I'm really frustrated right now...

B

BewareOfNewb

New member
Bear with me, guys (note username ;)!

Does a newb with no pretentious background and/or contacts in the industry have a chance at selling their work or what?!

I just finished my second screenplay... both of which aren't just good, they're great (genre: crime/drama/comedy).

I sent out a few query letters and didn't get any response (no surprise there).

I want to know what I should do next. They are finished/registered and ready to go. Do I continue on with the query letters? Who do I send the query letters to? I've read a LOT on this topic and I'd really like to hear some solid advice from the people that have been there and done that.

Thanks!
 
BewareOfNewb said:
Bear with me, guys (note username ;)!

Does a newb with no pretentious background and/or contacts in the industry have a chance at selling their work or what?!

I just finished my second screenplay... both of which aren't just good, they're great (genre: crime/drama/comedy).

I sent out a few query letters and didn't get any response (no surprise there).

I want to know what I should do next. They are finished/registered and ready to go. Do I continue on with the query letters? Who do I send the query letters to? I've read a LOT on this topic and I'd really like to hear some solid advice from the people that have been there and done that.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I know what a query is, and what a letter is, but I don't know what a query letter is.

No one here can tell you what your chances are of selling your work...
 
I believe 95-99% of screenplays are amateur, not sold. 100% of the writers of those screenplays think their screenplays are great. I count my screenplays among the 99% of amateur unsold screenplays, although I have had several servings of humble pie this past year realizing that my scripts are not great, that screenwriting is truly a craft that take a huge effort to master. A great screenplay requires both a compelling high concept story well told, and great literary skills to put that story in screenplay format as a blueprint for a movie.

So, that said, do you have some supporting reasons to believe your screenplays are great? I mean that in the kindest way. Perhaps your scripts are great. But, for example, have you had your screenplay evaluated by several professional readers (e.g Scott the Reader) or a professional consultant / mentor? Have you done rewrites based on suggested edits and revisions? What is your marketing method-- selling a script I imagine is about as hard as writing it, requires a strategy, targeting specific end markets tailored to your genre. Have you read books on how to sell your screenplay?
~randall
 
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If your query letters aren't bringing in any bites, I'd try a few things. Disclaimer: I have not sold any screenplays, but I'll flip in my $.02 anyway.

1. Find someone related to the industry to read your story. Could be your old screenwriting instructor, a friend who was once a production assistant, etc.

2. Submit your script to festivals and competitions. If you win a few competitions and put those credentials in your query letter, I imagine it'd be easier to snag some interest.

3. Considering revising your query letter itself. Check out Wordplayer's column on query letters.

Also, I have to mirror Randall's initial concern. It's one thing to be confident in your work, which I think every writer needs in order to fight off persistent / lingering doubts, but how are you gauging your screenplay's quality?
 
Hello, Newb, nice to have you aboard :grin:

I would suggest reading KyleMD's huge "sold my screenplay" thread. Tons of solid advice in there from a guy who has been there.

As for your chances, I can't say. I have had 2 stage plays produced at regional level (midwest) buit have yet to sell a screenplay. In both cases I knew people in theatre and spoke to producers directly. This is easier to do in regional theatre, and it took me writing a total of SIX full-length plays to make it happen.

Remember, as William Goldman said, "Nobody knows anything" in Hollywood.

Relax, sit back, and crack a :beer:. Sounds like you could use one. Cheers, Jeff
 
FWIW I used to get depressed about the numbers game-- perhaps 100,000 screenplays written and registered each year, for perhaps 500 movies in theaters and another 500 direct to DVD. So, perhaps 1 in a 1000 shot? Sounds depressing. But now those numbers do not even bother me, I pay no attention.

It is simply a matter of writing a compelling story well told, then learn business savvy for letting the buyers know of the script. With 99% of screenwriters never going the distance, not really learning the craft, it is no wonder that 99% or more of screenplays are rejected. The key is to be among the 1%, and all that takes is learning the craft, both on the writing end and on the business end. And realize movies are a business. The prodcos owe me nothing, are under no obligation to look at or buy my screenplay; think about it, they are going to pony up $10-100 MILLION DOLLARS to make a movie, and it all starts with the screenplay. Wanna sell a screenplay? Then we have to have one to sell that excites a prodco willing to gamble such immense amounts of money. We ain't in Kansas any more kiddies, if you catch my drift. All about the money.

I say this as opinion, without having sold or even have tried to sell a script. But i am not worried. I know I just have to really take the craft seriously, go the distance. Few writers do that I imagine, and thus end up in the rejection pile. (seriously, I went to a couple of meetings at a local screenwriters group, and the writers there had written about 10 feature screenplays each, and were still using MS-Word and had horrible formatting and typos, amazingly sad). You know, with 100,000 screenplays written and registered each year-- why aren't many of those writers here on this forum? I mean really, there are only a few screenwriters forums that I found on the internet, and I deduced that this forum is the best out of what little I found on the net (just based on activity alone, postings). So just being here on this forum regularly speaks volumes IMO about where the serious writers (you regulars on dvxuser) and wannabe writers are. My two cents worth of rambling. :beer:
~randall
 
Thanks for all of the replies... I appreciate it.

