Screenwriting : A question by Steven M. Cross

You have to make your own luck in this business. The surest step forward would be to produce it yourself. Perhaps only a segment rather than the whole thing, but something to prove how serious you are. If you truly believe in your car, you don’t convince someone else to buy it, you put your family inside and go on a road trip. Screenplays are no different.

When I was setting up an internal greenlight system for my own scripts I asked a few colleagues for input along with a professional reader who I paid. I gave them all about 7 scripts and when they gave feedback, I actually listened to it and incorporated the notes. Overtime I actually got better as a writer because I began to anticipate reactions and plan accordingly. The goal became presenting scripts that nobody could give any notes on because they were bulletproof. At least in their story logic.

It helps to have a sounding board of people that one can trust who know something about the industry, audience tastes etc. The average person can't read a script and make an informed assessment and you need the outside feedback so that you can align your own standards with a benchmark for when you're on point and when you're off.

Get friends, family, people of the street, whoever you can rope in and get them to do a read through. Record this and then listen back or watch it, if it is on video.

You will see it as the world sees it.

As for their comments as well. So will crap (because they love you and will never hurt you “it’s great homey”).

Once you are happy. Post it to Script revolution. See if it sells.

Your question makes sense and is valid. I'm a 'newbie' to screenwriting; currently writing my first, I worried worries about its chances. I use to work in the video game industry (Designer), and those that made or trashed concepts were so fickle. My assumptions are that it's not so different in this (film) industry. In my opinion: Your screenplay(s) could be the next Avatar, Star Wars or whatever monster-grossing film/T.V. show you can imagine, but still be snubbed time-after-times before someone takes a chance on you work(s). It's like Stephen Floyd said "You have to make your own luck in this business", adding to that it's also about "Who you know". When I was in the video game industry I made some big-name friends that helped me make major moves, I came close getting a few of my game concepts through; with just a mention by someone that had already made a name for his/herself. I'm new to this industry, don't know anyone, so it's a steep climb back. Regardless if you believe in your work and in yourself someone is bound to see it and take a chance. BUT I can also see your side of this: long hours invested, pitch after pitch, no action other than "good job!" and "pretty good" comments, nothing more. If I were you I'd be doubting myself to (I'm hard on myself), I'd then 'test the waters' on my social media, get a body of people together and have, give them my script and as them to be brutally honest. Maybe I was barking up the wrong tree? Maybe the things that I like others hated, or didn't really care for? Bad Luck is not out of the question, the engine on my car just blew at the worst time, this has thrown my focus way off (trying to workout a scene but all I'm thinking about is the huge repair bill). I would like to get a synopsis on a few of your scripts, I'm no expert but I'm honest.

Firstly- if you do not doubt your work, then you do'n't care about it. Secondly, best thing as of limited experience is to present your work face to face whenever possible. When I wrote my first script, here in Skopje, I literally went from door to door to TV stations and producers (very limited here) offering it. Nowadays, script sites do help a lot, but still it's best to meet people in flesh...because that's what it is, meeting the right person to recognize your work as something he/she needs. Depending on the availability, you should try workshops, film markets and festivals. Mingle until you impress someone, who knows dozen others in industry and It will go through. Best luck!

Honestly watch these videos, it helped me understand so much about the process of improving a script and who to get to proof read it etc. : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1cKvESk4ig and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-lBEMZexfc (anything with Corey Mandell by Film Courage)

move.

Either you want this, or you don't. Sitting at home hasn't worked. Is there a plan B, plan C, plan D?

Write something cheap, make it with your friends & family, own money, get a job in the motion picture industry, write other people's ideas.

There are thousands of fantastic spec screenplay samples and that's all they are- writing samples.

Dan MaxXx has said it all.

Hi Steven,

Well....if you have two "exceptional" screenplays, you should concentrate on pitching those two screenplays to people who make those types of films. People are looking for exceptional scripts all day, every day - and even on Sundays, right here on Stage32!

But if you have this type of mental stumbling block, and regard yourself as a less-than-great type-of screenwriter, even though you think you have two great scripts, (how do those two thoughts co-exist in your mind, Steven? I'd consider someone with two exceptional scripts a great writer, you know?).......hmmm....I know exactly what we can do. Sign those two scripts over to me, and I'll cut you in on ten percent of anything that I make on them. Imagine how many Cardinals' tickets you'll be able to buy! Win-win! Who said I'm not a fair and righteous kinda guy? And you were an English teacher, and I was an English major. Talk about kismet and serendipity and all that kinda stuff!

Best fortunes in your creative endeavors, Steven!

P.S. Pitch the two scripts to the potentially right people, Steven. :)

You're glomping stage plays in with screenplays. They are not the same thing. So, right off the bat, "two dozen" doesn't count if you're lumping those together and understanding and being skilled at one doesn't always carry over. Also, "published numerous things" isn't real clear there. Non-fiction. Fiction? Long form? Short form? Lyrics? Letters to the editor? There's no context here in terms of experience or knowledge relating to specific mediums and they all are very different. The first way to get a sense of whether or not you know what you're doing is the ability to distinguish between mediums and to actually count how many screenplays, and what type, you have written. I get it. "I'll be falsely modest" (that was really false too and any industry insider is not going to be bedazzled by that) "and just say I've written twenty or so screenplays if I can even keep count" isn't going to hit the important parts. Want to know if you're any good? After "twenty plus scripts" which is clearly really inaccurate, it's a good question. Talk your way into a screenwriting group comprised of people who know what screenplays should look like and get some feedback.

What Max said. Find a screenwriting group. Costs you nothing. But if you really think that you have an amazing script? Enter it in the Nicholl and see how far you get. You don't need connections or contacts (though they help) as much as you need a great script. A great script will make connections for you. Also what Max said: I had trouble understanding that post...