Getting A Script Noticed

Breaking into the screenwriting business and getting your script noticed is hard work. It will take time, perhaps years, before a producer notices your work and decides to purchase it for production. You do have to remember, though, that every writer started at the bottom and worked his/her way up, just as you plan to do.

When you write a script, make sure that you have proofread it many times to catch all the mistakes. Read it aloud to yourself to ensure that you have the right explanations included for how the characters should speak, look and behave. Have several other people, preferable people with acting experience act out script for you so that you will see how it will look to a producer. This could be a community theatre group or a few of your college buddies. One idea is to write a script that can be preformed in front of an audience that will give your reviews of your work. It will also give you some background and experience for your resume.

Look at the genre of the script and research the producers that work in this field. Search out the names of producers that are accepting unsolicited scripts and carefully read the descriptions of what they are looking for. Although you should send your script to many companies, you do have to make sure your script is in the same genre as what they are looking for. Check out the reputation of the company to make sure it is one known for equity and fairness.

Many of the larger productions companies will not accept unsolicited scripts. It is perfectly ok to call and ask if they are accepting scripts and if so, ask the name of the person to whom you should address the package. This will assure you that the script will reach the right hands and not be left on someone’s desk who doesn’t deal with that kind of work.

Once you have a lits of companies to start with, don’t start with the biggest and the best. You want to get your script noticed and the best way to do this is to start with smaller companies that are also looking for their big break. When submitting your script, another tip is to submit it to executives and assistants. They do know what the producers are looking for and if they like what you write, they can recommend your script to the right person.

You do have to send a query letter by fax or email. If you have more than one script, only target one of them for the query. With a whole list of scripts, the producer will get the idea that there is something wrong with your work because you have so many unsold pieces of writing. Submit your work to festivals and competitions. These are also ways of getting noticed.