Dian F.'s Lounge Discussions

Hi, Dian F. Welcome to the community. My biggest tip is to network/build relationships on Stage 32. Here are blogs about networking that could help you connect with producers: www.stage32.com/blog/tags/networking-41

You could enter screenwriting contests that get your scripts in front of producers and other industry professionals, like Stage 32's contests (www.stage32.com/scriptservices/contests).

You could pitch your scripts to executives, managers, etc. through Stage 32's Pitch Sessions (www.stage32.com/scriptservices/pitch-sessions). The Pitch Sessions are mainly to get feedback on pitches, but members have gotten managers, signed shopping agreements, etc. through the sessions (www.stage32.com/scriptservices/success-stories).

You could also search for producers in the Browse Members section (www.stage32.com/people?name=&location=&roles=Producer) and IMDbPro (https://pro.imdb.com/signup/index.html).

I read your logline for WHAT IF on your profile. I think it needs some work so it'll grab the attention of producers. Here’s a logline template that might help: After/when ______ (the inciting incident/the event that sets the plot in motion), a _______ (the main flaw that the protagonist has to overcome in the script or an adjective that describes the protagonist’s personality) _______ (the protagonist’s position/job/career) tries to/attempts to/fights to/struggles to/strives to/sets out to/fights/battles/engages in/competes/etc. _______ (goal of story and try to add the obstacles here) to/so/in order to ________ (stakes).

The inciting incident can also be at the end of the logline: A _______ (the main flaw that the protagonist has to overcome in the script or an adjective that describes the protagonist’s personality) _______ (the protagonist’s position/job/career) tries to/attempts to/fights to/struggles to/strives to/sets out to/fights/battles/engages in/competes/etc. _______ (goal of story and try to add the obstacles here) to/so/in order to ________ (stakes) after/when ______ (the inciting incident/the event that sets the plot in motion).

Loglines are one or two sentences. A one-sentence logline sounds better, and it takes less time for a producer, director, etc. to read it. Try to keep your logline to 35 words or less.

Avoid using “must” in loglines. “Must” usually means the protagonist is forced to do whatever they need to do in the story instead of doing it willingly. You might need to use “must” in a logline though, like when the protagonist is forced by another character to do something.

Names in loglines are usually for biopics, well-known stories, and franchises (like Mission: Impossible).

Sometimes I put the location and date that the story takes place in instead of the inciting incident if it’s a Period Piece script.

Thanks Dan! But you can make a full feature film with all the deliverables and no distributor will even look at it.

It's a question that's been done to death and what's proven to work over and over is being willing to stand out, being realistic with expectations, and having a remarkable amount of patience.

Falling in line doesn't work, focusing on Hollywood doesn't work, and trying to take shortcuts doesn't work.

I think you should get your foot in the door first whatever that means to you

Hi Dian, love your drive! We have a really great webinar that gets into detail on how to find the right match for a producer for your script that I think would be beneficial for you: https://www.stage32.com/education/products/how-to-identify-secure-and-build-a-relationship-with-a-great-producer-for-your-film-project-with-case-studies-sundance-sxsw-spirit-awards