Just do it
So you've written a script, you struggled through the doubts and the problems. You listened to the people telling you to “get a real job” or “stop dreaming once you get out of bed, idiot” and you still persevered until you finished with FADE OUT... now what? Well you could save it to your desktop so that whenever you turn on your computer you see that you have written a script. You could print off a copy and put it in a drawer (after you autograph the title page obviously!) and look at it every now and then. If however you have dreams of being a professional screenwriter you need to show it to people.
It sounds easy to say, “just bring it to someone” ... go ahead, have a go at saying it. And now that you've done that get ready for the realization that the hard work is going to start now. Oh and by the way, I hate to tell you this but you really should write another script before attempting to contact anyone (except coverage people!). For the purpose of this blog I'm going to suppose that you have enough scripts in the vault to not collapse when you get asked the infamous “What else have you got ?” question, and the first thing we need to talk about is ... LOGLINE – The job of a logline is to make someone want to read the synopsis of your script, it has to be enticing and catchy, you want it to stick in someones head until they have to find out more... WARNING: You do not have to tell the whole story in your logline.
So you work hard and you get your logline down (BTW, I'm not a teacher, I hate writing loglines but I learned how through screenwritingU.com) then you have to tackle what I think is the most difficult part of screenwriting, THE SYNOPSIS: I hate the synopsis, you write 100 plus pages and then you have one page to get the story across? Well, no not really. All you have to do is make someone read your script, how you do that is up to you but I know there are classes you can take in how to market your script (I took mine at www.screenwritingU.com)... What you need to remember with a synopsis is that you have one shot, this one page you write will decide if people take you seriously, read your script, like your style, be your friend, hold your hand and make you a professional.
Ok, you have a great script, a good logline and an amazing synopsis... now what? First thing to do is review what you're going to send out, I say this because one typo can be the difference, one mistake can put someone in a bad mood. REMEMBER: while your script is very important to you, the reader who has to read it sees it as just another script, it's your job to WOW them, they don't owe you anything.
And now that you've double checked everything and you are ready to go there are many routes to take, you can do it all by yourself if you look up contacts on imdb or the HCD (Hollywood Creative Directory) and start making calls, this is the toughest way to do it but once you get over the first couple of calls it gets easier. Second you could advertise your script on www.inktip.com, you could pitch it directly to execs on www.virtualpitchfest.com, you could send it to many agents/managers/production companies through www.scriptblaster.com or you could fly to LA and hand out copies at the bus stop... whatever works for you.
The only thing you ca then do is cross your fingers and hope to whichever god/deity that you wish. Remember the focus needs to be on the people who are going to read the script, if you make them happy then they will make you happy! Good luck with it...
A few people have asked me to comment on certain things with this blog.. so I thought why not let you have some input, with that in mind I have a new email address dthescreenwriter@aol.com send me your questions and ideas for posts or if you would simply like more information about me then feel free to ask!
Write on!
Dave The Screenwriter
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