Screenwriting : Cold querying managers? by William P. Johnson

Hey Bill. I'm in the exact same spot as you. Too bad nobody else has responded yet. I'd like to see some advice doled out! Thanks for asking on my behalf too!

You know, I bet there's a Stage32 seminar on just this subject...they have a lot of webinars available. Maybe I'll email the gang....

Yeah, hoping someone chimes in soon.

Bill, just an FYI - there are resource books available for purchase, as well as similar resources online. Just google: Industry resource for representation screenwriters - and what comes up will stop a truck! You can also get information about various agencies through your IMDb pro subscription. All of these aforementioned resources will usually say if said agency accepts unsolicited queries. Some do. Some don't. Do I think it's worth it? Well, as a full-time writer-director and producer, who has had various forms of representation, I always think it's worth it to go for it. Just know that the chances for you to snag an agent or manager are not always great when you first start. And, if you get a mom or pop to represent you, you will likely still be doing most of the legwork. Now, none of this is negative, if you have the drive and the desire, and you put your heart and your mind to it, with the good grace of GOD, you will make it. BUT, it takes time and work. READER'S DIGEST ANSWER: Should you query? Absolutely. Just do it and put it out there. STILL, as a young writer - and sometimes I sound like a broken record when I say this, but I mean it - it's BEST for you to partner up with an experienced indie producer, write a short script, raise some funds yourself and go out and make a kick-ass short film. Maybe even qualify for the Oscars with your short. Why not? I did. Heck, I have a friend who wrote and directed a short that WON the Oscars five years ago! Curfew. Check it out. Even if you don't want to direct, you write a BRILLIANT SHORT that you can learn from an experienced producer on and get a cosmetic producing credit (producing GETS YOU in the conversation and GETS YOU MORE WORK!). Hire a hot young indie director you meet at a Film Festival. And, for the record, attending Film Festivals will advance your career far more than query letters. You can submit your scripts to the screenplay competitions, network with other filmmakers who may be looking for a screenwriter, submit your films there, hand out your business cards to people who will actually consider working with you. BUT, while you're doing that, you should ABSOLUTELY send queries. Heck, query your little heart out! Just do that IN ADDITION to all this other stuff. Remember, BE PROACTIVE! GOD BLESS and STAY FRESH! ;)

Sam Borowski where is that feature regarding unsolicited scripts on imdb, please? I got the adresses of 41 Companies and sent pre-queries to all. I got 4 replies, all negative... if I knew where to find if they‘re open for sepcs, that‘d be a great advantage!

I repeat myself: This business is all about personal relationships. Period! Go hang out where Managers, Agents & filmmakers hang out (film festivals, seminars). Take your reel, make eye contact, a little small-time chit-chat, belly up to the bar and press the flesh. It works - trust me (I been there, Done that).

That’s easily said. As a German student who works a job to sustain himself and who writes in English, the possibilities of going to English-speaking festivals is minute!

Not being in LA, "press the flesh" isn't always a worthwhile option. There's a few philly based film events I try to go to and socialize. Sounds like the answer is- do all of the above and keep doing that until something happens, lol. Will keep hustling.

Schedule for this spring/summer: submit two scripts to Nicholl and screencraft horror contest, submit one of those to the black list (cause you never know), film a short as proof of concept for a finished feature idea, cold query managers based on IMBDpro writers whose work I admire, and try to see if I can finish that fifth script. All the while try to say yes to as many opportunities as possible, bartend to pay the bills, and have some semblance of an otherwise normal life. Hope this is the right path.

Personally, I tried sending out blind emails but didn’t have any luck. Maybe one percent would request a script and never landed an agent do that. Then I got a list of the WGA Agencies and called them every time I finished a screenplay starting with the ones that I previously sent query letters to and or screenplays. I had much better luck doing that.

Only cold thing Managers will respond to is cold cash. If you don't know anyone or live in the sticks, pay $$. This website Has paid services. The Rep who discovered "Miss Sloane" writer will read your material for a price.

Sent out 35 query letters to management agencies a week ago, so far only one request. I sent one to a producer that was taking unsolicited scripts. Nothing yet. I'm still entering contests and waiting on results. I'm consistently placing so I know my writing isn't bad. I just need a little luck to catch my break.

