Anything Goes : What happens after your script is requested? by Elise McMullen

Hi, Elise!! I don't have much experience, but about a year ago I did decide to send a query letter around for a screenplay I'd written. I got two requests to read my script, and heard back from one producer after an exciting and nerve wracking three weeks. She loved my concept, and my characters, but was unsure of what I was hoping for. Was it supposed to be a feature film, or a short film? 68 pages is just not the right length for anything really, plus there were many formatting issues..... I quickly read up about HOW to write a screenplay and offered to fix all that stuff. She's been championing my efforts ever since! My point is only: You will likely hear back in what feels like an eternity but is in truth enough time for your screenplay to be respectfully read and considered. Possibly a month or more. And, when someone does get behind your story, it'll be worth the wait!! Hugs and good luck! I hope you'll keep us in the loop!!!

Hi, Tara - interested in how you " sent a query letter around". Many agencies won't accept an email unless it's one that's been requested or suggested... US mail? Courier? Dropped off in LA? Best, Brian

During the summer, I sent out queries about a TV series I've co-created. I got several requests for the pilot script, but two months later I haven't heard anything further. Whether that means they've all decided to pass, or my pilot script is still waiting its turn in a long queue of scripts to be considered, I have no idea. My hunch, though, is that unless your name is already a sought-after brand (e.g. Spielberg), nothing is going to happen quickly. There's a lot of money involved in making a feature film (or a TV series), and the people who decide which projects to stake money on are terrified of making a career-ending mistake. So ... I am guessing you have to be patient. If Joey Tuccio is advising you, though, that's a huge advantage! :-)

Thanks everyone for your input and kind words of encouragement! It's nice to hear that others are going through the same experience as I am. I have previously worked in post production so I have a general idea of how the industry works from that angle but not necessarily the development side. Joey, thanks for replying to me as well, I would love to arrange a call for next Monday!

I envy you for having knowledge of the industry from any angle, Elise. Until this year, the idea of writing for film and TV never occurred to me. One of my friends is also friends with a SyFy producer, and when he was looking for some fresh material our mutual friend urged him to talk to me. That's when I came up with a concept for a TV series ... and now I'm hooked on screenwriting, lol. But I'm entirely new to the industry and have no knowledge of how any of it works. Stage 32 is helping me learn, though!

Howdy, Brian! I'll tell you the truth, and maybe it's kinda weird. But what I did was tell the Universe that I was ready to sell my movie, searched the internet with "how do I sell my movie" and found a website that would email my query letter to their list of producers or agents. So.... I searched "what is a screenplay query letter" and came across the same website, with a sample query letter. Seemed to me the Universe was pretty clear about what I should do and what website I should use! So I wrote a query letter and spent fifteen dollars to have it sent around. Of course, as you pointed out, I got mostly "we apologize but we do not accept unsolicited..." type responses. But I also got two "yes please, we'd like to read your screenplay" emails. There ya go, Brian! That's what I did!! Admittedly, I also grabbed a free month on IMDB Pro, and spent some time snail mailing my favorite (for my particular script) production companies. And as much fun as that was, those letters largely came back unopened with kindly worded "we do not accept unsolicited..." form letters. But, I will say, the letters were consistently positive feeling in tone. For whatever reason I like that. So, you are right. Sending a query letter around isn't so simple, and getting results sure does take a lot longer than most of us overly excited about our stories and film ideas like to learn, but when we get the Universe involved it's bound to work out somehow. tee hee! Thanks for asking me about that, Brian! It's fun to remember how much I've learned about the process in such short a time. And it encourages me to keep on going with confidence and an eye for learning much more! Have a great week!! ~Tsara

Hi, Tsara - I applaud your gumption and " stick to it ness" to get things started on your project. There really is no right or wrong way to break into the marketplace - what works is what works. When you have a moment pls check and let me know the name of the $15 service that offered you their agency/ producer contacts - curious where they're based, etc. Best, BRIAN S.

