Query Question

[heatgirl]

I've been sending out Query's to potential agents / managers / production companies / producers..for a while now and at first because I wasn't getting any replies I thought it was because I had a crap Query. I recently sent my query for a free evaluation from a script reader to see what was wrong and where to fix certain things.
I received an Email today from the reader saying "It is rarely I get to say this but you're Query letter is near perfect" She then gave me one suggested change which was really a take it or leave it kinda thing, then the reader said "I would offer more feedback but I say don't fix it if it aint broke"

So its my story right? thats shit? lol...its gotta be if I have a great Query letter and no replies.....any sugestions? Play nice now....hehe

Thanks for any replies...

[Stylo]

Are you sending out a synopsis/treatment with your query letter? Maybe that needs re-working from a different angle (why not post it on Share Your Work for feedback?)

My advice? Keep sending out the queries, but get stuck into your next project at the same time. Dwelling only leads to negative thinking in this game!

[clockwork]

Keep sending the query out. A great query letter unfortunately does not mean it will always get attention/results. Have you been getting any bites at all from your letter? How many have you sent out?

I have an agent now but Christ, I'm still waiting to hear back from dozens of people I wrote to earlier in my life.

[Mumut]

If the query letter is great, what are you sending with it? If you're not sending attachments, are you sending the queries to people who are interested in your genre?

[heatgirl]

Stylo: Only a few ask for a synopsis, but maybe I should try re-working it. I'd say out of 20 only 5 would ask for a synopsis.

Clockwork: No bites at all, I've sent out a few, maybe 40-50...including Agents / Managers etc..everyone really...I do write in the Horror Genre tho, which I heard can be a problem...I'm waiting for my credit card to come thru so I can sign up for HCD..that may help.

Mumut: I never send attachments. I am trying to find Managers / Agents interested in Horror, I can't seem to find a whole lot.

[icerose]

You don't have any sort of synopsis in your query letter? Weird, I always include what my story's about right in the query letter, heck, that is my query letter with a brief paragraph of my accomplishments at the bottom followed by a thank you and I've gotten pretty good responses all around.

[heatgirl]

So finally a few companies asked for my screenplay. I know its different for every company but is there a ball park time frame I should be looking at for a reply either good or bad?

Thanks

[Mac H.]

It's good to hear some positive results !?

BTW, were you sending your queries to Aussie film companies or 'real' ones ? (Most Aussie production companies are set up to develop their own projects, rather than get other ones)

Good luck!

Mac

[nmstevens]

So finally a few companies asked for my screenplay. I know its different for every company but is there a ball park time frame I should be looking at for a reply either good or bad?

Thanks

Here's the deal. If they've asked for a script, send it -- make sure that you've got the name right -- wait a week.

Then call and ask to speak to whoever you've sent it to the attention of -- chances are you'll be connect to their assistant.

Then introduce yourself, be nice, and just tell whoever it is (make sure you get, write down, and remember the name) -- that you were asked to send the script and you're calling to confirm that it got there.

Why not send it return receipt? Because lots of places don't accept it --and because doing it this way allows you to make a personal contact and if you're nice and can establish some kind of relationship with whoever it is, then you've actually may have a friend in the "enemy" camp.

Then you get to ask this person -- I know this is low priority for you guys, but what would be the time frame for when you're going to take a look at it?

Then they'll tell you. If you don't hear back by that time, wait a couple weeks more -- then you can call and ask for *your contact* and ask them what the status is.

The trick is -- always be nice, especially if it's a pass. "Well, thanks anyway for taking a look. It's been great talking to you. Maybe I can send you something else --"

If you're nice, it's always easy for them to say yes to that -- because it's like a runner's up prize.

But if you're a pain in the ass, they won't even do that.

Never be a pest. Never keep calling back. If you can't get through. If they're not returning your calls, just let it go.

Move on. Silent pass. It happens all the time.

NMS

[heatgirl]

It's good to here some positive results !?

BTW, were you sending your queries to Aussie film companies or 'real' ones ? (Most Aussie production companies are set up to develop their own projects, rather than get other ones)

Good luck!

Mac

Ive never sent anything to an Aussie film company, all American ones!

Nmstevens - I'm in Australia so it's hard for me to call the states, I sent them via EMAIL only a few weeks ago. Think I should email them and ask them whats up?
and yes I am always nice, even to those who reject me! : )

[observer1]

Maybe you are not hitting the right film company. My query for a children's picture book was rejected 18 times over 1.5 years before a small publisher accepted it. If the query is good, then leave it be. Do some research and see what companies are having been making script purchases over the last year and try them.

[AnneAtWordHustler]

HeatGirl-

This is just a thought, but have you considered submitting your screenplay to some legit screenplay contests and getting in the Hollywood door that way? Most of the contests offer some sort of industry connection (meeting with producer/agent, etc) as a prize. Then you'd be meeting them as a contest winner with clout, not as yet another query in the submission pile.

Just another road to consider while you continue querying, no? Good luck!!!

- Anne

[heatgirl]

HeatGirl-

This is just a thought, but have you considered submitting your screenplay to some legit screenplay contests and getting in the Hollywood door that way? Most of the contests offer some sort of industry connection (meeting with producer/agent, etc) as a prize. Then you'd be meeting them as a contest winner with clout, not as yet another query in the submission pile.

Just another road to consider while you continue querying, no? Good luck!!!

- Anne

Already been doing that, most of the good contests take months to decide even the quarter finals so im just waiting till that happens. In the meantime I'm still trying for a manager/agent.

Thanku for ur help!