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This issue sponsored by
BreakingIn.net
~ Where Screenwriters Go to Break In! ~
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Dear Screenwriter:
Need a vacation? Why spend your hard earned money on Club Med when you can plan a vacation around a film festival in scenic Sante Fe (New Mexico) or picturesque Telluride (Colorado)? Check out the screenplay contests associated with these first class film festivals.
I had so many practical questions the past few weeks, I thought I'd share them with you.
On with Script Market News...
SCRIPT
MARKET
NEWS
April 10, 2003
IN THIS ISSUE...
SCREENWRITER Q + A:
Agents, Formats, Covers
PRODUCTION OPP: C.A.S.T.
Project
MARKET TIPS: Take a Networking Vacation
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Hot Writing Jobs
No more excuses...
YOU can get PAID to write!
Find out how...
www.breakingin.net/hot-jobs-for-writers.htm
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SCREENWRITER
Q + A
QUESTION on FEE for NICOLLS
FELLOWSHIPS ~~ You indicated there is no entry fee for the Nicolls; but in the Rules section, point 4 states that there is a US$30 fee.
~~ Martin
ANSWER: Thanks, Martin. I had the Nicolls page stored among my favorites and forgot to "refresh" it when I wrote that reference. Even with a fee, Nicholls is one of the most prestigious and worthwhile contests emerging screenwriters can enter.
QUESTION on FINDING AGENTS WILLING TO READ ~~ Most agents I approach in England slap me with the commonly known "No Unsolicited Material" excuse. Could you advise on how one could go round this hurdle?
~~ Mosco
ANSWER ~~ Don't pursue agents who say they WILL NOT accept unsolicited material. These agents require a personal recommendation from a working professional before they will read your work.
If you don't have that professional recommendation, search for agents who WILL accept unsponsored material. Do some research on the Web -- you'll find lots of details about agents such as who will take unsolicited scripts, what they're looking for, what they'll read, what they've sold recently.
Here are some agent tutorials to get you started:
www.breakingin.net/agents_hide.htm
www.breakingin.net/agent_faq.htm
www.choosingagent.htm
QUESTION on SCRIPT FORMATTING ~~ I have seen a script that doesn't use (Cont'd) behind the character's name when the dialog is interrupted by an action entry. The second part of the dialog is simply headed with the character's name. Is this OK?
~~ Ken G.
ANSWER ~~ Personally, I don't use Continueds and Mores on a speculative script, that's really for shooting scripts to alert the camera crew that the setup must continue. I think it clutters up a spec script. You don't want anything to distract your reader from the story. Use conventional script formatting but don't add anything that detracts from your clear, exciting storytelling.
QUESTION on AGENT FEES ~~ I've heard agents can only charge a fee of 10 percent, but the one I've been talking to in California charges 15%.
~~ Mimi
ANSWER ~~ Agents in California who are members of the Society of Authors Representatives can only charge 10%. Fees for Managers and Entertainment attorneys are negotiable. Customarily it is 5% for Entertainment Attorneys and 15% for Managers. Perhaps this agent is a manager?
For a Tutorial on the difference between agents and managers go here =>
www.breakingin.net/choosingagent.htm
QUESTION on PITCHING A STORY ~~ I have written a twenty page treatment. If I were to pitch my treatment, what would be my best approach?
~~ F.X.
ANSWER ~~ I've written a short tutorial on pitching a story to the movies. You can access it here =>
www.breakingin.net/tswpitching.htm
Here's a touching article about a writer who blew a big money pitch. It might help you avoid the same mistakes =>
www.breakingin.net/tswmoneypitch.htm
QUESTION on CARD STOCK COVERS ~~ What is the best 'Plain Card Stock' cover? Two pieces of posterboard with the script in the middle with no binding -- just brads? Some writers sites say that the Writers Store covers are too heavy and readers
can't roll up the scripts to carry them. They want them flexible. ~~ B.N.
ANSWER ~~ Plain card stock should be about the thickness of an index card. Its purpose is to keep the pages of the script together, not protect your script for eternity. Some writers like the card stock thin enough to put through their printer so they can print the cover page on the card stock. I prefer a blank card stock cover, then a regular title page within.
I've never heard of readers rolling up a script so they can carry it around with them. That's a new one -- that script must have been a real cliffhanger. Most producers and story editors I know have satchels or backpacks to carry scripts.
If my script is returned (sigh!) I usually put on a fresh card stock cover before sending it out again.
++++++++++++++++++++++++
Selling Your Work to the Movies?
LET www.breakingin.net
HELP YOU BREAK IN!
Bombproof Query Letters =>
www.breakingin.net/tswquery.htm
Freebie
Script Format Tutorial =>
www.breakingin.net/format
_ tutorial.htm
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Production
Opportunity for Emerging Screenwriters
C.A.S.T.
Project
Do you have a one hour episodic script ready to market? This might be an opportunity for you to see it produced. The winning script from this competition will be produced as a production pilot by the Creative Alliance Scriptwriting Talent Project. Log onto their site to see the Cast you have to work with. The site also includes judges' profiles and a prize list.
DEADLINE: June 30, 2003
INFO: www.thecastproject.com
Reserve Your Copy:
MARKET
TIPS
-> SCRIPTAPALOOZA #5 - A Reminder!
This popular contest offers a $10,000 Grand Prize for it's 5th Annual Contest plus software and Hollywood contacts which include established production companies and literary representatives such as A Band Apart, Samuel Goldwyn, Evolution, Lawrence Mark Productions and Marc Platt Productions.
FINAL DEADLINE: April 15, 2003
INFO: www.scriptapalooza.com
-> TELLURIDE INDIEFEST 2003!
This international event runs August 29 - September 1. Telluride showcases the best *independent* films and screenplays in the world! They limit entries to 1000 (total of all films, videos, and screenplays).
DEADLINE: May 31, 2003
INFO: http://tellurideindiefest.com
-> SCREENWRITING CONFERENCE IN SANTA FE
This conference in picturesque Sante Fe, New Mexico runs May 28 - Jun 1, 2003.
The conference features a Screenwriting Symposium that includes classes, workshops, panel discussions, script consultations, social events, a screenplay competition, and a new class for teens.
You can also attend a Producer's Seminar in which sixteen Hollywood producers will sit panels and hear pitches.
BONUS: Five Attendees to the Screenwriting Symposium or Producers Seminar will receive an ACTORS' CHOICE AWARD. The winning scenes will be presented in live readings by the festival's actor-judges.
DEADLINE: April 28, 2003
INFO: http://www.scsfe.com
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Harry's Back!
Reserve your copy of Harry Potter V
...and check out our BOOKLIST for
Emerging Screenwriters...
www.breakingin.net/tswbestemergingbooks.htm
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FORWARD Script Market News to them.
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Lenore Wright, Editor
Script Market News
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www.breakingin.net/benefits.htm
If
you haven't seen my site for screenwriters... GO NOW
=> www.breakingin.net/
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