So I reached a huge benchmark tonight. After 6 drafts I finally finished my first script. I've spent so much energy on getting to this point though I haven't put much thought into what comes next. I do know I want try to sell it. I think it's good enough to try, you all can decide once it's posted here soon. I do plan on filing for a copyright tomorrow, but that's about all I have planned so far.

What experience or tips do you guys have on this very important part of the business? Is it best to get an agent first? Studios? Both? Do people want queries first, a synopsis, or full drafts? Emails or hard copies? What about screenwriting contests like the BlueCat or websites like the Blacklist? I've heard and read mixed reactions to them both. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Just throwing this out there, man, that you've asked for millions of words worth of explanation. Just prepare to be bombarded with information. For now, soak up the energy from finishing (a big congratulations, by the way) and, if I were you, I wouldn't check this post for about 12 hours or so. Wait for some good information to come in and try to absorb it all as best you can. Then, maybe, we'll see you in Variety, being promoted as the next million dollar spec sale. =)

Congrats on finishing your first script, Cameron.

Personally, I'd start by looking at a few production companies that have released films similar to the one you're trying to sell.  Not too similar (plot-wise), because then they might not want to make it, but moreso referring to genre.  Some companies specialize in making strictly horror/thrillers, for example.

Anyway, once you find a few production companies, look up their contact information and try querying.  Just to test the waters.  Find the contact info for the producers, development executives or assistants at the company. (Use IMDBPro - free 2 week trial!)  Make sure your query letter is short and sweet.  Usually I just write a couple intro lines and then the logline.  Most people don't want to poor through a lengthy letter.

If they're interested, they'll request the script.  Only a handful ask for a synopsis, so it's good to have it handy.  (But I never do, actually.  I'm always scrambling to write one because it happens so seldomly).

Few people request hard copies now, and if they do, you can usually just ask to send via e-mail.

I once had a working writer tell me that people get too bogged down in trying to find an agent, and that you should let the agent come to you.  Meaning: get your work produced, and then you'll have agents seeking you out.  That's not to say that you can't try querying some agents or management companies, but you probably shouldn't make it your sole focus.  Managers are good for honing your work and being good coaches (and they will submit), agents are good at pounding the pavement to sell your work.  That may be an over-simplification, but that seems to be what I've gathered.

Save your money at first and try querying a bit.  Like I said, test the waters and see if your script is being received well.  See if your idea interests people enough to get reads.  And then, see if, once you get the reads, you're generating further interest.

Blue Cat's a fine contest for some coverage, but I don't know of any massive success stories coming from it.  And the Black List is pretty new, and quite costly.  Might be worth it though, I don't know a lot about it.

Either way, take it slow and try not to spend your money right off the bat.  I think a lot of writers make that mistake first off.

Good luck!

-Matt

Try querying. Don't let people discourage by telling you that it doesn't work. Look up producers, development executive and so on, people that need scripts. Email them and see what happens.

Most will likely not email back, but some will.

I sent out a ton of emails like a month ago. A very small percentage of people wrote back. But a few respectable people did. Including two HUGE producers. One was a movie producer who produced a few big movies that came out this year, one had a budget over 100 mil. We exchanged like 3 emails. He didn't request the script but he gave some tips on what sells and what people are looking. It wasn't a very productive conversation but he still was nice write back and was willing to listen. He was also very supportive and gave out some names I should email. So, you never know who you're going to run into.

You have to look for contact info. If you are clever enough you can pretty much find most people's emails. You have to watch out for their business emails because most of these people switch companies, so you might have one corporate email but they've switched over to another company and that email is no longer in use. Google is your friend.

Quoted from Demento Try querying. Don't let people discourage by telling you that it doesn't work. Look up producers, development executive and so on, people that need scripts. Email them and see what happens.

It's daunting, but it works.  I optioned my last script (to a reputable company) this way.  But you have to be able to handle the long waits and rejection.  It's not an easy process, by any means.  And you really need to think of a way to stand out.

