How to Sell Your Screenplay in 8 Not So Easy Steps (pt.2)
Welcome back to the next post in our look at how to sell your screenplay.
In the first post we examined the following three steps: 1) Write as many scripts as it takes to get good. 2) Gain some positive feedback. 3) Create a portfolio of scripts and synopses.
Now, to the next stage…
Step 4. Place in the Top 10 of a screenwriting contest
Placing well in a contest is obviously not a guarantee to success, but doing so greatly enhances your chances of landing representation and hence selling a script.
Although not all scripts that win or do well in screenplay contests are amazing scripts, the industry keeps its ears firmly to the ground of these things in the hope of snapping up new writing talent; especially the high profile competitions such as Nicholls and Scriptapalooza.
Place well, and you have more ammunition for your resumé in preparation for the next step.
(Read our previous blog on screenwriting competitions, here, for more info.)
Step 5. Research the hell out of your script’s market options
Presuming your screenplay isn’t optioned immediately after doing well in a major competition, you will need to start approaching literary managers and producers. For now, forget agents. A manager will help you find an agent.
Research takes time, but is well worth the effort in the long run; saving you countless hours of frustration pursuing pointless leads.
1) Buy the latest copy of the Hollywood Representation Directory. Make a list of all the managers who represent screenwriters.
2) Buy the latest copy of Hollywood Creative Directory. Make a list of all the producers who work on similar material to yours.
3) Go online and make a list of all the alternative screenplay submission engines, such as InkTip. (We have a page that lists some of the best which can be found here.)
4) Create a list of everyone you know who’s somehow connected to the industry. Or, at best, someone you know who knows someone connected to the industry. The amount of scripts sold over the water cooler each year are testament to the fact that Hollywood is built on relationships.
5) Create a list of all the networking opportunities you can possibly get involved in at writers groups, societies, screenings, etc. In fact, points 4 and 5 are by far the best way to approach someone with a script.
6) Create a spreadsheet, detailing the name of the friend / company / manager you’re going to approach, who you spoke to / corresponded with, what the outcome was etc. Trust us, you’ll need it!
Step 6. Write a compelling query letter
Just like the synopsis to your screenplay, this needs to be red hot. It needs to be short, sweet and compelling; making its reader simply HAVE to read that screenplay.
Include, a logline, short synopsis of the script, and simple personal bio, remembering to mention that “Recommend” you received from ScriptReaderPro, and that contest you placed well in! We don’t have the space here, but there’s a ton of useful information out there on how to write a great query letter. Look it up and, if needs be, even pay a professional to take a look at it before making the call and sending it out.
In our final post, we’ll take a look at the final two steps required to sell your script. See you there!
