Back in 2016, I wrote a series of articles on screenwriting, focusing on the part of the business AFTER you'd finished your script.

The recent slew of new listing sites has prompted me to re-look at these articles and start the task of updating them.

So the first one is now up - https://screenwritingopportunities.wordpress.com/2020/11/29/marketing-yourself/

But I'd also like feedback and suggestions on the old ones so that I can make sure they cover as much as possible. They are here - https://simplyscripts.com/?s=damned%20script

I hope to have them done before the end of the year.

Thanks

Anthony

Hey, mate - I took a look at the one on competitions.

Overall - very good article.

On the "option"  issue - I would clarify this a bit - it is typically if under option before or at the time of submittal.  i.e., if your script is optioned after you entered - no worries. It is still eligible.

On the researching competitions part - I would definitely add COVERFLY in there. They keep a very robust list of contests and entry dates - are free to use and will also track your results for you in most cases.

Here:

Quoted Text This should go without saying, but make sure you send in the best version of your script possible. And I don’t just mean the strongest story. I mean proofread the script within an inch of it’s life. Why spoil your chances – and waste your money – with a poorly formatted script, strewn with typos and littered with grammatical errors?

I would add that typically - contests do not allow updated submittals - i.e., if you find errors later - you are out of luck.

Thanks Dave, all great points that I will add... crazy to think that Coverfly wasn't even a consideration when I first wrote that article!

Many thanks!

Anthony - Great articles. On 'Marketing Yourself', I'd add LinkedIn to your list. It may not be the place to make a sale or option but it's a great place to hook up with other creators. I've had a page for my fulltime profession and just started one for writing. I'm surprised with the activity surrounding all things writing from screenplays to comics. If anyone is on LinkedIn, let's connect!

Quoted from AnthonyCawood Thanks Dave, all great points that I will add... crazy to think that Coverfly wasn't even a consideration when I first wrote that article! Many thanks!

No prob

Yeah, it's amazing how fast Coverfly grew - it really is a great site for contest management - plus FREE

Quoted from JEStaats Anthony - Great articles. On 'Marketing Yourself', I'd add LinkedIn to your list. It may not be the place to make a sale or option but it's a great place to hook up with other creators. I've had a page for my fulltime profession and just started one for writing. I'm surprised with the activity surrounding all things writing from screenplays to comics. If anyone is on LinkedIn, let's connect!

I think we're actually connected already... and I agree that LinkedIn can be a great place to network. Unfortunately, I haven't really been paying attention to it until recently. I have only a writing profile up on there. And after not visiting the site for a long time, I went back and there were a bunch of missed messages -- including messages from filmmakers who contacted me for gigs... gigs I never responded to because of my inactivity smh. Lately, I haven't received any gigs off LinkedIn. I did have an interview (with a very incompetent "producer"). Didn't get the gig, but kinda glad I didn't. Pay was shit. But, once in a while, I'll see a posting for companies hiring screenwriters.

-- Michael

Thanks all - John, Linkedin is mentioned in the article, I'll expand on it a little.

Just read the article on options and sales. Got to this part.

For me, the essential elements are these:

Quoted Text What rights are you granting to the producer? e.g. Sole and exclusive, region specific or worldwide? What does it extend to? e.g.: is it just this script, or does it grant rights over sequels, remakes, etc (you should definitely try to keep these rights.) Make sure the contract specifies how long it’s for. Make certain payment terms and amounts are included – plus timings and delivery mechanisms (Paypal is one great method– though they do take a cut.) If in doubt about a clause, seek clarity before you sign. Very, very important note: if and when I get to this stage with a Feature script, I’ll be seeking professional legal advice.

All good stuff. I would add something about retaining writing credits. As an example - this is in all my agreements:

David Lambertson will receive sole and full writing credit for the script and will be recognized in the credits as the sole writer on the filmed version as well as in any future marketing efforts, submittals to film festivals, IMDB profiles and all other public displays of the script or the film.

No changes or modifications to the script will in any way create a co-writer credit. David Lambertson is the sole writer.

Thanks Dave, will add some more on credits, have recently been stung on just that subject - though I was very clear on it ;-(

John - Linkedin expanded on revised article, many thanks!

Quoted from AnthonyCawood Thanks Dave, will add some more on credits, have recently been stung on just that subject - though I was very clear on it ;-( John - Linkedin expanded on revised article, many thanks!

my pleasure

Latest revised article is now live, this time it's on Getting script feedback...

https://screenwritingopportunities.wordpress.com/2020/12/01/getting-feedback-on-your-script/

Have I missed any good/big/obvious resources?

Thanks

Anthony

The revised article on Where to advertise your scripts is now up...

https://screenwritingopportunities.wordpress.com/2020/12/05/where-to-advertise-your-scripts/

Any omissions/corrections/feedback?

Quoted from AnthonyCawood The revised article on Where to advertise your scripts is now up... https://screenwritingopportunities.wordpress.com/2020/12/05/where-to-advertise-your-scripts/ Any omissions/corrections/feedback?

I'd probably mention Script Mother, too. It's growing and they've been making the right changes to the site, though they don't really have a discussion board, nor do they have regular blogs covering specific topics. They do have a chat, but it's not super busy from what I notice.

And the script reviews aren't made public -- only the writer can read the whole review. It uses the old Triggerstreet template and is a pretty cool site. And more producers have been roaming the scripts there. Also, they have a script of the month thing (3 categories: Feature, Series and Short). And they use social media to announce the scripts of the month (Instagram, Twitter & Facebook), drawing attention to those scripts.

I trust the feedback I get on Simply Scripts more -- there are A LOT of bad, poorly written scripts there and the people who write those scripts will often review other scripts using novice writer knowledge, regurgitating information and writing myths they hear online from other amateur writers.

-- Michael

Thanks Michael - will take a look at Script Mother and amend it, tx

One drawback is I think you have to create and account to browse scripts, even if you're a producer. I'd double check that, though. It is completely free, though (for now).