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Dear Screenwriter:
As I was preparing this week's newsletter, I came across this quote from
Ron Suppa, author of THE ART OF SELF-PROMOTION FOR WRITERS. He conveys my message expertly...
"...You're already a damned good writer. You know it and your family and
friends do too. Now is as good a time as any to let the secret out. And
who is going to do that? You, that's who. In the beginning at least, you
must be the agent that gets you an agent, the manager that gets you
noticed. It's as much your job as the writing itself."
Thanks, Ron!
This issue offers several opportunities to put Ron's wise words into
ACTION!
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SCRIPT
MARKET
NEWS FEBRUARY 25, 2002
IN THIS ISSUE...
MARKET TIPS: 60 FILMS + PHOTO OPP
TUTORIAL: FINAL POLISH PIZAZZ
WRITER Q + A: INDIES, FANTASY, MARKETING
CONTESTS: WIN THE BIG BUCKS
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SPONSOR MESSAGE :
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Find a New Career in Your Underwear <---
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~~ CLOTHING OPTIONAL ~~
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MARKET TIPS
---> 60 FILM EXPERIMENT
Attention Filmmakers! The 60 Film Experiment aims to make 60 feature
length films across the world in the next three years, beginning with 5
films in 2002. If you are chosen as one of the filmmakers, they offer a
35mm sound camera, film stock, lighting and sound equipment, advice and
many other details necessary to get you started as an independent.
You need a completed script and lots of desire if you would like to take
advantage of this hands-on opportunity to make your film. (Special
thanks to the American Screenwriter Association for this tip.)
DETAILS -> www.the60filmexperiment.com
----> READY FOR YOUR CLOSE-UP?
Have you had success with script contests or competitions? You can be
featured in the HOT SHEET section of Script Magazine. Prepare a brief
biography including the competitions you've entered and won (or placed)
and a 5X7 black and white photo. Mail your submission to: Diane Baylin,
5638 Sweet Air Road, Baldwin, MD 21013.
MORE DETAILS? -> mailto:diane@scriptmag.com
TUTORIAL: MAXIMIZING SCRIPT COACHING
THAT FINAL POLISH ~~ CAN A SCRIPT COACH HELP?
by Lenore Wright
One of the most important questions aspiring screenwriters should ask
themselves is this: How do I make my sample script as professional as
possible?
Writing a screenplay is the first step to becoming a screenwriter; but
it's the rewriting that separates the pros from the amateurs.
There is no shortcut. Do what the pros do. Present a story that involves
us. Connect us to a hero that captivates us and with whom we can
identify. Then rewrite, rewrite and rewrite some more with the benefit
of reliable, experienced feedback.
GENERATING QUALITY FEEDBACK
All writers need feedback, even experienced writers. Working
screenwriters get professional feedback all the time from agents,
managers, producers and writer friends.
How do unproduced screenwriters generate professional feedback?
~ Cultivate a network of writing pros.
~ Rely on film school professors you trust.
~ Call on friends with experience in the business.
~ Join a craft workshop or working writers group.
~ Enter contests that feature feedback.
~ Hire an experienced script coach.
HOW SCRIPT COACHES WORK
Script coaches take workshop techniques to the next level - the
marketplace. Services vary among the individual coaches, but most
include extensive script notes, phone conferences, and sometimes
personal industry referrals.
Is it worthwhile? Script coaches can be expensive, but if your coach has
legitimate industry credentials, they can become the professional
referral all aspiring screenwriters need.
POPULAR SCRIPT COACHES TO CHECK OUT
--> MICHAEL HAUGE
Michael is a best-selling author -- WRITING SCREENPLAYS THAT SELL. In
addition, he has two decades of experience as a successful writer and
script consultant. He offers two-day intensive screenwriting seminars
throughout the US, Canada and England.
For script consultation and seminar details---> mhauge@juno.com
For a preview of Michael's coaching technique -->
www.breakingin.net/hauge2.htm
---> KATE WRIGHT
Since 1995, Kate Wright has been a screenwriting professor at UCLA.
