Screenwriting : Shopping screenplays to indie filmmakers by Thom Reese

This is the standard advice.

Find films that are the same as your script and reach out them. They may be interested in reading your script or at least give you some advice.

Make a list of your 20 favorite independent films. How many were written by the same person who directed them?

My understanding is the only indie screenplays that manage to sell are low-budget horror. Everything else you have to produce yourself.

What's your definition of independent films?

SXSW festival is happening next month. Attend. Unless you think your screenplays are so good that you can stay home and have Filmmaking-Strangers come to you.

Advice shared by indie Producers https://dearproducer.com/

Hi Thom,

You pretty much have to do the legwork. Find out who the indie producers are. Determine who may be right for your work, and pitch them.

I'd start with the "Pitch Sessions" under the "Script Services" tab here. You'll see a bunch of industry folks who are looking for scripts, and managers/agents who are looking for writers to rep. FadeIn does their Hollywood Pitch Fest in August, and you can pitch many producers/agents/managers face-to-face over a weekend. Both have a lot of success stories. VPF has been good for some people who have posted here, too.

Nobody really knows the exact - or even the approximate - number of spec scripts that are bought and made into films (or not made at all). There is an organization that keeps track of some of the sales (The Tracking Board(, but it doesn't take into account a lot of what really gets sold - and especially to smaller indie producers outside of that circle.

Also keep in mind that, while your spec script might be read, liked, and rejected....that interaction can lead to a contract offer to write something else. Like the studios, many indie producers have their own ideas of what they want to make, and hire writers to write those stories.

Having a book series is a good thing that you have going for yourself. Many films are based on books, and hopefully you can show some indie producers some big sales numbers that could add to their opinion of you, too - and maybe even lead to a movie or potential franchise based on your books. That's a good thing to have going there, and I hope you sell a lot of books. And don't use the phrase "best-selling author...blah, blah, blah" unless you have really sold a lot of books. Most indie producers that I interact with have gotten pretty wise to that whole "best-selling" label handed out by some of the book-selling sites; know that it could mean "almost nothing;" and ask to see actual proof of sales if desired.

Best fortunes in your creative endeavors, Thom!

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Thom - It's known as 'meet & greet' marketing.

Thank you all for your advice. Much appreciated. I know I have a lot to learn about the industry and am thankful for your insights.