6 Hollywood Execs on the Art of Selling a Screenplay
Selling a screenplay is the ULTIMATE goal of every screenwriter. (That and trying to find screenwriting agents who will actually return their calls.)
But selling a screenplay is NOT some mythical process: it requires dedication, professionalism and a sense of humor when things don’t go according to plan.
So, here are 6 Hollywood execs on mastering that strange art of selling a screenplay:
Selling a Screenplay Tip #1: Write a MOVIE, Not Just a Screenplay“There’s less development money out there and studios are looking to tighten their belts. They aren’t looking to go out and acquire seven specs a month and see what works. They’re looking for movies. [The screenplay] has to be great. Things with a good concept and average execution aren’t selling in meaningful ways…Studios think, ‘We want to greenlight a movie without spending $600K to pay expensive writers to fix it.”
-Julian Rosenberg, Circle of Confusion literary manager and producer
http://variety.com/2014/film/spotlight/screenwriting-a-good-script-isnt-enough-be-great-1201363935
Julian Rosenberg @jrosenberg10 | Twitter
Summary: It’s more important than ever before when trying to sell a screenplay that your screenplay is polished from start to finish. Even if you have the best idea that the studi
o has seen in weeks, if the script isn’t great, they’ll opt for one that will be cheaper to make. Take as many drafts and as many readers as it takes to make your screenplay as perfect as can be before you send it anywhere.
Selling a Screenplay Tip #2: Use Every Ace You Have
“Once you’ve honed your writing skills, you need to hone your networking skills. While nearly all film and television companies have a strict policy against reading unsolicited material, this should not deter you from trying to get your script on their radar screens through other means. Don’t hesitate to utilize any and all Hollywood-related contacts you may already have, no matter how remote: an old college pal who is now an entertainment attorney, a distant cousin working in an agency mailroom, or a buddy whose SoCal bar is frequented by actor types.”
-Alison Haskovec, independent producer and consultant for Scott Free Television who has worked in feature development at Radar Pictures and Intermedia Films
http://www.creativewritingandwriters.com
Summary: The film industry is still one that relies heavily on who you know. One of the best ways to get your screenplay noticed and in the right exec’s hands is to use every connection you’ve got. Network, network, network! Whether it’s film school classmates who’ve made it past the mailroom at a studio, or a friend of a friend’s half-brother’s girlfriend– use whatever you’ve got and make it count.
Selling a Screenplay Tip #3: Don’t Complain“There are huge barriers to entry in the movie and television business. There always have been. It’s a simple question of numbers and reality. And your choice is, really, to complain about how hard it is to get representation or to go out there and do something so amazing that the representation finds you.”
-Brian Koppelman, writer, director and producer whose credits include Ocean’s 13 and Solitary Man
Brian Kopelman @briankoppelman | Twitter
http://www.indiewire.com/article/gues...
Summary: Once you have a completed screenplay, a good screenplay, it’s your job as a screenwriter to get it noticed in any way possible. Let’s say you don’t have any network connections, what do you do? This is where you have to get creative. How about shooting a couple pages and posting it on Youtube? What about moving to LA and finding out where the big execs get their coffee? It’s a tough business to crack into, but it’s not impossible. You just have to be creative.
Selling a Screenplay Tip #4: Enter (Reputable) Contests“First, contests: If you finish very well in a competition, it’s easier to get your work read, period. Studios, producers, and agencies frequently look at the winners of established contests. However, most winning scripts don’t get sold or produced; contests tend to be judged on artistic merit, not commercial viability. When evaluating a contest, research how well the winners have done—did any deals follow? Will the contest get your work in front of real industry contacts?”
-Jane Friedman, 20 years of experience in the publishing industry including work as the publisher and editorial director at Writer’s Digest and columnist for Publishers Weekly
https://janefriedman.com/how-to-sell-your-screenplay
Jane Friedman @JaneFriedman | Twitter
Summary: You need to do your research, but screenplay contests are still a viable way to get your screenplay read and eventually sold. If you do well at some of the high-profile contests, your chances of agents knocking on your door will increase greatly. If nothing else, the feedback that some of the contests provide could help you re-work another draft. As long as you don’t waste all your money on entry fees, contests are definitely worth a shot!
Selling a Screenplay Tip #5: Think (and Write) Outside the Box“Once in a blue moon, you’ll find that script that sells for a million dollars: the one with the great hook, or the four-quadrant tentpole movie, but to be honest, really breaking these young voices, we’re having a lot of success with stuff that’s a little ‘left-of-center…the execution of the writing, a writer with a really unique, fresh voice, is what seems to be getting everyone excited.”
-Tanya Cohen, WME agent who has also worked at Verve and Paradigm
http://variety.com/2014/film/spotlight/screenwriting-a-good-script-isnt-enough-be-great-1201363935
Summary: Fresh voices with unique perspectives and characters is what could really open doors for you as a writer. Even if the studios don’t buy your screenplay, they may hire you to write another of their projects. They want to see something they haven’t seen before. Make sure your voice comes through and that your angle is unique. Borrow from your own life experiences and allow your passion to come through on the page. Don’t write a movie that you’ve already seen, write one you’d want to see.
Selling a Screenplay Tip #6: Create a Pitch of Your Script“You need to get really good at pitching. We live in a very fast paced world. The people interested in buying your scripts are very time-deficient. They are also multitasking and processing a great number of ideas at the same time. The reality is that once you have caught their attention you have quite literally two minutes at most to hook them in with your idea and get them to ask you for more.”
-Elliot Grove, founder of Raindance, film producer, screenwriter, author, and film teacher
http://www.raindance.org/9-golden-rules-to-selling-your-screenplay
Summary: This is where being concise really matters. In order to get the right people interested in your screenplay, you need to perfect the way in which you describe it to them. Know your story inside and out, know it’s strengths, it’s most interesting parts and what sets it apart. And don’t just perfect your verbal pitch, make sure you have a killer logline to go with it. This is all potential agents and producers have to go on when they initially hear of your script– make it count!
The post 6 Hollywood Execs on the Art of Selling a Screenplay appeared first on ScriptBully.
