EJ Pennypacker
Well-known member
I just wanted to chime in and offer a guide to any newbie director/ producer who may be interested in hitting up the usual sites with a posting that ‘call for screenplays’.
I often notice that on these particular type of boards, directors and producers put calls out for scripts, and am often stunned by how these people have no idea what they are doing, and are of course wasting their time (and the writers).
This ditty is meant to provide a helpful check-list of things I’d recommend a producer/director do before posting a request for scripts. It’s a guide to not only help you better understand and request what material you’re after, but also help the writer who’s trying to figure out what the heck to send to you.
So without further delay, I present:
What length of material…?
I know this sounds obvious, but often I’ve read a posting ‘asking for scripts’ only to think at the end of it, ‘Does this person want feature length material - or shorts?’.
It really is a no-brainer. Spell out what you need. If it’s a short, tell how short or how long a short. If it’s a feature, it’s okay to just mention that – unless budget is a concern, in which case better of requesting material that’s under the 100pg mark.
What genre of material…?
I often see people asking for material, but not requesting what genre they’d like it in. Often they can put in the disclaimer that they are looking for that ‘great script’.
Reading this type of advert, as a writer, is very annoying.
You see, the writer then has to contact the director or producer once a posting like this has been made, and ask them what genre they prefer. And then what do the Dir/Prod reply with? A list of things they’d prefer to read! So why not mention this on the advert in the first place.
Now to the “I have no preference other than the great story thing”.
I understand that by only stating you’d like to view a horror script, they may *over look* that Oscar worthy drama piece, but each genre carries its own baggage when it comes to money and budget (obviously). Horror can be done for cheap. Period setting pieces, not so much. Drama can be done on the cheap. Sci-fi, not so much. And on goes the lists of genre’s that can be done on the cheap, and some that often can’t be. So to summarize, if you’d prefer to have some material over others, it’s best to signal that in your advert to writers (it’s okay to list several genres, after all, it’s your production, but IMO be realistic with your budget).
What budget of material….?
This is another thing that is painfully neglected and often over looked. And it’s probably the biggest thing you need to state after genre. Because obviously if your budget is $25,000, then you better state that - and that of course limits the material that’s sent to you (so I won’t be sending in that GODZILLA IN SPACE spec then huh). Same goes with if you have a nice fat budget of $2 million, it’s obviously better off mentioning that.
Same goes if you are lucky enough to have an even bigger budget than that.
The higher you can go, the more material you can afford to read with a realistic chance of executing the production well. Same goes with the lower end budgets. The lower you get, the more you have to realize that there’s a good chance a lot of what you’ll find in most normal scripts you can’t afford to shoot (car-chases, CGI’s, street lock-downs in NYC, etc). So if it’s low, state you want low number of locations and cast, etc, perfect for that level of production.
What payment for services?
Again, in most adverts they’ll be reluctant to name their price. But by being honest and upfront with the writer, you immediately stop wasting their time, and yours. Why haggle with someone only to have them ditch you when payment figures are brought up? It’s just far simpler you state what’s on the table, and let the interested parties swoop down and then talk to you on your terms.
Good examples of bad ‘calls for writers’:
Like I said, this whole piece come about from reading one to many bad adverts for ‘calls for scripts. For an example, I read this on the “script section” of Mandy.com:
Now of course, I have a few questions about this advert (but far more concerns).
One, do I even reply to his #@$?!?
Two, is this for a short, TV episode, or feature film?
Three, what budget is there?
Four, I know this says low/ no payment. But is it LOW or NO. Because that’s a lot of difference.
And the final and fifth question I have, is:
BIOS AND PREVIOUS FILMS?
More often than not, someone will simply put out an ad calling for scripts, only to neglect to tell a little about themselves to the writer. Why is this important? Well, I’d imagine it matters if writers are dealing with someone who’s got credits on IMDb, produced material in stores like Blockbusters/Netflix, or whether they are 8 years old playing with daddies antique S-VHS camcorder.
So if you have awards, festival screening credits, produced material, education in some fancy college, it’s obviously best off mentioning this in the advert.
As much as you’re trying to request material from writers, you’re also selling yourself to these same folks. And they of course want to be reassured that the person they’re sending their material too, is someone serious about their craft.
