(On review, this title makes it look like I'm advertising in a classifieds section for singles.) Hi, everyone! My name is Emily. I live in Miami but am originally from Los Angeles. I've been writing for a few years with a few contest wins under my belt (all animated shorts), and I recently finished putting the final touches on a feature screenplay I'm trying to shop around. I happen to be an outsider to the industry; I am a clinical psychologist currently working with the VA. So in joining Stage 32 I'm hoping to receive guidance and help with navigating such a huge and intimidating playing field! Sometimes it seems my questions are horribly amateur, from wondering if I should send query letters via email or snail mail (or fax?), to trying to figure out how to effectively use IMDBPro to locate production companies and agents to build a contact database. To that end, I would really appreciate any advice you all might have. Have a wonderful day, everyone! And if you happen to know anyone who might be interested in a sci-fi monster flick, please let me know!
Introduce Yourself : Screenwriter seeking advice on making industry connections by Emily Hu
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Hi Emily, The question you asked is the holy grail of filmmaking questions and that is : "How do I get noticed?" There is no easy or straight answer. You say you've a had a few contest wins for animated shorts. Does this mean you have written scripts for animated short films that have been made and then the "film" won at a festival or did your "script" win an award? Was the script produced? The reason I ask is for writers the big hurdle is getting your work "produced" Screenplays are not really meant to be read, they are meant to be performed (preferably by talented actors) So if you have produced scripts this puts you ahead of the pack. You can do a query letter to agents/agency describing yourself and your work and some might write you back and ask to see some of your work but that's not going to get your scripts filmed. I know of many writers who have had agents for years and never had anything filmed. This happened to me for the first few years and believe me it sucks. Ultimately my advice would be get something filmed, something wonderful, promote the hell out of it and hope it attracts the attention of people who can help you get to where you want to go. In the meantime post your synopsis for your feature on you Stage 32 page so people (like me) can read it and maybe ask if we can see your script. You can also try www.inktip.com they are an online resource for writers to post their scripts for filmmaker, agents etc to check out for purchase and representation. It cost like 60 bucks and they post your script up for three months. You can also enter your script in writing contest and see if you can win some awards with contests like scriptapolaza, and whatever the hell they call themselves, but be warned these "wins" will not necessarily lead to a deal. It's just a way to gauge how your writing stacks up against others. Mainly you should just write, because that's what good writers, serious writers do. They write and eventually maybe someone will come along and read your stuff and make it into a film. Mark Cabaroy
what Mark said. especially this part: get something filmed, something wonderful, promote the hell out of it and hope it attracts the attention of people who can help you get to where you want to go.
Since you're from LA, use your LA network and your alumni network. And here's a post I wrote that might be relevant: https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/Create-a-Win-Win-Exec-Etiqu...
You should for sure join the Scriptwriters Network. And also get on Meetup.com and go to some writing meetups. That's what you have to do. You make the lightning!
Thank you, Mark, for the advice! My short screenplay placed 1st in the Slamdance Film Festival's screenwriting competition, so it got produced and premiered this January. (If you're interested in the trailer, it's here: https://vimeo.com/116446047) We're submitting it to festivals all over the place and trying to get exposure, and I'm hopeful it'll win some awards and get some recognition that way. Mike and Regina, I've definitely heard the advice about making connections. I need to get into the woodwork and start looking for anyone and everyone who works in film! Other than going to film festivals and meetups, are there other places/events you might suggest? Speaking of connections, what are the zaniest success stories you've heard? For instance, I heard that Harrison Ford got cast as Han Solo while working as a set carpenter(?) and George Lucas asked him to read some lines. I think we're all grateful for the coincidence!
Hi Emily, well it sounds like you have a very good start with winning at Slamdance and having your script made into a film! That should give you some exposure and be a great starting point. Yeah I heard that Harrison Ford story too, but I think George Lucas knew Harrison from the bit part he played in American Graffiti plus Ford was under contract at Warner Bros for years. You can actually see him play bit parts in movies made in the 60's - In terms of your writing the thing is to make sure you have more than one feature script when you start networking, a friend of mine got a meeting with Disney years ago and had only one or two spec scripts he had written. Well the executive he met with was reading my friend's resume in front of him and like a particular script he had listed for a possible TV movie. The only problem was my friend didn't actually have the script, he had just padded his resume to make it look like he wrote a bunch of stuff. Luckily for him he was able to bluff his way into delivering the script in a few weeks. He went home and quickly wrote the script and wound up getting it optioned for 25 grand. They never made the film but it was a nice piece of change in his pocket for what amounted to a couple of weeks work. My best advice to you as a writer is to write a great low budget movie and find a director whose work you like then collaborate with them and make it. Be prepared to produce or co-produce it yourself that way you know it'll get done right. You might not think you can produce but trust me you can, writer's are still very much needed in the filmmaking world. If you can write a clever character driven script with a great plot like JUNO, or Waking Ned Devine and find a director to work with that might be one way to get your scripts noticed. It certainly worked for Diablo Cody. P.S. if you have a great script like that send it my way I'd love to direct something like that! Here's sample of my work for reference https://youtu.be/L6KJ3V0Jedw
Mark, thanks again for the advice. I do want to write something more character-driven, perhaps incorporating my experiences as a psychologist. Write what you know, right? If that does happen in the future, I'll definitely keep you in mind. Jeff, thanks for the add! I'll message you now; any help or advice would be greatly appreciated at this stage.