Hello Everyone, and goodmorning/night/evening/afternoon based on your time zone.

Right now I'm just an aspiring screenwriter but want that to change. I haven't sold anything yet and I was wondering what the best way of doing that is.
Contests? Agencies? Websites? Producers/directors?

If it matters what I'm interested in trying to sell are short scripts, I have one up already and another about to be posted soon (I hope).

Hey Lightfoot,

Check out Moviebytes, lotsa good stuff there.

Personally I am planning to head to Hollywood for two weeks and while I am there break into as many celebrities houses I can to leave copies of my script under their pillows. I did a test run a little while ago that never went too well, I am now barred from being within 50m of Penelope Cruz, but think I know went wrong that time and not likely to make that mistake again.

Or, more boringly (but less likely to get you onto the sex offenders register) you could just write some really great shorts, get them posted on here, enter some comps if you want. Anything to get your scripts and name about in the open.

Writing good scripts is the key, and reading as many scripts as you can is a good way to start learning.

Keep in mind that there's no money to be made in shorts.  They're mostly produced by film students and young filmmakers who don't have too much money.  While some people, here, disagree with me, I think competitions are a great way to get yourself noticed.  Enter some.  If you win anything, you can include it on your resume.


Phil

Quoted from dogglebe While some people, here, disagree with me, I think competitions are a great way to get yourself noticed.  Enter some.  If you win anything, you can include it on your resume.

I read a writer's blog.  He wrote some of the best episodes for a tv show called Black Books.

He mentioned that anything you can put on your resume like competitions is only a good thing.  And will help you find an agent.

thanks for replying so quickly guys

all your comments have been a help to me and I'm sure will be a help to others in the future.

With that said I'm putting myself in reading mode, so if ya got any you want a review on just pm me or reply with the title and where it can be found.

Also why I choose to sell short scripts, 1) mainly for recognition purposes, maybe even film festivals etc etc, and 2) I have ideas that I like for features but feel I should learn the trick of the trade like the back of my hand before I try any.

Thanks again


Andrew,

Lightfoot,

a lot of people here have had their short scripts made into film. It's not that we don't want to get paid for our shorts, there usually isn't anyone out there willing to pay for them.

I only know of a few who's actually managed to get paid. The amount of money has been anywhere from 50-300 dollars or so. Hardly enough to live on.

Those scripts were also extremely good.

Hope that helps.