
Had a few people progress from sampling the logline to the synopsis and even, in some cases, sampling my resume. In one instance, they sampled the script itself. But have never had any follow-up requests of any kind. They're good scripts, too. In fact, excellent ones.
However, you can list SCRIPT SHORTS for free on the website, and I've
had several requests for scripts off those listings.
While some legit industry people occasionally surf these sites, I believe most of the smaller production companies that feed there are more like "wannabes" than bona fide outfits with legit industry deals. But I could be wrong.

Inktip

Has anyone here ever offered or sold a script on Inktip.com? A member of our production group just sold one there (his first) and I've heard of others having good exposure/success. Just wondering if anyone else has any experience with the site. www.inktip.com

I haven't but I heard its a pretty great place with an average of 5 options a month from all the members of course.

hollywoodlitsales is free to use. But they do not check to see if the agents and producers are legitimate or have a good sales record.

Inktips costs to post a script if I remember correctly, BUT, they require 2 sales and 3 industry references of which they do check on from the agents and producers. So you don't have the scammers in there looking at your stuff and trying to suck you in.

Hollywood lit is much more open game so you have to be extra careful.

ALWAYS check out every company on either site before sending them stuff, but inktips does have that extra barrier of protection.

Inktips also seems better put together, as it costs to post, they can put more effort into it types.

I really like Inktip.com

If you have a high concept screenplay and you put it up, you will get reads and if it's good you can take the next step.

For $40, you can't go wrong IMO.

As far as "low concept" screenplays are concerned, I don't know.

God jinxed me to only be able to come up with and write high concept.

At one time, I had three scripts posted on Inktip. I did land a screenwriting manager and optioned one of the scripts (it was a free option-- which stinks-- but to a reputable TV production company). Not much action on the other two scripts, but I do feel it was worthwhile. I've also spoken with the heads of Inktip on the phone about their process... good people, and they have their act together.