Started my first script, now come the questions...

[Pamster]

First, thank you for reading this thread and for any help you can offer a newbie. I know what the definitions are on the AW Screenwriting page are now, (thank you for making that page and having contracts to look at as well as the other valuable info that can be found in this forum...) but I have to ask, what are slug lines and how do you properly use them?

The second question I have right now and I know it's early on, but I want to know anyway, is can you use Agent Query and still query agents by genre using that awesome resource? Thank in advance everyone for the help! :D

[Plot Device]

Slug lines are the same as scene headings:


INT. DINING ROOM - DAY

EXT. JOHN'S CAR - NIGHT

Etc.


And then there are "mini slugs" which are not meant to establish a new scene, but instead are meant to change the focus of our attentions while still in an existing scene. (It's a sneaky way to direct the camera. So I totally dig mini-slugs.)




INT. DINING ROOM - NIGHT

Katherine enters and walks over to the

BUFFET

where she picks up a serving knife.



(BTW, you're not supposed to make them in "bold." I just did that for emphasis.)

[Daydreamer]

I'd recommend downloading Celtx (link is in the tips thread).
It's a free program that does all the formatting for you. So you won't have to worry about the technicalities and can focus on the story.

Good luck
Daydreamer

[Pamster]

Thanks Plot Device! That was driving me nuts! :D

I just got Celtx Daydreamer, I am installing it today to see if I can use it instead of the word template I downloaded yesterday which is a little confusing, the screencasts on the Celtx site are easy to understand and make me think it's going to be the program for me. :D

[icerose]

Unfortunately from what I've noticed, Agent Query is more useful for book agents.

One resource to use is the WGA list of agents, though it's interesting right now with the ongoing strike.

Good luck.

[nmstevens]

First, thank you for reading this thread and for any help you can offer a newbie. I know what the definitions are on the AW Screenwriting page are now, (thank you for making that page and having contracts to look at as well as the other valuable info that can be found in this forum...) but I have to ask, what are slug lines and how do you properly use them?

The second question I have right now and I know it's early on, but I want to know anyway, is can you use Agent Query and still query agents by genre using that awesome resource? Thank in advance everyone for the help! :D

And I must tell you, in all honesty, if you are only just working on your first script, it is way early to be thinking in terms of querying agents. Even if you have just finished your first script, it would be way early to be thinking along these lines.

I wrote a rather lengthy response to this "I'm working on my first screenplay -- where do I find an agent?" question (which pops up with remarkable frequency) for the FAQ on another newsgroup, and I've place the link below.

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

I hope that you will find it helpful.

NMS

[Pamster]

Thanks for the info icerose, I bet the strike is over by the time I am agent hunting. Let's hope so anyway. ;)

I like to think long term and be ten steps ahead NMS, so thanks for the link and indulging my retentive need to know what resources are out there for script authors to get agents. I will check that link out later, thanks for posting it! :D

[Julie Gray]

Hi Pamster - first of all, congratulations on finishing your first script! That is a huge accomplishment, you should really bask in that and take yourself out to a movie :)

But do let me tell you, from bitter personal experience, to hold off querying this material for the time-being. There are two major reasons for this advice: 1) it's your first script and 2) with the strike about to conclude (I hope) the market will shortly be flooded with scripts written by guild writers who had the time. The atmosphere is going to be very, very competitive and being that you are a brand-new screenwriter, the chances that your first script is competitive are about a million to one.

I made the mistake of querying some of my very early work and what I succeeded in doing was burning connections and turning people off to my work because while I thought it was - it really wasn't ready. I'm not trying to be discouraging but rather to clue you in to the reality of being a new screenwriter. I would get some friends to read the one you've just finished, or maybe someone in your writing group, get some feedback and then brainstorm some new ideas and start to build up an arsenal of work.

[Pamster]

thanks for the heartfelt post Julie, I actually haven't finished the first one yet, but I already know the second one I am planning (Screenplay based on my first novel) will be better so this one is kind of just me learning and toying with comedy/humor to see if I enjoy composing it or not and if it's any good that's great but if it stinks I'll have gotten much insight from its composition then I otherwise would have had sticking to novels. ;)

I can definitely see your point though, it's definitely good to run it by other people who are interested in it and listening to their feedback. Thanks again for posting Julie! :D