Would any of you like to tell me what I want to include in a query letter? Thanks for the help.

Do they work?

Query letters normally are ONE paragraph in length. This is a good order to follow (there might be others)
1) Title of the script.
2) Genre
3) Brief description of the hook
4) Offer to send him/her the script
5) SASE

Maybe we all should use this thread to post query letters for our own scripts.  We'll help each-other develop those query letters.  Then we'll send them off!

Here is one I sent out for my SCREENPLAY "What a long strange trip it's been"


I would like to submit my screenplay, WHAT A LONG STRANGE TRIP IT's BEEN, for your review.

It's a CREEPSHOW meets THE TWILIGHT ZONE horror/thriller with an interesting hub plot that ties each story together. It is also the first in a trilogy of films I have wrote.

Please e-mail me a submission form if you are interested.

Sincerely, Cary Krepps
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So forth and so on and so on....

It got it read by a few companies and even got me an agent from California, here in Kansas City mo.

The screenplay has yet to be sold, but I have faith after I submit the third and final one of the trilogy it will be marketed quickly.

Why does it need trilogy completion for you to suddenly think everyone will want to buy it, I am curious?

Generally future installments of a series come only after the first in a series does well.  What's your logic on this one?

It's just a way to make the movie feel complete. Without it, the movie is incomplete. It's no real logic, it's just the way I chose to do it.

Also my agent said that it is always best to hit them with two or three screenplays than one. In this particular case and point, why not hit them with a trilogy?

No real way to do it, but they have a good market appeal to them. I also remain skeptical that they will make it to film one day.

Also, trilogy's are big business these days. If you write the other two as well as the 1st one... who wouldn't want two follow ups?

Just a thought..

Baltis... Baltis...baltis!

  THAT Querry is soooo damn simple... short and sweet that it makes me see double... thinking it should READ LONGER!

  I don't know about anyone else out there,  but I have surfed the web and gone into every screenplay or scriptwriting or just plain WRITING web sites and found every "How to write a Querry Letter Guaranteed to get read or bring results."

   They tell you to put all "this crap" in 3 or 4 sentences,,, and make it  interesting enough for them to want to see more.

   I Cringe at the thought of putting into practice what they all say...

   And you say your few words you showed us got it read and action?

   When the time comes I am going to vertually copy what you did and apply it to my two cents worth for MY  script and see what happens.

   I'll let you know how how it went when it happens.

   Sure hope it is that SIMPLE!   alienlady  

OOps     Did you send that SAME letter to agents?

The exact letter was a little more formal of course... However, in a nutshell, yes it was that simple.

Producers and Agents don't like to read... it's not a seceret. They like to see white on the page, and a lot of it. Trust me, re-word this small little querry letter and you'll come up with something, given you send it to the right person or production company.

You gotta remember, it's not gonna happen over night -- if you want it to. If you do it on a whim and throw it out for any fish to read, that's when you get your break.

I've sold 2 screenplays for 5 grand a pop and sit on well over 45 to 55 exclusive and original works, as we speak.

When my time comes... i'll be ready.

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Any knuckly head can sell a screenplay to an independent company like "CABLE PRODUCTIONS" "DIVISON FILMS" "FOURSIGHT" "ALPINE ENTERTAINMENT" for the small fee listed above, as long as you are presistant enough.

I know the two screenplays I did sell had market potential to a draw ratio of people. However, big box office remains to be seen. These screenplays will no doubt sit for some time, and if and when I hit it big with a major film studio... the company who retains the rights to my work will simply make the movie and cash in or not cash in on my name as a established writer.

It's the way things work.

Always have more than 3 screenplays ready to read.

Always make sure you can write more than just 1 genre. Who knows if you will get
hired to write or re-write a screenplay for a production company, even if they turn yours down?

Always ask before you send.

Always describe your movie with as little information as possible. The problem with this site is... to many screenwriters here tell you to much, so that you don't wanna read the movie. Let things flow by themselves.

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this is all just my opinion and my points of view... it's not right. It's not 100% by the book. It's just what worked for me in the past and what will work for me when my time comes again.

Baltis.

OK!  Thanks Baltis...

  But remember this is probably my ONLY screenplay.

   I am Too old to get into something YOUNG people go to "CLASSES FOR" and still have  to hustle to sell their stuff which is PROBABLY REALLY GOOD STUFF!

  I take the, "I am not qualified" stand here!  I am hoping my script lands in the right hands for the right price because it was such a Nationally known Case...Was in Heavy demand right after the trial and covers Teenage Suicide, Legal Issues, Sex Change Husband, Topless Dancing at the age of 17, Exorsisums - (can't spell that word) (GHOSTS!) & Rock & Roll!  Plus... it is based on a TRUE STORY!

  So, what I am saying is that might be my only selling edge!  Not talent...

   I may post some of it for critiquing later...     alienlady

Wow... that query letter got you an agent...

So that's a way to do it!

Hmm... my strategy is changing...

Sure did... JIM KERMEL, is my agent and also my copy rite attorney.

It's always good if you can find an agent who also has a degree in some sort of law... they always workout the best it seems. Well, or so I've been lead down the path to believe anyway.

Short, simple... punchy stuff. Like I said and many others who've landed a sold screenplay -- Folks in the business don't like to read. The less the better. The more white the better.

Try out how simple things can do big things.

It's like a song... sometimes the best sounding song can be comprised of only 3 chordes and a simple melody. Listen to alot of u2's early stuff, simple riffs, simple melody, but so so so very effective. Now, well... they've become a bit more tricky now days, but edge has also been in the game as long as anyone.

* I think this is the right place for this question *

Okay folks, I'm having an issue writing my query letter. Has anyone else managed to complete an nice looking letter? I know the basics are:

1. Logline
2. 1 or 2 paragraphs telling story, characters, conflict etc..
3. Anything useful about myself

But, I'm still having a hard time getting through it. Does anyone have any suggestions? I can't believe I can write a script, yet stumble over summing it up in two paragraphs.

sigh.  

I don't mean to sound like a total newbie, but what's a query letter?

I've finally got my query letter worked out, and it did wonders - I had a request from a producer to read my script!

EverLasting Sorrow - a query letter is a one page letter you send to producers/agents etc.etc... to ask them if they would consider reading your script. It is etiquette to ask ahead of time before sending people your finished scripts.

This would my most pressing problem. I've got the mechanics worked out on the writing process, but I think I have a problem writing a decent pitch. I have four screenplays on SimplyScripts. Those who have read those scripts have had positive, even exemplary, things to say, but those reads are few and far between. When I'd sent out query letters before, I had very minimal response to them.

What does one look for in a good pitch? I know it needs to be short, but I have trouble condensing my plots and subplots into something interesting. Everytime I attempt this, it comes out remarkably dumb, boring, or just cliche.