Hello All,
I am wondering if anyone has any experience with opengatenow.com or a similar organization. They offer script development and media services, i.e. creating a slide/pitch deck, treatment, poster art, etc... They offer a package deal for these services and in the end, they circulate to their network for potential sales. I know this sounds to good to be true. It's not cheap and you pay monthly for the services. They take nothing on the backend as they are not agents, which I see as a negative.
So my question is has anyone worked with them, or can they recommend similar services. I'm a writer not a marketing media guy and while I probably could do the media stuff, its not my focus.
Appreciate any feedback or thoughts.
Thanks,
joe
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I don't even need to look them up to know its total bullshit. They might deliver everything they say on the pitchdeck etc, but if they had the connections they purport to have, they wouldn't have the need to reach out to us/you with what I see are practically begging bowls.
There are so many of these schemes out there - very few hold water.
Best one I've used is a guy called Dominic Morgan, he's on here somewhere, look him up.
Also runs a youtube channel 'scripfella' - great insights.
For £25 GBP he will send you a detailed audio recording of notes reading through the first 10 pages of your script in real time.
My point is, get the script right and you wont need these scam sites.
I dont know Dominic but I was very happen with my notes and will be going back for a full feature deep dive when I've corrected my mess of a script.
He's a creditedź writer and bullsit free. Get what you pay for
Sounds like a spam ad for him now!
Thanks Vic Burns this is kind of how I'm leaning too. I appreciate your input
I pretty much concur with Vic Burns. Making a pitch deck is a bit of a hassle, but also not that big of a job.
Much like Vic, I hired a reader to provide notes on my first draft. Not a service, but a person, with a name etc. It was well worth it and not expensive, considering the time she spent.
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Thanks Christiane Lange , I don't see myself having the time or expertise for the media stuff. The development is easier to find I think. Although good development is sometimes a crap shoot - finding the right person. Thanks for responding.
I'm with Vic Burns - there's million of these types of "service" companies. You should read the S32 blog by Brian Kelsey:
https://www.stage32.com/blog/How-to-Make-a-TV-Show-Sizzle-Reel
His points about sizzle reels seem to make a lot of sense.
Thanks John Ellis Checking the blog now...
John Ellis What do you think of the sizzle reel for selling a feature script? Seems like he used it to pitch a series. I guess its the same in that sense. I'm wondering if I could create a sizzle reel that would be stylized enough to really sell the characters and story. That feels like a big undertaking. Anyway I appreciate your feedback and thoughts.
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Ask them how many projects they have placed. (Answer: Zero). A graphics designer did my pitch deck for half what Open Gate was asking. I had a couple phone meetings and decided that, to me, they seemed like bottom feeders. Caveat emptor.
All that feels too good to be true isn't true. As simple as that.
Stephen DiLauro thanks for the insights and experience. Graphic designer sounds like a good route too.
Rutger Oosterhoff not sure it's that simple, but I get your meaning in this context. Thanks for your input ☺️
Nick Assunto - Stage32 Script Services Coordinator Hello Nick, thanks for the input. I believe in the script or I would throw a dime in to it. As far as affordability, well it depends on if it is worth it. I'll look at Ramo too. Thanks. I wish you guys had a mentor program beyond the one and done consultation. Something more collaberative that spanned over time.
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Hey, Joe, I hear you. However, the Ridley Scott way costs little to no money, yet captures all the important points. He cuts and pastes bit from other films that match the style and characters of his script, using it as his sizzle. And no, there's no copyright issues because he's using it as a representation of his story.