1. CelebImage may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
rate. Finishing a project like this is a huge deal in your life. It’s emotionally exhausting. Take time to reflect on what you’ve accomplished. Celebrate with someone close to you who understands how important this event is. Reward yourself. Fly to Paris.
2. You may want to register your script with the Writer’s Guild, or copyright the project. You’ve got to be careful who you tell about the project. You don’t want to get ripped off. On the other hand, you do have to get used to talking about your project when selling it. You have to be able to live with risks.
3. After taking some time to relax and recharge, prepare to show your work to others. Put yourself in a frame of mind to accept constructive criticism. Nobody likes this part. You want to be feeling good about yourself and your previous accomplishments. If your self-esteem is at an all time low, you’re probably not ready. People will be judging your script. Just remember, it’s the script. It’s not you.
4. Ask trusted friend who is also a writer to read your work. Your friends will generally say good things. This is a safe way to start showing your work. Next, if you’ve cultivated connections who write professionally, give it to them for a critique. Two is better than one, if possible. Listen to their critiques.
5. Some people do table reads, using actors to read the parts out loud. This can be helpful, too. If it’s a comedy you can tell which jokes work. The people reading the roles may have valuable input, too.
6. Compare the various critiques and decide what needs to be fixed. Be tough with yourself. The marketplace will be unforgiving. Try to remain objective. Incorporate the fixes into your next draft.
7. If you can afford it, this is a good time to send this more polished script to a professional story analyst. Make sure the reader is someone you trust. I’ve sent scripts to an individual which screens screenplays for Sundance Labs. I recall paying him $250 to evaluate and more to hear an hour or two of feedback. He’s always allowed me to tape record our sessions together, which helped with the next rewrite. I know, you’re saying “Ack. More rewrites!!?, but this is what writers are doing today.
8. Incorporate the new changes into your screenplay. You don’t have to change everything everyone says, but if there’s a trend, you’d be wise to follow it. This is your final draft. It’ll be your calling card screenplay.
9. Now you want to get this version of your screenplay to agents, managers, producers, directors or actors. If you don’t have an agent or manager, there are other ways to go. Do you have any contacts that can get a script to a professional? You’ll have to move out of your comforts zone. Some people are lucky and can get a script to Robert Downey Jr or they know a guy who knows Pee Wee Herman.
10. Another great idea is to enter screenwriting contests, labs and internships. The Nicholls fellowship is the best contest. Film festivals have contests. Some websites like the Blacklist or Inktip may also have contests. If you place in the top 10%, or better, win — you can add that to your query letter. Sundance and Slamdance and other festivals have workshops, too. If your script makes the cut, they may have you come in to do their “lab,” reworking and shooting a scene.
11. Warners and Disney have internships for promising writers. If accepted, they’ll work with you on polishing your script or writing a new script in a workshop setting. They ‘re generally looking for “the next big thing,” which could be you. If you’ve written a TV spec script, say for Homeland, Modern Family, The Bridge, or The Good Wife, you might be especially interested in the studio internships.
12. If you don’t have representation, there are places on the internet you can post your screenplay where producers, managers and agents can access them. Inktip is one such site. Moviebytes is another. I think Triggerstreet (started by Kevin Spacey) and International Screenwriters Association will post your script.
13. Some screenwriters blog about their writing “adventures,” and others have websites where they talk about their projects. Allegedly, Diablo Cody got “discovered” based on her blog about being a stripper-screenwriter. Some people set up Facebook “Like” pages for their projects.
14. If you’re trying to shoot your scripts as low-budget features, a social media presence is pretty important. There are places like Kickstarter and Indiegogo for crowdfunding. If you can get your script to a star (who can carry a movie) and get them to sign a letter of intent, you can find matching funds.
15. When sending your calling card script to an agent, a manager, a studio, or a production company, be sure and include a signed release form. (When you get an agent, you won’t need these). In your query letter, mention which contests your script has placed in. Mention any facts like, “Quentin Tarentino said this was the best script he’s read in a long time.” Get their interest.
16. While you’re hustling this calling card script to actors, directors, or producers, you should be thinking of new ideas for other films or TV shows. When somebody loves your script, they usually say, “I like your writing, what else have you been working on.” Be ready.
If you have questions about writing your spec feature or TV script, contact me for a free consult to discuss the steps it takes to write your way into a Hollywood writing job, just click here.
Image credit: Creative Commons, Dom Perignon Champagne, 2009 by geishaboy500, licensed under CC By 2.0