Break into Screenwriting: successful script marketing, screenplay tools, screenwriting advice and writing resources

Script Market News September 25, 2002
Break into Screenwriting Now! Script Marketing Advice
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	Dear Screenwriter: This issue brims with production opportunities and submission suggestions. Be sure to investigate the details so you can decide which opportunities would benefit your scripts. If you have not entered many script contests, you might want to read my tutorial on that subject BEFORE you decide which contests to enter. You'll find the contest tutorial here => www.breakingin.net/choosey.htm Now... on with the show... SCRIPT MARKET NEWS September 25, 2002 IN THIS ISSUE... WRITER Q + A => Agent v. Lawyer, Idea Theft PRODUCTION OPP => Project Greenlight 2.0 MARKET TIP => Fabulous Fall Contests ***** FORWARD this newsletter to a writing pal! *** ____________________ SCREENWRITER Q + A QUESTION on USING A LAWYER INSTEAD OF AN AGENT ~~ I recall reading on your website a piece about the comparative merits of approaching a law firm to get started, rather than going to agents direct. Now I can't find the article. Help! ~~ C.M. ANSWER ~~ These are my most popular articles on finding agents, managers or lawyers to rep scripts: To find and research agents ---> www.breakingin.net/agents_hide.htm To understand the difference between literary agents and packaging agencies ---> www.breakingin.net/choosingagent.htm General agent info ---> www.breakingin.net/agent_faq.htm All the articles have links for finding and researching a specific agent/manager/lawyer and his or her selling history. If you pursue a lawyer for representation, choose one who specializes in Entertainment Law and who works in one of the film centers (NYC, LA, Toronto, Vancouver, London, Sydney) as they will have the contacts that you need. QUESTION on PROTECTING IDEAS FROM THEFT: I am concerned about sending a query letter that describes my script. What would stop someone from giving the storyline to one of their clients or pitching it themselves? ~~ K. W. ANSWER: Unproduced screenwriters should pursue ALL legitimate avenues to get their script read by people who can help them penetrate Hollywood's inner circle. The working screenwriters I know pursued all reasonable leads before making their first options or sales. Once your script is copyrighted and/or registered with the Writer's Guild, you are reasonably protected from theft. I recommend registering scripts with the Guild (=> www.wga.org -- you can do it online now). Here's the reason: If a dispute develops over who created YOUR script or WHEN it was written, the Guild's legal staff will back you up (free of charge) even if you aren't a member of the Guild once you've registered your script. In order to sell your script, it must be read by professionals -- LOTS of them. I recommend that unproduced writers actively pursue these avenues: Target Legitimate Agents The Writers Guild Website offers a list of legitimate agents who abide by the WGA Minimum Basic Agreement for Writers. Be certain any agent you pursue is on this list. Query letter tutorial => www.breakingin.net/tswquery.htm Target Independent Producers Tutorial on targeting producers and appropriate talent for your movie => www.breakingin.net/target_submissions.htm Use Script Registries to Market Your Scripts The best registries => www.breakingin.net/tswregistries.htm How to create a logline to use on a script registry => www.breakingin.net/logline.htm Ideas are not nearly marketable as well-executed ideas -- like your screenplay. So, let the reading begin! ______________ **************** Hot Writing Jobs No more excuses... Find out how YOU can get PAID to write! www.breakingin.net/hot-jobs-for-writers.htm _____________ *************** PRODUCTION OPPORTUNITIES Greenlight Your Script! PROJECT GREENLIGHT 2.0 is underway. LivePlanet, together with Miramax Films, Miramax Television, and HBO, has announced the second installment of the Project Greenlight contest. Like the original experiment, Project Greenlight will choose a feature screenplay submitted by an amateur screenwriter to be produced by LivePlanet and Miramax. NEW + IMPROVED --> This year, Project Greenlight will introduce a DIRECTOR CONTEST to run simultaneously with the Screenplay Contest. Amateur directors will submit a sample of their best work, and Project Greenlight will choose the best director. The winning director will helm the production of the winning screenplay. An unparalleled opportunity for a polished script! INSIDER TIPS: Send only your best. Note the narrow window of opportunity. SUBMISSION WINDOW => September 19 - October 2, 2002 INFO => www.projectgreenlight.liveplanet.com => FROM THE HEART RESEARCH GRANT Attention new Zealanders! This grant is aimed at screenwriters or documentary filmmakers who need a quiet place to focus on their scripts. The grant offers 4 to 6 weeks in New Zealand in a country cottage with your own RUV, TV, VCR and many of the comforts of home. DEADLINE => September 30, 2002 DETAILS => www.fromtheheartproductions.com/writing.html => FROM THE HEART EDITING GRANT You must be ready to edit your film on 2/17/03 at the Digital Media Avid Workshop in Portland Oregon. You will have shared accommodations while editing your film. This grant represents over $100,000. in final editing. DEADLINE: October 15, 2002 DETAILS => www.fromtheheartproductions.com ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Selling Your Work to the Movies? Let www.breakingin.net help you! Bombproof Query Letters => www.breakingin.net/tswquery.htm Freebies for Screenwriters => www.breakingin.net/freebies.htm ++++++++++++++++++++++++ MARKET TIP Fabulous Fall Contests ==> SCREENWRITING SHOWCASE AWARDS This annual contest is in its eighth year. Screenwriting Showcase Awards offers cash awards of $1,000 First Prize and $500 each to three runners-up. DEADLINE: October 15, 2002 INFO => www.screenwritingawards.com => THE BIG AU$$IE The Big Australian International Screenwriting Contest offers the Grand Prize winner a trip for two to Sydney plus $15,000. Ten finalists each receive $1,500. plus professional coverage of their script. DEADLINE => October 31, 2002 I NFO => www.thesource.com.au/the-big-australian/yr_2002 => FADE IN SCREENWRITING AWARD This contest offers more than $10,000. in cash or prizes. The Grand Prize winner receives an iMac computer plus a trip to meet with agents and studio executives. DEADLINE: October 31, 2002 INFO: www.fadeinmag.com/Contests/awards.htm => SCRIPTAPALOOZA TV WRITING CONTEST Scriptapalooza offers three categories in their Annual Television Writing Competition: 1 hour scripts or 1/2 hour scripts of existing shows and original pilots. Three winners in each category will be considered by Scriptapalooza's outstanding list of participants which include MTV, UPN, The Gersh Agency, Ballyhoo, Blue Raven and Abilene Pictures. Past winner, Barbara Schwartz, got a development deal from Klasky-Csupo through her spec script for DHARMA AND GREG. DEADLINE: November 15, 2002 INFO => www.scriptapaloozaTV.com You haven't seen my screenwriting site yet? THEN GO NOW => www.breakingin.net/ Do a writing pal a favor and FORWARD Script Market News to them! FINISH THAT SCRIPT while you've still got some daylight. Lenore Wright, Editor Script Market News +++++++++++++ Jumpstart YOUR writing career! www.breakingin.net/benefits.htm Subscribe to Script Market News Free newsletter from www. Breakingin.net Script marketing advice: Tips, Tools, Tutorials Screenwriter Q + A Submission opportunities Twice a month by e-mail (text) Sample issues CLICK HERE!** ------------------- SUBSCRIBE or UNSUBSCRIBE by email: newsletter@breakingin.net ------------------ FEEDBACK: screenwriter@breakingin.net --------------------- BACK ISSUES of Script Market -> www.breakingin.net/tocscriptmarket.htm ----------------- FORWARD Script Market to friends or writing groups. ----------------




	\| HOME \| What's New? \| Script Market Newsletter \| Tutorials \| Interviews \| Hot Writing Jobs \| Screenwriters Web \| Script Software \| FAQ: Dream Jobs \| Script Brokers \| Script Checklist \| Genre? \| Editor Resume \| Contest Tips \| Script Marketing \| Script Format \| Agent FAQ \| Site Map \| Contact Us \| Copyright © 2001-2002 by Lenore Wright Reproduction of by-lined articles printed on this website requires expressed permission from the author.

