How do I get my script actually noticed and read by "important" people in the business?  If any of you've done it, how so?

Thanks

Enter and win some competitions.  Having such credits behind you will show that you're better than the rest.

Also, learn how to write query letters.  The slightest problem with the query letter will send up a red flag that you're an amateur.


Phil

It's always nice to know someone in the industry but if you don't have that luxury then it's just through patience.Submit all the time, to everyone.There are alot of agencies and production companies that accept unsolicited material.You just have to find them.

The magazine "Writers Digest" is a good resource.

Send out as many query forms as you can.There are many on-line resources as well.Many producers accept queries through e-mail.Just make sure you have a good story or concept that will grab them in a few words.If you can't describe your piece within a few words effectively then ask someone else do it (this is a real weakness for me).

Get your work to small independent production companies and film school students.They are always looking for something fresh.Even if your script is something that they can't produce because of limited budget, they no doubt have made contacts with people that might.

To re-iterate what many reviewers on this site have said: make sure your script is clean, clear and tight.No errors or excessive description.Tell the story and that's it.If you are fortunate enough to be asked to do rewrites and work on the shooting script, then you can expand it more to your original vision.

I am not a Big industry person by any standard but I have a few writing credits to my name.At this time I am working as an assistant director on one film while gearing up to co-produce and direct my first feature.All these projects, I have done through the independent market.A great way to start.

Well I'm sure you've heard alot of this before so I'll shut up.Hope it helped you a little.

One more thing.

Remember that the way the market is right now, many IMPORTANT industry people are scouring independent films and the people who make them.So it's not "out of the question" that you would get noticed.

Quoted from Turtle Get your work to small independent production companies and film school students.They are always looking for something fresh.Even if your script is something that they can't produce because of limited budget, they no doubt have made contacts with people that might.

craigslist is a great source for small production companies and film students.  I've made several connections with it.

Quoted from Turtle Remember that the way the market is right now, many IMPORTANT industry people are scouring independent films and the people who make them.So it's not "out of the question" that you would get noticed.

I'm going to disagree here.  There are thousands of writers out there who have credits to their names and they can't find work.  You have to, somehow, prove that you're better than these guys.  Your best bet is to do some pro-bono work with your fellow starving artists.  Having a writing produced credit is worth more than a couple of hundreds dollars you might get.


Phil

I agree with dogglebe.

The main thing is to just get out there, make yourself known, and keep writing.Any way you can.

One thing I should mention about craigslist is that there are a lot of assholes who flame anyone looking to make a film and not pay the writer.  They'll go on to say that your work is work money.  And that's bullshit!  Having a produced film on your resume is worth more than ten unproduced scripts.  Agents and producers will give you a second look once they realize that someone else was willing to put money out on your script.


Phil

Subscribe to CS Weekly, every week they feature a production company willing to take unsolicited queries.  They often list the website, contact info, what they have done, and what they are looking for.

Moviebytes.com is a good resource, has lists of contests and a writers wanted page.

If you are looking for an agent, go to agentyquery.com  I love these guys.  Check out the agents before you query them at preditors and editors.  They have a recommend, not recommend system.  Those that have nothing have heard nothing good or bad, those that have a not recommend or stronger, run from, they usually list the reasons why.

Then there are indie places to visit, one is filmties.com  I dont know how well their films turn out they just began, they have free contests and I will tell you how they are to work with once my movie through them comes out.  Thus far the admins have been really nice.

Good luck and happy quering.  There really is no easy way in unless you have great contacts who are willing to hock your work.  It takes time and the only people I have ever heard of who got a big first deal, are contest winners and its almost never their first script.

Sara

All of the suggestions are good ones.
I don't think there is any one right way to get noticed.  You have to work at finding a way in. Be will to try different tactics, from meeting people, say at a Screenwriting fest, etc. to writing query letters, to hooking up with other writers/filmmakers on their way up.

Best advice is to post your script and get feedback.  If you are in a writers group, get lots of critiques and keep an open mind. Hopefully people are giving you good, constructive advice.  You can then decide if your script is worth sending out and getting some producer to interested.

Too many of us jump the gun, write a draft, do a polish here and there and want to send it to a producer.  Remember, if your script isn't ready, don't send it.  Your name is on that script.  You don't get a second chance to make a good impression.

Contests are not a bad idea.  But they also don't necessarily mean you're that good if you win, or that bad if you lose.

I've considered trying a script consultant.  I hear Barb Doyon is pretty good and she's supposed to be affordable.  Of course, many will say DON'T pay anybody to read your script.  Again, it's all subjective.

Stephen, I haven't read your work, but I will.  And as I always do, I'll give you honest feedback -- for what it's worth.

Quoted from Abe from LA Contests are not a bad idea.  But they also don't necessarily mean you're that good if you win, or that bad if you lose.

Let's say an agent opens fifty query letters today.  Out of those fifty, one writer mentions that he won two competition with his script.  Who do you think he's going to ask to see samples from (if anyone)?

