Selling Your Screenplay
You have your finished (and edited!) screenplay in hand, so now it’s time to think about selling it. That’s the good news.
The bad news: there’s a TON of other people thinking the same thing as you!
While pitching a screenplay is as tough as writing a script, it’s not impossible. With the right tactics, it definitely can be achieved.
However, most writers don’t know how to use these tactics. And they don’t know how to start selling their script … But that’s what this article is for! Check out my top 6 tips on selling your screenplay. Ready? Let’s go!
1) Querying
It is prudent for any writer to prepare a query letter or email after finishing their script. A query letter is a document that will contain essential information about your story.
Query letters and emails will probably be the first document that producers and agents expect from you while contacting them.
A standard query letter would include:
- A short description of yourself
- A logline of the story.
Now, the question is how to craft query letters that might get you a meeting or a job?
Answer – RESEARCH! Read about the industry and who is who. Find industry pros such as companies and individual producers online.
The most important part here is to follow the guidelines given by the producers, agents, or their website.
Query letters are something that can get you direct access to opportunities. So, don’t miss out this crucial step (and so many writers do miss it!). At the most, you’ll be rejected or ignored, that’s all.
2) Screenwriting Contests
This can be a brilliant method to break into screenwriting! You can submit your scripts to various screenwriting contests for exposure and feedback on your work.
It is important to know which competitions are the best for your script’s genre. I’d recommend going through these tips on screenplay contests or doing a quick Google search before applying.
To keep track of the deadlines for the contests, Moviebytes is a helpful site.
3) Find A Literary Agent
You must have heard about literary agents. They are the ones who pitch your story to producers.
The first thing you should do after you find a literary agent you want to submit to is to do some research about that person. You must find out if the agents that you are sending your query letter to are interested in the kind of genre you write.
Yes, there are genre-specific literary agents! That means, if your script is a romantic comedy, don’t send it to an agent who’s looking horror screenplays.
Many websites like LitRejections.com have information about literary agents. This may include their clients and the kind of submissions they accept.
4) Pitch Festival
This is a great way to get your writing to industry pros. You have to enter a timed arrangement where you get five minutes to pitch your script to a producer/director and when the time is up, you move on to the next.
The person will call you if they are interested in your script.
Notable pitch festivals are Hollywood Pitch Festival and Golden Ticket Pitch Festival (which takes place inside the story expo). You can also pitch industry pros via sites like Roadmap Writers.
5) Script Coverage Services
Script coverage companies provide feedback on your script for payment. If the script is deemed to be exceptional, some companies will use their connections to get your script in the right hands.
There are some best script coverage services however, they are quite costly if you are a budding writer. Be careful and ask your peers for their recommendations.
6) Make Your Own Film
This one is tough, I know. But there are writers who have become award-winning filmmakers by writing, filming, and editing their own scripts.
Christopher Nolan is a great example! Spike Lee, Quentin Tarantino. There’s no dearth of inspiration.
So, you shouldn’t give up.
I hope these methods work for you.
Good Luck Selling Your Screenplay!
BIO: Sarang Padhye is a blogger and content marketer. He loves writing scripts, commercials, filmmaking, as well as advertising. However, he’s equally passionate about sharing his knowledge with visitors on his blog Miracalize Media. Check out his Ultimate Guide on Writing TV Commercials.