No Intention to Become a Writer, but Want to Sell a Story. Is It Possible?

A

anmitsu

New member
Hello. I am Japanese. Maybe I should not even try, but I finished writing an English script and would like to try to sell this story.
I have read quite a few sites and posts here, and realized many people try to find agents first. However, I will never even try to write another English script because my English sucks.

But I love my story and I cannot just keep it as a token of my 3 year efforts. What do you think I can do to sell one story in Hollywood?

Of course, I will get it proofread by my generous friends who have experience in screenwriting.
And this is my fifth draft, already. I speak just enough English, and have worked in the industry as a graphic artist before. I live in Japan now, but can visit there.

Thank you!!
 
Congratulations on completing your script! That's a major achievement and you should be proud.

Now the truth...

I am an American. English is my first language. (Your English seems very good, judging by your post.) I have been writing scripts for over a decade, and will continue to do so. MY chances of selling a script to Hollywood are very, very small. I would imagine your chances would be a lot smaller.

Almost no one sells their first script to Hollywood. Usually they write many scripts -- a lot of shorts and at least a few features. They give them away for free to anyone who will produce them into films. They hone their craft and get better and better, while they add produced film credits to their resumes. They make a name for themselves so they are able to start charging for their scripts, rather than just giving them away. They get hired by indie producers to write scripts under contract for shorts or features. They enter their scripts into screenwriting competitions, and win a few.

Then -- once they've done all that work -- they stand a very slim chance of getting a script read by someone at a major Hollywood studio.

I won't say it's never happened, but the odds are heavily stacked against you being able to sell your one and only script to Hollywood.

But having said that, it all depends on your story. You might have something amazing! If you do, your chances are still very small -- but you might get lucky. You should certainly try.
 
anmitsu said:
...However, I will never even try to write another English script because my English sucks.
Click to expand...

There are a few 'foreign' directors who have been successful in Hollywood. Currently Rolland Emmerich is one such writer/director. He is German and has often shared writing credit with an english speaking writer. Oddly he also has collaborated with a Austrian composer/writer, Harald Kloser, for "10,000 BC"(2008) and "2012"(2009). Otherwise Kloser has worked on a number of Hollywood films as composer or producer. The message there is this is not someone who is on the 'outside' of the industry...

This is very rare. In most cases the foreign director will hook up with writers whose 'native' language is English. Billy Wilder is one such director from the past. Wilder is credited with 'story' and 'writing', but he worked in collaboration with english speaking writers, especially in 'dialog'.

One also has Roman Polanski who is from Poland, who now lives in France, but produces a 'english' language films.

Have I mentioned these are very rare instances.

In most cases, foreign film directors become noted for their foreign films. On the west coast of the US there is a 'market' for Japanese films, because of a large japanese speaking population, as well as a number of non-japanese who like 'things japanese'. Anime films and graphic novels are also popular, but again, these are usually written 'japanese' and then translated to English.
 
I am a professional screenwriter and wrote 9 full length screenplays (rewriting and polishing) before making any money at it... which makes me average. Even today most of the spec screenplays I write end up being "job applications" for assignments... and never sell and never get made. So, most likely you have a token of your 3 year effort; just as I have probably 80 such tokens.

My suggestion would be: why focus on writing a screenplay for some other country instead of where you live and where you work in the industry and have connections?
Also, we live in a time when you can grab a camera and make your own movie... no agent required.

Bill
 
I am afraid but it is a big budget story, and Japanese cannot afford. Plus, Japanese film industry is very closed. Much more closed, I believe.
 
Thank you Bill. I wish I could make this story into a film, but it is a science fiction which requires tons of money. I cannot make it.
I wrote it in English because Japan cannot afford it.
 
David san,
Thank you for giving me such a long and sincere message.

I think "sell" is not exactly what I want at this point. I think what I want is to get the script read by filmmakers in Hollywood. I do not mind people think it is just a waste of paper. I just want to give it a try. Without having an agent or having desire to write more new story in English, do you think it is possible? If so, what do you think I should do? Do you think I can call up or email some production companies? Or they will get pissed?
 
You can call and pitch your screenplay, but what may work better is if you do an email query. Send your title and logline to agents/managers/producers. If your title and logline peek their interest they'll ask to read your screenplay. You never know you may have what they are looking for... but David is right a sale is like winning the lottery, but you may get reads and the more reads you get the more chances you have to win.
 
anmitsu said:
I think "sell" is not exactly what I want at this point. I think what I want is to get the script read by filmmakers in Hollywood. I do not mind people think it is just a waste of paper. I just want to give it a try. Without having an agent or having desire to write more new story in English, do you think it is possible? If so, what do you think I should do? Do you think I can call up or email some production companies? Or they will get pissed?
Click to expand...

The people in Hollywood DO mind if it is a waste of paper, and moreso their time. A lot of people have eluded to why you aren't trying to get it to people in Japan? I agree with that, I am sure there are Japanese/American production partners that could develop the property and bring it to Hollywood.

Remember, most movies that are large that you see are Co-ventures. Up to 7 or 8 different production companies involved. The Studio Level is hard to reach out to and get a read. But other production companies might be willing. Research your industry in Japan, it's where you have your best opportunity at Access. Find out who is making movies with American Production company partners.

Also, if the budget is too big, why not pitch it to MANGA publishers to create a graphic novel first. If it is successful there, then producers will get interested.

You can call or email anyone you like, you might get lucky and get a read. However, it would benefit you more to start locally. Even if a Japanese Production company can't afford it, if they believe in it enough they can help you reach out to Hollywood.

-M
 
A good story has nothing to do with grammer. You can have your script polished by an expert. That being said, the challenge you could face is that even though it might be a good story, you might or might not have a grasp on the American market and culture and what people want to see.
 
"I am afraid but it is a big budget story, and Japanese cannot afford."

Then write the book and/or the graphic novel. Unless it is based on a successful "existing property" there is about zero chance of getting a huge budget, coming from nowhere.

 
Writing it as a book is the easiest way, since self publishing is simple these days.

General note: You want an *idea* that is amazing, not something that requires a pile of expensive things to work. If you look at THE MATRIX is a bunch of people on city streets... but the *idea* is that the city and everything else is fake. Or something like SOURCE CODE which basically has only 4 locations (Train, Train Station, Time Travel Pod, Control Room) and limiting the number of locations and characters brings down the budget. TERMINATOR brings the future to *our time* which saves the cost of constructing a future. There really aren't a lot of original big expensive science fiction movies being made. You want to be able to cite some recent successful films like your screenplay when someone asks.

Bill
 
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