Screenwriting : Scored 8/10 Stars on The Black List... Now What? by Ryan Bow

Stage32 is the perfect platform for you to get your script into the right hands. Just sign up for pitch sessions and continue to network—if you’ve got something great there (which it sounds like), you can get it into the right hands here. Best of luck to you!

Thanks. I'm waiting for feedback from a few different pitch sessions. Fingers crossed!

Who is making movies like the script you have written? Find the producers and see if you can reach out to them in a "non pain in the butt" way. Just ask them if they would be interested in see your work.

Really big production companies and producers have their calendar booked years in advance as well as a constant stream of offers. But a smaller indie house could bring results.

I'm not sure why youd thank God that some anonymous "reader" at blacklist who was paid $40 likes your script enough to give it an 8. I mean, that's nice. wtg. But it's not gonna make your career. If it gets listed in their "highest rated scripts " eblast, you will likely get some more reads and downloads and hopefully someone will like it and email you. But it's up to you to go call and query producers. use the 8 as a nice intro, look up companies that have optioned things off Blacklist, and start there.

Hey Craig, what do you mean about reaching out to companies "in a "non pain in the butt" way"? In the past, I've focused more on querying bigger companies. But, I think you're right. Maybe I should have been contacting more of the smaller Indie production companies. Thanks!

Thanks for the encouragement Pam. I have submitted the script to the Nicholl Fellowship, AFF, and Page. I'm also considering Final Draft's. I've heard mixed things about it. (No notifications, no feedback, etc) Have you a good experience with them in the past?

Dan and Danny, Thanks. Script coverage has really helped over the past year. Each time, I have been given useful feedback that has helped me to tell my story better. Great idea on identifying companies that have optioned scripts from BL. I'm on it!

Danny - Truthful and sound advice.

Think of when you are cold called.

If you get contacted by someone that puts forward a respectful offer based purely for your benefit, you are more likely to be acceptable to you.

If you get a call from someone that starts with “Hi I want to talk to you about a great range of products we have....”. This is all about the salesperson and their wants.

To be less pain in the ass. I’d try this...(but this is me).

“Hi, I like your films xxxx and yyyy. I have a script which has won the xxxx and received xxxxx on the blacklist which I believe is a great match with your previous films. If it would be acceptable can I send you a synopsis or script?

Thank you in advance”

Craig D Griffiths Have you done that, cold called a WGA signatory company and a phone call lead to a deal?

Dan M. I would just call an agent or a producer and tell them I just purchased a new gun and if you don't rep me or buy my screenplay I am going to use you for target practice.

The best way to make for a writer to make money? Ransom notes, eh Dan? ;-) Get Shorty and Elmore Leonard from here near Detroit.

Brian. That is true about ransom notes and it's from one of my favorite films.

There is a very very good chance that first time sales will not go to a WGA shop. So no, I haven’t done that. But a WGA producer, when finding something exciting will just push it through the required WGA process.

Dan Guardino I was an extra in Get Shorty and made it into 4 scenes. At LAX I pick up a suitcase and walk behind Bear with his daughter and ice cream cone before they get into the limo. At the locker, I'm sitting right behind the agent chattin' it up with a chick. That one was used in 2 scenes.

Also, I went to Elmore's estate sale in 2014 and have a nice glass vase and a silver serving tray... as well as a large Tiffany blue bag. I told his children how Get Shorty and my day on set altered my life from an engineering career at Hughes Aircraft to a more creative one. It was nice giving gratitude with his children and telling them how their Dad changed my life for the better by being an extra in the film he wrote the book on.

Still love Ray Bones colorful repetitive use of the f-bomb. 3 times in one sentence, I think.

Ah... no, let’s not joke about threatening agents and producers. I know, I know, just kidding. Still. No.

Ryan, what you should do is start working on another screenplay. And then another one after that. And another one after that. And so on. And so on. Scoring high on an amateur, script listing database website is encouraging, sure, but it may not amount to anything truly tangible nor anything of substance. That website is known to bait screenwriters to keep rolling the dice and pay for more and more evaluations and to pay for more and more monthly fees to post more and more scripts. So, feel great that you scored well—absolutely!—but one score from that site realistically may not be much to build from. While you’re making new connections and getting others to read that great script, keep writing more. ;) Best to you and good luck!

Bravo, Ryan. Totally agree with Danny. You can't simply rely on that 8 score to get you places; you need to proactively contact producers, production companies, agents etc. and market your script. Happy to chat about your script if you want to message me directly.

Some positives about BL website. They sponsor fellowship labs for TV and features. More than a few folks have landed representation, some made movies. I know 2 writers with absolutely 0 Hollywood connections and they parlayed their 8 & 9 scores to meetings w/ legit reps. But Danny & Phil are correct. You gotta hustle and be strategic.

Brian. That is awesome.

Ryan. My advice would be to get on the phone and start calling production companies that make the some type of movies and in the same budget range. Congrats and good luck!

Thanks for the sample Craig. I was happy to see it's similar to the approach I am taking.

Thanks Phil. You have mail.

Thanks Dan. I just looked up their fellowship labs. Fingers crossed for an invite!

Congrats on your score, Ryan! If you haven't invested in IMDbPro (a ton of phone numbers and email addresses), you might want to. Get familiar with the film industry by researching there and then googling (especially the news) the people you're interested in. The more you know about the industry, the better equipped you will be for success.

firstly. well done on getting an 8. I got an 8 and a 7 for some scripts I uploaded over 12 months ago. Had a few downloads but nothing come about it. I probs had more doors opened via query letters. But kudos someone liked your work. I am not sure of success rate of blacklist and by success I mean how many people have sold a script via blacklist that become a movie. The hitman's bodyguard is one example though. But if you are getting consistent high scores or positive coverage from a variety of people, you must have a good product so good luck in getting in front of someone with the need and budget.

Congratulations are in order for sure. Scoring 8 means that you've got a script worth reading. Basically you've received a 'Consider' so folks will be willing to look a little closer at it. What's next? Take it wide. Make sure you present it to studios that are active in its genre and budget range. Your Agent will know who to go to - if you don't have an Agent, then get yourself a Manager. The Nichol is a good place to go next. You still got a lot of work to do but you're well on your way. All the best.

Congratulations Ryan. Have you taken advantage of the Stage 32 opportunities to pitch directly to a producer who is in the market for whatever your genre is? I'm a rookie in this game but there's only so many competitions I would invest my money in. The team behind Stage 32 is a welcome knockout.