Hi everyone! Question for you. I read a book that said when you query a producer etc., you are pretty much literally just supposed to give a logline and a X meets Y comparable statement. Actually I think it may have even said just a comparables statement. Is that true?
Thank you!
1 person likes this
Not true. But it's best to keep it short. FYI, if you're cold querying, i.e., not using a paid service that guarantees a response back, then expect about a 1% response rate at best.
1 person likes this
If you are cold querying just keep it simple. Email each target person individually, no mass emails. A one sentence logline is best and maybe a one or two sentence synopsis to help paint a picture. If you have won a major award include that also (Nicholl, Paige, Austin, something big not some hick town award no ones's ever heard of). You may or may not ever hear from them. Good luck!
1 person likes this
It depends on how you came upon there contact details. If you are told they are looking for your style of work, tell them in as few words as possible. Most important, be human.
1 person likes this
I wouldn't do just that, and I wouldn't put in a comp, either, unless it was a tonal comparison. Story line comps might make them think, "too derivative" already, and especially if they didn't like the films that you're using for comparisons.
I'd also add a short three-paragraph synopsis, and write "here's a brief synopsis if you'd like to know more. I also have an x-page treatment, and the screenplay is based off my novel," if that is the case. Some of these folks must get bombarded each day with loglines, and just kinda get conditioned to skim through them and think, "naw..heard that one before...not compelling....and that one....too derivative...and that one...too whacked," and then they might kinda be just running on auto-pilot on the Spaceship No-No-No.
Whatever you do write to them...logline, synopsis, mention of a book, etc...please make it as unique and memorable as you can. It really has to grab their attention, and they really have to think "this is something that I haven't heard before," and "this is something that I can market/sell/profit from."
Best fortunes to you in your marketing and creative endeavors, Renee!
1 person likes this
no, not true. yes, you want to keep it simple but they dont know you. there are a million great ideas or premises out there. they need to know what your take/hook/story/character is, and they want to know why YOU are the writer to write it.