Hi there,

I hope you people are ok!

I’d like your inputs and experience on this, please.

I’ve been writing short comedy stories, it’s something I like and also have fun with. I’d like to produce those stories, but I don’t have the resources for that.

So I Ithought that maybe I could send some of my material to a cable channel here in my country. It’s a very small channel but it’s all about comedy stuff. I’ve sent them an email saying that I write comedy short stories but since I don’t have the resources to produce them, maybe they would think about it if they read some of my material, if they want to, of course. I didn’t send anything, i was hoping that maybe they could reply, but maybe I’m too naive because they didn’t and they most likely wont, for sure.

I've also should have asked first if they do accept unsolicited material (I've just read about it after). I'm really novice regarding this huge business.

I also didn’t send anything because I was afraid that they could just ignore me and do something without my consent, but I guess it’s a risk I’d have to take and I know this is a very, very difficult business.

Do you guys think I should just send another email asking if they accept unsolicited material?

Thank you all for your time

Hi, Tiago,

If you're feeling unsettled about this then you should mail them regarding your query about whether they accept unsolicited material or not. But again, your obvious answer lies in the silence(i.e. not getting a reply of your mail), is that they don't accept unsolicited work.

The reasons for not accepting unsolicited work can be pretty brutal as well. Considering that they already have lots and lots of outside entities/employees to do that for them then why would they want to search through piles and piles of scripts looking for that one unpolished gem. And also, procuring the rights and agreement for that is a serious legal headache. Plus, even considering a small channel, no one wants to feel the slam of a copyright from a writer living just 100 miles away.

It is a mess for even contest writers, experienced writers, their children(you know, nepotism), to enter the pitch room. Why should executives & their overworked assistants give a stranger with no credentials a minute of their time? That's the point.  

BUT BUT BUT... If you got a truly amazing script, you will surely get a call and a chance to enter the pitch room. But that rarely happens. I am not discouraging you. I am telling the truths. There are people with amazing scripts that haven't even got the chance.    

The best thing would be to hone your skills and submit your scripts to some recognized screenwriting competitions. But(yes, again a 'but'), remember, competitions, especially recognized ones, do get on an average more than 1000 scripts in each category. Ranging writers from newbies to pros. It's difficult enough to get selected for the competition, let alone making it to the finals. But practice and constant determination will make you a winner one day. Also, consider posting your scripts on forums like this. And read other scripts. Both writing and reading go hand in hand.

I will stop now.

Let's see what others have to say.

Good luck.

        

Hey Tiago

If they are a local channel in your country and they specialise in your sort of content then it might be worth picking up the phone and talking to them, see if you cant get a call or an appointment with whoever looks after their content acquisition/writer's room.

Best

Anthony

Quoted from AnthonyCawood Hey Tiago If they are a local channel in your country and they specialise in your sort of content then it might be worth picking up the phone and talking to them, see if you cant get a call or an appointment with whoever looks after their content acquisition/writer's room. Best Anthony

Best advice!

Quoted from AnthonyCawood Hey Tiago If they are a local channel in your country and they specialise in your sort of content then it might be worth picking up the phone and talking to them, see if you cant get a call or an appointment with whoever looks after their content acquisition/writer's room. Best Anthony

SOUND ADVICE

Quoted from Yuvraj Hi, Tiago, If you're feeling unsettled about this then you should mail them regarding your query about whether they accept unsolicited material or not. But again, your obvious answer lies in the silence(i.e. not getting a reply of your mail), is that they don't accept unsolicited work. The reasons for not accepting unsolicited work can be pretty brutal as well. Considering that they already have lots and lots of outside entities/employees to do that for them then why would they want to search through piles and piles of scripts looking for that one unpolished gem. And also, procuring the rights and agreement for that is a serious legal headache. Plus, even considering a small channel, no one wants to feel the slam of a copyright from a writer living just 100 miles away. It is a mess for even contest writers, experienced writers, their children(you know, nepotism), to enter the pitch room. Why should executives & their overworked assistants give a stranger with no credentials a minute of their time? That's the point.   BUT BUT BUT... If you got a truly amazing script, you will surely get a call and a chance to enter the pitch room. But that rarely happens. I am not discouraging you. I am telling the truths. There are people with amazing scripts that haven't even got the chance.     The best thing would be to hone your skills and submit your scripts to some recognized screenwriting competitions. But(yes, again a 'but'), remember, competitions, especially recognized ones, do get on an average more than 1000 scripts in each category. Ranging writers from newbies to pros. It's difficult enough to get selected for the competition, let alone making it to the finals. But practice and constant determination will make you a winner one day. Also, consider posting your scripts on forums like this. And read other scripts. Both writing and reading go hand in hand. I will stop now. Let's see what others have to say. Good luck.

Hi Yuvraj, thanks for your input. Your advice was great.

Yes I know, it's extremely difficult, if not impossible, to get something in this business. I'm just me, there's MANY people with so much more talent that still looking for an opportunity.

Didn't try to go to competitions, at least yet, because I don't have the material. I will start to write a TV pilot soon. All I have for now are many short stories with the type of content that would do nothing in a competition.

Thanks!

Quoted from AnthonyCawood Hey Tiago If they are a local channel in your country and they specialise in your sort of content then it might be worth picking up the phone and talking to them, see if you cant get a call or an appointment with whoever looks after their content acquisition/writer's room. Best Anthony

Hi Anthony. Thanks!

Actually , it happens that I know two guys that are or were related to that channel. One of them I think it did or does some stand up there and maybe other stuff and I've also noticed that he is a "facebook friend" with someone that works in the creative department. I don't know but maybe he has some connections there.

The other guy worked there as an assistant I guess.

The thing is, I barely talk to them and if I did that, wouldn't it sound like I'm a selfish prick that is only talking to them to do me a favour? And I'm clearly not that type of person, but maybe I should really go to them in a facebook private conversation? Maybe if I send some of my material? Would that be the right thing to do?

Thank you guys for your time!

Quoted from Tiago Hi Yuvraj, thanks for your input. Your advice was great. Yes I know, it's extremely difficult, if not impossible, to get something in this business. I'm just me, there's MANY people with so much more talent that still looking for an opportunity. Didn't try to go to competitions, at least yet, because I don't have the material. I will start to write a TV pilot soon. All I have for now are many short stories with the type of content that would do nothing in a competition. Thanks!

No problem, Tiago.

Good luck for your TV pilot.

You are posting in the wrong forum

Moved from Writing Opportunities.
Thanks, RichardL.