- 1
DECIDE ON YOUR STORY. Once you've decided what to write, you now have to write it. There are several websites out there that offer free advice on writing screenplays. Following a traditional 3-act structure is what mainstream Hollywood is looking for. - 2
BE COMMERCIAL. The producers are looking for high-concept work. If your story is about a one-legged pixie who doesn't know if she wants a sex change, then you're probably never going to sell the story. Look at what movies have made money in the last ten years. It's a good model to follow. - 3
YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE RICH. Forget about all the Cinderella stories you've heard about first-time writers selling scripts for a million dollars. It's bull. The few stories of it being true are blown out of proportion, and the exception isn't the rule. The reality is, you might get 50K for your first one, 100K if you're lucky. - 4
BE REALISTIC. It's a fact, most writers die broke. If you are one of the lucky million that sell your screenplay, the chances are it will never get made. Only 1 out of 10 do. Out of every hundred that do get made, a small handful actually make money. Only 1 out of every thousand of those will win an Academy Award. - 5
MAKE SURE YOU COPYRIGHT. There are two ways legal and legitimate ways to copyright your scripts. First, through The Writers Guild. You don't have to be a member of their union to register work. It only costs $20 per script and you can do it online. Second, through the Library of Congress. This option is necessary but it's more expensive and takes longer. Go to their website for more information. Contrary to popular belief, YOU CAN NOT MAIL A COPY TO YOURSELF. IT'S A COMPLETE WIVE'S TALE. IT'S NOT LEGAL AND IT WON'T HOLD UP IN COURT!!! - 6
HOW DO I SEND THE SCRIPTS OUT? Don't mail any scripts to anyone. 100% of them will go directly into the trash. Most production companies and studios have a relentless policy not to accept unsolicited material. If you think you're slick and you're going to send it anyway, you just lit $10 on fire. The cost of the script, postage, brads and envelopes are not cheap, so don't waste your money. When you send unsolicited scripts you're going to get a letter from the legal department saying not to send your material anymore. - 7
GET AN AGENT. Since producers, directors and studios won't take unsolicited material, you need to get an agent. The reason people won't take scripts without an agent is because everyone is always getting accused and sued over stealing ideas. It's all covered under intellectual property laws if you want to read up on it. You can get a list of legitimate literary agents through The Writer's Guild. Each agency has its own policy on submissions. Call first BEFORE sending anything out. - 8
BE PREPARED FOR MASSIVE REJECTION. It can take years and years before you sell a script. If you are one of the very lucky ones, go in knowing that it will probably never get made. The ones that do get made take 10 to 20 years. That's the grim reality. Don't shoot the messenger; I'm just giving you the statistics. You really have to love writing to want to stick with it under the Hollywood circumstances.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
