So I finished my screenplay. Now What?

Zblock

Zblock

Well-known member
Lol. I've just finished what may appear to be my last re-write on my screenplay.
I've been so caught up in finishing the post production on my other projects, gearing up for new ones and finishing this script that I never really put much thought into what would happen when it was completed.

So now what? I've sent it off to my agent but that "hurry up and wait" game is soo hard to sit through. I want to be pro-active about getting it seen and read. What do you guys do with your finished scripts? Script fests? Production companies? agents/managers?

It's def. not shootable under my budget so there's no sense in sitting on it.

I'd assume I have to send it to festivals but that just seems so unrealistic to me. Can anyone offer another avenue?

Thanks,
 
You said you sent it to your agent - what is your agent's plan for it?

I do not have an agent or manager, so I target producers. Every once in a while I send out some e-queries... then forget to keep doing it.

But usually after I finish a script... I start another script.

- Bill
 
You should consider having a reading with a few friends who are working actors (if you have a bunch). Might be an avenue to open up some new doors and see if you've overlooked anything. Obviously not all screenplays would benefit from this, but if its dialogue heavy... just a thought.
 
Okay. All good thoughts. I think the reading would be important especially now so things can be ironed out before it gets passed around a bunch.

The next one I write will be shootable by my budget. I don't regret working on two that I can't film because I think the ideas are sound but It'd be nice to be able to just make it myself and then in 6 months I can have another post saying...
"So I finished my movie. Now What?" lol
 
Who is your agent? This is his job.

Going around your agent to submit your work is a bad idea. That's what he's there for -- and why would you want to?
 
Well I didn't get where I am by waiting for other people to open doors for me. Plus I think that shows my agent good work ethic that I'll be putting in the work until the jobs done. Obviously he's there to help negotiate deals and set up meetings but If I can generate some interest on my own I think theres no downside to that.

Also, where I only have 1 agent,, he has many clients and I'm sure me and my script aren't at the top of his to-do pile.

I'll take the advice about it being a bad idea and talk to him before I send it out to anybody else for the time being.
 
Zblock said:
Well I didn't get where I am by waiting for other people to open doors for me. Plus I think that shows my agent good work ethic that I'll be putting in the work until the jobs done. Obviously he's there to help negotiate deals and set up meetings but If I can generate some interest on my own I think theres no downside to that.

Also, where I only have 1 agent,, he has many clients and I'm sure me and my script aren't at the top of his to-do pile.

I'll take the advice about it being a bad idea and talk to him before I send it out to anybody else for the time being.
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I think providing him a list of where you want it to go would be best for you. Having a rep submit sets you apart from every other amateur screenwriter who calls prodco's.

Help the situation by putting together a list, but crack the whip on him to get it out to the companies you want. He works for you.

This is coming from a repped writer who also happens to work in development. Trust me, when I say that having a rep submit your work will move you exponentially further ahead in the mind of the individual who fields your call / query.

If nothing else, like you said, let him know who you go out to. Don't want to embarrass him when he accidentally sends it to the same guys. Them having to say "we already passed on this" makes him look like a dufus.

Just my .02. Either way, best of luck!
 
HomerS3 said:
I think providing him a list of where you want it to go would be best for you. Having a rep submit sets you apart from every other amateur screenwriter who calls prodco's.

Help the situation by putting together a list, but crack the whip on him to get it out to the companies you want. He works for you.

This is coming from a repped writer who also happens to work in development. Trust me, when I say that having a rep submit your work will move you exponentially further ahead in the mind of the individual who fields your call / query.

If nothing else, like you said, let him know who you go out to. Don't want to embarrass him when he accidentally sends it to the same guys. Them having to say "we already passed on this" makes him look like a dufus.

Just my .02. Either way, best of luck!
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Yeah that's great advice. Thanks,
 
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