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Dear Screenwriter:
Special thanks to all the loyal subscribers who have stayed with Script Market News through its first year of publication. I hope we have been an informative (and fun!) contribution to your script marketing efforts.
Writers Digest is looking for the Web's best writing sites. If you would like to nominate my screenwriters site => www.breakingin.net <= please e-mail your vote to =>
wd-tools@fwpubs.com
On with the News...
SCRIPT
MARKET
NEWS
October 10, 2002
IN THIS ISSUE...
WRITER Q + A => Collecting your $$$
TUTORIAL => Networking Your Script
MARKET TIP => Spooky Fall Contests
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FORWARD this newsletter to a writing pal!
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SCREENWRITER Q + A
QUESTION on COLLECTING MONEY WHEN A SCRIPT IS SOLD ~~ When a script is sold, who does the production company pay, the agent or the writer?
M.K.D.
ANSWER ~~ The agent collects the money on behalf of the screenwriter. The agent keeps 10% of the gross (except on residuals) and issues a check to the writer for the remaining 90%. Legitimate film agents belong to the Society of Authors Representatives which prohibits them from charging more than 10% commission.
Some writers have managers or entertainment attorneys negotiate their contracts, in that case the percentage is negotiable -- usually from 5%-15%.
Some lawyers work by the hour, in that case the writer would receive the money and the lawyer would bill the writer for the hours worked.
FYI: The Writers Guild posts their minimum writing fees for TV and movies online. Here's how to get there:
Go to the WGA homepage => www.wga.org
- Click on the blue FOR WRITERS tab at the top of the page
- The Schedule of Minimums icon is on the right side of the For Writers page.
- Hint: It's a green icon --> for $$$.
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Hot Writing Jobs
No more excuses...
Find out how YOU can get PAID to write!
www.breakingin.net/hot-jobs-for-writers.htm
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Haven't seen my
screenwriting site? GO NOW => www.breakingin.net/
TUTORIAL
Using
Online Screenwriting Boards to Network Your Script
CCopyright (c) 2002, Lenore Wright
Over the years, when I've met working screenwriters I've often asked them how they landed their first paid writing gig. The answer usually involved a convoluted tale of the brother of a friend who introduced them to a reader who worked for a producer whose sister was an agent who represented the director whose ex-wife was the producer who eventually optioned their script.
In short, most first writing opportunities develop through networking.
Working screenwriters have to spend part of each day networking. So should you. Even if you don't live in a major film center like LA, London or Toronto, you can network on the Web. Dozens of screenwriting boards exist online just for this purpose. Once you find them and teach yourself how to recognize genuine networking opportunities, you'll see the benefit.
Let's get started.
THE BEST SCREENWRITING BOARDS
~~ New York Screenwriter
~~
www.nyscreenwriter.com/scripts_wanted.htm
Nyscreenwriter.com is the online version of New York Screenwriter Magazine, a great monthly for writers. Their site offers much more than the magazine's archives, a community of screenwriters and filmmakers hang out there.
The link above will take you directly to the Scripts Wanted page where producers and filmmakers post classified ads for the types of scripts they seek. The publishers charge for some classified ads, but this section is free and so are the classified ads for the Collaborators Wanted page and for the Writing Groups page. Check these boards regularly, post your writing group or advertise for a collaborator if you need one.
~~ Script Seeker's Callboard
~~
www.scriptseeker.com/callboard.html
Script Seeker offers an online script registry service where you pay to post your scripts or loglines so producers and agents can access your material -- that subject is for another column. You don't have to use the Script Seeker registry service to access the Callboard. You'll find calls for scripts and plays posted by producers, agents, directors and filmmakers.
~~ The UK Screenwriters Network
~~
www.shootingpeople.org/
Shooting People is a unique filmmaking service, a dynamic community of over 17,000 members connected online to enable them to get their films developed, created and distributed.
On the homepage, choose the UK Screenwriters Network and join -- it's free. Members receive a daily (Mon-Fri) email digest of messages from other members -- an eclectic mix of job opportunities, courses, contests, collaborating jobs and other helpful information. Most members reside in the UK, but some opportunities are Web-related so location is less relevant. Wednesday posts are restricted to script pitches only.
~~ Writers Script Network ~~
Writers Script Network is well known for their popular script registry service, but they also publish a timely newsletter that lets writers know exactly what type of stories specific producers seek. Subscribe online from the link above. This report offers detailed descriptions of the scripts wanted, along with accurate, updated contact information for the production company. WSN is based on Hollywood, so their film beat is the US marketplace.
