Greetings and good day everyone. Hope you all are having an excellent day.
I am (thus far) an amateur Screenwriter who literally has been writing for 17-18 years and am truly ready to take the next step towards the dream of writing as a career. Over the years I've sent out dozens of inquiry letters, done several online pitch sessions, and have received nothing but positive feedback from all this but still haven't had my big break through yet.
I've read many times in screenwriting books and on online advice posts and videos for aspiring screenwriters and they all say the only way to truly break into the business is actually be out in L.A. meeting people and putting your work in their hands yourself...so that is my plan. This April I will be taking a couple weeks to go to Los Angeles with the specific goal of finding representation.
This is where I ask for help. It seems like there may be some folks actually in or near the business here on Stage32.com and I would greatly appreciate any advice any of you may have about specific agencies accepting submissions and/or looking for writing talent.
Also recommendations for reasonable lodging in the L.A. area would be greatly appreciated. As a former military man I am not picky about where I stay.
To prove I am a serious writer I will say that as of now I have completed and plan to shop three feature length screenplays (I've actually completed five or six but will only be shopping my latest three), two hour long pilot episodes for television series, a large stack of short comedic sketches, and stand-up comedy material (I do not perform). I also have several other ideas in various states of completion. I will provide tag lines and brief synopsis of my work to people with serious inquiries.
Please feel free to respond here or DM me. Thank you all and happy writing.
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Tom, first let me thank you for serving. This country would not be much without our military making the ultimate sacrifices and protecting us, so we can live out our dreams. Second, the BIGGEST piece of advice I would give you is to be more PROACTIVE. I know a writer in the New York area that has made a name for himself by writing several short films for filmmaking friends. They have played in scores of film festivals? Maybe a hundred? Maybe more? He is now winning screenplay competitions with his features and shopping them. I think it's GREAT that you are going to Los Angeles to look at options. But, if I can give you similar advice as a 2-time Oscar-Winning producer gave me? Don't make your goal (in this case finding an agent) your be-all, end-all. Rather, meet with as many people as you can and build relationships. Do your best to meet with some filmmakers you might be able to collaborate with. Meet with agencies. See if you can get into some smaller production companies to pitch them. And, I would suggest you write a short for a filmmaker in your area and help get it made - even a micro-budget short, so long as it's well-written and well-made with a proper camera. You should explore learning producing to some degree, if only to get in the conversation on your projects. IE Be More PROACTIVE! I can also help you with some lodgings, after we connect and give you some places you can meet people, reasonable and healthy places to eat and places you should visit. Based in the NYC area, I am heading out to L.A. for a film assignment and for some meetings, but I don't know the date yet. There is a chance I will be out there in mid-to-late April. If so, I'd be happy to meet you. And, once more, BE MORE PROACTIVE1 ;) GOD BLESS and STAY FRESH! - SJB
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Thank you very much for response Sam, those are all thoughtful and productive ideas and suggestions.
I certainly intend to stay proactive and keep my eyes open to all opportunities to be involved in filmmaking in any capacity or at any level before, during, and after my trip this spring. I was the lead producer for an outdoor/survival documentary that was supposed to shoot this winter but the 'talent' backed out of the project at the last minute this fall.
Also, I am a very out-going people person so I very much look forward to the chance to meet and work with other creative people interested in filmmaking.
Thank you again for your insights and I look forward to talking more, have an excellent evening, God bless you too, and best of luck on all your endeavors.