|
______________
*************
This issue sponsored by
BreakingIn.net
~ Where Screenwriters Go to Break In! ~
______________
*************
Dear Screenwriter:
Quick question: Who helps emerging screenwriters JUMPSTART their writing careers for FREE? The Writer's Guild of America, that's who. Don't miss our mini-tutorial on how to make the most of this opportunity.
Take time out from your holiday shopping to check out our winter contests for SHORT film scripts. And we do mean short -- 5 pages!
On with Script Market News...
SCRIPT
MARKET
NEWS
December 10, 2002
IN THIS ISSUE...
WRITER Q + A => Licensed Agents, Fab Formats
PRODUCTION OPP => Writers Guild Tools
MARKET TIP => Winter Shorts
____________________
SCREENWRITER Q + A
QUESTION on LICENSED LITERARY AGENTS ~~ I enjoyed your article on the difference between a packaging agent and a literary agency ("David versus Goliath"). Do literary agents need to be licensed in California?
~~ Mandy
ANSWER ~~ Literary agents are not licensed in California -- or any other state --
to my knowledge. However, legitimate agents share these two important qualities:
1) They belong to the Society of Authors Representatives.
2) They are SIGNATORIES of the Writer's Guild. What does this mean?
-- They are aware of the Writers Guild Minimum Basic Agreement.
-- They support the efforts of the Guild.
-- They abide by the WGA guidelines that protect writers.
EDITOR'S NOTE: You can read the "David Versus Goliath" article that prompted this question by
CLICKING HERE => www.breakingin.net/choosingagent.htm
QUESTION on the BEST SCRIPT FORMAT TO USE ~~
I use an old script writing program, but I'm looking to upgrade. It seems the best two options are Movie Magic or Final Draft. Which would you recommend?
~~ M. H.
ANSWER ~~ Personally I use Final Draft but both programs are first rate.
My Web site offers a free tutorial on script formatting. Within the article there is a link where you can download a free sample of both of those programs and see which one you like.
SCRIPT FORMAT TUTORIAL link => www.breakingin.net/format_tutorial.htm
____________
*******************
HOLIDAY SPIRIT...
Stuck for creative holiday gifts
for your writing friends?
Check out our BOOKLIST
for EMERGING SCREENWRITERS
CLICK => www.breakingin.net/books.htm
____________
******************
MINI-TUTORIAL:
HOW TO DEVELOP WRITER'S GUILD SAVVY
Copyright (c) 2002, Lenore Wright
Emerging writers aspire to be members of the Writers Guild of America. You don't have to wait till you're a member of the Guild to take advantage of many of their services.
Do yourself a favor and check out these WGA services:
1. WGA SCRIPT REGISTRATION => www.wga.org
All screenwriters should be concerned with protecting their original material from theft. For this reason, one important service the Writers Guild provides is Script Registration. You DON'T have to be a member to take advantage of this important feature.
Several commercial copyright registration services exist, but I recommend that writers use the Guild's registry service for several important reasons:
--> They're reliable.
--> They're affordable.
--> You can register your scripts online or by mail.
--> The Guild provides Legal Assistance if a dispute develops over your material. If you register your scripts with the Guild, their legal staff will advise you (without charge) even if you aren't a member of the Guild as yet.
--> Simply putting "Registered with the Writers Guild of America" on the cover page of your script alerts the producers or agents reading your script that you are aware of your copyright.
2. WGA PROFESSIONAL PROFILES => www.wga.org
Producers and agents want to deal with professional writers not aspiring amateurs so aspiring screenwriters should be interested in fostering a professional attitude. One way to do that is to model successful professional writers.
The Writers Guild Website offers dozens of profiles of successful writers, directors and produces currently working in form and television. Emerging writers can benefit in so many ways from these revealing articles. Here are some of the ways these profiles can benefit YOU:
--> You can learn how professional writers pitch a story successfully.
--> You can determine how to handle rewrite notes in a professional way.
