How to Sell a Screenplay

Think you've got the next My Big Fat Greek Wedding on your hard drive? We've all probably felt that at one time or another--the difference is, not all of us know what to do once the last page emerges from the printer. Here are some pointers on selling your screenplay.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Logline
• Draft of synopsis

1. Contact production companies and film studios to find out who receives unsolicited screenplays. Find out if material needs to come through an agent. If so, take the plunge and get one; it may even help with those studios that don't insist on this.

2. Get a personal contact to hand-deliver your script. Even if it's the father of a friend's friend, any type of personal connection is better than an unsolicited submission. Work your Rolodex; you'd be surprised how many contacts you have.

3. Write a logline, which is a three- to four-sentence description of your plot line. Many producers make preliminary decisions based on a logline, so make sure it will knock their socks off.

4. Draft a synopsis, which is often requested as a second-round qualifier by a studio executive or agent. This one-page summary expands on the logline, complete with character descriptions and plot twists.

5. Make sure your screenplay is long enough but not too long. The general rule of thumb is 100 to 140 pages.

6. Check that everything's spelled correctly. Typos can sink even the most readable story. Consider hiring an editor if you want to be sure your copy flows well and is free of gaffes.

7. Send a clean, crisp copy of the screenplay. If your printer stinks, print out the script at a copy shop.

8. Keep your first page simple but informative: the title, your name and whatever contact information may be relevant.

9. Skip the artsy or colorful covers. Like resumes that come on colored paper, a script that's dolled up suggests something that doesn't warrant any attention otherwise.

10. Apply for consideration to screenwriting contests. Ben Affleck and Matt Damon's Project Greenlight (projectgreenlight.com) searches for aspiring screenwriters and directors, and Kevin Spacey's TriggerStreet (triggerstreet.com) provides a forum for screenwriters. Being chosen for participation in one of these events could move you to the front of the screenwriters' line.

11. Be a writer, not a director. Keep suggestions about lighting and camera angles to yourself.

Tips & Warnings

• Check out scriptwriting software. It can help you with dialog, action and overall format.
• The script has to be able to stand on its own. Any letter you include to justify its merits will likely give a studio enough reasons to reject it.
• Send your script to as many studios as you can. The more you hit, the better your chances of a sale.
• Pay rates will vary. A newcomer will obviously command far less than an established pro.

[normg]

on 6/1/2009 I actually used Pavaline.com and they were really helpful. They actually turn your scripts into movies and have some big time actors. They really gave me a lot of constructive criticism on my script.

[writerface]

on 5/8/2009 There's a pretty cool site called Inktip.com where I've seen friends who are writers get some pretty good success. They pay some small fee and post their script for producers to check out. There are guys I know of who have gotten options and had films produced through InkTip.

[writerbird]

on 1/16/2009 I have a lot of contacts in the film industry as I've worked in visual effects for over 15 years. Through friends, my script has gotten passed on to an incredibly reputable production company (owned by one of my favorite directors) and they're talking about optioning it, and various tie-ins, tv series, etc. I don't have an agent or a manager. I have no idea about the business side of selling a script (other than registering it with WGA of course). Do I really need an agent or manager? Any links to where I can read up about the various kinds of contracts? Any professional advise please?!

[writerbird]

on 1/16/2009 I have a lot of contacts in the film industry (I've been working in visual effects for over 15 years) and my script has gotten passed to a very reputable production house (owned by one of my favorite directors) who is interested in optioning it. They are also talking various tie ins, tv series, etc. I have no idea about the business side of selling it. I don't have an agent or a manager. Any advise please?

[Soulsearcher83]

on 10/11/2008 I agree, most of the time you will need an agent. Studios usually won't be bothered otherwise.