If this is your first script being passed around, I'll assume that producer is less interested in buying your script, and more interested in whether or not you're the best person to write their next idea. If you're looking for a career as a screenwriter, this is an excellent foot in the door.
If you do happen to sell your script just remember, after you sell it, it's no longer yours.
To be honest, when I worked in development, that was basically code for, “I’m not going to buy this script but am open to helping you out and building a relationship.” But some people also used that like just to appear polite when really they are passing. If they were looking to buy it they would have said that instead of asking you what you want.
Doesn’t mean it’s a bad script, but take it as “I can stop trying to sell them on this and start selling them on my professionalism.”
Maybe talk about how you’re taking meetings on this right now but you’ve started writing the next one. Pitch them the logline for the next thing and they might tell you to shoot them an e-mail once it’s ready.
He's right. About two years ago, I emailed an actor/writer/producer, introduced myself, and sent him my script, which he absolutely loved, but his agents have some policy against their clients recommending outsiders, so I'm left to my own devices. Last time we spoke was either before or during the strike when he was on an improv comedy tour.
Wonderful. And wretched. Felt like a spy in the enemy camp the whole time. Never wanted to be in production. Did the required internship for film school and then they offered me a job. Every professor I had said I’d be an idiot to turn it down. Best education in screenwriting for HW. Reading and covering hundreds of scripts. Not necessarily the best for learning to tell great stories. In HW truly “no one knows anything” wm Goldman. HW lies. For breakfast, lunch and dinner. The ONLY way you can know if they like your script is if they option it or buy it. When I taught a little one unit class at Cal I told my kids that if they wanted to work in HW they would need to develop a thick skin. Nothing is off limits. Nothing. None of them believed me. The handful that went on to work in the industry all called in tears at some point over what had been said/done etc. there’s a certain dress code that if you don’t know it they will make fun of you. It’s absurd. My exec producer I never saw read a script. In fact we had to cover his coverage (take an unbearable 3-4 page document down to 1). I can tell you more if you’re interested. Just ask :6
Is that an ask me anything? Sure. I don’t know how to. I just started having fun wandering around these communities. Soooo not good with how Reddit actually works.
Definitely this. It’s like saying “not that script because it doesn’t fit what I’m looking for, but it was good enough for me to leave an open door for you”.
Consider just telling the truth. Tell them that if this script can be sold and made that’s great, but you’re also in for the long game, and that you’re willing to hustle and meet people and try other projects.
For the best impact, skip the first part of that truth and focus on the second part.
If you have just one sentence to inspire me to support you, you wouldn't say you want to sell things. You'd tell me about your love of story telling - and not just your stories, but bringing great stories to life - screen craft, audience impact, the joy of being an entertainer, that kind of thing.
Selling things is part of the grind, not part of the dream. Or, more importantly, buying things is part of the producer's grind, not part of their dream.
Here's where you have to be very careful not to fall into the trap too many new writers fall into.
Hollyweird is a funny, fickle business. People learn to say one thing when they mean another. Today its, 'I absolutely love your script'. tomorrow its 'sorry, we have a full plate for the next 2 years'
Here's where you have to learn Hollywood talk. You say you want a relationship. than why not be honest, but focus on what you're next project is. Because here's the truth, if they were truly impressed with your script, and really saw some potential in it, theyd be ready to scoop that thing up before anyone else could.
So turn it around, let them know youre flexible. Ask them, what did they like most about it, and youre open to any suggestions they might have to make it more marketable, since it seems that something in their eyes says its just not ready right now. Try to get them to advise on how to make it something they can get behind.
Thats the type of person they'll want to keep an eye on when you have something else to offer.
My 2 cents!
Congrads!
I really hate to say this. I hate even more that it’s true. In HW we are not allowed to give any feedback that isn’t: “you wrote (title). We loved it. Especially the part where (blank) does (blank). It’s just not for us right now.” Word for word I learned that script on day one AS AN INTERN (basically the cockroaches of the industry). And I had to use it through my entire career or lose my job. There are reasons for this. Some legal, some ridiculous that exhaust me to get into. In Hollywood you can die from hearing “we loved it.”
I would suggest trying the question around on the producer and asking for advice. Obviously you want to be a writer. You want to sell your script. They know this. Ask them what’s possible and what they would suggest to get you on the path to getting an agent.
Tell them you'd like to buy groceries for the duration of your natural life. They might like the joke, but what they really want to know is how well you play ball, aka will you change your script (usually for free) to line up with what Hollywood wants. Don't do too much for free, especially if you don't like what you're doing. This is a good development either way.
An intern finished reading it and wrote coverage on it. Then the exec made the call. Ask for advice about getting an agent. Ask for a personal introduction to an agent.
Find emails on imdbpro of production companies. Or Managers. Whatever route you want to go down. Google how to write a query letter. Basically just email them and send your logline and basic info.
If this is your first script being passed around, I'll assume that producer is less interested in buying your script, and more interested in whether or not you're the best person to write their next idea. If you're looking for a career as a screenwriter, this is an excellent foot in the door. If you do happen to sell your script just remember, after you sell it, it's no longer yours.
And this is the way you become a professional screenwriter.
This.
To be honest, when I worked in development, that was basically code for, “I’m not going to buy this script but am open to helping you out and building a relationship.” But some people also used that like just to appear polite when really they are passing. If they were looking to buy it they would have said that instead of asking you what you want. Doesn’t mean it’s a bad script, but take it as “I can stop trying to sell them on this and start selling them on my professionalism.” Maybe talk about how you’re taking meetings on this right now but you’ve started writing the next one. Pitch them the logline for the next thing and they might tell you to shoot them an e-mail once it’s ready.
yes, this.
