A decade ago I performed a trivial statistical analysis of no-budget films. The result : For no-budget films which try to be profitable, 10 % make a profit. For "arty" no-budget films, 1 % make a profit.
So if you can't sell your screenplay. Give it to those who create no-budget films. Will probably not give you any money, but neither will it cost you anything. And when you later try to sell, you can tell that you have earlier sold, which impresses customers.
Any better method to find customers, for screenwriters who have never sold anything? I am not the only scientist who is a member here, so it would not surprise me if somebody has tried to find out.
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I agree strongly with the principal of starting from the bottom. I focused heavily on the world of short films before my first feature assignment, which was a low budget indie.
Most people I see trying to break in aim exclusively for Hollywood studio level stuff, get nowhere, waste a lot of cash on competitions, still get nowhere, and then burn out. In twelve years, I've never seen that strategy work - yet it's the one most encouraged.
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Göran Johansson Build relationships/network online, and in person if the writer is able. Especially network with indie producers, directors, actors, etc.
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Being young is an advantage, so is good health, debt free. Nothing sexy living a broke artist life. Maybe learn a skill that pays money like grip, gaffer, sound, postproduction. Never know what opportunities open 'cause you're around. Not qualify. Just around. I was doing wedding video editing from home when I got a call from a post facility. Days later and Im reviewing dailies of tv shows & movies, working side by side with pros, staff engineers on call 24/7, colorists making $200K and still complaining about hourly rate. Basically I am saying if you surround yourself with working ppl, someone is gonna give you a chance.
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Dear friends, I understand what you mean.
Dear CJ. The screenplay I try to sell is written for only 5 actors. Can be filmed in "100 hours" on a shoestring budget.
Dear Maurice. One member who has English as his native language has received a copy of my latest screenplay, helping me with proofreading after I translated. And I became a member because I had already connected with a member.
Dear Dan. It was in this way I become responsible for a TV-mini series. Even though I hardly even knew how to use the editing program.