I tried a while ago to submit a couple scripts to Amazon Studios. They got turned down, but that wasn´t what really frustrated me. The site had clearly stated that my scripts would get reviews, it wasn´t clear that it was only by users, that is, people as novice to the business as I am, and I wanted at least a little professional advice. I think it also didn´t help that I´m not American and I don´t have much of an English-speaking network, so my scripts didn´t get as much attention as I think they deserved, one of them actually got some quite positive reviews. I was wondering if any of you guys tried that out or are considering it and if you think it´s a worthy endeavor.
Screenwriting : Amazon, is it worth it? by Alex Winck
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They are trying to use a crowdsourcing model for development. It's an interesting experiment, but I do find that reviewers don't approach the scripts as "do I think I'd enjoy this show/movie" but "how would I make this show/movie better or different"? I've also seen reviews harp on about budget, and scripts being too expensive. Whether or not that's true, it doesn't affect the quality of the storytelling, and I feel reviewers should leave budgeting to producers and stick with analyzing entertainment value. The downside of Amazon studios is they get an exclusive look for 45 days -- and that extends every time you upload a draft. So you need to balance if you want that blackout period versus the exposure you may get from it.
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Yeah, I see what you mean. Part of the problem is, the people who review your script are competing with you for the development slate, so they have an axe to grind about your script to begin with. Whenever I reviewed someone else´s script, first I said what I enjoyed about it, the potential I saw in it, then I went on to make suggestions I thought would improve it, not to prove I was better, but because as a reader and moviegoer that´s what I´d like to see.
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Alex, if you're hoping that submitting to AS will get your script made your chances are not good. Their track record of production is low. If you are looking for reviews of your script AS isn't a very good place - for the reasons you mention. There are popular peer-review websites (you review several scripts, then your peers review yours) you can try. You can ask for readers here on Stage 32. The problem with peer-review is not all new writers are good at critiquing - often their opinion is passed of as fact.
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Hi guys, if you want your work reviewed by many indy filmmakers and with the possibility (better than amazon) of it being shot, then check out writersandfilmmakers.com. Writers judge filmmakers, filmmakers judge scripts.
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Also, to my knowledge, amazon owns your script after it is accepted. So watch out.
They do offer some good advice, you can tell some of them are knowledgeable and willing to help, but but too often you can tell they´re just trying to sound smarter than you, as in, their script also competing on the site is better.
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Amazon pays for the privilege of owning your script -- they don't get it for free.
Yeah, they do have the option on it for the 45-day trial, but if after that they decide not to exercise their opiion and you don´t submit another draft, they don´t own anything on it anymore.
Has Amazon produced a film yet? I couldn't find anything on IMDb. When I tried it they were doing logline battles and running contests to rewrite idiotic scripts. I think they're a great online store and should stick to that.
I haven´t heard of anything from AS that actually got produced either.
They've produced a load of TV stuff in the past 12 months.
what TV stuff though? we need to find out what they produced. I have a tv script i could send them.
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I stand corrected on my earlier statement. I found Amazon Film Studios on IMDb and they have produced a fair number of projects. This includes a show with John Goodman I've never heard of but it looks like they produced a full season of episodes. Here's link for interested parties. http://www.imdb.com/company/co0319272/
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I think you get out of Amazon what you put into it... if you make good connections. It can be a bit cliquish, especially at first. It helps a lot to read other's scripts and give appropriate and helpful feedback, and request a read in return. Build your own circle. Some never read for others - they don't feel qualified. When it comes to scripts you submit, it's heavy competition, and I think they are typically looking for certain things. I don't know about now, since I haven't used it in a couple of years, but their emphasis for a while seemed to be on scripts that would appeal to youth. Also, if you can get some visual version of your script made, it helps a lot. Still pictures with audio dialogue works fine. It's a visual medium.
Phillip, yeah Amazon produced a bunch of pilots first and got people to vote for their favourites. Since then, they've made a few seasons and produced a second bunch of pilots. Their movie projects are still progressing, and some trailer storyboards are now available to rate. There's a couple of new development tools, there's the storyboard builder which generates storyboards automatically from RTF files and there's a storybuilder online app which allows users to build and collaborate on story structure.