--> You can discover how to be effective in story conferences and production meetings.
Access these profiles from the www.wga.org homepage by clicking on the FOR WRITERS tab at the top of the page, then click on THE CRAFT or THE BUSINESS in the Table of Contents on the left.
3. WGA MENTORING PROGRAM => www.wga.org
Successful Writer's Guild members volunteer to mentor emerging writers. You can sign up for this program on the Guild's Website. You choose a writer from the list of volunteers. Choose someone whose credits jive with your writing aspirations.
DO NOT be a PEST, follow these mentoring guidelines:
--> Contact the mentor by e-mail ONLY.
--> Be respectful of their time.
--> Limit your inquiries to writing-related questions, not marketing queries.
--> DO NOT ask your mentor to introduce you to his or her agent!
Go to the Writers Guild Website and take a look around, you'll be glad you did.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Selling Your Work to the Movies?
Let www.breakingin.net help you!
Bombproof Query Letters =>
www.breakingin.net/tswquery.htm
Freebie
Script Format Tutorial =>
www.breakingin.net/format
_ tutorial.htm
++++++++++++++++++++++++
MARKET
TIP
Winter
Shorts: Short
Script
Contests
=> BRITISH SHORT SCREENPLAY COMPETITION
This competition is sponsored by Fuji Films, Lee Lighting, Lynx Digital, Panavision, Pinewood Film Studios, Screenplay Systems and Soho Images.
The WINNING SCREENPLAY will be produced, premiered at BAFTA (the British Academy), released in selected UK cinemas and entered into international film festivals. Runners up will receive Movie Magic screenwriting software.
Judges: Academy award winning producers like Stephen Woolley, Nik Powell and Piers Jackson.
DEADLINE: January 10, 2003
MORE INFO: www.kaosfilms.co.uk
=> AMAZING SHORT SCRIPT CHALLENGE
Screenplays must not have been previously produced, optioned, or sold. They must be between 5-30 pages and written in English. Sponsor: Mediatrix Productions.
DEADLINE: December 21, 2002
INFO => www.myweb.ecomplanet.com/CORT6984/
=> URBAN INSIDER 555-SHORT CONTEST
Money prizes ($500. to winner) plus software. Enter by December 15th for the low entry fee of $15.
DEADLINE: January 25, 2003
INFO => www.urbaninsider.com
=> MOVIEPOET.COM 5 PAGE SCRIPT CONTEST
This FREE CONTEST runs quarterly. So grease up your wheels and get rolling!
DEADLINE: December 31, 2002
INFO => www.MoviePoet.com
______________
*******************
Hot BOOKS for Emerging Writers
Stuck for creative holiday gifts
for writing friends?
Check out our BOOKLIST
for SCREENWRITERS:
www.breakingin.net/books.htm
_____________
******************
Subscribe
to Script Market News
-
Free newsletter from
www.
Breakingin.net
-
Script
marketing advice:
Tips, Tools, Tutorials
-
Screenwriter
Q + A
-
Submission
opportunities
-
Twice a month by
e-mail (text)
-
Sample
issues CLICK
HERE!
_______________________
Then do a writing pal a favor and
FORWARD Script Market News to them !
Enjoy the holiday season wherever you
are.
Lenore Wright, Editor
Script Market News
+++++++++++++
Jumpstart YOUR writing career!
www.breakingin.net/benefits.htm
If
you haven't seen my site for screenwriters... GO NOW
=> www.breakingin.net/
******
Miss the last issue? You can read it ONLINE here => www.breakingin.net/script-market-news23.htm
******
-------------------
SUBSCRIBE or UNSUBSCRIBE by email:
newsletter@breakingin.net
------------------
FEEDBACK: screenwriter@breakingin.net
---------------------
BACK ISSUES of Script Market ->
www.breakingin.net/tocscriptmarket.htm
-----------------
FORWARD Script Market to friends or writing groups.
----------------
|