Script Market News September 25, 2002
Break into Screenwriting Now! Script Marketing Advice
\| Home \| What's New? \| 2002: Oct 10 \| Sept 25 \| Sept 10 \| August 25 \| August 10 \| June 25 \| June 10 \| May 25 \| April 25 \| April 10 \| March 25 \| March 10 \| Feb 25 \| Feb 10 \| Jan 25 \| Jan 10 \| 2001: December \| November \| October \| September \| August \|

	Dear Screenwriter: This issue brims with production opportunities and submission suggestions. Be sure to investigate the details so you can decide which opportunities would benefit your scripts. If you have not entered many script contests, you might want to read my tutorial on that subject BEFORE you decide which contests to enter. You'll find the contest tutorial here => www.breakingin.net/choosey.htm Now... on with the show... SCRIPT MARKET NEWS September 25, 2002 IN THIS ISSUE... WRITER Q + A => Agent v. Lawyer, Idea Theft PRODUCTION OPP => Project Greenlight 2.0 MARKET TIP => Fabulous Fall Contests ***** FORWARD this newsletter to a writing pal! *** ____________________ SCREENWRITER Q + A QUESTION on USING A LAWYER INSTEAD OF AN AGENT ~~ I recall reading on your website a piece about the comparative merits of approaching a law firm to get started, rather than going to agents direct. Now I can't find the article. Help! ~~ C.M. ANSWER ~~ These are my most popular articles on finding agents, managers or lawyers to rep scripts: To find and research agents ---> www.breakingin.net/agents_hide.htm To understand the difference between literary agents and packaging agencies ---> www.breakingin.net/choosingagent.htm General agent info ---> www.breakingin.net/agent_faq.htm All the articles have links for finding and researching a specific agent/manager/lawyer and his or her selling history. If you pursue a lawyer for representation, choose one who specializes in Entertainment Law and who works in one of the film centers (NYC, LA, Toronto, Vancouver, London, Sydney) as they will have the contacts that you need. QUESTION on PROTECTING IDEAS FROM THEFT: I am concerned about sending a query letter that describes my script. What would stop someone from giving the storyline to one of their clients or pitching it themselves? ~~ K. W. ANSWER: Unproduced screenwriters should pursue ALL legitimate avenues to get their script read by people who can help them penetrate Hollywood's inner circle. The working screenwriters I know pursued all reasonable leads before making their first options or sales. Once your script is copyrighted and/or registered with the Writer's Guild, you are reasonably protected from theft. I recommend registering scripts with the Guild (=> www.wga.org -- you can do it online now). Here's the reason: If a dispute develops over who created YOUR script or WHEN it was written, the Guild's legal staff will back you up (free of charge) even if you aren't a member of the Guild once you've registered your script. In order to sell your script, it must be read by professionals -- LOTS of them. I recommend that unproduced writers actively pursue these avenues: Target Legitimate Agents The Writers Guild Website offers a list of legitimate agents who abide by the WGA Minimum Basic Agreement for Writers. Be certain any agent you pursue is on this list. Query letter tutorial => www.breakingin.net/tswquery.htm Target Independent Producers Tutorial on targeting producers and appropriate talent for your movie => www.breakingin.net/target_submissions.htm Use Script Registries to Market Your Scripts The best registries => www.breakingin.net/tswregistries.htm How to create a logline to use on a script registry => www.breakingin.net/logline.htm Ideas are not nearly marketable as well-executed ideas -- like your screenplay. So, let the reading begin! ______________ **************** Hot Writing Jobs No more excuses... Find out how YOU can get PAID to write! www.breakingin.net/hot-jobs-for-writers.htm _____________ *************** PRODUCTION OPPORTUNITIES Greenlight Your Script! PROJECT GREENLIGHT 2.0 is underway. LivePlanet, together with Miramax Films, Miramax Television, and HBO, has announced the second installment of the Project Greenlight contest. Like the original experiment, Project Greenlight will choose a feature screenplay submitted by an amateur screenwriter to