Screenwriting : Sometimes it's not your writing that gets a pass. by Bill Albert

You got that right, bro.

Thanks for sharing Bill Albert! Great advice and very true. You were so close! That's super impressive. Congratulations.

Bill, Congratulations on your pitch but there must be someone who does need that type of story.

If it's not right for them, it's not right. You've a good attitude about it so keep going. What is this project about, btw??

Bill Albert yes thanks so much for a great timely reminder! I started writing scripts in 2009 and currently working on feature spec # 8,

also in pre-production for a micro-budget iPhone project shooting my favorite of my stories this summer!

I will pop into guitar shops on a regular basis. My wife will come in as well, if she is with me. Every instrument is wonderful, made to a high standard. But not every guitar speaks to me. It is the same as writing. It has to speak to the person.

The good thing is. There are a lot of people. Everyone has different taste.

Lindbergh E. Hollingsworth: On November 9th 25 nuclear bombs went off across the United States. There were supposed to be 26 but one person hid it. She just can't remember where.

Hey Bill, thanks for sharing and reminding everyone not to take things personally. You have to find the right match when it comes to getting your project going. For anyone with a Writers' Room membership (or anyone who wants to join), we have a lot of exciting OWAs that you can apply to. What's great is that you can submit to be considered by someone specifically looking for the type of project you've written.

@David Abrookin that is so right, I had a script move forward at some length last fall through a Writers' Room / OWA submission listing, very encouraging and developing multiple projects is so helpful,

the recognition gave me a substantive reason to take a fresh look at my script and the ideas are always expanding.

One thing I have to say about this post producers need to be very specific in the type of story they want to champion because we writers need to be told and be extremely clear about what you want before we go out there an invest our hard earned money to get a (BUT) this is something I can’t move forward on…..PASS!

Always a good reminder, Bill Albert. Thx for sharing your experience!

Specificity helps immensely. I was going down a list of producers and many checked the "Action" box without providing additional insight. Then I found one that was looking for ensemble casts like The Magnificent 7 and Oceans 12. I have such a project. I sent them my written pitch and 5 days later they replied and asked for the script. Thus began the long waiting process.

I had the same when I pitched my book, Access Denied. They loved what I had written, said it was very well written, etc., but that they (the people at the pitch from publishing companies) didn't/wouldn't know how to market it.

So true! It's not always the quality of the material. It's being able to make something happen. How to find the combination of someone who likes your work and who can make something happen? idk

Congratulations on the high score, Bill Albert! Thanks for sharing the encouragement for new and experienced writers!

I totally agree with you, Bill! Your news and informative post was fantastic and I have had similar thoughts before. I think this is a great way to improve the quality of your writing. But sometimes, it's better to use online services such as us.grademiners to consult with a professional writer or submit your draft to a qualified editor. This modern approach will help you avoid stupid mistakes and achieve your goals.

Oh that's so true Bill. I'm glad you understand that when you get to pitch with a Stage 32 exec, it's not about them per se but they are trying to guess the executives out there and thinking is this marketable. What I don't like is this view of the industry as being monolithic even though the big money does tend to think that way while we, as screenwriters, are trying to get outside that box that bottom-liners are afraid of. That's why we're out on strike now in order to remind them where it all originates and what everyday people really want. We need to find, like you said, that one producer with guts who will appreciate what we are giving them and are willing to go out on that limb and take that risk like any Hollywood movie stereotypical protagonist worth their salt. Keep fighting the good fight and never give up.

Congrats on getting as far as you did. Not an easy path even when something is great. I like you encouragement and not give up attitude

My bet is, someone will pick up what you've done. I've seen great material destroyed by people who picked it up and didn't understand what to do with it but that didn't stop them from fixing it into an unrecognizable mess. You may have been fortunate.

Bill, this is such a great reminder for all of us at every level. No's are not personal rejection.

Bill you are absolutely correct! It takes a lot more than I like your story, screenplay etc. NEVER GIVE UP!

You're hitting the dot on the I here, my friend. Thanks for the advice.

Bill Albert Bill, it pays to do your research and choose the right producer, otherwise you are wasting your money.

Great share Bill. Its true, someitmes you read a projet you love but if you have something similar in your line-up it makes it difficult. If you have multiple titles that are too similar it means that buyers might try try to haggle you down on both.

Writers need to have the same philosophy on this as actors. An actor might give the most brilliant audition anyone's ever seen, but if they're not right for the part, they're not getting it. However, the director or casting director might have been impressed enough to offer them another role that they might be right for (or at least ask them to audition for it), or they might keep them in mind for future projects.

The same is true for writers. A great pitch or script might not be right for the particular producer/exec/company you've presented it to, at this particular time. But if they're impressed with your writing, they might keep you mind for something else, or take a general meeting, or maybe a year or two down the road, when the market has changed, they'll remember your pitch or script when they need something like it.

Someone asked me in another thread yesterday if my upcoming lab on Writing The High Concept Feature would also cover how to sell the script. But that's partly the wrong question. Every script you submit or pitch to someone is an audition. The odds of selling a spec script these days are shockingly low. That's just where the business is now. But as many films as ever are being produced and someone has to write them. Think of your script as your job application. Show producers/execs that you're a strong writer AND that you understand the business and the current market and then you might get that next OWA, or an agent or manager who can at least get you in the right rooms.

If you're not playing the long game, you don't understand the rules.

For example, I have NEVER sold a script. Not once. But I've written over a dozen produced films because someone liked my writing and hired me.

Yes, completely agree. We've heard many times from producers and execs that they loved our pitch and the concept, but it's just not something THEY can do. The main thing is just look at the time and work you put in as practice and as logging your 10,000 hours because one day you will find the right people and place for your project!