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I recently received an email from a representative of New Trick Flicks regarding a script of mine "Deep", which some of you may remember as "Maverick" - this is through InkTipPro.
It's that one where the undercover cop goes all Rambo on a crime family after his daughter is raped and murdered.
Now, I'd jump at this opportunity normally, but... I don't have it... at least in a respectable format (the previous was in Word before I jumped to Celtx) - so, what do I do exactly? I am rewriting it, but I don't know if they'll wait or not.
My plan this year was to have 2 features produced and this chance came out of nowhere. I think they said "no" originally, but circle around eight months and now it's "yes".
Just my luck that this comes right after finishing a full-fledged novel and I'm not prepared for it.
Opportunities come when you're least prepared, as the old saying goes.
But when you're least prepared that's when you should be at your best! What is the level of their interest? Did they askfor a rewrite? What's the story? These are questions you need to be asking before anything.
Good luck with it. There are more knowledgeable people here who can guide you in the right direction, of course.
I'm not too sure what you're asking, man. So they basically requested a script which you haven't finished rewriting?
If that is the case, just tell them that you are currently rewriting the script based on feedback you have received from other readers and producers and will send it to them once the rewrite is finished.
I've done that in the past and the company has always been willing to wait... although I did send the script about a week later.
Tell them you've lost the editable version of the script and need to rewrite it. This happened to me too once, but luckily it was just a short. I have heard that TRELBY can import .pdf's and convert them into an editable *by Trelby* file. I've never done it, so I'm not sure how true it is.
Just be honest with them. They have obviously been searching for a script all these months and have come back to yours. They like it! They won't mind waiting a couple weeks for a new draft. So congrats! Things looking up.
Basically, they've requested the script I pitched them about 8 months back. For all intents and purposes, it's complete, but in Word format, which is not good.
The level of interest is just that, they're interested in it... after originally denying it, which is quite odd to me - but Kevin said they came back to it, which declares it has something they want.
All I'm asking, is should I ask them to wait a week for me to convert it?
It shouldn't take long to transfer everything over. I'd download Trelby, but I'm not exactly gifted when it comes to learning new things... I'm still getting to grips with the basics of Microsoft Word after 6 years, lol.
I'm not too sure what you're asking, man. So they basically requested a script which you haven't finished rewriting?
If that is the case, just tell them that you are currently rewriting the script based on feedback you have received from other readers and producers and will send it to them once the rewrite is finished.
I've done that in the past and the company has always been willing to wait... although I did send the script about a week later.
How quickly can you get the rewrite finished?
I can finish it in about a week, give or take a few days. I was in the middle of rewriting/converting it anyway.
If it will only be a week, I say just tell them the truth: that you are currently rewriting it, but will send it over once it has finished, then give them a date you will send it to them by. Maybe say you will send it to them by the end of next week. Plus, setting yourself a deadline always aids productivity.
Prod co's are normally willing to wait if you're rewriting and, therefore, improving the script which you will be sending them... as long as you don't take the piss and keeping them waiting months
I'd say the advice that Toby has given you is spot on - tell them you're finishing up a re-write based on positive feedback you received from a different producer. It may be a slight fabrication of the truth, but how are they to know? And mentioning that another producer has given you positive feedback will give them the impression that they have competition for your script.
I'd also add that if you give them a date that you will send them the script by - say, next Friday - try to get it to them by Thursday at the latest. Then not only will it be a pleasant surprise for them when it appears in their inbox a day early, it'll also give them a positive impression of you.
If it's just the format, then you can manually go through it in Word and make it meet industry guidelines format-wise in a couple hours. I wrote pretty much everything I ever posted in Word and manually formatted it. Just set the tabs to the appropriate inch guidelines, watch the ruler for the dialogue widths, double space where necessary, and use the font Courier New at 12-point size.
I wouldn't lie and mention another producer myself. If they have more than one script in the frame, which is often the case, then interest from another prod co may entice them into going with another script.
Best to just play it straight. No need to bullshit anybody... unless you're good at that type of thing, even then, best not to, just in case your bluff is called.