Screenwriting : I written a Query Letter now what? by Wayne Cothron

How's it been, Wayne Cothron? Great to see you again. What are you trying to do? Pitch a script? Get an agent? Etc.

Save the Query letter for the very last step. Make sure your scripts are 110% perfect and ready to go first. Because if any Producers and Managers read something along the lines of "I written a Query Letter now what?" in the subject line, they'd immediately trash it.

You'll need to identify people (e.g. producers) who might be targets for your query letter. When you send it, most recipients will ignore it. Some may be irritated. A few may request the screenplay or more info. It's a numbers game, IMHO. You must work to improve your odds by making sure your query letter is professional, your screenplay is perfect (as much as possible), and your contact list is highly targeted (producers who make movies of similar genre and budget). You'll find lots of help here.

Maurice Vaughan I'm willing to send a Query Letters to anyone be they producers, agents, or managers, it's great to hear for you as well.

Ok, great, Wayne Cothron. Here are some resources that might help:

Screenwriting Staffing https://www.screenwritingstaffing.com/premium-membership Some gig leads and features on this website are free, but there's a $19.99 monthly fee for more gig leads and features. I've made a lot of connections and got some script requests through this site by sending query letters.

MANAGERS AND AGENTS

https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/screenwriting-managers/

https://www.networkisa.org/isaconnect

IMDb Pro has managers and agents you can look up. https://pro.imdb.com/signup/index.html?u=https%3A%2F%2Fpro.imdb.com%2F%3... IMDb Pro costs $19.99 a month. There's a 30-day free trial though.

You can also look at production company websites to see if they accept query letters. Different companies have different policies for accepting query letters.

Thank you very much Maurice Vaughan

Hi Wayne. I have had some good success with sending query letters and getting read requests, but I spend quite a bit of time targeting producers for the specific genre, etc. I also carefully craft the email I use when sending/attaching so it comes across as professional and not needy or amateurish. I am happy to share some sample query letters I have used if you would like tp PM me.

Clark Ransom

What do I write in the body of the e-mail if I'm supposed to send my Query Letter as an attachment

Thank you in advance for the advice

Wayne Cothron

"What do I write in the body of the e-mail if I'm supposed to send my Query Letter as an attachment" I would write an intro in the body of the email, then something like "I've attached my query letter to this email." I would end the email with a thanks and my contact info.

EXAMPLE:

Hi, ___________,

My name is ______________. _________________ (explain where you heard of the producer, agent, company, etc. -- or maybe you were referred to them by someone). _________________ (explain why you're emailing).

I've attached my query letter to this email (as instructed on your website -- or as instructed by the person who referred you to the producer, agent, company, etc.).

Thank you for your time. I'm looking forward to working together.

Name

Contact info

I never open an attachment unless I know the person who sent it and believe it is the person who really sent it. So if you are sending out a blind query letter wouldn’t it be better to make it really brief without an attachment?

Now, you write your Query Letters. research what companies are open to unsolicited material. Send them out and be bold about it. You'll get a lot of rejections, a lot of File 13, but be persistent. If you believe in what you're doing and take the time to get good at it, some one will listen.

I want to wish you all a Happy Labor Day Weekend or just a good weekend if you're outside the U.S.

How are things, Wayne Cothron?

I've received a response from one of my query letters.

A producer told me.

The pitch is a bit to short for them to consider but if I had another script resdy. I can sit it to them for a review.

Does this mean anything or are they just politely blowing me off.

Thanks again guys Happy Halloween

They didn’t like the pitch. But the good news it sounds like they’re interested in their work. Whether they are or not sounds like the pitch was too short. Aim for a 4 or 5 minute description. Giving them the details, comparison to other work, characters, ending, etc. And good luck.

Wayne:

I've sent query letters and responded to hundreds of trade ads. Like any other sales-based activity such as real estate (and I've had a California and currently hold a Texas RE license), pitching screenplays/teleplays is a numbers game. My current advantage over others is that I have a large body of work in many genres. Therefore, this allows me to pitch multiple projects all the time. I don't follow up on queries or keep track of them. I consider it a part of doing business. However, I believe no response means no interest. When someone's interested, they'll send a reply. But I respect anyone who keeps track of every query letter.

Unsolicited queries typically receive a minuscule response. And more established, reputable producers/agents don't accept them. However, with little happening in 2020, I sent a series of unsolicited pitches (researched contact info via IMDb) to producers working with Lifetime television. Out of approximately 30 emails, I received three script requests, which equates to a ten-percent response. Though nothing came of it, I consider that a very successful effort.

The fact that they noticed your work is success. Most of the time they’ll throw queries in the trash and never heard of. Any ten percent response is considered positive. Right now my CTR (Click Through Rate) for my book ads is at 6%.

Just keep letting people know you’re out there. And someone will see you.

"The pitch is a bit to short for them to consider." What was in the query letter, Wayne Cothron?

Solicit fellow writers for reads and recommendations. Someone in your circle must know reps and legit producers. Tbh, everyone accepts unsolicited scripts from ppl they trust. So get busy knowing more peers.

Two thumbs up on the advice, Dan M.