I'm an experienced writer with a suitcase full of work. Where I'm less experienced is in the marketing arena. A hard drive full of genius work doesn't help anyone if others don't read it. I've joined a couple of LinkedIn forums (essentially useless) and posted here (with much better success), but these have been little more than social media interactions. My question is how much of my unproduced work should input out there? And how should i present it? of course, I have some ideas, but I'm looking for suggestions and thoughts from the community of writers.
Screenwriting : Tmi? by Pablo A. Rajczyk
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A book I've used is by Cynthia Whitcomb - search her name at Powell's City of Books. It appears she has a new version coming out, but her original is available used. I think it's one of the best how to sell a screenplay or MSS on the market.
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Complete your profile! Make S32 the central hub for all networks, load 3 of your best scripts, and contribute to the lounges by offering to review scripts in return for a favor. Create an awareness of your brand on S32.
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Happy Memorial Day Weekend!
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I've written some articles on the subject over on SimplyScripts - check out http://simplyscripts.com/?s=damned%20script Hope they help Anthony
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Pablo, I don't doubt your genius, especially one experienced with a suitcase of work, but why not upload some of this genius and allow room for some feedback/reviews - have you entered competitions? Won awards? Recognition of any sort? - surely, if you had, someone would have recognised your ability and the quality of your work - upload, I would be happy to provide an opinion, cheers.
Chanel, I have entered screenwriting competitions and have finished as high as the quarterfinals (BlueCat). I received positive and encouraging feedback. I've also finished second and third in two play writing competitions, including Writer's Digest annual play writing competition a few years ago and having my work produced in a small theater in Chicago. I never claimed to be a "genius." But I work very hard. The marketing and business aspects of writing are far from my areas of expertise and I'm just looking for a little advice on how others have gotten their work out there.
@Pablo, I think Chanel picked up on 'hard drive full of genius work' ...
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Maybe I shouldn't have gone for sarcasm there. I was making a more general statement about the nature of unread work than I was about myself.
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The articles by Anthony Cawood (above) on simplyscripts.com give a first-rate summary -- with lots of tips and site assessments -- on what to do with screenplays once they're ready to see the world. While he's a short script machine, his discussion covers features as well.
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Pablo, I'm pleased you have entered screenwriting competitions and experienced a measure of success - I like your comment "I work very hard", that resonates with me - I would still like to see some examples of your work uploaded here, though, even if only the first 10 pages, everyone should have a "calling card" - wish you success, someone here I suspect will be able to guide, you, cheers.
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Pablo, you do what's best for you -- to each their own. :) As Shawn already stated, completing your Stage 32 profile promotes yourself and your work. The more you contribute to the site's forum discussions the more people become interested in you and check out your personal page. Plus, it's just good for networking and building relationships -- to make connections and find peer support. Our screenwriter members often read each others work and offer peer reviews or commentary, sometimes privately through the site's private messaging or by email. If you are uncomfortable posting scripts in their entirety then perhaps post loglines and/or synopsis. Also, check out the many webinars offered on Stage 32 -- found under "Education." RB, Richard Botto, Stage 32 CEO, does a monthly webinar "On Stage with RB" in which he gives a ton of industry advice, often features guests and is free for all members; https://www.stage32.com/webinars/on-stage-with-rb. The president of Happy Writers, Joey Tuccio, has done some webinars for free as well. Joey gives great advice on how to pitch -- offered through Happy Writers. And, for further information, if you didn't see the recent blog post by Stage 32 member, CJ Walley, then I will include it for you as well. In it, he not only talks about what available resources you can use to develop your work but also where you can market your unproduced scripts for additional exposure and self-promotion; https://www.stage32.com/blog/Ten-Ways-for-Me-the-Best-Things-in-Screenwr.... I hope all this helps! :) Best to you!