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The Query Quandary A logline is two or three sentences or twenty-five words, used to convince a producer or director to request your script. A logline is one of the most important things you will write as a screenwriter. The success of your script will depend on your ability to state what your script is about in two or three sentences. Some writers are tempted to cram all the information about their script into the few sentences, which leads to long queries and very little chance of getting their script requested. A bad logline can kill the best-written screenplay’s chance of being read. Your written one page pitch should tell the reader: * The title and genre of the script. *The concept. This should be done in a sentence or two, also known as the “logline.” *A brief summary of conflict, characters, and action. This is what is referred to as the beginning, middle, and end. *Any writing experience you may have. This includes film-related experience, endorsements by professionals (actors or writers), not other producers or directors. Having endorsements by other producers or directors leaves the recipient of the query wondering why the script was not bought by the endorsees. *Include prestigious contests and placements. Including contests in queries is an ongoing debate in the industry. Again, this may lead the recipient to ask why the industry professionals involved in the contest did not accept the script for representation or production. *Ask permission to send the script. Simply, use the phrase, “May I send you my script?” Pay close attention to what should not be included in a written pitch. *Do not send a query in script format. This makes it difficult to read and tends to be much longer than a page. *Do not attach or send a treatment or synopsis with a query. *Do not give yourself a title such as screenwriter or writer. This will mark you as an amateur. *Do not add flattery to your query. Flattery includes any mention of recommendations that you have not added a name to. Example: “Your production company (agency) has been highly recommended.” Flattery also includes how much you admire the producer, director, agent, or manager. Example: “I have always admired your work.” *Do not start query with, “I have recently completed….” Most industry professionals take this statement to mean, “I have not done several rewrites and therefore, do not have a polished script.” *Do not send a query addressed “To Whom It May Concern.” Take the time to find out the name of the person that will be receiving your query. *Do not send a query that is longer than a page. Producers, directors, agents, and managers receive thousands of queries a day. Any query longer than a page is usually round filed or deleted immediately. *Do not close the query with how much you look forward to hearing from them. This will label you an amateur. The recipient knows how much you are looking forward to hearing from them. About the Author |
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