Screenwriting : Working on my 17th screenplay... by Constance York

Constance York

Working on my 17th screenplay...

So, when I first started writing screenplays, I heard that you don't get really good at it until you've written at least 15. That seemed daunting, but I did believe that the more I did it- the easier it would get. That's been true. It took two years to write my first one, now I can do it it six months. IF this was my full-time job, I could probably write one in a few weeks.

My screenplays are great. I get great feedback, made it to the 2nd round of Austin of a first draft once, and I've written for a newspaper for many years... but I don't know how to sell. I don't know how to get an agent. I'm not good on the phone, not good at pitching really - although I'm getting better, and I don't have a lot of money for contests.

My two latest screenplays are so relevant right now- so urgent. It's just so frustrating to not be able to get something read. If an agent liked one of my scripts and said, "Do you have anything else?" I think she would be floored when I told her, "Yeah, I have 16 more- and two series- put me in coach!!"

I just feel like this is what I was meant to do. I don't just want to create stories that people watch in film, I write stories that I hope will have an impact. They deal with moral choices, they make you cry, they make you laugh, they make you think.

Not sure if this is a question or a venting. This is my life dream and goal- to make a living and hopefully win awards for my screenwriting. Just so tired of spinning my wheels and not having time to write because I'm in starving artists survival mode.

Adam Harper

17?! Wow, I think I can successfully say that you've caught the screenwriting bug :-)

Keep writing the stories that you need to tell, keep improving and keep reminding yourself why you have to write.

Your post has enthused me, I have some catching up to do!

Christine Capone

Congrats and I feel the same way, although I've only written 2 screenplays and started a few others. I'm in the same boat about marketing and getting mine read. Hopefully someone with good advice will respond soon. I'd like to know as well! Good luck!

Anthony Moore

I heard you don't get good until you've written 10. I'm on number 12. I get good feedback, place in contests and even won a couple. Still trying to get one of my scripts made into a movie but as an unknown sci-fi screenwriter, its an uphill battle. I can't shoot them myself as most require a lot of CGI and the ones that don't would still be beyond my budget

Chad Stroman

I got a long ways to go to get good.

Diana Levin

I’ll feel you on that one friend. I’ve been working on my first screenplay for about a year now. Im still not finished because I keep coming back to screenwriter meetings for feedback. I’m 44 pages into my script. But I haven’t given up and I refuse to. Take one day at a time friend. You never know where you’ll find your next inspiration.

John Iannucci

17 huh? At the pace I write - rewrite - erase - rewrite - throw out - cut - add, I’ll be long gone before 17 - and I do mean gone!!!

Elena Lommers

I feel the same way. I also feel like it's very difficult to pitch a complex story with lots of layers and moral choices, because there's only so much you can "show" in a pitch, it's just a tip of an iceberg. The person you are pitching it to needs to be on the same page and energy level and keep an open mind. Zo I decided to hire a coach who'd help me get the right pitch on each of my projects. I just starten. It is someone I knows, which helps, because he knows how I talk, what language I use, so it wil be a genuine. It works for me, so perhaps it is something you could do. Or make your own films. ;)

Patricia Poulos

Well once again my crazing new computer has wiped my comments. Let's see if I can reconstruct: Hi John, thanks for making me laugh.

Constance, I think you're a marvel! 17 scripts! In five years I've written 6 Features and 1 Short. I think most screenwriters are in the same boat... getting their head around how to best pitch their work. I don't seem to be able to become sufficiently objective to do my scripts justice. Maybe this is a business worth looking at... writing Pitches for us needy. Warmest regards, Patricia

Constance York

In a roundabout unplanned course of action, I'm currently entering a documentary I also did (my 3rd) IN Film Festivals. My goal is that the doc does well enough that I can talk to people about my screenplay of the same topic. :) Whatever works right?

Christine Capone

Dan Guardino I think a lot of people know that. A finished script is never a finished script.

