Screenwriting : A query by Omnia Algaml

Great question, Omnia Algaml. I do think that having a great script is important but it likely goes hand in hand with who the writer has relationships with. As with any job, I'm always open to new relationships but if there's someone that I know who I enjoy working with then...

I've heard that from people in the industry, Omnia Algaml. I get hired for writing and ghostwriting jobs by the same indie pros. Producers, directors, and production companies like to work with writers that they've worked with. One reason is it saves time. Producers/etc. already know that those writers can deliver great scripts, so the producers/etc. don't have to spend time looking for new writers and reading samples to see if those writers are the right fits for projects. That's not to say producers/etc. aren't open to working with writers that they've never worked with. I see that happen all the time.

Omnia Algaml Production companies usually have rules around not accepting unsolicited work. So, it would have to come through a referral of some sorts. That's at the company level, so the individual producers working there have to follow those rules. Independent producers usually don't have that restriction.

Leonardo Ramirez I think that will reduce the chances of new writers appearing and screenwriting will be limited to well-known writers only.

It highlights the importance of persistent relationship-building, Omnia Algaml. I've only been on Stage 32 for a little over a year and it's already paying off.

Omnia Algaml It's mostly a legal issue. Protects the company. Doesn't mean you can't email them or speak to them at festivals and such, they just can't accept material to protect the company. But it's not an issue. Last I checked, there are 25,000 plus independent producers. These are people that aren't directly attached to a production company, but can find scripts and shop them around.

“safe zone” is not what I would say. But they know the writer, they know what the quality will be, they know how to work with that person, and numerous other advantages.

Bit like going to your favourite restaurant. It is a favourite for a reason.

People generally like to collaborate with those they know and trust because there is some expectation about the quality of the final product and matching work styles. Their isn't a complete wall around the industry, and if you know people who can refer you / match the vibe they like, they'll probably be open to at least hearing from you about what you can bring to the table

That's where your contest & spec scripts come to play. They are your audition tape to a pro occupation, just like actors doing demo auditions, or newbie directors shooting short movies. Maybe partner with newbie filmmakers & actors- if one person becomes a somebody in show biz, he/she might lift everyone else in their circle.

A few people here are making a distinction between independent producers and production companies.

But if you’re an independent producer, that usually indicates you have ownership or partial ownership of a production company. It’s a wide term that could include big companies (Warner Bros, Disney, etc), or smaller (Bad Robot, Imagine), or smaller still (my company of one, Mad Dog Movies).

Generally companies don’t want unsolicited material so they’re not open to future lawsuits. So write to them and ask if they’d like to “solicit” your work! If you write query letters to enough small prodco’s, someone is bound to say sure, send the PDF. Do your research first and find out who might be interested in a script like yours.

If you have any sort of presence in the industry, you become hounded by new writers with submissions, and many of those writers genuinely are "new", as in they've written one script in a few months without any studying of the craft or knowledge about how the film business works.

Writers are also notoriously hard to work with, particularly screenwriters. I know of a project that imploded recently because the writer, who couldn't have been in a much more fortunate position, was just too difficult to work with.

When producers have found writers they like working with, they're smart enough to keep working with them. In many cases, those writers have earned a lot of loyalty too as they most likely collaborated with those producers when times weren't great.

Many aspiring screenwriters would do a lot better if they stopped thinking they can just jump in at the top and were willing to start at the bottom.

Depends on the company, but a lot of companies keep an eye out for new talent. Some of the bigger ones run schemes to find new writers.