Hey everyone,
I was just wondering if there are any writers here that found success by pitching their scripts on this website. I am currently not in a position to pitch because of finances but when I am, I really want to invest in it. Are there any success stories? Is it worth the money?
Define “success” . You gotta spend $ or lots of Time hustling. I emailed over 300 queries in 18months because I don’t believe in paying for a read.
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Dan MaxXx, someone else other than you has to read it. I shuddered when a pro whose work was serialized on HBO quoted $175 to read the first 25 pages. I got lucky in a Facebook writer's group and got a free read; it sent me back to the drawing board. There are writers groups that offer table read, it might help to find one near you.
Fleurette. Most but not everyone feels that way. Like Dan M I don't pay for a read and in fact I don't even ask anyone to read my screenplays and give me feedback.
Dan G. I only let a few read my scripts and sometimes, no one at all. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not. Why don't you let anyone read yours? I wonder if we have the same reasons as to why? : )
Dan M. Do you ever email production companies or just literary agents/managers? I have selected a few producers that I'd like to email but just wondering if it's a good idea or not. I guess we can always take a chance though. Worst case scenario, they say no. Right?
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Definitely worth the money, ShaDon. No other website or organization gives you access to real producers, managers and agents. It's stressful, and expensive, but if your material is truly polished to the point that you're confident it's ready, then save up and try it. Even if you don't get a request, it's excellent experience for you. Save up, and try both, a written and a verbal, pitch session. Me, I'm sort of done with verbal pitches because skype goes glitchy for me (live in northern Canada) and, according to one St32 guest exec, the written pitch is better because it proves you can write. So, save up and do it - but only if you're SURE your material is ready if you do get requested. And research the exec as much as you can before you choose to pitch to them - above and beyond the quick info the St32 outline gives you. If it can be a 'good fit' then you've got a better chance they'll request your script. Good luck! Keep writing!
ShaDon:
I've paid for several pitches at S32 this year, as well as Virtual Pitch and Inktip. Additionally, I've sent out lots of unpaid queries with varying degrees of success. This includes scoring three option agreements this year and a right-to-shop agreement with an entertainment company.
I've had no success with Virtual Pitch. And though their price tag of ten dollars a pitch seems attractive, they have a lot of producers with cold credits and burnouts who take a look at your pitch and provide you with a stock answer saying it's not what your their looking for. So you get what you pay for. Just my umble opinion Mister Copperfield.
With Stage 32, you receive a fairly detailed pitch responses (see below) for your money and an idea what you may being doing right and wrong. I've received a number of read read requests and connected with an S32 Producer late last year, who has recently worked on the show History Channel show Genius. We had a couple of meetings in February but have not yet proceeded on a project.
I've attached some feedback from S32 I received last month for a script that's won three film festivals. Like with any pitch response, you have to take it grain. But hopefully this will give you an idea (See PDF file attachment from S32 Producer/executive. http://freepdfhosting.com/36bba1ea09.pdf
The bottom line for me is getting results, which has put my work in front of many lower level producers, but has also put my work in front of people like Martin Scorsese, Ridley Scott, Tyler Perry and William Morris Endeavor. Therefore, I'm not adverse to occasionally spending money on a pitch if I think there's a slight chance it may further my career.
My counsel is to do your research on who you pitch to and what credits they have to help advance your work to the next level. Here are some other links where I talk about pitching at S32 and other companies.
https://www.stage32.com/blog/Submitting-Your-Written-Pitch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kznzbG3HXaM
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Christine. I think you misunderstood me. It is getting feedback that I am not interested in getting free or otherwise. When I finish a screenplay, I do send it to my editor for a final edit and then onto my Agent. If I want a producer to read one of my screenplays I just let my agent handle it unless I know the producer.