Danny Manus

Let's all be really really honest here.. If youre writing but you arent pitching, selling, or taking steps to MAKE this your career, then you're just a Hobbyist. And theres nothing wrong with that. But PROFESSIONAL writers know that 50% of their job is Pitching, Taking Meetings, Networking, Marketing, etc. And the part of writing that PAYS is being hired for rewrites of other peoples projects. Or being staffed on someone Else's show... So... real talk... you think youre meant to do this? Dont worry about writing your 19th script and start worrying about selling & pitching & perfecting the first 18. Otherwise, recognize that this is not the career for you.

Christine Capone

Send query letters to as many agents as you can that accept unsolicited scripts. Also, use LinkedIn and connect with people in the industry. There's so many avenues to take. Maybe Danny Manus, rather than tell her what she is, tell her what avenues she can take to market her script. What steps have you taken?? Please share. You seem like you know what you're doing.

Danny Manus

Blanketing every agent in town is what NOT to do. You need to do your research and be precise when contacting reps. Know why THEY might be the right agent for you and vice versa. Look for ones thatmay connect with you personally or the type of material ypu write. Know what kind if writer you are and what your goals are. If you tell a rep that you have 17 scripts and NOTHING has happened with any of them (not even a contest win?) --- that is a Huge Red Flag. Dont tell them that! If you havent entered any contests....thats your first step. Actually, if you haven't hired a consultant who knows what theyre doing and gotten pro feedback yet - THATS step 1. Then do a few (just a few) contests and see what happens. If you dont make the quarterfinals of ANY of them... the script probably isnt ready to pitch or submit to reps or producers yet. Then once you have a couple truly ready scripts, you craft your pitch and your query letter. You memorize your logline. You figure out what stands out most about your story - and your connection to it. Why were YOU the writer to write that story? Then you do your due diligence & research and you find the companies that might be right for it. And you find referrals. If you dont have any, thats where a contest or good consultant can come in handy. You network, you find people on social media (but dont stalk). You pay for a couple pitch sessions to the RIGHT companies and see how they go. You recalibrate if they dont go well. And if youre not getting bites... you drop it and move on to the next script and start over with step 1. Im a script consultant and former development executive. I also write and have had a couple assignments. Many on here know i run No BullScript Consulting. I also do mentoring and career coaching for this very topic. But no one is going to come find you if youre not working your ass off to be found!! Im happy to answer questions or if anyone does need help in this area, you can check out my site or msg me privately. thanks, and good luck!

Christine Capone

I didn't say "blanket" every agency in town but to find ones that produce your genre. And yes don't stalk people on social media either but you can research their company and see what they're up to and what they're looking for as well. That's really not stalking.

Constance York

Okay - just because I'm not great at pitching doesn't mean I haven't tried. Every person I've ever contacted has either given me the "I'm sorry we aren't accepting new writers at this time." I'm sorry we don't read anything unless it's been referred to us by someone we know." I've also been dealing with some severe illnesses in my family members in the last few years and helping with that took a toll on my finances, as well as my time, so contests and Pitch costs were out of the question. But I did enter a couple this year.

Danny Manus

Constance, my post wasnt just about you. The issues youre having are shared by many writers, but the replies I hear on these boards of "just keep at it" are not sufficient to help anyone. If you need help crafting your pitch, consult a professional. Pitching is a skill that requires time, experience, practice. Very often, writers just need help getting across what makes their story stand out. And to choose the right word choice and phrasing to make it sound sellable. I teach pitching all over the country and have taken over 3500 pitches. In your specific case, you said you are pitching films with a message, timely, that change the world. But usually, hollywood doesnt respond to agendas... you pitch how the message comes across THRU the story instead of what your agenda is. Im not saying that youre NOT doing that - i obviously have never heard your pitch so I am not judging at all. Im simply stating a generality.

Danny Manus

But, the 2 reasons youre hearing - not accepting submissions or need an agent to submit - are excuses. They're soft passes. Everyone is always accepting submissions. And if a company really loves something, they have waivers and paperwork to get over the agent thing.