Howdy again, Brian. You're so right about there being no right or wrong way to break in, I'm loving the vastly different stories and success routes. I think the most common denominators are dedication and a willingness to evolve while holding tight to whatever passion pushed us here in the first place. I'm glad you asked about the service I used, too. Mostly because I realize now that I've been misremembering the price. I spent $50--waaaayyyy different than $15, but still worth it! They happily took a look at my query letter and offered me what I now know to be extremely helpful tips. I had written a lovely story about how and why I wrote the movie, complete with adorable quotes from my adorable children.... ya, not a succinct query letter! So I was kindly appreciated for my back story, and then guided toward editing before sending. They were lovely! Here's a link to the service. Hmmmm.... I wonder if I misremembered the amount I spent because I didn't want to know I'd invested as much as $50 on myself or my ideas? Yikes! I'm sure that's it! I've learned so much in the last year, I can't wait to see what I'm believing in next year! Chat again soon! ~Tsara http://www.talentmailer.com/

Tsara - thanks for your follow-up and good luck on your networking... I'll check out that service this weekend. B.

George, I've seen the same thing. I chose to send to production companies because I've only written one screenplay and have no plans to write another. But I think, if I was hoping to become a "screenwriter" I'd try both. Agents and production companies... a manager might be the best bet. As you mention, it's pretty tough to get your foot in ANY door, so it's probably good to focus our efforts, but I think the focus should be more on finding production companies or agents that match our style, rather than choosing between producers or agents. Does that make sense? I'm only on my first cup of coffee... tee hee! Good luck and have fun!! ~Tsara

That stuff is kind of a bummer, trying to get permission. My mom wrote a book that included lyrics to a Def Leopard song, and had the dickens getting permission to use them. And later she wrote a song for her one woman show and CD that played with the tune from I Started A Joke by The Bee Gees, and again, had to work unreasonably hard to get permission. Good luck to you!

LOL, you're a sneaky one, George. Somehow I overlooked that you've turned me into an agent. :-D Am I repping anyone who shows promise?

Giggle.... that's up to you Molly. Have you been accepting long winded wordy and passionate letters from story addicts? Because if you have been, they probably have promise! Although, they'll take a long time (willing as they may be) to fully realize it and learn the art of presenting it properly. Which, you probably won't really have time for, because there are gazillions of us wanting you to rep us. So, go ahead and get your "sorry but I don't accept unsolicited...." form letter ready. tee hee! Hugs!!

Ah, but Tsara, having been a writer myself (a real one, not "I'm a writer too" like 90% of Hollywood claims to be), I know there's a learning process and every writer starts out sucking. :-D Once they get to the slightly-better-than-mediocre stage, though, I can start seeing who's going to make it and who isn't. (Truly. In addition to writing, I read "slush" for a semi-pro ezine that publishes sci fi, fantasy, and horror. I can honestly say in the past three years I've discovered writers who are starting to get noticed by the pros!) Hmmm... Maybe I should be an agent...

Well, I'll be.... you truly would make a great agent! But it sounds like you already do pretty fantastic work. Writing and reading... I love it!!

Good question George... I have no idea.

In my experience, you become an agent when George decides you are one. ;-) In other people's experience... Well, I've been trying to find an agent, and on several agent websites I've seen links to "how to intern as an agent." So that, at least, is one way.

Just wanted to let everyone know we actually have a webinar this Saturday all about what happens after an exec requests your script. I highly recommend it to anyone who has or is about to pitch. To read more about the webinar, click here: https://www.stage32.com/webinars/So-a-Producer-Wants-to-Develop-Your-Scr...

Alas, Shannon Stegall, I have no money. I had to drop out of the workforce to take care of my late father, when his Alzheimer's became severe. When he passed away, nobody wanted to hire someone who's been out of work for two years. I have to succeed as a writer, because that's all I've got left. (So it's lucky that's what I enjoy the most!)