EJ
I often notice that on these particular type of boards, directors and producers put calls out for scripts, and am often stunned by how these people have no idea what they are doing, and are of course wasting their time (and the writers).
This ditty is meant to provide a helpful check-list of things I’d recommend a producer/director do before posting a request for scripts. It’s a guide to not only help you better understand and request what material you’re after, but also help the writer who’s trying to figure out what the heck to send to you.
So without further delay, I present:
What length of material…?
I know this sounds obvious, but often I’ve read a posting ‘asking for scripts’ only to think at the end of it, ‘Does this person want feature length material - or shorts?’.
It really is a no-brainer. Spell out what you need. If it’s a short, tell how short or how long a short. If it’s a feature, it’s okay to just mention that – unless budget is a concern, in which case better of requesting material that’s under the 100pg mark.
What genre of material…?
I often see people asking for material, but not requesting what genre they’d like it in. Often they can put in the disclaimer that they are looking for that ‘great script’.
Reading this type of advert, as a writer, is very annoying.
You see, the writer then has to contact the director or producer once a posting like this has been made, and ask them what genre they prefer. And then what do the Dir/Prod reply with? A list of things they’d prefer to read! So why not mention this on the advert in the first place.
Now to the “I have no preference other than the great story thing”.
I understand that by only stating you’d like to view a horror script, they may *over look* that Oscar worthy drama piece, but each genre carries its own baggage when it comes to money and budget (obviously). Horror can be done for cheap. Period setting pieces, not so much. Drama can be done on the cheap. Sci-fi, not so much. And on goes the lists of genre’s that can be done on the cheap, and some that often can’t be. So to summarize, if you’d prefer to have some material over others, it’s best to signal that in your advert to writers (it’s okay to list several genres, after all, it’s your production, but IMO be realistic with your budget).
What budget of material….?
This is another thing that is painfully neglected and often over looked. And it’s probably the biggest thing you need to state after genre. Because obviously if your budget is $25,000, then you better state that - and that of course limits the material that’s sent to you (so I won’t be sending in that GODZILLA IN SPACE spec then huh). Same goes with if you have a nice fat budget of $2 million, it’s obviously better off mentioning that.
Same goes if you are lucky enough to have an even bigger budget than that.
The higher you can go, the more material you can afford to read with a realistic chance of executing the production well. Same goes with the lower end budgets. The lower you get, the more you have to realize that there’s a good chance a lot of what you’ll find in most normal scripts you can’t afford to shoot (car-chases, CGI’s, street lock-downs in NYC, etc). So if it’s low, state you want low number of locations and cast, etc, perfect for that level of production.
What payment for services?
Again, in most adverts they’ll be reluctant to name their price. But by being honest and upfront with the writer, you immediately stop wasting their time, and yours. Why haggle with someone only to have them ditch you when payment figures are brought up? It’s just far simpler you state what’s on the table, and let the interested parties swoop down and then talk to you on your terms.
Good examples of bad ‘calls for writers’:
Like I said, this whole piece come about from reading one to many bad adverts for ‘calls for scripts. For an example, I read this on the “script section” of Mandy.com:
Mandy.com 6th Feb, 2007
Payment is on a lo/no/deferred basis.
You Funny? Make Us Laugh? Might have sump'n fa ya...
Apply to: Kevin
Payment is on a lo/no/deferred basis.
You Funny? Make Us Laugh? Might have sump'n fa ya...
Apply to: Kevin
Now of course, I have a few questions about this advert (but far more concerns).
One, do I even reply to his #@$?!?
Two, is this for a short, TV episode, or feature film?
Three, what budget is there?
Four, I know this says low/ no payment. But is it LOW or NO. Because that’s a lot of difference.
And the final and fifth question I have, is:
BIOS AND PREVIOUS FILMS?
More often than not, someone will simply put out an ad calling for scripts, only to neglect to tell a little about themselves to the writer. Why is this important? Well, I’d imagine it matters if writers are dealing with someone who’s got credits on IMDb, produced material in stores like Blockbusters/Netflix, or whether they are 8 years old playing with daddies antique S-VHS camcorder.
So if you have awards, festival screening credits, produced material, education in some fancy college, it’s obviously best off mentioning this in the advert.
As much as you’re trying to request material from writers, you’re also selling yourself to these same folks. And they of course want to be reassured that the person they’re sending their material too, is someone serious about their craft.
EJ