Quoted from Abe from LA I've considered trying a script consultant.  I hear Barb Doyon is pretty good and she's supposed to be affordable.  Of course, many will say DON'T pay anybody to read your script.  Again, it's all subjective.

I used Ken Mora, a screenwriter/script doctor.  He charged me fifty dollars and gave me an extremely detailed critique of my feature script The Burnout.  I felt I got my money's worth with him.

And, while you should pay an agent or a producer to read your script, it's okay to pay a script doctor to do so.  Just don't send it to one recommended by the agent or producer.


Phil

I would have to agree with all of the above.

Basically make sure you have the best possible script written and ready. Heck, it's better to have a couple ready incase the production company or agent likes your style of writing but does not like your script.

The next best thing is to have a killer query letter. I've just recently finished a script with a fellow writer. We did up an awesome query letter between the two of us. So far we are 3 for 3 in requests to read the scripts, including a top notch agent in LA. I can't stress enough how important the killer query letter is. I'm not the best at writing query letters, but I'm lucky that between my writing partner and I, we can come up with a good one.

The last thing I would add is to have lots and lots of perseverance. Many talented writers never make it because they get frustrated by negative responses and critiques. The key is to take everything in stride and make sure that any reasonable critiques are thought about and then go back and re-write. My last two scripts had a total of about 15 re-writes between them. It sucks, but it's needed.

And most of all...Good Luck and send those queries out!!

Contests do represent a good avenue to get some notice.

Newbies should be wary of which contests to enter.  I'd check on moviebytes and read the comments regarding the various contests.  Obviously the Nicholl Fellowships is king and even placing in the quarter-finals is a worthy feat.  there are other good contests, too.

Because of the proliferation of contests, some are plain rip-offs.  Some don't deliver on prize money and some just plain don't deliver anything.  

I've read a few producers' comments that the winners of some. contests are not even worth the trouble.  Their scripts are not that good.  Of course, no specific contests were mentioned when discussing these atrocious winning scripts.

Still, I've also read that producers gather the lists of contest winners and make a point to read their scripts.  You never know...

Queries are good, but they are an art unto themselves.

Don't blow it with a mediocre quesry letter.  Does this board have a place for critiquing query letters?
I'd get as much feedback on the queries as I would on the scripts.  

But hey, I don't speak from experience.  Just what I've read and heard.  When the time comes for me to get my query letter together, be assured this board is my first stop.

Nicchol's and Chesterfield are two of the better contests. I know of managers and agents that scour the lists from finalists down to quarter-finalists.

Query letter are a necessary evil about I've never heard of someone actually being successful with that route.

Generally though, I'd avoid most situations that ask for money. Sounds sketchy.

AnotherWriter, do you have a better chance of getting produced or making a sale if you work in a company?  Maybe not in LA but in NY or someplace?

Quoted from AnotherWriter Hollywood is closing their doors to outsiders these days. Most of their reads are done from referrals.

Considering you've made so few posts, I'd like you you state where you acquired this information?

Personally I don't agree with you and I'm not even American.

Why would the next biggest grossing film be denied a read if a script were only read from referals?

If the script is well written, properly formatted and structured and has a good concept in my opinion it will get read.

If you construct a good querry letter and this makes the reader want to read your script then this isn't a referal is it? No it isn't! It's selling yourself and your work on a SPEC basis!

I reckon you need to back up what you've said here! Where you obtained this information or who told you? This is a very bold statement you've made here! Indeed, you've just made a gross generalization about the whole movie industry in one foul swoop and I don't see any credentials to back it up!

You have the opportunity of correcting me here, and I for one hope you do. But somehow, me thinks you speak with forked tongue!

Though I do disregard his statement that Hollywood has closed it's doors, I do believe no one in Hollywood actually reads scripts based off query letters.  Hell, I wouldn't.  I just see if it's got a good title and read it. But it is true that TONS of movies only get made because of referals and such.  Like Inside Man for example was written by a first timer, but he knew Spike Lee personally - not that it was a bad movie, but that's primarily why it got see at all.  He knew Spike Lee.

Quoted from AnotherWriter Whoah, take it easy there Kevan. What's with the hostility? I'm only speaking from a personal perspective based on my experiences. I'm sure there are plenty of other people who will prove otherwise. I most probably am wrong.

No hostility, I use exclamation marks at the end of my sentences for emphasis..

My guess you're British, like me..

I would suggest when making statements in the future, to mention that this is your opinion. You corrected yourself in your reply, by stating the stuff you discussed was only your opinion and I thank you for confirming my original suspicions.

This is all I wanted from you to state the arguments you made were your opinion and not based on industry knowledge or experience..

I personally have no faith the British Film Industry, it's run by tossers..

I've got an opportunity of a read for a yet to be written feature-length screenplay by a Hollywood Actor/Co-Producer based upon a script short I've got posted on SimplyScrips and this is all I'm saying on the matter..

A writer's talent can bring these industry people to you if you're good enough..

End of message... Beep..