Writing Something For A Particular Person

barbarairvin said:

This might sound like a huge goal, but is it possible to write a script for a certain actor or actress? How would one go about doing this?

Barbara

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What do you mean, exactly?

Yes it's possible. Studio writers used to do it all the time. But studios had contract players in those days, too. Nowadays it would take an actor who has enough clout (most A-listers have their own production companies) and possibly cash, and who just loves your script, to get the film made.

So your task would be to write the script, get it into the actors hands (or possibly his/her agent), and hope they love it enough to run with it.

I once had a script with a cameo for Oprah Winfrey, playing herself, a pretty important part, albeit one scene only. The script won a few contests but nobody would touch it. Oprah never saw it.

dpaterso said:

Has there ever been a spec-script-to-actor success story? I've never heard of one. Doesn't mean it hasn't happened.

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Sure. Happens all the time. But only when the writer has a direct contact already, or a friend who has such a contact.

Write your script for the actor if that helps you get it done. But make it absolutely the best you can do, then get into people's hands who might help get it made. Then hope.

If the part is for an elderly woman Lansbury might hear of it. So might some less famous people who would love the part. Some of those might be more likely to help push the script beyond the option stage.

dpaterso said:

...got any specific newbie screenwriter names and produced movie titles?

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If you read the general entertainment trades such as Hollywood Reporter and Variety and the trades focused on screenwriting you'll come across them all the time. It's the same process in screenwriting as in all the arts. The artists who get their work considered by producers already know them first-hand or second-hand. Not very comforting for those of us less connected. It's why networking is so important in every art.

barbarairvin said:

This might sound like a huge goal, but is it possible to write a script for a certain actor or actress? How would one go about doing this?

Barbara

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Yes. But why? It would limit the chance of selling if that person were not interested.