Script Submission 101: How to Submit Your Screenplay Like a Pro.
So you wrote a great script…now what? For many aspiring screenwriters, it’s important to figure out what to do with your script once it’s completed even more difficult Instead of writing things down in the first place.
Maybe you just finished a script but never tried to submit it to a manager or producer? Or maybe you’ve tried submitting your script but haven’t gotten the answer you were hoping for yet?
Let’s talk script submission: 5 step strategy Includes the best insider tips on how to submit your script to the right place. Once your script is complete, it’s the right time.
Step 1: Make sure your script is 100% ready.
Before embarking on any script submission strategy, it is critical that the script itself be thoroughly reviewed. This means reliable, unbiased feedback from someone you trust.
Gather a trusted circle of writer/industry friends and give it to them. The trick is to make sure you let them know you want their honest opinion. You don’t want them to just say nice things because they’re your friend.
If you don’t have friends in the industry, or you need independent advice, you should consider hiring a professional script consultant. You’ll know you’re on to something if your script gets a “Consider” or “Recommended” rating.
A “Passing” grade means your script needs strengthening before it’s ready to be sent. Any reputable script doctor/consultant will tell you how to do this.
The third way you’ll know your screenplay is ready for submission is if it wins or places high in one of the best screenwriting competitions. Overall, if you don’t get great feedback on your script—if any page isn’t amazing enough—you need to rewrite it.
However, once you are 100% sure that you have something awesome on your hands, then you can move on to step 2 of the script submission process.
Step 2: Create a script submission contact list.
When you are first looking for a manager, compile a detailed list of people or entities that you think your script would be best suited for and that you would like to target. A great place to start is our Writer Manager List , which lists all of the major screenwriters working in Hollywood today.
but do yours First in research. You’ll also be able to find the names of producers and managers who have worked with similar material to yours on IMDb Pro, as they’re the ones most likely to dig your script.
You can also participate Stadium feast, festival and event Real producers, executives and managers will be in attendance. You can use our screenwriting calendar to keep track of everything coming up this year.
Be friendly with these people (but don’t be too chatty) and you’ll soon start adding real and promising contacts to your script submission list.
Step 3: Prepare your pitch.
When you have a script ready to send and a list of potential managers and producers interested in reading it, you don’t want to list them all right away.
send about twenty queries Every few days, change your email query based on the responses you receive. But first, you need to write a query letter/email that gets attention…
In your query letter, you want to be as creative as possible so that you get people’s attention.
Think of email as elevator pitch– You only have a few seconds to make a lasting impression, and that’s it.
Make sure your query letter is written in voice and tone Your script. This will make it stand out among the thousands of scripts submitted with you.
If you have a certain personality that leaves a lasting impression, phone calls can also work. It’s never a bad thing to call and ask who you should submit your inquiry to and get connected with your first point of contact at the office.
Step 4:gGet your timing right.
Some days are better than others for script submissions. First, it’s best to avoid Mondays when people are overloaded with weekend emails.
Friday afternoons are also not appropriate when people have finished their work for the week. When they buy used items on Tuesday, this item will be so low on their list that they may not even see it.
The holidays are also not a good time to inquire. Hollywood is closed during the holidays, which means most of July and December. January is also a slow crawl.
The best time to submit your screenplay is midweek. If it’s a good enough query, they might ask for a script for that weekend’s reading. Getting the timing right is an important part of learning how to submit a screenplay.
Step 5: Be patient.
If you have a script request, this is the most important step to remember: write a very respectful response and thank them for their timeindicating that you look forward to hearing from them. Then forget about them. at present.
If a month has passed (it’s usually a good idea to wait longer), then feel free to check back with a friendly, respectful, and professional email. But, in the meantime, keep writing, pitching, and focusing on what we say 3P principle:
• process. Respect the script submission process and the time of the people reading your work.
• patience. Be patient with these guys and the sheer volume of scripts they have to complete each week.
• personal. Leave your personal feelings at the door and don’t be offended by non-response or evasive behavior.
If you can keep these three principles in mind, you’ll have an easier time going through the screenplay submission process.
Script Submission 101:cin conclusion.
We’re sure you’ve heard before that screenwriters who are successful in this industry are those Noisy. They send lots of emails, make connections, meet people face-to-face, and generally put themselves out there.
Moving to Los Angeles is a great idea because you’ll be surrounded by people who will help you get things done every day.
If you want to start your career outside of Los Angeles, it can be difficult to meet people in the industry face-to-face at the beginning of your career.
Still, you can use online tools like virtual screenwriter promotion sites to communicate and network with industry professionals.
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How do you submit your script to the world? What do you think of our script submission strategy? Let us know in the comments below.
Like this article? Learn more about screenplay submission and how to sell your screenplay…
How to Sell a Screenplay: 6 of the Most Popular Sales Methods for New Writers
How to become a screenwriter: A professional guide to launching your career
How to Get a Screenwriter Agent and Manager in 10 Proven Steps
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