Hello all.
I'd like to ask S32 members about their experiences when their project was included in the monthly S32 Lookbook.
How many requests did you get? Did you get repped? Did you make connections that could pay off in future?
I don't want to restrict your thoughts. I'd like to hear anything you think is worth sharing.
I've just received a double RECOMMEND after S32 coverage. I've received numerous Considers/Recommends on things in the past and they've all gone nowhere. I'm not optimistic much will come of this new 'opportunity.'
Thanks for any responses.
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Hi Justin, my experiences: after I made the end of the year 2021 S32 Lookbook, I received a script request for my TV pilot in March 2022 It does take a minute. Remember studios have a multitude of scripts from other screenwriting communities, managers, producers, and agents that are pouring over their desks and computers. If you received Double Recommends/ Considers from 1st ten pages, Script coverage, or development notes, (the chances of a script request is low) BUT if you follow that up with PITCHES or a 30-minute Consult you will receive a script request immediately. After I pitched last week, I received a script request from a prominent manager 4 days after the pitch. Pitching is the surefire way to get script requests. Happy writings, my friend. Cheers!
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FWIW, I've made the Lookbook twice this year (using the premium script coverage option) for two different scripts, and both times I got two script requests (although it's possible another will trickle in soon as I made the most recent Lookbook). Three of the four requests came from A-list companies in my estimation. I've received one pass on the script to date, and it's really too early to say about the latest two.
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My script received a double recommend last month and I was notified just 10 days later that the script was requested by an executive after appearing in the look book. Haven’t heard anything since but it’s much too soon to expect anything yet.
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Hey Justin Reilly - I noticed that your bio page is empty and you don't have a photo up. Make sure to add a professional bio, headshot, your loglines, credits, any awards and accolades, etc. The professionals that Stage 32 work with are always looking at the site too. It serves you to make your profile as robust as it can be.
I'm just curious; has anybody EVER been paid real hard cash money after receiving a recommend/double recommend or a script read from some 'executive'? Hard/verifiable facts only please.
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Doug, I was recently offered a multi-year option for hard cash money stemming from S32 script coverage.
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Congrats Eric Christopherson
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I received a Double Recommend and the Lookbook for a family feature but heard nothing. It didn't place anywhere in the S32 Family comp but was Top 5 Finalist in Final Draft's BB which generated some read requests.
All very good questions. I wonder about the actual number of views the LookBook receives. Is there a way of tracking that? (Does it vary from month to month?) Also, on a similar note, what is the number of people actually scanning the LookBook?
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Hi Greg! Awesome that you achieve that. One question, did you pitch it or sent out query letters?
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Greg - what good news. I am happy to see you are deriving success off the platform. CONGRATS! Are there any other tips you can offer as a result of using Stage 32?
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DD Myles The Double Recommend was from a S32 Industry Reader. The read requests came via the Final Draft comp. I also did some cold querying which generated some more read requests.
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@Ilan What works for me is coverage from an Industry Reader as it's competitively priced and the best part - a super-fast turnaround.
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Congratulations on your double recommendation, @Justin! I would second Jason Mirch's advice - most members won't add you to their network without a profile picture and bio, and executives are no exception. Feel free to reference my blog post on "Polishing Your Profile" to help guide you: https://www.stage32.com/blog/Shape-Up-Your-Calling-Card-The-Importance-o...
Eric - how many 'offers' does it take to pay your rent? No I'm asking about being paid, in gold dust, diamonds or Benjamins - that sort of stuff.
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Happily, Doug, I don't pay rent and the mortgage is paid off. But I suppose the option offer would have paid my rent a few times over. Now if the film were to actually get made, that payday would pay for my house (albeit, I live in Ohio, not California).
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Eric - I believe our friend and fellow creative Doug meant "paying the rent" metaphorically, as in paying all bills collectively. Congrats on the option and especially the check clearing. ;)
Eric - 'the option would have paid' implies to me that $0 was ever paid. So I return to my original question. So far the answer appears to be none. I realize that hope springs eternal.
just fyi. i didn't get any requests from being in the lookbook. it's what i thought would happen. just to give future double recommenders one person's experience.
fyi to your fyi..... Same here.
For those keeping score at home.... that's 2 double recommends that received zero contact (and obviously zero requests.)
From tweets of working pros on Twitter, the last 2 years have been terrible for selling ideas, for beginners and veterans.
Most everyone is working on someone else's ideas, not theirs.
However I did see two tweets yesterday from two established writers, they sold original ideas to corporations (but one writer has a first look studio deal).
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Here's my humble take. It's great to have a DOUBLE RECOMMEND and make into the Look Book. You've separated yourself from a number of others. You aren't the only one in the Look Book though. What else are you doing to separate yourself? You don't have a deal yet. You should still be pitching the script. Working on the next script. Have you tried entering the script into a contest since it has been vetted? Have you thought about creating an IP from it like a podcast in order to get more notoriety? By the way everything I'm saying I'm doing or am in the process of doing for my project. I've gotten script optioned through a contest, I've had scripts requested on 3 occasions (passed on for various regions, but generally positive response). In today's climate the script is not the end-all-be all.
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If that's the case... hopefully, the reader's who considered the script gave you suggestions to punch up your story...make it more exciting. At least, that's what they should do. ;-)
This business is build on two aspects beside the obvious talent ... Connections..& Luck..have patience and keep on writing (And keep your day job ;-)
Ha.... Truer words have never been typed. ;-)