Guys I said it in my long harangue above, but I meant it: Be proactive! One of my mentors, Sam Sherman, who has produced more than 40 pictures has been a producer on half a dozen of mine, but not in the first year that I knew him. We've been friends for almost 17 years! He introduced me to the man who produced The Godfather, Albert S. Ruddy. PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS - I saw it from several people above. Bill Johnson , there's several large film festivals in Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Film Office has worked with people such as M. Night Shyamalan - pretty impressive. Get involved! There are plenty of good-sized film festivals in New Jersey - less than a two-hour drive from Philly! Heck, the Northeast Film Festival in Teaneck has been around six years and made some waves - I wrote an article about it in Moviemaker Magazine last year; They call it Tribeca West! It's always around the second week in September - I believe this year it's September 7th-9th. Come Friday, Saturday and Sunday and stay late at the after-party Sunday night and go home Monday. Heck, I am usually there every year - even when I don't have a film, as with this past year. You can find out the info rather easily. I can even likely get you a half-price pass. The hotels in the area have a special discount. I've given you all this in a few minutes. Lukas, there are plenty of major film festivals in Germany - Filmfest Munchin, Munich, Berlin International and Oldenburg all come to mind. I also am not telling you NOT to query. You should, but that's your longshot way. Again, BE PROACTIVE! Every single writer, should be penning a script they can afford to raise money for and partner up with an experienced producer and indie director to make. Get it on the Festival Circuit, online and even on DVD through CreateSpace. THEN, your work would be out there. THAT SAYS SOMETHING! BE PROACTIVE! Film Festivals, Networking Events AND places such as Stage 32 are the ticket! Also, there are Meet and Greets with managers and agencies, but much as what Dan MaxXx spoke about, they do cost money. Again, if I haven't made myself clear, BE PROACTIVE! I promise if you do, you will see more results than you are right now. GOD BLESS and STAY FRESH! ;)

Lukas Flemming : Are you anywhere near Munich? A friend of mine, Laura Thies is a director and lives there. If you are nearby, you should get together with her. I haven't spoken to her in a while, but happy to reach out if you are not far.

I totally agree with what Sam said. Cold querying is so hard to do in this day and age. It was easier in 2000, and even 2005. I think after the strike of 2007-2008, things got tighter for multiple reasons. Now, in 2018...it's a lot harder than it was 10 or 15 years ago, at least in my opinion. And what happens if that person you send your query letter to gets like dozens of them a day, and hundred of them a week, every week? But as Anthony Moore said, he got a request, so it's not impossible. His query certainly piqued somebody's interest. (Way to go, Anthony!)

By the way....you could have pitched two agents/managers this weekend here at Stage32, but both are sold out. That's two chances you missed in making a face-to-face (albeit "virtual") impression and relationship. Keep an eye on that Happy Writer's Pitch Session link.

Here is the list of WGAW Signatory Agents. And remember....these folks represent top writers. The best of the best. And even the newer writers they represent are probably great newer writers, too. You're competing for the time of an Agent or their assistant who probably reads great stuff most of the time - so when you say your stuff is "pretty strong"....well...."pretty strong" better be "freaking brilliant", bro, and your query letter better convey that pretty quickly.

https://apps.wga.org/agency/agencylist.aspx

Best of luck!

I got a WGA Signatory Agent by cold calling off a WGA list so it is only impossible if you don't try.

Sam Borowski thank you! It’s about 350 miles and I no longer have a car. So it’s difficult for me. But of course I’m always happy to network. It’s just travelling in Europe that’s difficult. As there are no flights from my town to Munich, I could litterally fly to Lisbon and back twice (which is a 2000 mile one-way trip) for the same price of a train journey to Munich :(

All solid advice. I should probably add- my "strong script" is, in my opinion, "freaking brilliant" and my best script, but no one likes an ego maniac. This is all to say- I think it demonstrates talent to the extent that I'm a writer worth hiring for other work, at least I hope so. It's good to temper expectations and always be willing to improve and learn.

I've used Virtual Pitchfest on occasion to send queries. It's a paid service, but it at least gives you the satisfaction of getting a yes or no from everyone you submit to. I doubt it's any more likely to get you representation than any other route.

I agree with Bill C, who agreed with Sam B. If you're in some far off place, don't be afraid to try Happy Writers or Virtual Pitchfest. However, make sure you really hone your written pitch or if you're doing a video pitch that you practice your 8 minute rap. You should be ready to offer some insights to character arc, have some possible comparison films but also be able to provide the USP for your story. I prefer written pitches and have had some success with them here at Happy Writers and elsewhere. You might want to review this blog if you're submitting a written pitch. https://www.stage32.com/blog/Submitting-Your-Written-Pitch

It's applicable to VP, Inktip and Project Greenlight is now doing video pitches, in addition to written ones. I can't attest to if their pitching service works or not. Perhaps someone else can. http://www.greenlightmymovie.com/wordpress/wp-content/cache/page_enhanced/www.greenlightmymovie.com///_index.html_gzip

Also make sure you do your due diligence on who you're submitting to ensure your best chance at an optimum fit for your script.

PS, I've occasionally connected with some producers at International Screenwriter's Association (ISA). https://www.networkisa.org/