~~ The Indie Club
~~
The classified posts on this site for independent filmmakers range from requests for scripts to offers of directing and producing services from aspiring (and sometimes experienced) filmmakers. You can also search for screenwriter and filmmaker networking groups by location -- a helpful feature.
~~ UK Film Talk ~~
www.ukfilmtalk.co.uk
A free online community of filmmakers where anyone can contact potential collaborators or advertise their finished films.
~~ Euro Film Exchange
~~
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/eurofilmexchange
A growing group of film people that are living and working in Europe -- or at least wanting to.
~~ Pif Magazine: Writers Only
~~
www.pifmagazine.com/writers_only/
Writers Only, the classified ads section of Pif Magazine online, offers a special posting category titled Calls for Manuscripts. Publishers, producers, agents and other writers post the ads calling for manuscripts or screenplays. Some posts promote contests or announce writing opportunities that can help you get your scripts read and recommended to the right people.
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR
NETWORKING EFFORTS
--> Follow the guidelines on each of these boards, it's the least you can do, they're offering the services for free.
--> Many posts ask for specific subject matter, themes, genres and budget or casting requirements. Pay attention. Give them ONLY what they want.
--> BEFORE you pursue opportunities investigate the credentials of the people offering them. A previous Script Market News article (Targeting Submissions) listed sites where you can check out film industry credentials. You'll find it here =>
www.breakingin.net/target_submissions.htm
--> Some writers try to use these message boards to advertise their scripts. DO NOT misuse them that way.
GIVE BACK A LITTLE
--> If you come across a legitimate opportunity that you can't take advantage of for some reason, pass it on to other writers or to a writing group.
--> The boards allow writers to post for free so contribute some useful information.
--> If you have a bad experience with someone you find through one of these boards, let the Webmaster know. Or post a warning about it -- many writing sites have a special page to post warnings.
THE POWER OF NETWORKING
Writing may be a solitary pursuit; but to market your work successfully you need a community of resources and contacts. Working with the screenwriting boards I've suggested will help you create your own personalized marketing community -- person-by-person, post-by-post.
Soon everybody will know somebody… who knows somebody… who knows somebody… even YOU!
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Selling Your Work to the Movies?
Let www.breakingin.net help you!
Bombproof Query Letters =>
www.breakingin.net/tswquery.htm
Freebies for Screenwriters =>
www.breakingin.net/freebies.htm
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MARKET
TIP
Spooky
Fall
Contests
=> EUROSCRIPT FILM STORY COMPETITION
Opportunity for EU (European Union) NATIONALS.
Euroscript is a project of the European Union's MEDIA II Program. They select 20 film stories each year to develop to script. The selected writers develop their stories through a distance script development program with professional writers who act as script editors and mentors.
IMPORTANT TIP: Euroscript requires writers to submit a 2,000 word treatment (about four pages) NOT a completed screenplay. Of course, you can create this treatment from a drafted screenplay, in fact, I would suggest you do that. Having already written a story as a rough draft screenplay will help you bring your four page treatment to life.
DEADLINE: October 30, 2002
INFO: www.euroscript.co.uk/services.htm
=> CAPE FOUNDATION NEW WRITER AWARDS
Opportunity for WRITERS of ASIAN or PACIFIC ISLANDER DESCENT.
This contest is sponsored by the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE). They offer two writing categories: screenplay and TV script. The winners receive a cash award and an opportunity to pitch to an elite panel of entertainment executives.
DEADLINE: October 18, 2002
INFO => www.capeusa.org
=> SCRIPT MAGAZINE'S OPEN DOOR CONTEST
This contest features revolving cosponsors. This time Paradigm Talent and Literary Agency cosponsors the Open Door Contest. The winner receives $3,000 and consideration for production by Paradigm.
DEADLINE: November 25, 2002
INFO => www.scriptmag.com
=> NIC TAYLOR SHORT SCREENPLAY CONTEST
Do you have a screenplay short between 3 to 20 pages long? The winner will have their short screenplay produced and submitted to film festivals. BONUS: If you want to direct your screenplay, note that on the entry form.
DEADLINE: November 1, 2002
INFO => www.taylorfilm.com
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Then FINISH THAT SCRIPT before trick or treaters overwhelm you.
Lenore Wright, Editor
Script Market News
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