Screenwriting : Query or not to Query by Sami Garcia

Querying is a great way to shoot your shot and attempt to get your name/material in front of representation. Most writers I know do a big query push about once a year with their latest project that they think can entice reps to A) read their script or B) meet with them. It's useful to add any accolades your script may have garnered, such as contest wins. Also, brevity is key. I typically go with a short ask, logline, and out. I have my bio page linked in my email signature so I don't have to spend time telling people who I am or being too intrusive. If they want to know, they can click on my bio and learn more about me. I've gotten multiple reads off queries over the year, and I've found it's mainly about having a really intriguing logline. So get logline help if you need it and workshop your logline until it really sings!

Sami Garcia The funniest experience I had was when I sent a screenplay to an agent. After reading it, he bluntly told me, "You don't have any talent." But then he added, "However, since you managed to convince me to read this piece of shit screenplay, you’d make a great agent. How about you come work at my agency?"

Pat Alexander thank you so much, that is very good information. Dan Guardino that is funny, you never know who or when you can make an impact.

I'd win over peers & mentors first, find your own circle of champions; they're the ppl who, if you are pursuing filmmaking as a career, will get you jobs.

Reps are salesppl, and they're dime a dozen. Secure your own $ deal and they'll come begging, you will have leverage to pick & choose. Ask rep, "where do you see yourself in 5 years and why should I sign with you?" GL!

Congratulations on sending out your first query, Sami Garcia! Glad it went well! I've had so many experiences with querying. Some things that got me responses and requests were catchy subject lines, loglines, and short query emails.

Sami Garcia Screenwriting is a highly competitive field, and success often hinges on persistence and numbers. In my early days as an aspiring screenwriter, I sent out countless query letters, receiving only about a 2% response rate for script reads. However, when I switched to calling producers and agents directly, my success rate increased to about 10%.

I optioned my first screenplay to a producer after sending him two previous emails. Additionally, I secured my agent by reaching out by phone to various smaller agencies that represent writers. This approach worked significantly better for me.

Good luck with your screenplays!

Just never see your glass as anything less than half full Sami Garcia, research whoever you're about to pitch (IMDb Pro is a good source), and pitch to that person.

Recently I pitched a guy without doing the research (I figured, what the heck) and he wrote back: " This a mutiny in space, so get to the mutiny faster". LOL - it was never a mutiny in space story - LOL. So a pass on a pitch doesn't mean they read it and passed, or that they even read it at all. A fickle beast, the filmmaking business, but always enjoy the ride and keep on keeping on. :-)

Hi Sami Garcia - I assume you mean getting repped as a writer, not any of the other hyphenated in your bio. If that is the case, I would be remiss as the Director of Global Education if I didn't point you to this class: How to Break Into TV Writing: Get Repped, Get Staffed, Get Sold. It sounds like this is exactly what you need. I am running a special on it, so if you email me at edu@stage32.com, I would be happy to tell you more.

https://www.stage32.com/education/search?term=How+To+Make+An+Award-+Winn...

This writer is a good follow; he's never sold a spec screenplay and he's doing just fine writing for the studios.

https://x.com/jestew3/status/1810744454942446037?s=46&t=QE6_iR24yNUu6Vbg...

Remember that what you are looking for is a cooperation. If you can demonstrate what value you have as a client to a manager or agent that shares your values and ethos, it will make the partnership more fruitful.

I was taught to keep it short and to the point, include any contest placements, and be polite. Best of luck to you Sami!

Great suggestion Tom Lapke. And that you have had a good experience so far with the letter you wrote.

Nick Phillips Are you serious? All he did was tell her she should spend a $199.50 class on how to make a short film which has zero to do with a screenwriter sending out query letters. I hate it when someone asks a question and somene who works for Stage 32 tries to sell them something they don't need.

Tom suggested the "How to Break Into TV Writing: Get Repped, Get Staffed, Get Sold" class, Dan Guardino. He probably just posted the wrong link on accident.

Here's the right link, Sami Garcia: www.stage32.com/education?p=8944880845107

Maurice Vaughan. That actually makes more sense if someone’s thinking about splurging. But I think she was just curious about sending out query letters, not about breaking into TV. Honestly, I've never worked in TV and never really wanted to. Nothing against it for others, but to me, it always seemed too much like a regular job. My ultimate goal has always been to make money without working too hard. LOL!

Dan Guardino actually, my querying is to find representation or producers to break into TV. This was what my mentors suggested doing due to having a few projects that need to get optioned.

Sami Garcia Then the link that Maurice Vaughan sent might be something that you might find helpful. I just never spent money on anything other than my Final Draft software. I always figured spending money on anything to do with screenwriting for me would be like investing in Lottery tickets