Screenwriting : Query Letters by Nicole Miller

Having a pitch deck available, as well as concise, direct sentences in your letter. Let them know what you're about, what the project is about and do it in a way that moves quickly and lively. Hope this helps!

Make it about them. People are narcissists. I am not saying that in a bad way. People like to hear about themselves. It proves that you care about them. If some cares about you, you want to be around them for protection. That is just how we have evolved.

Thank you both for this information! In terms of "making it about them," what exactly do you mean? I understand your approach and it makes complete sense, but how do I individualize the letter enough to prove how it would benefit the manager, producer, etc.?

Definitely keep it short and to the point. Craig's point is great, too. You don't need to tell them they're the best looking, most fascinating person in the world, but if you know something about them, it helps. For instance, if they've recently won an award, congratulation them. Or if there's something about their company (the people they represent or the films they've released) that you find unique or interesting, briefly mention that, so they feel like you put some thought behind your decision to contact them, and you're not just blanketing all the companies indiscriminately. It goes a long way.

Thank you! I will definitely attempt that approach!

A metaphor, think how you may ask someone for a date. Find something in common. Things that make them desirable.

What have they made, what do you like about the films they have made. mention their style.

Find a way that you can perhaps help them.

Then ask if they have any gaps in their production schedule.

People like to help people they like. So be likeable. The luck part of the calculation. If they have just had an argument with their spouse, we’ll they are taking it out on you.

Everyone gave you great advice, Nicole Miller. Here's one of the query letter templates I use:

I think of a catchy subject line.

I always start a query letter with "Hi, _________,"

Then I let the person (executive, director, producer, etc.) know why I'm emailing.

After that, I mention the logline. Some script leads tell you that the producers, companies, etc. only accept loglines in query letters, so I exclude a synopsis.

If the script leads say the producers, companies, etc. are open to more than a logline, I include a short synopsis. Sometimes I also include what's special/unique about the script (usually just one sentence) and a small paragraph about how many characters are in the script, how many locations are in the script, etc., but I like to keep my query letters brief, so I don't always include this information. Producers, agents, etc. get a lot of query letters, so they don't have time to read a long query letter.

Next, I mention that a treatment and a pitch deck are available, then I thank the person for hearing my pitch.

Sometimes I add a short bio but not always (because I like to keep my query letters brief).

I end the email with my name and contact info.

QUERY LETTER:

A catchy subject line: The House is ALIVE! - "Escape the House" - Horror/Comedy Script Pitch

Hi, ______,

How are you doing? My name is Maurice Vaughan. I found your post on _________________ (or I'll mention who referred me to the person that I'm emailing). I have a Horror/Comedy feature script about a living house that wants a family and a maid. It's titled "Escape the House." (I put the title in red bold)

Logline: After a disobedient teen and her mom move to a small town, the family and a neighbor try to escape from a living house that wants a daughter, wife, and live-in maid.

Picture “Monster House” as a live-action movie (I put this in red bold).

Short Synopsis: A disobedient teenager named Julie and her mom, Andrea, move into a small-town house that’s alive. Knowing it’s alive, their new neighbor, Harriet, tells them they need to move out. The house introduces itself as Hank and says it wants Andrea and Julie to be its family; to replace its wife and daughter who died. They say no, so it locks them inside and says they’re not leaving. It tells Harriet she will be the family’s maid. Julie, Andrea, and Harriet try to escape, but the house prevents them from getting out. After Julie and Andrea find out about the house’s main weakness, they injure it and escape.

The full synopsis is in the treatment. A pitch deck is available. Thanks for hearing my pitch.

Maurice Vaughan

Contact Info

Nicole Miller Here's a sample query letter Danny Manus posted on his profile: www.stage32.com/profile/182752/Screenplay/In-the-Water-QUERY-SAMPLE-2

I keep stuff simple, maybe two short paragraphs and I target ppl who do the same stuff I want to do. I got read requests by saying, "Die Hard on steroids. 10x the body count!"

Nicole think of yourself as being a salesman. And you have two minutes to make the sale. You need to get the vision in your mind to them, show them why should I spend money on this? If you need more help message me.

My recommendation is to highlight the work you've already done to get your project produced (any talent attached/interested, budget, location, etc). The more heavy lifting you've already done, the less work the manager/producer will have to do.

Check out this webinar on how to write a query letter to reps: https://www.stage32.com/webinars/How-To-Write-A-Query-Letter-That-Gets-Y...

Network, meet people for coffee, always have a work ready

I had success with a query letter. I sent the same producer two or three other screenplays before he optioned one of them. He recomended me to another producer once. Last year he wanted to produce another one I wrote but I didn't want to sell it.

Great recommendations from Nick Waters below!! Super helpful.

Hey, Sam! Great seeing you on here! I'm so used to seeing/contacting you on IG or LinkedIn, it's nice seeing you here too.

I received a script request from Zero Gravity Management the other day, but have heard they request screenplays a lot more than other production/management companies? Any thoughts on this subject, everyone?

They do request a lot. And since it takes them a long time to actually read them, they also request that the writer not follow-up (if you don't hear from them after you've submitted, it means they're either not interested or haven't yet got around to reading it ). Either way, they'll only notify you if they're interested.

Thanks, Tom! Is there a ballpark waiting period to hear back when a writer basically knows that the company that requested the script is simply not interested in the material?

Hi Nicole. That's like asking "how long is a piece of string". Everyone's different. But if a non-ZG company requests your script, I'd send a follow-up email about 6 weeks after you submitted your script, just asking if they'd had a chance to read it.

Good to know! Thank you, Tom.

Keep it to no more than five paragraphs with no attachments (pitch in the body). Tell them what's unique/ sets your story apart in the opening paragraph. Get creative with the subject line and get to the point with the pitch. Make sure your character arcs are articulated in the synopsis. Hope that helps.