Hundreds of successful writers have taken her popular course - Writing
the Million Dollar Script. Kate has a decade of experience as a film and
television executive at Interscope Communications where she worked with
some of the finest writers in the industry. She had the extraordinary
good fortune to work with the legendary Tennessee Williams; and she
collaborated (as producer) with Pulitzer Prize winning actor-writer
Jason Miller to win Interscope's first Emmy!
Script consultation info ---> mailto:katywrite@aol.com
Kate's interview ---> www.breakingin.net/kwright.htm
---> WRITE MOVIES: www.writemovies.com
The consultants for this site are well-known industry insiders: manager
Alex Ross, screenwriter David Newman, and film exec/producer Peter
Saphier. Writers choose the staff member they want to read their script
- there is a sliding pay scale. Scripts which receive a high
recommendation are then managed and marketed by Alex Ross, who
discovered screenwriter Andrew Niccol ("The Truman Show").
---> THE SCREENWRITERS ROOM: www.screenwritersroom.com
Experienced film executives, Kathleen Hannon and Ann Zalid, help
screenwriters break into the business. They offer script notes, phone
conferences, face-to-face meetings and industry referrals if they
recommend your script.
---> THE WRITER'S GUILD MENTORS PROGRAM: www.wga.org/mentors
This completely free service is provided by experienced Writer's Guild
members. Aspiring writers visit the Guild's website and choose from the
mentors who have volunteered. The mentors are listed by writing genre
and work experience. The aspiring writer corresponds privately with the
chosen mentor to discuss writing and script marketing issues. Please
DON'T ask them to find you an agent!
---> THE SCREENWRITING CENTER: www.davetrottier.com
Dave Trottier has decades of experience as a screenwriter and screenplay
coach. Many writers he's coached have gone on to win major script
contests and establish successful screenwriting careers. Dave is the
author of "The Screenwriters Bible" - one of the best-selling guides to
writing and selling a script.
---> W. C. MARTELL: www.ScriptSecrets.com
If you have an action script that needs feedback, this well-respected
screenwriter has the experience and the expertise you need.
---> TRACY KEENAN WYNN: www.rx4scripts.com
Tracy offers excellent writing experience and coaching credentials,
especially for character-drive stories. His award-winning scripts have
impressed writers for decades: The Autobiography of Jane Pittman, The
Longest Yard, The Deep, The Drowning Pool, and Quigley Down Under.
Serious, dedicated writers only!
HOW TO CHOOSE A SCRIPT COACH
~ Check credentials thoroughly. Look for extensive industry experience
and current film community contacts.
~ Get references. Investigate the recommendations given by their
clients. If you belong to a screenwriters networking group (and you
should!) ask your peers about their experiences with script coaches.
~ Be clear which services you are choosing and how much each service
will cost.
~ DON'T send them a first draft screenplay. This is not a writer's
workshop. Send them a polished script you believe is ready for market.
Let them help you take it to the next level.
~ Many coaches offer reduced fees for resubmitting scripts. This can be
worthwhile if your next draft is significantly improved.
Follow these guidelines as you research and evaluate the services script
coaches offer. The decision to take advantage of these services and the
specific coach you select are very personal decisions, ones only you can
make. You don't have to hire a script coach; but you do need some form
of professional feedback!
Tutorial on Spec Script Brokers --> www.breakingin.net/specbrokers.htm
SCREENWRITER Q + A
??? LOW BUDGET MOVIEMAKERS ???
QUESTION: I've written a screenplay especially for a super low budget,
as in under $25,000, probably under $10,000. How can I find the partners
I need to make my script into a movie? -- James
ANSWER: Several great sites for independent filmmakers exist on the Web.
Register your low-budget project there to find the partners you need:
--www.indiefilmpage.com
--www.film-411.com
--www.filmunderground.com
--www.alwaysindependentfilm.com
--www.filmdeveloper.com
--www.reelscreen.com
For attracting writing, directing or producing partners, you should make
use of the screenwriting callboards that exist on the Web. Here is a
guide to using these callboards: www.breakingin.net/tswboards.htm
Also, check out the 60 Film Experiment submission opportunity listed
above.
