I've written several scripts mostly television and a couple of short film and I'm just out of ideas on what to do next.
I don't want to go back to scouring the internet looking for production companies or agents, who might not even read my work, much less answer me.
Any ideas you good people have will be greatly appreciated
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Hi, Wayne Cothron. I think you can either come up with more ideas (look at pictures online to get ideas) or pitch the projects you already have done.
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Visit your local library. Scour the internet for old newspaper articles. Read some short stories. Journals. Comic books. Graphic novels. Watch classic films. Play some video games. Go on a hike. Work out. Plenty of source materiel out there to get inspired from, even in the most menial and unsuspecting of places.
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Why not get the script you have already written produced!!!
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I've been trying to get the things I've written produced but I've also run out of ideas on how to do that
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Wayne Cothron The writers room on this platform seems like a good bet. Idk why I keep putting it off myself, but I've seen quite a lot of success stories through there recently. Sure, it's not free, but it's definitely worth a shot.
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Are you out of story ideas?
Or don't know how to get what you have written to market?
Doing the research to find production companies and managers (who may not read your scripts) is basically the next step. Or entering a big contest like the Nicholl which everyone in the business pays attention to. Or building up your connections.
Reads are going to be dependent on that amazing one in a million idea that is at the core of each of your screenplays. What's it about?
You can also look for "hungry markets" and write something tailored to them. Holiday Romance Films or whatever.
Wayne - you've a finished script you're trying to sell? You got any chops in that market (prior sales, options, produced collaborations)? No? The harsh truth is, you ain't sellin' it.
Produce it yourself. You're asking Producers who don't know you from a stump to put-up the cash for your dream project - show us what you got. It doesn't have to be a blockbuster FL film. A really well crafted short will open a few eyes and get your foot in the door. I know several up-start filmmakers who have withered on the vine trying to make a FL film - one is in hock for $600k and couch surfs anywhere he can. I spoke to one just today who is up to his ass in the alligator infested swamp. Let me suggest you not go that route. Make a really hot short.
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Wayne Cothron, Doug makes a good point about producing something yourself - with one caveat, IMO.
As a writer, producing something yourself doesn't really do anything for you. UNLESS you want to be a director or actor, then the self-production makes sense, the finished project being a showcase of your skill.
My advice - NETWORK. Find the local film community, volunteer to work on-set. Work hard, be professional, give more than take. This will develop relationships, which is the best way to make a career in this biz.
And be patient - this is a marathon, not a sprint.
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Yep, Network! Face to face if possible!
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There's always the screenplay contest route as a way to vet your work and possibly get noticed.
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... and play!
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Wayne, in the midst of a pandemic it all too clear that screenwriters spend too much time in isolation. There are literally millions of filmmakers who need a creator to originate narrative concepts. Find a team of people open to collaboration. Ensure they are as diverse as possible (in both composition and skillsets). Then work with your team to make content. Group members ensure that all boats rise together, that everyone gets experience in their specialty, that everyone has portfolio, demo, and reel content to demonstrate their art... etc. Work gets you work. People inspire ideas. Find a safe way to reach your peers and set out to propel each other to greatness.
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You might try Coverfly. I just threw up a post about it on here under "Coverfly". And you can enter contest and track your script's progress on there, too. Kinda cool platform.
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Here's an update
I'm hoping to shoot my YouTube projects as soon as everyone's schedule permits it.
Also, I have a lot of stories ready to pitch. I just need an another agent or production company to pitch them to. I'm hoping to find someone who will actually read the pitches and answer me back
I really want to thank all of you for your help once again, and if you can think of a way I can help you.
Let me know.
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That's great, Wayne Cothron, Congrats. Thanks for updating us. I'm looking forward to the YouTube projects.
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Turn in on adaptations...a sea of public domain out there...