be produced by LivePlanet and Miramax. NEW + IMPROVED --> This year, Project Greenlight will introduce a DIRECTOR CONTEST to run simultaneously with the Screenplay Contest. Amateur directors will submit a sample of their best work, and Project Greenlight will choose the best director. The winning director will helm the production of the winning screenplay. An unparalleled opportunity for a polished script! INSIDER TIPS: Send only your best. Note the narrow window of opportunity. SUBMISSION WINDOW => September 19 - October 2, 2002 INFO => www.projectgreenlight.liveplanet.com => FROM THE HEART RESEARCH GRANT Attention new Zealanders! This grant is aimed at screenwriters or documentary filmmakers who need a quiet place to focus on their scripts. The grant offers 4 to 6 weeks in New Zealand in a country cottage with your own RUV, TV, VCR and many of the comforts of home. DEADLINE => September 30, 2002 DETAILS => www.fromtheheartproductions.com/writing.html => FROM THE HEART EDITING GRANT You must be ready to edit your film on 2/17/03 at the Digital Media Avid Workshop in Portland Oregon. You will have shared accommodations while editing your film. This grant represents over $100,000. in final editing. DEADLINE: October 15, 2002 DETAILS => www.fromtheheartproductions.com ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Selling Your Work to the Movies? Let www.breakingin.net help you! Bombproof Query Letters => www.breakingin.net/tswquery.htm Freebies for Screenwriters => www.breakingin.net/freebies.htm ++++++++++++++++++++++++ MARKET TIP Fabulous Fall Contests ==> SCREENWRITING SHOWCASE AWARDS This annual contest is in its eighth year. Screenwriting Showcase Awards offers cash awards of $1,000 First Prize and $500 each to three runners-up. DEADLINE: October 15, 2002 INFO => www.screenwritingawards.com => THE BIG AU$$IE The Big Australian International Screenwriting Contest offers the Grand Prize winner a trip for two to Sydney plus $15,000. Ten finalists each receive $1,500. plus professional coverage of their script. DEADLINE => October 31, 2002 I NFO => www.thesource.com.au/the-big-australian/yr_2002 => FADE IN SCREENWRITING AWARD This contest offers more than $10,000. in cash or prizes. The Grand Prize winner receives an iMac computer plus a trip to meet with agents and studio executives. DEADLINE: October 31, 2002 INFO: www.fadeinmag.com/Contests/awards.htm => SCRIPTAPALOOZA TV WRITING CONTEST Scriptapalooza offers three categories in their Annual Television Writing Competition: 1 hour scripts or 1/2 hour scripts of existing shows and original pilots. Three winners in each category will be considered by Scriptapalooza's outstanding list of participants which include MTV, UPN, The Gersh Agency, Ballyhoo, Blue Raven and Abilene Pictures. Past winner, Barbara Schwartz, got a development deal from Klasky-Csupo through her spec script for DHARMA AND GREG. DEADLINE: November 15, 2002 INFO => www.scriptapaloozaTV.com You haven't seen my screenwriting site yet? THEN GO NOW => www.breakingin.net/ Do a writing pal a favor and FORWARD Script Market News to them! FINISH THAT SCRIPT while you've still got some daylight. Lenore Wright, Editor Script Market News +++++++++++++ Jumpstart YOUR writing career! www.breakingin.net/benefits.htm Subscribe to Script Market News Free newsletter from www. Breakingin.net Script marketing advice: Tips, Tools, Tutorials Screenwriter Q + A Submission opportunities Twice a month by e-mail (text) Sample issues CLICK HERE!** ------------------- SUBSCRIBE or UNSUBSCRIBE by email: newsletter@breakingin.net ------------------ FEEDBACK: screenwriter@breakingin.net --------------------- BACK ISSUES of Script Market -> www.breakingin.net/tocscriptmarket.htm ----------------- FORWARD Script Market to friends or writing groups. ----------------




	\| HOME \| What's New? \| Script Market Newsletter \| Tutorials \| Interviews \| Hot Writing Jobs \| Screenwriters Web \| Script Software \| FAQ: Dream Jobs \| Script Brokers \| Script Checklist \| Genre? \| Editor Resume \| Contest Tips \| Script Marketing \| Script Format \| Agent FAQ \| Site Map \| Contact Us \| Copyright © 2001-2002 by Lenore Wright Reproduction of by-lined articles printed on this website requires expressed permission from the author.