I haven't been on Stage 32 for a good while - I wrote a screenplay that I had the novel idea of making into a feature movie via the indie route. I wrote the book that has just been recently published by Fantastic Books UK all about taking a script to production - my experiences. It details my journey to get a script to the screen and just how hard it is even for someone who actually works in Hollywood. I thought people might be interested- those of us that write scripts with the idea of one day getting it into production- maybe even directing it. It's available on Amazon- it has been creeping up the filmmaking and screenwriting ranks.
https://www.amazon.com/Fizzy-Days-Plastic-Monkeys-Malibu/dp/1914060334/r...
Chapter 1: The start of it
Dear Writer,
We are not currently accepting any scripts. But I thank you for reaching out and I wish you all the best of success. Please do not contact us again unless you have an agent submit.
Sincerely ...
Dear Writer,
Keeping in line with our policy not to accept unsolicited submissions, I have deleted your email regarding your project. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
Sincerely ...
Dear Writer,
In keeping with our rule on unsolicited submissions, we have deleted/destroyed your submission. Once you have an ‘A’ list cast, crew, and finances in place, and a sales deal, please re-submit.
Best ...
Dear Writer,
Thank you for getting in touch. I don’t think it’s a project for us as we are unable to look at it at this time, but best of luck setting it up – it looks like fun. If you approach us again, we will use the law to its fullest extent against you. If you own a pet, we will find it.
Best wishes ...
Dear Writer,
Stop sending us your fucking scripts! We will NOT read them!!!
Best ...
Dear Writer,
Fuck off!!
Sincerely
FUCK OFF!
Somewhere between 30,000 and 50,000 screenplays are registered with the Writers’ Guild of America each year. Would people embark on this thankless, clichéd crazy writing endeavor if they gave those figures some thought? The wannabe scripters of movies that no one is ever going to see because they don’t stand a hope of being picked up and produced. Would they continue the quest if they actually knew how fuckin’ hard it really is? One speculative screenplay is sold for every 5,000 tossed into circulation. Undaunted, there are thousands of ‘don’t stand a chance screenwriters out there, and I was one of them.
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I agree, Mark the struggle is very real. The greatest oak was once a little nut that held its ground. Onward and upward.
Never give in never surrender!-Enrico Colantoni, aka Mathesar, leader of the Thermians, Galaxy Quest. Dreamworks Pictures 1999
It is true that between 30,000 and 50,000 screenplays are registered with the Writers’ Guild of America each year. However there are a lot more that are registered with the LoC and a lot more that aren’t registered anywhere. There is probably at least a couple hundred thousand unsold script floating around Hollywood on any given day. Out of those maybe between 150 to 200 screenplays will sell if we are talking about something other than the very low budget variety. That means selling a spec odds really, really, really suck. If someone wants to try and beat those odds they might really be a screenwriter or they might just be insane and should be fitted for a straitjacket. I wrote over 20 screenplays so I fit in one of those categories and I hope it isn’t the straitjacket one:}