Constance York

Well then they are responding to me being a woman, because usually I don't even get to tell them my story before they cut me off with those replies. I don't write with an agenda, my stories are layered and entertaining -not preachy. Who on here gets read by querying cold?? Does this work for people WITHOUT PAYING ? Thanks

Constance York

"Everyone is always accepting submissions"? Who is this everyone you speak of? How many screenplays have you written and how many have been sold? Not trying to be snarky, asking as a reference. Since you seem like you have had luck, I want to know. How many out of how many? How did you sell them? Did you get paid well? Did it get you an agent and more work? I think we can all agree there is a lot of garbage out there getting made, so just because I'm not getting read doesn't mean my work isn't good. It means it hasn't been read enough. And yes, I'm allowed to be confidant at this point. I've been getting paid for creative writing for the last 8 years, put in the work, I get great reviews, I've educated myself as well as attending university classes, etc. etc. And my professors and mentors have all told me (in past years) that the only thing I was lacking was confidence. So, I've solved that problem. :)

Christine Capone

If they’re not accepting submissions and you send one, they’ll throw it away. I’d like to know who this "everyone" is as well. CAA, Endeavor, etc will only take scripts that have been submitted by people they know. Plus you mention "company" and bypassing the whole agency thing. Who are you referring to exactly?

Christine Capone

Constance, if you mastered screenwriting then you can master pitching. Just practice. I have to do the same. Did you post your scripts on this site? I'd be interested in reading at least one.

Dan MaxXx

I'm basically a hobbyist with produced garbage and I am able to get past "we don't accept unsolicited" material. Research your people. Learn to write queries that inspires Strangers on the other end (the employed end) to respond back.

I have a 5% success querying. I think in year 2016 to 2017 I sent 300++ queries. Some ask for a signed submission form, some didn't.

It's the best time to break into movies & tv. Regular folks, young & old and outside of Los Angeles, find a way. Or if it's too hard to do it on your own, pay $$$ to pitch sites, contests, script consultants - whoever or whatever you think will get you to the place you want to be.

John Iannucci

5% is great. I read an article once that said 1-2% is the norm. Keep it up Dan

Constance York

Also- do you query more to agents or producers? And which gets better results? Thanks

Phillip E. Hardy, "The Real Deal"

I've written 34 and pitched most of them at some time or another. I'm not a hobbyist, I lean more towards distraction.

Anne Devina Reeve

Mmmmmm I thought Agents were a rare species that only moved at night.....

Danny Manus

Guys, there is no reason to every query a big agency. They don't work with writers at this level. And they get 5000 queries a month. Most writers don't NEED an agent. You should be querying MANAGERS, who are slightly more apt to read them. Many don't - that's true. Some will require you have a lawyer submit on your behalf. But the argument of "CAA, WME, UTA" wont read them -- well of course not. Stop aiming for the biggest agency. Do your research and aim for low-mid level boutique agencies who have had a couple good sales and a few good clients. Somewhere you're going to matter and not be #59 out of their 60 clients.

Constance York to your question of Pitching Agents or Producers, it all comes down to this question... Are you trying to get your one story sold and made? Or are you looking to do screenwriting as a full time professional career? If you only have one or two scripts or you just have that ONE story you really think should be a movie - then don't waste your time with reps. Just keep hitting producers. If you want to be a TV writer and get staffed and write OTHER PEOPLE'S projects -- then you need representation. But the excuse "we're not taking on new writers" -- is not true. They may not take unsolicited material...but they ARE taking new writers.

If you find you're not making headway with pitching or querying and you can't find a way in, then use a consultant or someone that can help you. Enter and win MAJOR contests. Use whatever buzz you may get on those projects to open doors. But you need to word your pitch correctly (and your queries!) and most writers don't. It's worth it to hire a pro to help you if you keep getting no responses!

Christine Capone

Danny who was telling her to send to the large agencies? If you were referencing my comment, I was implying to do the research and send to agencies that are best suited for her script and accept unsolicited scripts. There are several boutique agencies that are willing to accept unsolicited scripts.

Danny Manus

Yes, that was exactly my point. There ARE boutique agencies who will accept queries and scripts. Someone kept mentioning that the big agencies kept saying they aren't looking... that's why I said that.

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