Archive for the ‘Screenwriters’ Category

Most screenwriters know that they need to get script coverage before they send out a query letter to a literary agent or producer to try to get them to read it. You have to make sure it’s ready to go to market before you start trying to sell your screenplay.

Knowing that, you find a place to get script coverage that you feel will do a good job for you. Then you get the notes back and they say that your script falls somewhere short of perfect and they tell you why. It’s not quite what you wanted to hear about your screenplay that you worked so hard on, and you feel that ping of disappointment.

In fact, now that you think about it, you don’t really want to make any changes and you’re not even sure if you agree with the feedback. But yet you know you getting feedback on your script with a script analysis is part of the process of selling your script. So now you’re in the middle of it, and you got the notes that you’re not too excited about. Now what? Are you just missing something because you feel defensive? Or do the notes stink?

Here are three things to keep in mind in determining whether to take the notes or not:

1. First, let go of your disappointment, defensiveness, or hurt feelings about what the script coverage says.

It’s natural to feel a little bit badly when someone tells you they think your work is not the best it could be. But let go of that as quickly as you can. You can’t make good, clear decisions when you feel that way. You have to get that out of the way first.

2. Listen objectively to what they’re saying and try to get it. If you don’t get it, ask questions.

Once you let go of the disappointment or any other negative feelings, then you can listen for the value in what they are saying. Hopefully, when you looked for someone to review your script, you did your homework and found someone who has credibility. And if you did that, why would you NOT listen to them objectively? You should seriously consider what they say, even though in the end you may or may not apply it.

As you listen objectively, first, try to fully understand what they are saying and why they believe you need to do it – that is, if you can ask questions. Whenever you get script coverage or a script analysis, try to get something oral so you can ask questions of the person giving you feedback.

So listen objectively, and then make sure you fully understand both what they are saying and why they think you should make the change they suggest.

3. Finally, think it through later and make your choice about whether you will apply it or not.

Make your choice NOT based on the fact that you don’t want to rewrite it, but based on what the script needs to fulfill your vision – not the vision of the script analyst or coverage person, but your vision.

Keep the craft in mind. Many suggestions may be to improve the script in the arena of the craft that doesn’t effectively change it. Most of those kinds of changes you should definitely give very serious consideration to – such as raising the stakes, developing the character arc, and making it more dramatic and so on. But when it comes to changing major elements of the screenplay, such as the age or gender of the character, give it some thought. Be open to changing or not changing.

In the end, it is most important that as a screenwriter, you connect with your gut. If a script analyst suggests a change that you are not sure about, get connected to a place deep inside of you to see if it fits with the story you are trying to tell. And be open to the answer. When you do this, you will be surprised at what you find.

Your best bet starts with you choosing a script analyst whom you feel is professional, will communicate with you in a way that supports you instead of tears you down, and who will also be honest with you about what needs work. And, of course, someone who is very good at what they do.

Choose wisely, grasshopper. And listen to that place deep within! Good luck in writing screenplays and happy re-writing, too!

Screenwriters often ask me when they should send out their agent query to get it to the writers’ agents.  Here are some screenwriting tips on the business side of screenwriting, but keep in mind, you must first learn how to write the screenplay itself before you get to this part. 

Here are the facts:

1.  Most screenplays are not ready to send out to agents when the screenwriters think they are.  It is critical that you first learn how to write a screenplay.  It is not easy.  You will need to do far more rewriting than you can imagine to make it work well.  After you write a screenplay and you feel that you have done as much as you can, then you need to go to a real script doctor to get a script analysis.  No matter who you are, even if you are a Writer’s Guild member or Shane Black or Joe Eszterhas or Callie Khouri, you need to have someone else look at your screenplay to give you feedback.  Of course, famous screenwriters like the ones I’ve just mentioned already know they have to do a ton of rewrites, so by the time they have someone look at it, their screenplay is very far along the path of development.

2.  It is easier to get producers to read your script with a query letter than writers’ agents.  Although some producers and production companies will not read your script unless it is from a script agent that they know, the fact is, your chances are better at getting your screenplay submissions read with a query letter to producers.

3.  You truly only have one chance to get an agent or producer to read your script because even if they read it a second time, they will still have the old ideas stuck in their minds.  This happened to me loud and clear.  I wrote a screenplay back in the day, got signed by a WGA agent who worked with me a bit on it, but even after I did a major rewrite, she still talked about things that were in the first draft that she didn’t like and she acted like it was in the second draft.  Same with the producers who read my spec script.  You really, really need to make sure your script is ready to be read when it goes out.  I cannot stress this enough.

4.  It is better to go to screenwriter managers when you have only one screenplay than it is to go to agents.  A manager works with you on your career while an agent works to get your script(s) out to the market.  Usually when a writing agent sells your script or gets you an option (10% of the money up front), they will get you less money for the first one than you will get on your second script.  Once you sell your screenplay that first time and your script gets produced, the second time around, your script agent can ask for a lot more money because you are then a proven entity.  With writer managers, who operate similarly to the writer agents in some regards, not only do they make screenplay submissions, but they also strategize with you on your career for the long term.

5.  Even though it is hard to get screenplay agents (aka literary agents) to read your script, it is still a good idea to try to get one.  Although some agencies like Creative Artists Agency (CAA) absolutely refuse to even read an agent query for a screenplay, there are many others who will at least read your query letter, even if 99% of the time they won’t take you on.  But the idea is that if you find that one special agent who really “gets” your idea, it could end up being a very lucrative deal for you!

I always encourage you to go for your dreams.  Even though Hollywood is super challenging to be successful in, I figure that there are people getting paid zillions of dollars every day for their movie scripts… why can’t that be you!?  It could be you as much as it could be anyone else, so go for it!

If you would like assistance in getting your screenplay out to Hollywood with an Agent Query Letter, Manager Query Letter, or Producer Query Letter, then check out the Smart Girls Query Letter Mailings which do exactly that.

 Good luck to you!

Today, I want to take a minute to say something about your Hollywood Goals and finishing this year strong with your screenwriting and/or acting. Whether you want to finish a screenplay or contact 100 producers and literary agents and managers or dust off your computer and get your Final Draft loaded up, take a few minutes to give it some thought.

We’re in the last 2 months of the year and it’s really easy to start getting in the mindset of winding down and forgetting about your plans for your career as an actor or screenwriter, and even your other goals, such as health and fitness as we go into the Holiday season.  But the fact is, we have almost two months left in the year that you could still achieve whatever you set out to do at the beginning of this year.

 One of the characteristics of champions is that when they are getting near the end of a race, they don’t wind down, they actually shift into high gear and pour it on. 

 What do you want to achieve toward your screenwriting or acting goals by the end of the year? 

What goal could you set that you would be really proud to achieve before the stroke of midnight on December 31, 2009?

 For example….

• Maybe you want to finish a polish on your screenplay.  Maybe you want to get your script reviewed and rewritten so you can kick off a marketing campaign at the beginning of the year. 
• Maybe you want to announce your new agent to all the casting directors in town. 
• Or maybe you want to get an agent before the end of the year.
• You might decide you want to come up with 5 new script ideas and figure out which one you want to write, so you’ll be ready to write a new script at the beginning of next year. 

Whatever it is, be pro-active now. Don’t slack off these last two months.  Keep playing strong through the end of this year.

Yes, enjoy your life. Enjoy the whole holiday season and your family and friends, parties.  I’m going to do the same.  But I also want you to really experience WINNING in your career. 

So right now, I invite you to set a goal that you’re gonna reach by the end the year that would make you thrilled about your screenwriting or acting career, and make you excited to kick off the New Year right!

What will YOUR GOAL be?