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This issue sponsored by
BreakingIn.net
~ Where Screenwriters Go to Break In! ~
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Dear Screenwriter:
Script Market subscribers represent a wide range of writing experience. Some are part-time writers with a dream. Others desire to turn a rough draft screenplay into a marketable script. Many are full-time writers seeking opportunities for their scripts.
This issue deals with marketing opportunities that require a polished screenplay and a professional attitude. If you don't yet have a polished screenplay to market, save this email to read later and GET WRITING!
If your script is ready to market, read on...
SCRIPT
MARKET
NEWS
April 25, 2003
IN THIS ISSUE...
SCREENWRITER Q + A:
Agents versus Managers
ARTICLE: Four Ways
to GET READ!
MARKET TIPS: Festival Script Competitions
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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
QUERY LETTERS ~~ The Writer's Guild agencies list is compiled with the following Legend. For sake of clarity, I have numbered the items in the Legend:
1- New Writers OK -- This agency considers new writers.
2- References Required -- Agency considers writers ONLY as a result of
references known to them.
3- Letter of Inquiry Required -- Agency will accept ONLY a letter of inquiry.
4- No Unsolicited Material -- Agency will NOT accept unsolicited material.
What does #3 mean by a letter of inquiry? Is it a query letter? ~~ Martin
ANSWER ~~ Great questions. This means that the agency will accept manuscripts from persons without a personal recommendation, but only if you send a query letter first. This letter should contain a brief description of your script, your professional credentials and perhaps a few sentences to entice them to read the script.
For a tutorial on how to write a boffo query letter go here => www.breakingin.net/tswquery.htm
QUESTION
~What is the difference between an agent and a manager? ~~ Mosco
ANSWER ~~ A manager helps a writer sell their scripts but can also act as a producer. Agents cannot participate as producers.
For a good article on finding managers to query about reading your original scripts you can go here =>
www.breakingin.net/agents_hide.htm
For a good sample query letter tutorial go here =>
www.breakingin.net/tswquery.htm
QUESTION on AGENTS READING SPEC SCRIPTS ~~ William Morris Agency called me with interest in reading my script, but they want me to submit it through either a Manager or a Lawyer. Is this normal protocol?
~~ B. A.
ANSWER ~~ William Morris Agency (WMA) usually requires an endorsement from a working industry professional in order to get them to read scripts written by emerging writers. If you can attract the interest of an established Manager or Entertainment attorney, that would be the professional endorsement you need. Of course some writers believe that if you have the endorsement of an established Manager or Entertainment Attorney, then you don't need William Morris.
It probably would be worthwhile for your to research some managers and query them about reading and endorsing your script.
The Web offers lots of information on managers and entertainment lawyers. This tutorial on agents lists some of the best research sites for this info =>
www.breakingin.net/agents_hide.htm
For an article that explains about different types of literary representation --
packaging agencies versus boutique agencies you can go here =>
www.breakingin.net/choosingagent.htm
++++++++++++++++++++++++
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
++++++++++++++++++++++++
FEATURED
ARTICLE:
Four Ways Emerging Writers Can Get their Script Read
Copyright, 2003, Lenore Wright
At least half the questions I receive from emerging writers center on their efforts to get their original scripts read by industry professionals. If you have a finished script to market, here are four avenues writers can pursue that will create helpful feedback for your and possibly uncover a market for your script.
1) Script Competitions
If you have a polished script ready to market, enter it in some contests. I know many writers who experienced their first break this way.
Concentrate on the contests that offer MORE than a prize and a press release. Some contests offer a public script readings at a film festival or workshop. Other contests offer some form of networking opportunities for you.
Some terrific summer film festival contests are listed below under MARKET TIPS.
For the BEST Contest List go here => www.moviebytes.com
For a Tutorial on evaluating script contests go here =>
www.breakingin.net/choosey.htm
2) Target Script Submissions Specifically
Target your script submissions to specific producers, agents and stars whom you believe would genuinely respond to your particular script based on the movies they've made successfully in the past.
This tutorial will help you compose a PRACTICAL submission list and give you suggestions on how to contact those on the list =>
www.breakingin.net/target_submissions.htm
3) Hire a Professional Script Coach
Sometimes script coaches can take your script to a new level. Some coaches
even offer to help you get an agent or refer you to some producers they know.
I've written an article on how different script coaches work, you can read it here =>
www.breakingin.net/tswcoaches.htm
Research the coach carefully -- be sure they have direct film industry connections. Many have websites, so check them out. Since you're out of the industry loop, you probably want a coach who lives and works in one of the film centers.
4) Post your Script in an Online Registry
These services post loglines or synopses of scripts on a database that producers and agents access. If the producer or agent is interested in reading the script, they contact the writer directly.
I know lots of writers who found their first few opportunities this way. I researched these registries thoroughly, you can read my article about them here =>
www.breakingin.net/tswregistries.htm
INSIDER TIP:
Recently, studios have hired people whose specific job is to keep track of the fresh material published in online script databases.
Reserve Your Copy:
MARKET
TIPS
-> AUSTIN HEART OF FILM SCRIPT CONTEST
This popular film festival offers awards for teleplays (sitcom and drama) and feature film scripts (adult/family and comedy). All awards will be presented during the Austin Film Festival in October. Prizes include $5,000. cash, airfare, hotel and a Producers Pass to all festival events. They feature a separate competition for teleplays.
DEADLINE => JUNE 2, 2003
INFO => www.austinfilmfestival.com
=> GREAT LAKES FILM FESTIVAL
For new and veteran screenwriters. Feature scripts ONLY.
DEADLINE => APRIL 30, 2003
INFO => www.greatlakesfilmfest.com
=> TELLURIDE INDIE FESTIVAL
Summer in magnificent Telluride, Colorado? Sign me up! A noncompetitive festival with many awards for screenplays. Check out the range of the previous winners posted on their site.
INFO => www.tellurideindiefest.com
DEADLINE => April 30, 2003
=> RHODE ISLAND FESTIVAL SCRIPT CONTEST
The Grand Prize (valued at $5,000) includes airfare, hotel, a public reading at the festival and the opportunity to have segments of the winning screenplay produced during the festival's Master Class on Production.
Judged on creativity and innovation -- a story transformed by the language of film. Send them your best.
DEADLINE => JUNE 1, 2003
INFO => www.film-festival.org
=> OHIO INDEPENDENT SCREENPLAY AWARDS
Good morning, Cleveland! This festival offers THREE screenplay awards:
~~ Best Screenplay
~~ Best Northcoast
(Screenplay majority of screenplay set in Cleveland)
~~ Best Voice of Color Screenplay Award.
Prizes include money, a public reading, a script analysis from film industry pros and submission to a literary agent.
DEADLINE => JUNE 1, 2003
INFO => www.ohiofilms.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/
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