Screenwriting : Advice for getting recognized in the screen writing industry by Donald Bulgin

Personally I believe the best thing is to start small. Write simple stories that could be made for little money and work your way up from there. This could mean you could join a 48 hour filmcompetition or even just reach out locally to find some directors or producers to collaborate with and make a short film with. Someone reached out to me with a first draft and now after the 6th or so draft we're finally shooting the feature. This could also be a great way to get feedback. Also, I think you'll have more responses posting this in the 'Screenwriting' lounge instead of the 'acting' lounge. Much succes on your journey and let me know where you end up!

Also, of course, you can actually admit your screenplays right here on stage32! There's actually a recent thread in the screenwriting lounge answering where you can send it to: https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/Where-to-submit

Network. This is an active verb - develop relationships. Get on sets - work hard, be professional, give more than take.

And remember tht this is a marathon, not a sprint.

Hey Donald, this is Karen from the Stage 32 team. I just wanted to let you know I moved your post from Acting to Screenwriting, as it fits much better there. Let me know if you have any questions, and all the best to you!

Going to sound obvious. Write something so amazing everyone talks about it.

Yes and! To John's point, remember that the networking never stops. It's great if you're going at it full-throttle right out of the gate, but unless you're working to maintain those relationships and continually trying to forge new ones (and GENUINELY SO, that's a biggie) then you're only ever going to progress so far.

If you're in this for the long haul, then remember that networking needs to be a part of your long haul, too.

What John said: Network. You don't even need to move to Los Angeles, you can network online.

Query managers and Production Companies.

Target hungry markets. Places where they need a bunch of movies, focusing on the production companies that make those movies. I just wrote a film for a streaming service that is making their own movies, now. And as we approach the holidays, we're going to hit the Lifetime/Hallmark Holiday Movie Wars. Both make dozens of new movies every year - and need someone to write those scripts. Hungry market.

Part of that is writing to budget and schedule.

Watch a bunch of movies in the genre and study them. Know what makes them tick. What is the dream of the audience that these movies fulfill?

All of the information is out there. Online. Find it.

William got' points there, however lotta markets in the world, and if I was asked on the ideas flow regarding movies I'd day they don't go both ways....US market generally strives for global demand makes it easy for non-Americans to slip their scripts or movies into it, but makes it overrun as well and sometimes foreigners drown home talent... however If you would look into possibilities of Europe, Asia and Russia...big industries as well, however mainly lean on their own talent...

Long story short - If you are still in Prague, explore domestic possibilities first.

I agree Kiril, but with increasing globalization, recognition is available further and farther afield

As mentioned by William Martell, the ethos is to try and see the wider market and not obsesses with the pinnacle of Hollywood where the doors (and windows) are kept firmly shut for good reason.

There is a massive industry supplying DVD, TV, and VOD that's growing by the day. Within that, there is are prodcos, producers, directors, agents, and managers, all looking for new material. It can be highly lucrative too. I know of writers churning out four scripts a year to execs in this sector and getting a good fee each time, easily out-earning the average WGA writer and building up credits like crazy while having a ton of influence on the production. It's a very good place to be and few amateur writers want to target it because it's not seen as glamorous.

Can you point me in the direction of these execs Walley, I would like to pitch to them

Donald, You have been pointed... now you have to get off your butt and do the work. They are out there, you have to find the ones that make the type of screenplays that you have written. That you have a stack of sample scripts like. If you have a stack of rom-com screenplays that isn't going to work for a company making thrillers. YOU need to do the research YOURSELF.

http://www.scriptsecrets.net/tips/tip27.htm

Sounds a bit like the X-files Willy. The truth is out there. Guess you're a big Sci -Fi fan? Thanks for the advice.