Hi guys :) So I'm new to this crazy business and new to the Writers Room. Like most of us I began just putting my ideas down on paper alone in my room. I've written quite a few scripts since then, and I have many more ideas and outlines in the pipeline.
Now I want to learn about the business and how best to approach and who to approach.
A lot of the information I see online seems geared towards the US market and i'm from the UK. I was wondering if it's all the same in terms of requirements?
My question is essentially how best to present my work and to whom? How do I best search for who to pitch to? What are some useful resources and what do I NEED to do? I've heard a lot about pitch decks, treatments, bibles and query letters. I'm aware that certain elements are necessary and some not so much depending on the project.
But is a pitch deck expected even for a short film for example? Or should I instead focus on entering contests/getting feedback before I even approach anyone?
Thanks in advance my much more knowledgeable friends :)
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You're on the right path, sir! It starts with having a decent portfolio of several scripts; all the better if they are in different mediums (Feature, TV, Short, Etc). Make sure that they are absolutely next-to-perfect and you are completely confident to share them. Get reviews and evaluations from others to help fine-tune all the kinks out of them, then submit them to Festivals and Contests for some supplemental clout.
Then comes the Query process to find a decent literary manager / agent, or to submit directly to Studios. An IMDBPro account will really help you with this, by narrowing down the types of people you assume will give you the time of day. Share your Logline, your Synopsis, and a little about yourself (your awards clout). Send, send, send, send, send... And eventually you'll find yourself invited to talks and meetings (Most of which won't go anywhere) that'll hopefully lead you to getting signed, tested with writing work, or even optioning off your Script.
Just remember: Be patient. Manage your expectations. But most of all: Keep writing, no matter what.
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Hi Andy, welcome to stage 32 I hope you find all you need, I’m also from the UK currently writing my first script, feel free to message me we could maybe collab sometime ?
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Hi Andy, and welcome to Stage 32. You’ll find like minded people here and lots of resources. I'm based in Tasmania, Australia, and have learned that the film industry operates differently here to the U.S.
Although I am a screenwriter, earlier this year I did a Producing Lab through Stage 32 to learn how to get my scripts into the right hands. It was time and money well spent, and I now have an actionable plan and am putting together the "sales" materials I need, i.e. pitch, both verbal and written, a pitch deck, query letters on so on. If you search the Education tab you'll find loads of useful webinars and courses. If you can participate live, all the better, even through the time zone difference can be a pain!
I'm also building my network through discussions here and in the Writers' Room and have made new friends around the world. The best thing you can do is join the Writers' Room. Best wishes for your current project and cheers from the antipodes!
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Hi Andy, nice to meet you!
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Welcome, Andy! Nice to meet you. Glad you're here. If I could give anyone advice (and usually I'm not qualified to) I'd say learn your craft first. Get as good as you possibly can with a few solid scripts under your belt. If you have that, it'll make your pitches more confident and you have a better chance of being taken seriously.
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Andy Redfern, I'm also new to Stage 34. Welcome. My path is a little different. I moonlight as a pseudo historian and when I was asked to review a Western feature for historical accuracy, I fell into screen writing. From an indie film perspective, a "modified" pitch deck has helped me get my script in front of two producers, a production manager, and a Hollywood actress. I think this seems to depend on which way your path is taking you. Mine is taking me down the indie film path. I suppose a spec script for a large studio would be entirely different and a pitch deck may not come from the writer. I'd be interested to hear what someone with that type of experience has to say.
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Some screenwriters create pitch decks and treatments but they are not required. I only had one producer ever ask me for a treatment and I sent him a synopsis because I didn’t have a treatment and I wasn’t about to create one.
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Welcome Andy Redfern
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First, make sure your scripts are ready to query. This could mean getting coverage or entering contests. Remember, contests that are prestigious and have been around will mean more to potential producers/reps than a local contest that's basically unknown. Research producers and reps who have similar projects to yours. IMDB Pro can really help with this. When reaching out, a query letter is key. You want it brief, including the logline, any awards the script has done, and a little anecdote about yourself (as it connects to the script). Never include any attachments unless they're requested. Generally speaking, a synopsis, both a paragraph and a 1-2 pager, is good to have b/c they may ask for it. A pitch deck is something you might need when you're actually pitching the project, but again you wouldn't attach this in your first email.
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Thank you all for your valuable insights :) I have to say that being a part of Stage 32 has already taught me a great deal. It's difficult, because I'm a bit of a perfectionist and a lot of the time it's hard for me to ever really be sure if something is ready to submit or where best to spend my money (hard times right). I still feel like my best work is yet to come out. Being from a small city in the UK it's refreshing to come here and to be able to connect with like-minded individuals with similar dreams, so thank you! Lots to consider.
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Welcome to the community, screenwriting, and the Writers' Room, Andy Redfern. Everyone has given great advice. Here are some resources that can help:
You can build relationships in the Stage 32 Lounges (https://www.stage32.com/lounge) and through direct messages, which could open up opportunities to pitch your scripts.
Screenwriting Staffing https://www.screenwritingstaffing.com/premium-membership Some gig leads and features on the 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.
https://www.networkisa.org/isaconnect
IMDb Pro has agents and managers you can look up. https://pro.imdb.com/signup/index.html?u=https%3A%2F%2Fpro.imdb.com%2F IMDb Pro costs $19.99 a month. There's a 30-day free trial though.
If you're looking for a manager https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/screenwriting-managers/
Script Revolution https://www.scriptrevolution.com/ It's free to post your scripts on the website, but you can get extra features for $9.99 per month (Rockstar status)
I make pitch decks for my feature scripts and TV shows, but I don't make pitch decks for short scripts. I haven't heard of anyone making a pitch deck for a short script. I think it's because short scripts are so short.