Hey everyone!
My name is Sasha and I'm a screenwriter & director from London.
My career has recently sped up and I'm delighted to say that I've started working with a bunch of independent studios, doing freelance writing for feature films, miniseries, etc.
However, I've also been working on a feature script since about April which is pretty much finished. It's called A Dangerous Game (working title, might change), and it's a surrealist neo-noir thriller (think Mulholland Drive type of thing). I've started writing a lot of features over the last year, but this is the only one I loved to the point of finishing it.
I'd really love to try and get it made once it's finished, but I don't quite know any ways "in" so to say apart from maybe film festivals and competitions. I've already got quite a lot of screenwriting and filmmaking experience, but I don't really know that many accessible ways to help to get my script made.
Any help is much appreciated!
-Sasha
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You mentioned that you work with a lot of freelance studios that are producing features. Would they be willing to meet with you to pitch your feature? If you have an agent or manager, they shoukd be getting you pitch meetings. Otherwise, could you produce it yourself independently?
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Would love to know more about your projects Sasha. And happy to advise you on your debut feature
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Julia Morizawa I'm a full-time student and screenwriting & directing is what I want to pursue full time after I'm done, but now it's just part-time. This means that the screenwriting jobs I take are often work-from-home jobs that are more often than not in other countries for very small studios that probably wouldn't be able to have the budget to get my script off the ground (e.g. I'm based in London and currently writing for a studio in Florida). I have access to some limited resources myself but nowhere near enough to fund and produce a whole feature film. I've been trying to find an agent/manager but no luck so far, and all the guilds that I could join have ridiculously high entry fees that I can't pay. The primary way I get jobs as of right now is through websites such as StarNow and Backstage.
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Hi Sasha, I really respect your hustle, well done! I'd highly recommend getting involved with Raindance in London - network and reach out to Elliot who is an amazing people person. The members of Raindance are very supportive and keen to help each other. All the best!
Thank you all so much, this is really helpful! I think that the most viable time for me to shoot something would be over the summer vacation when I don't have lessons, or alternatively wait for a few years which is when I plan to move to LA to direct and write full-time. I think I might shelf the script until I have enough contacts or resources, which will probably the case when I move, especially considering the number of producers and resources in the US compared to here.
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Sasha Myshkina That all makes sense - it sounds like you have a very clear idea of what you can and can't do right now with clear goals for the near future. If anything, solidify the script as a writing sample. You'll need a few of those to show off to agents/managers. If you're not in a position to be networking through film festivals right now (a way to find directors, producers, etc. to work on and finance your projects), there might be a remote writers group you can join and build relationships to maybe get you a referral for a rep. Otherwise, a lot of writers are doing the contest/fellowship thing. Contests can be pricey, but the main benefit is writers land reps and option deals through them (if they win or place as a finalist). But fellowships/labs are free (mostly) to enter.
This one is a big one and the deadline is Jan. 2 - http://www.circleofconfusion.com/fellowship/
Circle of Confusion is a reputable management company that reps screenwriters and more. A fellowship like this would be an excellent way to get your foot in the door. You'll get a 6-month mentorship, some cash, and you'll be developing a TV pilot with the goal of pitching it in the end. It's free to apply.
Here is a great list of contests WORTH submitting to: https://lauridonahue.com/resources/a-curated-list-of-the-most-worthwhile...
Also, you mentioned you're from London. If you're still living in the UK, the BBC Writers Room Open Call is a big one too.
Julia Morizawa Thank you so much, that's so incredibly helpful! I really appreciate your help and support and I will keep you updated!
Congratulations!