Quoted from CameronD I don't know. Maybe it's arrogant to want to get paid. The script I'm peddling is my first ever so I know that's a strike against me. And it's the western which I've posted here so that's strike two. But I think it's good enough to sell. That and the fact that it's heavily based on and influenced by a popular Japanese anime that has already made millions, been turned into toys, video games, and a movie. Twice! So I have to believe there is potential. And why else are any of us doing this except to make money at it. I've been told to get coverage. To query my eyes out. To get an agent. To avoid agents. To write another screenplay (in process). To enter contests. Make connections. Etc. All I've gathered is there is no secret except to be doggedly determined and keep grinding. That's all I'm trying to do. I'd just rather work smarter instead of harder. I already asked here about query letters before and I think mine does the job. It's just frustrating to have so many doors closed before I even knock. But that's the game and how it's played. "There once was a mouse who fell into a pail of milk. Day and night that mouse swam and swam to avoid drowning and eventually he churned that milk into butter and climbed his way out. I am that mouse." More or less. Christopher Walken said it better.

I get what you mean, mate.  It's a difficult game to master.  Further so if you don't play by the rules.  But playing by the rules isn't gonna get you anywhere either.

"The thrill is in the chase, never in the capture", a potent quote.

If those doors are closed, kick 'em down.  Pursue agents.  Don't adhere to what they tell you to do.  It's show, don't tell.  So show them why you want it.

You mention "why are we doing this if not to make money at it", well, I'm doing this because I want to share stories.  The second money becomes involved, this becomes a job, and in my humble opinion, jobs are boring and grow tedious after a while.

Treat it like a hobby and it's much more fun.

Your Western might be a bit big to start out.  And production companies often pay new writers $500 - $1,500 for scripts.  This is what an agent said to me.

So, start with something smaller.  Shorts are more than capable.  And you'll likely receive more interest from Independent Companies and/or Students of Film who will shoot the short and give you a credit.

A credit that you can then put on your resume whenever you apply to a lead on InkTip.

That's what I'd do.  Start with low-budget, gradually work your way up the food chain.

Maybe write 3 shorts of roughly 15-25 pages.  Short 1 low-budget ($500 - $1,000).  Short 2 medium-budget ($1,500 - $3,000).  Short 3 high-budget ($5,000 - $7,500).

Then write a feature that is also low-budget ($25,000 - $50,000).

Keep cost in your head.  Westerns, Sci-Fi and Fantasy scripts usually cost a LOT of money to make due to locations, sets, props and SFX.  I'm talking in the $millions category.  And you just don't start with something that hefty.

That's pretty much it, I think.