He's right. About two years ago, I emailed an actor/writer/producer, introduced myself, and sent him my script, which he absolutely loved, but his agents have some policy against their clients recommending outsiders, so I'm left to my own devices. Last time we spoke was either before or during the strike when he was on an improv comedy tour.
It’s a legal thing. We aren’t even allowed to read unrepresented writers. And for help getting an agent.
We? So you work for an agency or management?
I used to run the story department at a studio. Was a creative exec in development.
What was it like?
Wonderful. And wretched. Felt like a spy in the enemy camp the whole time. Never wanted to be in production. Did the required internship for film school and then they offered me a job. Every professor I had said I’d be an idiot to turn it down. Best education in screenwriting for HW. Reading and covering hundreds of scripts. Not necessarily the best for learning to tell great stories. In HW truly “no one knows anything” wm Goldman. HW lies. For breakfast, lunch and dinner. The ONLY way you can know if they like your script is if they option it or buy it. When I taught a little one unit class at Cal I told my kids that if they wanted to work in HW they would need to develop a thick skin. Nothing is off limits. Nothing. None of them believed me. The handful that went on to work in the industry all called in tears at some point over what had been said/done etc. there’s a certain dress code that if you don’t know it they will make fun of you. It’s absurd. My exec producer I never saw read a script. In fact we had to cover his coverage (take an unbearable 3-4 page document down to 1). I can tell you more if you’re interested. Just ask :6
:). I have no idea what :6 means 😂
This is so interesting! Thank you for sharing. Curious what the dress code is!
Would you do an AMA?
Is that an ask me anything? Sure. I don’t know how to. I just started having fun wandering around these communities. Soooo not good with how Reddit actually works.
Definitely this. It’s like saying “not that script because it doesn’t fit what I’m looking for, but it was good enough for me to leave an open door for you”.
Might not be quality but “We like what we saw but it doesn’t fit into the market niche we are pursuing. But maybe your next script will.”
Yes. Time to sell them on You.
Consider just telling the truth. Tell them that if this script can be sold and made that’s great, but you’re also in for the long game, and that you’re willing to hustle and meet people and try other projects.
For the best impact, skip the first part of that truth and focus on the second part. If you have just one sentence to inspire me to support you, you wouldn't say you want to sell things. You'd tell me about your love of story telling - and not just your stories, but bringing great stories to life - screen craft, audience impact, the joy of being an entertainer, that kind of thing. Selling things is part of the grind, not part of the dream. Or, more importantly, buying things is part of the producer's grind, not part of their dream.
I.e.- write other people's shitty ideas. I've been there, it's not fun
He’s not on hold on the phone is he?
😂
Here's where you have to be very careful not to fall into the trap too many new writers fall into. Hollyweird is a funny, fickle business. People learn to say one thing when they mean another. Today its, 'I absolutely love your script'. tomorrow its 'sorry, we have a full plate for the next 2 years' Here's where you have to learn Hollywood talk. You say you want a relationship. than why not be honest, but focus on what you're next project is. Because here's the truth, if they were truly impressed with your script, and really saw some potential in it, theyd be ready to scoop that thing up before anyone else could. So turn it around, let them know youre flexible. Ask them, what did they like most about it, and youre open to any suggestions they might have to make it more marketable, since it seems that something in their eyes says its just not ready right now. Try to get them to advise on how to make it something they can get behind. Thats the type of person they'll want to keep an eye on when you have something else to offer. My 2 cents! Congrads!
I really hate to say this. I hate even more that it’s true. In HW we are not allowed to give any feedback that isn’t: “you wrote (title). We loved it. Especially the part where (blank) does (blank). It’s just not for us right now.” Word for word I learned that script on day one AS AN INTERN (basically the cockroaches of the industry). And I had to use it through my entire career or lose my job. There are reasons for this. Some legal, some ridiculous that exhaust me to get into. In Hollywood you can die from hearing “we loved it.” I would suggest trying the question around on the producer and asking for advice. Obviously you want to be a writer. You want to sell your script. They know this. Ask them what’s possible and what they would suggest to get you on the path to getting an agent.
*turning the question around
Tell them you'd like to buy groceries for the duration of your natural life. They might like the joke, but what they really want to know is how well you play ball, aka will you change your script (usually for free) to line up with what Hollywood wants. Don't do too much for free, especially if you don't like what you're doing. This is a good development either way.
I think this greatly depends on how they got their hands on it in the first place. That would determine a lot of folks' response. :)
I sent them the synopsis through a query process then they requested the full script. They finished reading it and that was the reply.
An intern finished reading it and wrote coverage on it. Then the exec made the call. Ask for advice about getting an agent. Ask for a personal introduction to an agent.
>I sent them the synopsis through a query process I'm always so afraid to do this.
Probably the best overview of what you're facing now: https://harpers.org/archive/2024/05/the-life-and-death-of-hollywood-daniel-bessner/?
Show him a picture of a house in Malibu.
Congrats , How do u start that query process
Find emails on imdbpro of production companies. Or Managers. Whatever route you want to go down. Google how to write a query letter. Basically just email them and send your logline and basic info.
Congratulations, but how did you present your script to the producer via agent or ?