How to Sell a Sci-Fi Screenplay

Work on your screenplay continues after the writing is done.

If you have put your heart and soul into a science fiction screenplay, the last thing you want to do is have it collect dust on your shelf. Your work is not done once your writing is completed on a screenplay. You must take the time to market your work to potential buyers in order to earn money from the screenplay. Before attempting to sell your screenplay, determine if your work is up to industry standards by reading works by successful science fiction writers in the business.

Instructions

1. Hire an agent. Although you can make cold calls to production companies, you are more likely to get the chance at a meeting by having representation. An agent does the grunt work of contacting production companies and presenting a synopsis of your science fiction screenplay to potential buyers. Find agents that have experience with science fiction works through the Writers Guild of America or creative directories. Write a query letter to see if they would be interested in taking you on as a client.

2. Create a pitch for your science fiction screenplay. Producers want to know the highlights of the screenplay and how you plan to sell the story to the audience. Your pitch should have a logline and a synopsis for the story. The logline is the hook for your science fiction story while the synopsis gives more details about the plot.

3. Know your story inside and out. If you are vague while pitching the screenplay, you could scare off potential buyers. Be prepared to answer any questions about your script.

4. Make adjustments to your work as needed. If you are not garnering any interest in your screenplay, you may need to rework the story. Get feedback from agents, consulting firms and producers on what your screenplay is lacking. Use comments to edit the script and make it fit what your buying market is looking for.

5. Go back to the drawing board. If your science fiction screenplay is not making money, put it on the shelf and work on new projects. Consider bringing at least three screenplays to production meetings in case your first screenplay is not what the company is looking for.

References

• Scriptologist: How To Sell Your Screenplay: An Interview With Film Insider Laurie Scheer
• Writing.org: Sell Your Screenplay!
• Selling Your Screenplay: How to Sell Your Screenplay
• Writers Store: 10 Story Techniques You Must Use to Sell Your Script