Finding work as a screenwriter

A

Ammar

Member
Hey. I've been looking over some of the posts from directors and producers asking for screenplay assistance and script doctoring and I just wanted to ask - is there a way to find people like this to give your services as a screenwriter?

I'm very determined and passionate and am becoming more skilled everyday and I really need the work. Is there a site you guys goto to find work and interface with people?

It'll be a long time before I sell a feature film screenplay so I'm only looking for small fee work, maybe $500 to $1000.

Any ideas guys?

Ammar
 
Not sure of any other sites. Here is a good place to start. After you have a couple of satisfied clients, you could start your own website offering your services.

Dr. Ammar: Script Doctor ... has a nice ring to it. :)
 
This is a good place to start, but 500 - 1000 dollar ranges are going to be hard to sell, very hard to sell. Do you have a proven track record? Do you have a client list?

Most people here, 500 dollars is the budget for the entire short. You have to know your market. For 500 - 1k, DVXuser is probably not it.
 
I'd get yourself a really well-designed website up -- complete with samples of your work, testimonials, resume, etc. Then go on every filmmaking or screenwriting forum you can find and post messages introducing yourself and pointing people to your site.

Then start searching for the websites of filmmakers, producers, directors and production companies. Send these people personalized (not spam) emails introducing yourself and asking them to check out your website.

That ought to get you going.

AND be an ACTIVE participant in as many screenwriting and filmmaking forums as you can.

Good luck!

David
 
But don't underprice yourself, if you have the credentials. I just got paid $500 to do a rewrite of a feature. Judge each offer on an individual basis.
 
it depends on how much experience you have. Like any other job within the crew you have to "pay your dues" and do pro-bono work for awhile.
 
dasher said:
it depends on how much experience you have. Like any other job within the crew you have to "pay your dues" and do pro-bono work for awhile.
Click to expand...

Oh, man, pro-bono work. That is one helluva slippery slope there. I still get people asking me to do free work. It is good to start out that way, but if you do it for too long (and for big projects) people will expect it of you. That is one hard hole to get out of if you don't choose the right time.
 
People should only be asked to work pro bono if the production can't AFFORD to pay cast, crew, writers, etc. If the production can afford salaries, then everyone should be paid regardless of whether they've worked pro bono in the past.

That being said, if you've got the money to pay good people, then you're going to hire the very best people you can afford -- or at least that's what you should do. So people just starting out should expect to work for free until they amass enough of a resume to be able to command a decent salary. After that, they should generally turn down pro bono work, unless it's a project they truly believe in and want to support.

I knew a director once whose philosophy was, "If they're willing to work for free, then LET 'em!" He was perfectly content to take advantage of people in that way. I was not. Needless to say, he will never work for me again.
 
Thank you for all the responses. I think the best idea I got was for the Script Doctor/Screenwriter website where I could publicise and market myself. That idea is awesome.

I'll keep looking around the sites though I think the best next step would probably be to build that site.

Ammar
 
Ammar said:
Thank you for all the responses. I think the best idea I got was for the Script Doctor/Screenwriter website where I could publicise and market myself. That idea is awesome.

I'll keep looking around the sites though I think the best next step would probably be to build that site.

Ammar
Click to expand...

A simple website is most effective. Remember you want to wow them with your writing, not your site.

I host my site (www.chapelgrovefilms.com) through www.50megs.com for something like $5.00 a month. Not a bad deal. Avoid 'free' sites (including Tripod and Geocities) if you can -- using a 'free' site smacks of a lack of professionalism, IMHO.

Good luck!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top