Screenwriting : Advancing a good script by Herbie Galloway

Just playing Devil's Advocate - How do you know it's "ready" to advance to the next stage? What steps have you taken to insure that its a "fantastic" script"? Where are you trying to take it? What research have you done to find out how to get where ever "there" is? A compass is not much use if you don't have any idea of where you are.

Herbie- if you want to trade scripts notes, message me. I'm working on a vampire script as well and will be up for trading notes sometime in the spring after I have a clean draft. If you've already gone through the note process, try submitting the script to contests and the black list. If it scores well or places, sometimes that can open doors, or you can use a blurb to cold query a manager. Finally- isolate a scene from the script that really demonstrates the tone of the script and reach out to people about filming a short as a proof of concept. This can really get people excited, especially if there is a feature length script for the short. My two cents based on what I've read and heard, not on what has happened to me, but I'm learning and working my way up.

This is what I mean about a short demonstrating proof of concept: https://nofilmschool.com/2016/10/watch-short-whiplash-damien-chazellehttps://nofilmschool.com/2016/10/watch-short-whiplash-damien-chazelle

I thought this was really wonderful and very inspiring to me. I've gone back over the scripts I've written and isolated scenes that I think really give the tone of the overall narrative. Ask yourself if you have a similar scene. It'll also give you an excuse to network with local film makers and aspiring artists. There's always a scene around you waiting to be tapped.

Herbie, You need to show it to someone you respect - NOT your parents or friends that are not in the business. A producer, a writers with ACTUAL CREDITS or a friend in the business. Get some feedback. ONCE you are sure the script is in fine shape and can be no better (and again, please get the opinion of a professional on this - many writers and producers offer coverage at a very affordable rate. Heck my rate is extremely cheap. But, get some people to read it and offer you their opinion.), then you move on to financing and that could be a whole thread on its own. Several routes you can go - friends and family and perhaps a few doctors and professionals that are family friends and you make a SAG Ultra-Low-Budget feature is one way. You can do your best to find a producer that wants to make the script - raise the funds, etc. But, do understand that a lot of producers have their own projects that they are not going to move to the back of the pile for yours. You can go the crowd-funding route, which will likely have to be supplemented with friends and family. You can also do your very best to sell it to a studio, though you will need a middle man, be it a producer to pitch it, an agent, manager, friend with a connection, etc. This last one is the hardest way, but not impossible, though for a total newcomer, not the way I would suggest. It's better odds than winning the lottery, but not by much - unless, of course, you know someone. I WOULD SUGGEST YOU BAND UP WITH AN EXPERIENCED PRODUCER WHICHEVER WAY YOU DECIDE, and do things THE RIGHT WAY. Perhaps you can get some actors whose names mean something in the genre, attached. Break Legs! GOD BLESS & STAY FRESH! ;)

Herbie, who says it's a "fantastic...script"? (If I have to read another vampire script - I'll puke!)