I am new here so this is my first posting.
I learned screenwriting by producing no-budget films. My 3 longest comedies is each slightly more than 100 minutes long.
I wrote a 4th screenplay. Emailed 28 Swedish film companies. None was willing to read because the Swedish Film Institute hates comedies. So I translated into American English.
Wikipedia has a list with about 1,100 film companies in USA. I go through the list alphabetically. So far I have emailed 28 companies. No answer.
What is best for me to do? Yes, I have started to contact literary agents. And how do I find email addresses to production companies which don't have any email address on their web page?
Actors like how I write. Among those who have given me encouraging comments are two persons who earlier worked for the Swedish Film Institute. I mean, they decided who would receive funding.
The main character is a 30 year old woman so one alternative is to sell to an actor who wants to direct or produce (Jennifer Lawrence?). The main character is transformed in a way that I hope Christian viewers will like.
My screenplay is a 96 pages long action comedy. I write in such a way that my films can be broadcast. I mean, no age limit.
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Welcome to the community and the Screenwriting Lounge, Göran Johansson. You could pitch to industry pros through Stage 32's Pitch Sessions (www.stage32.com/scriptservices/pitch-sessions). The Pitch Sessions are mainly to get feedback on pitches, but writers have gotten shopping agreement, been signed by reps, etc. through the sessions (www.stage32.com/scriptservices/success-stories).
You could also search for the contact information for agents, managers, producers, production companies, etc. on IMDbPro (https://pro.imdb.com/).
And here are blogs on networking that might help you connect with producers, directors, etc.: www.stage32.com/blog/tags/networking-41
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Dear Maurice,
Many thanks for answering. It takes time for me to discover how this place functions.
Anybody else who has something to say?
You're welcome, Göran Johansson. Here's a great blog that'll help you navigate Stage 32 for your best experience: www.stage32.com/blog/navigating-stage-32-for-your-best-experience-3095
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Stay in Europe and do your own thing; American show biz suits will find you if the story can translate to American audiences.
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Have you considered entering an international screenwriting contest?
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Dear Maurice, many thanks for the link. I hope I will learn as soon as possible how to use this web site.
Dear Dan, I hope I understand what you mean. At the same time, the film financing system here in Europe is a problem for people like myself.
Dear Jessica, no I have not. I prefer to send plays to theatres. Respectively creating my own movies.
Any more comments?
You're welcome, Göran Johansson.
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Cold queries seldom get even responses. One managerial and production company that still welcomes cold queries is Zero Gravity. Here is a list of managers that accept cold queries: https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/screenwriting-managers/
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Dear Anthony, I plan to check Zero Gravity as soon as poosible. And also the link. so many thanks for both.
More comments?
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Göran Johansson YW, Goran.
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I would use IMBD Pro over wikipedia any day of the week. It's a good way to find industry contacts. Make a short list of recent projects similar in tone, scope, and genre to your project. Then look up the companies involved and you could try to reach out to them. Like others have said, cold queries have no guarantees, but it's a way to put yourself out there and try to get eyes on your project for sure
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You're in the situation every other aspiring screenwriter is in. You have material you're trying to get through an economy where supply massively outweighs demand. Jennifer Lawrence isn't waiting by the phone.
The slog of querying is painful (soul destroying), but it's the only effective method of grind we have. Next to that is networking, which is more about being in the room than anything else, and thus not really an option for most.
The competitions are mainly just lotteries, and most resort to those, like most people buy lottery tickets rather than invest.
One strategy, and it's one that worked for me, is to put yourself out there and blog. If you're saying the right stuff, people should notice.
You're more than welcome to come join Script Revolution, but even on my own platform I tell people it's no substitute for querying and networking.
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Hi Göran. I see you're in Lund -- I'm based in Stockholm. I don't have any advice, but thought it might be nice to hear some well wishes from someone who lives not too far away! Good luck with your project -- it sounds like a lot of fun.
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Thanks for sharing your story, there are EXPERTS on here who can answer this question completely. Just wait, someone will chime in....
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Dear Pat, I understand what you mean. But it takes time to get used to one more web site (after five days of membership here I have not yet learned how stage32 works). So I start at Wikipedia. Because I am used to Wikipedia. But sure I understand the benefits of IMDb pro.
Dear CJ, I understand what you mean. For me it has worked fine to learn by doing. I rather spend time on creating movies or writing plays than maximizing the amount of time I spend on querying producers. And theatres answer more encouraging than film companies. When it comes to networking, I am well known by some people, but they have no money for my filming. When it comes to your blog, I plan to take a look during the next few days.
Dear Steven, I agree that luck is needed.
Dear Marsy. Yes, I understand copyright. At the same time, since my hope is to sell in a country where I don't live, I would be in an awkward position in a court case. So my hope is that if somebody buyes, I can more easily sell something else to others. For example, selling plays to theatres.
Dear Miquiel, I think I understand what you mean.
Yesterday I wrote to Zero Gravity, and they asked for a copy of my screenplay. More such suggestions?