??? SELL SCRIPTS 10,000 MILES AWAY ???
QUESTION: I am from India and I want to be a screenwriter in the
American movie business because my genre is Science Fiction / Fantasy /
Adventure, and it never works in Indian movie market. I am unable to go
to Hollywood to sell my stories. Kindly suggest the steps to develop
this Art. Is it possible? -- Anil
ANSWER: If you are aiming for an English speaking market, your trusted
translator must do an outstanding job for you. That aside, eventually
you will have to spend some time in Hollywood if you want to establish a
career as a screenwriter in that market.
Right now concentrate on writing a good script or two which you can use
as samples. To encourage you to finish these scripts here are some
articles that will give you some ideas of how to use the WEB to help you
generate interest in your scripts.
Targeting producers for your scripts ---> www.breakingin.net/target_submissions.htm
Locating and researching agents -->
www.breakingin.net/agents_hide.htm
Writing a bombproof query letter for your script -->
www.breakingin.net/tswquery.htm
Creating a script logline that ROCKS -->
www.breakingin.net/logline.htm
Learning the screenplay format -->
www.breakingin.net/format_tutorial.htm
Don't worry about learning details of American culture, I believe your
exotic background will serve you well in your fantasy genre. Write from
the heart, Anil!
??? I'M NO SALESMAN -- HELP! ???
QUESTION: I finished a screenplay; and I feel a huge weight on me to try
to sell it. But I am not a marketing kind of guy, I am a creative kind
of guy. Isn't there just some guy I can send it to and he will do the
hard part for me? -- Jack
ANSWER: Many writers wish they could be screenwriters without marketing
their screenplays, but they can't. Many writers wish they could be
screenwriters by marketing scripts without writing them first. Hey, they
can't do that either.
You love to write. Great first step.
You've finished your first screenplay. Great second step.
You have read some books on making that first script sale. Great third
step.
Have you given your script to people whom you trust to evaluate it for
you? That would be enlightening.
Or better yet, have you heard your script read aloud by actors? That
would be a great next step, because if it is as good as you say it is
that exercise will motivate you to learn the marketing you need to know
to get that script read by people who can recommend it to the movies.
For your screenplay to really be finished, it must be more than words on
a page, it must be made into a movie. And you will take the steps to
make that happen.
Organize a reading of your script. Either get a group of friends
together or go to a local community theatre group or acting class at a
college and offer your script for a reading. Actors love to perform,
believe me it will not be difficult to cast your reading.
Don't look on it as a backer's audition, this reading is for you -- to
celebrate what you've accomplished so far and to demonstrate that your
screenplay must be performed in order to be really finished.
I believe this reading will motivate you to find opportunities for your
screenplay.
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SCRIPT CONTESTS
----> FINAL DRAFT'S BIG BREAK #3
Have you entered the Big Break yet? The 3rd annual Big Break
International Screenwriting Contest offers a terrific first prize:
$10,000. And an all-expenses-paid trip to Los Angeles to meet some of
Hollywood's industry pros. 2nd and 3rd prizes also include cash. The
scripts of all top ten finalists will be submitted to a major literary
agent.
This contest has momentum. The first year's winning script has been
produced; and one of last year's winners had a reading in LA last week
starring Eric McCormack and Lea Thompson.
INFO -> www.finaldraft.com/bigbreak
----> SCRIPTAPALOOZA #4
This well-run, respected contest offers a $10,000. first prize, plus
software for the top three winners. The thirteen finalists will be
considered by Scriptapalooza's participants: Artists Management Group,
Samuel Goldwyn Films, FIlm Colony, Evolution, Phoenix Pictures.
INFO ---> www.scriptapalooza.com
_______________________
Miss an issue of Script Market News? Find it ONLINE -->
www.breakingin.net/tocscriptmarket.htm
Finish that script! Some terrific contests come up in the Spring; but
they are competitive so you need a really great script to attract
attention.
Lenore Wright, Editor
Script Market News
================
Jumpstart YOUR writing career!
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