For the last script, I created a promo:



It got me the most reads I've ever had; and sometimes I've sent out hundreds and received no response whatsoever.  Don't go too overboard trying to stand out though.  I remember some guy made a video tape of himself pitching his script that he sent around that went viral.  It was like 6 minutes long and made him look like an idiot.  You don't want to go that route.

Either way, like I said, it's about testing the waters.  Finding out if your logline works, your query letter as a whole, and most importantly, your script.

-Matt

Matt, do you have that Killing Daniel script, mate?

It sounds like a quirky, funny story that I often enjoy.  

Thank you guys. Just what I wanted to hear. I was planning on going the hard core querry route but wasn't sure if that ever got results. The last thing I want to do is throw a heap of money at nothing.

I had another question after I posted. Is it necessary to be a WGA member for anybody to read or work with you off the bat? Or can membership come later? Like I said, I don't want to throw a ton of money away on this. Just see what happens.

Quoted from CameronD I had another question after I posted. Is it necessary to be a WGA member for anybody to read or work with you off the bat? Or can membership come later? Like I said, I don't want to throw a ton of money away on this. Just see what happens.

No, you don't need to be a member.  Just register your script (do it with WGA-East; it registers longer), and put WGA REGISTERED on the title page in the lower left.  Don't write the registration number or anything like that; it looks amateurish.

Quoted from Leegion Matt, do you have that Killing Daniel script, mate? It sounds like a quirky, funny story that I often enjoy.

I'll send you a PM.  

I've been around here for awhile now and I've noticed Dressel had some luck and experience getting scripts read. I was hoping you'd respond with advice so thank you. I have googled on what to do next, I'm not an idiot, but wanted tips from you guys who are in the trenches instead of some so called Hollywood hot shot stroking his ego on a blog. WGA East sounds good, I'll look into that and I won't even bother with a synopsis then. I'll have it posted here as soon as I get copyrighted or registered, hope that won't take too long, and I'd love to hear any feedback from anybody willing to read.

Also, since he posted, Thanks Mr. Blonde for a thorough read of an early draft  and taking the time to send quality feedback. I incorporated everything you said and it helped immensely. Dressel, any info you'd have to share I'd be all ears and it'd be appreciated. Thanks!

Don't forget social networking. Also try to get yourself out and about. It's all about the contacts. Yeah you may sell a script here or there to some no mark... but the name of the game is getting yourself out there. Get some shorts made...

You may need to write more than one script too.

Thanks Dustin. I am a black hole when it comes to social media but I understand it's needed. LinkedIn here I come I guess. I've also heard it's a good idea to have multiple scripts instead of one. But that's fine as script #2 is in the late planning stages.  You guys are great.

There are sites like virtual pitch fest that gives you a list of producers to write a query letter to. You do have to pay and they DO have to respond within a week.

Mark

Congratulations on finishing your script!

If this is your first, I'd highly recommend getting feedback and refining it before you actively start querying.  First scripts have a tendency to, er, suck, and you don't want to lure in a producer or manager with a good hook, then send something they hate -- you could burn them enough that they never want to read you again.

Of course, your script could be great.  I'm just passing on the advice as it was first given to me.

So I wrote my query letter, joined IMDBPro and started looking up producers to email. And I'm hitting a wall. Not surprisingly they don't have email's, just a phone number to call for a secretary who may or may not pick up at all. Is there a better way of going at this? Or do you just slog through?

Quoted from CameronD So I wrote my query letter, joined IMDBPro and started looking up producers to email. And I'm hitting a wall. Not surprisingly they don't have email's, just a phone number to call for a secretary who may or may not pick up at all. Is there a better way of going at this? Or do you just slog through?

It might depend on the production company you're looking at.  Are you looking at some mid-level companies?  Because I wouldn't start huge.  Give me a couple companies and I'll see what I can find.