Hello everyone. I'm fairly new to screenplay writing, but I've done a ton of reading and research. I've completed two feature scripts and working on a third. Got the copyrights done. Now what? What is the best way to get them noticed. There is so much information out their but how can I succeed in this without an agent or manager. Are competitions a good avenue, or a waste of time. Thanks in advance. Please feel free to connect on S32.
Screenwriting : Best Ways to Get a Screenplay Noticed. by Everett Hood
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Hi Everett Script Revolution, the site created by CJ on stage 32 might be a good start. Also most screenwriters festivals have pitchfests or even private pitch places. I used to go to Regents Park Screenwriters festival regularly, and they even had pitches done in elevators where in under a minute a producer may or may not take your card. Sadly for some reason Regents Park is cancelled this year, but there are a zillion other festivals. Good Luck.
Everett Thanks for invite. I think there might be a bug in the thread (apart from the old post one) cos you not appeared on my network page yet. I forgot to add I got a book with addresses of publishing houses/producers in 2018 who accept scripts with no agent but its in Norway and I cant remember the title. Will message you book title when Im back in Stavanger.
Have you ever thought about making it yourself?
Hi Everett, I attended the London Screenwriters Festival that Debbie mentioned. I highly recommend it, I made many connections, I got to pitch producers, attend talks from professionals (who you then accidentally bump into when going to the loo!). Unfortunately there's no 2019 festival as it's pushed out to April 2020.
How about Austin film festival? Have you looked into it? It's my ambition to go there one day. I do recommend meeting people in person rather than e-mail/Skype if it's possible.
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Thanks everyone for the helpful information. This is a personal love of mine - meeting others who are doing the same thing you are and are passionate about it. Life is short, it's relationships that matter. Debbie, I do show you are in my network. Matt - I have started looking at the possibilities of filming it myself, but have no experience with this. Adam - Thanks. I will be going to the AFF this year and entering their SP competition. London sounds great. CJ - Joined Script Revolution last night. Great site and great idea. Congrats on your career crescendo. I'm in Houston. Would love to stay connected with each of you.
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Script Revolution is a great site. I just have to convince CJ to charge for the service.
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Before putting it "out there" in the public, I'd have my script critiqued by a reputable professional consultant. I'd want to make sure my script is up to professional standards and market-ready before testing that very market. I'd also want to know what my weaknesses are, and what my strengths are, and that's the best venue to find out.
Taking a big jump like that - from a beginner screenwriter with little cinema-market experience, to wanting professional producers/managers/agents to read my script with the hopes that they'll like it - that's some serious blind faith in myself. I'd rather have a reputable professional consultant critique my first works before I attempted to take that next step into the big leagues, and where everything is judged on the highest professional levels, and against the best scripts of the best writers.
Best fortunes to you, Everett!
I was about to post what Bill has just said. He's spot on. First impressions are very important when you start sending out your work to producers/mangers/prodcos. Those scripts need to be the best they can be. Having said that, there's no harm in testing the waters with some competitions, especially ones that you can get feedback from, too, if you've got the cash to spare. In the meantime, get at least three professional opinions from reputable pro consultants, compare their feedback and then start polishing. Best of luck!
As much as I hate to agree with Bill C on anything - I have to say that he's right on here.
Get coverage from a reputable service--like others have said--and pay attention to the notes. What I received was tough to take, especially after the second round with the same service. However, the second time through, I got to ask the reader how I could write a producible script and received concise directions that set me on the right path.
I would suggest that you invest in IMDbPro because it is a wonderful tool. You probably won't find what you're looking for quickly, but keep at it. It's well worth the investment of time and money.