Screenwriting : Query Letters by Chris Sommella

Wouldn't it be great if there was a query letter templet that worked? Follow it and your script gets read. In my opinion it isn't the query letter that works or doesn't - it's the content. A writer who writes the "perfect" query letter but sends it to a producer who isn't looking for that script will not get a request to read. On the other hand, the right concept to the right producer at the right time...

No doubt it's about the content, but the format follows the content. Do you just do a "Dear AGENT: Below please find my logline etc etc" a sentence or two about yourself and then out? Or open with something more? Have a sentence about the theme of the script, which may not be evident in the logline? This is what I'd like to know.

I believe in keeping it very short. My query would look something like this... Hi (Agent name) One - two sentence logline. (Project name) is a one hour television drama set in and around New York City. May I send you a copy for consideration? Best, Keith Rafalko

It should almost mirror a written pitch, the key is to make flow from one bit to the next effortlessly. Hi Joe 1 or 2 max lines of who I am or what my specialty is (segue to) which is why I chose to reach out about a (genre) that I call (title) Where (logline) a line or two that paints the picture of the protagonist -- who we meet when... short 1-2-3 pitch. The closing line should ideally repeat the title and underlying theme, or if there is a compelling reason you wrote this story, this is a good place to bring it full circle. The key to the content (aside from the basic premise) is let your voice come through on the page in a conversational way. By all means, keep it to 1 page.

good tips guys thanks!

I tend to disagree SLIGHTLY. I like a BIT more information in my query letters. Short is sweet, but it has to get across what's different and interesting about YOU and your idea and the basics of what happens in the story. I can try to post a couple samples on my page. I'm not sure how to post them here..

Ok i just posted one in the logline section of my profile just as a sample.

thanks danny i just responded on there

Hi Danny, I tried to find your Query Letter sample you posted. How do I find it? Sorry, I'm fairly new here and don't know how to navigate around the site.

Shakir, click on Danny's name and then click on the hyperlink for screenplay. You'll see it on his page.

Guess I missed out on whatever Danny posted because he does not have a logline post

Danny, great to see you on Stage32. Read quite a bit about you.

Emily what in the world are you saying

thanks JC, yup...im here. for better or worse lol

Danny, did you remove the sample? Didn't see it...or maybe my lasik's given out.

no its still up there under the loglines tab - but its not a logline. you'll have to excuse the header as its the only way/place I could figure out to post it

Danny, I for some reason do not see your logline link. I can go to anyone else's page and it is there but when I go to your page it is not.

Thank you Kathy!

The point of the query letter is to get the producer to ask to read the script. Once the producer asks to read it it is no longer "unsolicited". "Unsolicited material" means they will not read script they haven't asked to be sent to them. So a writer should never send a script. Thus the letter of inquiry.

I had a meeting with the producers of WATERWORLD about a decade ago (yes, that is nothing to brag about) and they had an assistant whose job was to stand next to the fax machine and read queries, make a decision whether they story was interesting or not, then throw the dull ones into a giant trash can. They did this 8 hours a day. The company freely gave out their fax number for queries. These days companies have that assistant read the equeries and delete the ones that don't grab them. It's part of the business.