Randall_Oelerich,

I agree, everyone thinks their work is great.

I have no other reason to think my work is anything special, I haven't had a critique, nothing. The storyline and dialogue, in my opinion, are both rock solid - no cracks.

I've read a lot on how to sell, etc., that's where I have my trouble. Where do I find a list of legit agents/producers that are looking for screenplays like mine? I'm all business and I don't like being stroked or having someone sell me a dream. I just want to get my work to someone that is legit.

I looked at the WGA list for agents a while back and it looked like most agents wouldn't even bother with material from "unknown writers".

Eximious,

I had troubles with my query letter, the screenplay (minus the editing) was easy in comparison. I wanted it to be "perfect"... but "perfect" all depends on who's reading it. The dialogue is one of my strong points and I didn't know how to incorporate that into the query without "giving away" any of my material.

I actually have a friend in the industry but he is having some unrelated (health) "issues" right now. When I finished my first screenplay, I didn't even ask him due to his condition. He's the only reason why I wrote my first screenplay. He is the only person I know in the industry.

I'll look into the other things you mentioned, thanks.

Jeffrey Rice,

Thanks, I'll check that out (just noticed it).

That's for sure! I'm having myself a testosterone overload. I may have to pick up a handful of lotto tickets and a 12 pack of Miller LOW Life to take the edge off! :beer: KIDDING! But, yeah, I do need a beer.

Jason,

Thanks for the link.
 
First thing I would do is get some professional unbiased critique. It might hurt if your skin is thin, but you might be told you have a great script. Our own opinions and those from our friends and relatives are often padded, biased. You need a couple of critiques like from people such as Scott the Reader. Get an honest appraisal of your writing, because if you send less than polished material to prospective agents or prodcos do you think they will look at subsequent material in the future? Not likely. Make sure your scripts are gold before you promise they are such in a query letter.
 
I would start by heading over to DD, a forum for screenwriters. This is a forum for filmmakers that write their own scripts, big difference as clearly identified by the above response, "I don't know what a query letter is." That's scary in a screenwriter forum.

Here's a link:
http://messageboard.donedealpro.com/boards/

Good luck!
 
They are both registered, but still, how safe are they with someone else other than an agent/producer? Scott the Reader, is he legit? Contact info? Also, will they refer me to someone if they like my screenplay? Or am I on my own?
 
BewareOfNewb said:
Does a newb with no pretentious background and/or contacts in the industry have a chance at selling their work or what?!
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Yes, if the quality of the work is outstanding. Or at least marketable.

BewareOfNewb said:
I just finished my second screenplay... both of which aren't just good, they're great (genre: crime/drama/comedy).
Click to expand...

Find someone is studio acquisitions who agrees with your assessment of your work, and you're all set.

BewareOfNewb said:
I sent out a few query letters and didn't get any response (no surprise there).
Click to expand...

Nobody's interested in letters. To the degree they're interested in anything, they're interested in scripts.

Consider attending screenwriting/development workshops where you can meet some of the people who can help you out.
 
Scott is well known, recommended by many. I have used his service for two feature screenplays and a short. He has read over 9000 screenplays, charges $80, and I got about four pages of single spaced feedback with specific critique and specific suggestions for fixes from him. Well worth it IMO.

If you want feedback with a chance at the coverage possibly including recommendation to a studio if your script is great, consider scriptshark.com

BewareOfNewb said:
They are both registered, but still, how safe are they with someone else other than an agent/producer? Scott the Reader, is he legit? Contact info? Also, will they refer me to someone if they like my screenplay? Or am I on my own?
Click to expand...
 
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re: registration: if someone wants to steal your ideas, they will steal them. Period. Being an unproduced screenwriter with a WGA reg# is not going to make much of a difference; if you feel that you've been ripped off and decide to pursue it, be prepared for a prolonged legal fight that will cost you a great deal of $$$, before you reach the point - *if* you reach the point - of seeing any damages.
 
You mentioned this was your second screenplay. Do you mean second screenplay you're proud of, or your second screenplay ever? Yesterday I was listening to an interview with a screenwriter who broke into Hollywood, after writing 12 bad scripts, his 13th was the one that he sent for selling, or something like that.

The other thing is, I think to be a good screenwriter you have to know if your work is mediocre. Personally I have yet to write even a short film I am 50% happy with. A year ago, I was happy with mediocre, because I didn't know any better. But then I read over 100 screenplays and my ideas changed. To get your script sold in Hollywood, for a first time writer, it's tough because even if your script is good, it's got to be better to get noticed.
 
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It usually take 9 scripts before you actually sell one, that's right, you heard me, that's on the average. Before I query your story, I'd get a script analysis done, I trust this gal: http://messageboard.donedealpro.com/boards/showthread.php?t=44479

she's charging $100 for script and I would rather spend that money FIRST then to send out something that may not be 'good enough' and then you will have a label attached to you that you're not good enough, so whatever else you may write later on, people would have that first impression and not let you in the door.

Get the script read which will help a lot. That would be my advice instead of wanting to sell the 2 script you've written.
 
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