Kenneth L Sykes's Lounge Discussions

Amy, I was ghosted by a producer here, too, after an introduction. In my case, it could have been because I accidentally jumped the gun. I was given the producer's contact information before receiving her notes and assumed that meant she didn’t have notes and wanted a meeting. It turns out she wanted to tell me how much she loved my first ten pages. I'm still not sure why she wanted me to have her contact info. The process is like dancing and the producer/agent/manager is always leading.

I took it as a win and then invested in two reads with hour-long consults from two producers that I had already pitched to and who liked the pitch but passed.

Both meetings were, in Ashley's words, worth their weight in gold. I knew neither one was going to option the script as they both passed when I pitched, but they are both in my target audience, and I now have two producers who I can quote in a query letter, and the people I'm querying can verify what I wrote with a quick phone call.

I know Ashley said not to quote analysts and consultants but I assume producers with credits from known films are an exception.

I didn't ask today because I was tired and I had crossed a boundary with him after our last class: I could swear I read in one of the promotional emails for this class that Ashley was going to be available both in this forum and outside of class, so I emailed him asking for a query letter review and was politely, but firmly told in class only and I felt kind of bad about that as I know how busy people in this industry are.

I have a few paid pitches with virtual pitch fest. I may test the waters there before next week.

Tom K., thanks for relaying your experience with me. Sorry for the negative experiences you went through, but I guess we are not alone in that.

Thanks for sharing your experience - I have used pitchfest. Three weeks ago I sent a query out about my Hemingways script . Several producers requested the script which I have sent- them. So lets see. However, I sent my Carole Lombard script to 20 producers and managers. last week. All said NO. Strong project blah blah .I can't tell if it is due to the letter/log line . It seemed to be the subject of the film that was rejected - the life of a Hollywood star from the '30s.

That's the downside of not getting any replies or a simple "No". You don't know, where you went wrong. Have you entered any contests or received any other sort of feedback before sending it to producers/managers, Selma? Maybe they can point something out, that might put producers/maangers off. On the other hand: It's a good sign, if you were allowed to send the Hemmingway script already to producers.

Thanks. No, I haven't tested out the Carole Lombard story. That's the plan for this weekend...competitions, maybe the 10 page read that Tom has recommended.

I think it would be wise to spend a little more time getting to grips with something like Final Draft even if it doesn’t work “out of the box” as you say. As commendable as your resolve is - producers don’t give a hill of beans about “your world” explanations for not using industry standard kit unfortunately that’s just the “real world”.

Celtx

I echo what most have said above, Phillip (great name, by the way!) If you're just starting out and just want to write (the most important thing of all, right?), then Word can do this at a very basic level. But there are free-to-use online screenwriting programs that will sort out the fundamental margins etc. so I would certainly look at these before submitting anywhere (i.e. agents, production companies, contests etc.)

And if you're serious about this writing game, then I would urge you to invest in proper screenwriting software. Something like Highland, FadeIn or Final Draft. The latter is the only one I've ever used in all my years working in the industry, so I can't really comment on the others. I'd certainly try the Final Draft trial version and see how you get on and after those 30 days, if you're keen to pay your hard-earned for a full version, then come back to me: I can get you a 25% discount on the RRP.

As a side note, anyone who wants a .fdx version already has Final Draft. FD doesn't understand .docx but can import ,txt or .rtf files. You lose most of the formatting, so it's not a great solution. If you get to the point of selling something, you might want to consider investing in a copy of FD. It still seems to be the industry standard.

Greetings P. Hurst I use FD, but would love to use John August’s screenwriting programme, Highland. Maybe one day I’ll get a Mac Book and can have it one there! I’d never use MS Word, it just doesn’t look professional and the formatting is a real trial.

Peace. I'm trying to learn animation also.

Hi, Bridgit. Great to connect with you. I like your profile photo. Did you design it?

Maurice Vaughan Thanks Maurice. Yes, i designed my profile photo :-)

Hello, Bridgit. Greetings from Aus.

You're welcome, Bridgit.

Congrats on your short script being sold and being produced.

Congrats

Congrats!

Thank you very much, Diana, Kenneth, Maurice and Rutger!

You're welcome, Rory.

Welcome, welcome!!

Thank you, Jose.

Peace and Welcome. I'm new also

Thanks Kenneth. Welcome too.

Hey, Tahiera Monique Brown! My name is Kay, I'm the Community Manager here at Stage 32. If you'd like to learn more about myself and the Stage32 Team, we have an intro blog: https://www.stage32.com/blog/Meet-the-Stage-32-Team Nice to meet you!

Congrats on your books and your film in development! Actually, if you want to learn how to develop a script and keep it COVID-friendly, check out this webinar coming up next week: https://www.stage32.com/webinars/How-to-Make-Your-Script-COVID-Friendly-...

I’m sure you’ve already discovered the Screenwriting Lounge (https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting), but I'd LOVE for you to post in the Producing Lounge (https://www.stage32.com/lounge/producing). Maybe you could talk about your process during development?

Keep in mind that these lounges are like the VIP Filmmaker's Lounges at Film Festivals, so this is where you can meet the people doing the work, get advice on anything you're working on, and/or give back to those who may need advice. We're a very supportive and encouraging community! I think you'd also enjoy my intro blog post on how to engage with the Stage32 Community:

https://www.stage32.com/blog/Find-Your-Community-on-Stage-32

Enjoy exploring the lounges, and don't forget to comment and respond to others’ posts, too! It's the best way to really connect! And, of course, feel free to reach out at any time. Cheers!

Peace. I'm new too. Welcome aboard

Thanks for the welcome, Aray. I look forward to learning, creating and connecting. I will reach out to him ASAP

Hi, welcome. I play in a similar space as you. Anytime you'd like to connect and bounce ideas feel free to reach out.

Peace, yes let's hook up soon.

Hey Kenneth L Sykes welcome. I'm into sci-fi, fantasy and horror. Check out The Writer's Room where you can meet and commune with fellow writers if you'd like. As Aray Brown said Jason Mirch is a great contact and he runs The Writer's Room. I applaud you doing an Afro-centric project. I recently won Stage 32"s Micro-Budget Horror Script Competition with a horror script based on African mythology. The possibilities are endless. Feel free to reach out to me directly always glad to hear new ideas.