Keep your pitch short, sweet, and to the point so it grabs the listener’s attention. Avoid explaining the entire story. Rather, include the main points along with information that makes it interesting.
There are pitch festivals held all over the world, so you may be able to find one that isn’t too far from you. Use the opportunity to network with other screenwriters as well. Building connections and relationships with people in the business will help you sell your screenplays. Attending pitch festivals in Hollywood will allow you to pitch directly to Hollywood producers and executives. A couple of the big ones there include Great American PitchFest and Hollywood Pitch Festival.
For instance, if you have a screenplay for an action-packed sci-fi thriller, search through the list of people who are interested in those types of scripts to submit your pitch to.
Your agent may ask you to do a video pitch to help sell your script to a Hollywood executive. Spend some time practicing your pitch on your webcam so you can make sure you look and sound good.
If you’re trying to sell your first screenplay, contests are a great way to get your foot in the Hollywood door. You can also submit to multiple contests and revise drafts to be submitted again in the future.
Choose contests that make sense for your screenplay. For instance, if there’s a screenwriting contest for new romantic comedies, and you’ve written a screenplay about World War 2, then you wouldn’t want to submit your script to that contest. Many contests have multiple categories for you to choose from to submit to. You can also search online yourself for local contests or contests that may not be listed on Movie Bytes.
Most contests ask you to submit your script using a hosting service like DropBox or by sending a PDF. If there’s a fee to enter the contest, be sure to pay it using the requested payment method.
Be sure to follow the submission guidelines of each of the contests.
Many contests will only contact you if you actually win. So if you don’t hear anything after they announce the winners, then you likely won’t hear from them.
Include a hook that sums up your main character and will get an agent interested in reading your full screenplay. In your biographical information, include any credentials, experience, and list any previously published work that you’ve done. If you have personal experiences that make you the best writer for the screenplay, make sure you mention it! For instance, if your story is a crime drama about a dirty cop, and you worked as a police officer, then it would definitely elevate your screenplay’s status.
Many agencies have agents that specialize in different genres and types of films. For instance, a large agency may have an agent that caters to horror films as well as an agent that knows the romantic comedy scene inside and out. Some of the biggest agencies in Hollywood include Creative Artists Agency (CAA), International Creative Management Partners (ICMP), United Talent Agency (UTA), and William Morris Endeavor (WME). There are also a ton of agencies that specialize in certain genres. For instance, Heroes and Villains is an agency that focuses on comic books.
Don’t send your screenplay with your query. Wait until an agency asks you to send it or you might blow your chance of having it read. If you don’t hear anything back after 2 weeks, send a follow-up email just to make sure they received it.
After you send your screenplay, send an email to make sure they received it and are able to access the file. If you have to mail a hardcopy, consider using a form of certified mail so you can be sure it’s delivered correctly.
Once you sign a contract on your screenplay, then you’ve managed to sell it. Congratulations! An agency may also sign you as a screenwriter so you can easily pitch any other screenplay ideas you have or sign on to write on other projects.
Screenplays can often be a collaborative effort, so it’s important that you’re open to feedback and willing to implement the suggested changes.
Most directories have a monthly or annual fee to be a member or host your scripts, but some are free.
You can visit InkTip and make an account at https://www. inktip. com/. InkTip requires a monthly fee to keep your screenplay up on its site.
You can visit The Black List’s website at https://blcklst. com/. The Black List requires a fee of $30 USD a month for each script you host on it.
If a talent agent has a character actor that they’re looking for a specific role for, they may use Spec Scout to find a script that’s perfectly suited for their client.
The price of having your script evaluated can vary, and can also be affected by the status of the person you choose to read your script. A seasoned and respected critic will cost more than a film school student, for instance.
