Getting Started

[WMcQuaig]

From the look of it. It seems like everybody on here has something being looked at, interested in, talking with Prodco, Producers, etc. How in the hell do you get started?

I have been writing for a long time but just really started attempting to make a career of it (just finished most of college). But like I said before how do you go about getting started? Is it just simply Query letters? Granted, I know it doesn't necessarily help me very much living in Alabama. But I am trying to get the money to move to Cali. If for anything more than just to live there.

I've tried finding things online that might help but it just ends up running me in circles. Then there is the problem of the numbers. I have learned to ignore them but with every passing day it just seems like they keep gaining more weight.

I'm not looking for a hand out, but might take it if offered, I am willing to do the work I just need to know what work needs to be done? Any help would be grateful.

I did find the thread talking about how to's, where to submit, etc.. I'm wondering about individuals. All that information helps but it just points me to more websites. That's what I'm trying to get away from or possibly learn which ones actually work.

[nmstevens]

From the look of it. It seems like everybody on here has something being looked at, interested in, talking with Prodco, Producers, etc. How in the hell do you get started?

I have been writing for a long time but just really started attempting to make a career of it (just finished most of college). But like I said before how do you go about getting started? Is it just simply Query letters? Granted, I know it doesn't necessarily help me very much living in Alabama. But I am trying to get the money to move to Cali. If for anything more than just to live there.

I've tried finding things online that might help but it just ends up running me in circles. Then there is the problem of the numbers. I have learned to ignore them but with every passing day it just seems like they keep gaining more weight.

I'm not looking for a hand out, but might take it if offered, I am willing to do the work I just need to know what work needs to be done? Any help would be grateful.

I did find the thread talking about how to's, where to submit, etc.. I'm wondering about individuals. All that information helps but it just points me to more websites. That's what I'm trying to get away from or possibly learn which ones actually work.

This is something I wrote for an FAQ for another newsgroup that covers what you're asking. Some of it is a bit out of date but there's still useful information in it.

http://www.panix.com/~mwsm/nms_faq.html

NMS

[icerose]

My answer is what most people don't like to hear. First, learn how to write. Write, study, rewrite, get critiques, rewrite some more until your scripts look and feel like the pro scripts. Then query.

[scriptwriter74]

pay a small fee for the pro side of imdb.com, then start email quering prodco's that have listed emails and fit your script. try to email to a specific person in development or a creative executive.

hope to get 5 responses to read your script for every 100 you email

good luck

[mario_c]

I'd surmise I sent about 200+ eMails via HCD (and ScriptPimp, which has good search tools) and got exactly one request for a submission. Granted, I'm about a third of the way through the listing, but that's not good odds.
NMS's case for phone calling is strong indeed - I very much suck in conversational skills so I'm saving my calling campaign for last! But hiring the family lawyer to send queries is a superlative tip (if you have the money ;) ).
Good luck!

[mario_c]

BUMP make that 2 requests... :D

[Pilote]

I think I know how you feel, discouragement being the operative word here. Just read that long piece of advice in response to your query and I have one word, not plastics unfortunately, to describe that reading...shit.
I'm certainly not in any position to hire an attorney, that's completely out of the question. Finding an agent,on the other hand, is akin to climbing Mount Olympus and to pursue the Greek analogy theme further right now I feel like Sisyphus but
instead of pushing a giant rock it's a script I'm pushing.
Good luck to you.

[TheUnknownAuthor]

Get ready for rejection......lots of it......
But it makes that first acceptance letter a thing of beauty....

[Team 2012]

It's not so much the rejection as the non-acknowlegement. Just never hearing anything and trying to con yourself into thinking maybe they didn't get your email of envelope for some reason and you should send another one.

Actually, the "learn to write" thing is what most people DO want to hear. To beliee that by working hard and constantly, reading books and going to seminars will somehow produce a wonderfully written script that people will die for.

What nobody wants to hear is that you could write the greatest script of all time, an incredible piece of art with boxoffice dripping off it. And nobody in charge will ever even see it.
But that's the reality.

It's kind of like working on your look and manners and reading books to become attractive to the opposite sex in order to find your dream lover. And your slutty neighbor stops by and says, "Honey, what you do, you go hang out in clubs with me and give 'em a look."

And that's just for Mr. Goodbar. To find dream lover you have to be lucky. You have to run into somebody whose needs meet yours.

More script gets made because some guy on inktip (more productive place to spend money than imdb, by the way) wants a script about Burmese girls in their twenties working in a laundromat in Canada, featuring a blonde actress five feet tall...and you have a script like that.

Bad new. But true story.

So while you're working on learning how to write (since it's apparently assumed you don't) start zeroing in on the places where people want scripts. Like mandy and inktip. And screenwriter forums.

[Jim McLain]

I recently sold the third screen play I wrote. What I did it was to find an independant film director who needed a script written for him on a specific subject in a specific amount of time. He had a producer and a budget but no script. I wrote him a script in a short amount of time and it was exactly what he was looking for. I was lucky but I kept my eyes open for an opening and took advantage of it when I saw it. Filming is schedualed to start in October. This still does not mean it really be made but things are looking up. I guess what I am saying is that you need to keep looking for any opening and then jump at it with both feet and keep jumping at it until it works. Some people are unlucky and never find a way in but if there is even a small opening, if you don't use it you will likely never get there. Remenber screen writing is a business. That means that 1% of it is luck and the other 99% is plain hard work. You may never get that lucky break but if you are not prepared to take advantage of it if it does come your way, it doesn't matter if you get the lucky break at all. Learn your craft and keep your eyes open. You never know who you will meet working at the local little theatre or at a party, or sit down next to on a plane.

[creativexec]

I agree with Jim when he suggests that opportunities can come from anywhere. I'm a firm believer in saying "yes" to everything until a contract is laid out in front of me. Then I can say "no." But I don't believe in cutting down potential opportunities until I have the big picture. That doesn't mean you want to get involved with parasites and sharks, but not everyone is going to find immediate entry into the studios. Or may never. But there's still all kinds of work out there.

Writing is the easy part for writers. It's the thing they want to do. The thing that is difficult is networking. And being a professional writer is about networking as much as it is sitting in front of the computer.

In order to really get started, you need a base of contacts. And you should be cultivating that - in any way you can - before, durng and after the script is finished.


:)

[scriptwriter74]

If you have only had 2 requests your logline is not grabbing anyone's attention.

[Grandmaster]

http://www.panix.com/~mwsm/nms_faq.html

NMS
Wow, you really hit the proverbial nail on the head with that painting analogy.