How to pitch a script

[Milkster]

So I've had a few ideas bouncing around in my head and started working on them. I was curious how one goes about getting a script read and produced by studios. Also the proper format for writing one. As of now it's just a jumble of characters, plot, scenes in a notebook I have.

[Trichocyst]

I have a B.F.A. in Writing for Film and Televsion and can help.

You can download software like Final Draft to write a script with. It auto-formats it for the most part so that it's clean and professional looking, though you should still know the rules of how to write a script. Your script should look like this:

http://tesugen.com/pictures/groundhog-day-script.png

As far as getting your script read and interested, there are a few ways. It's hard to do it if you're not in Hollywood with access to various producers or studios. You can enter contests (I worked for the Greater Philadelphia Film Office which sponsored screenwriting contests, pitching contests, etc.) or be at the right place at the right time. You can look into different agencies that would help you get your idea in front of the right people, but it's harder outside of Los Angeles. I've written 3-4 scripts at this point, but I haven't gotten anything produced. I love the art, hate the business.

Actually pitching a script is a different animal. If you get into a pitch you should carefully craft it like a oral report. You want to keep it succinct and reveal enough to made it interesting, but not too much. You have to hook them and refrain from dropping the climax too early. Use reference points that people can understand and use it subtly suggest it's salability. The perfect pitch will leave them dying to know how everything wraps up.

There a lot of specifics I can go into, but that should get you started at least. If you live near a big metropolitan center (Philadelphia, LA, New York) then they may have a film agency that can help you like the GPFO. If you have any more questions you can post them or PM me.

[Kryssan]

be at the right place at the right time

That sounds like the more applicable point. Having the luck to be in the right place at the right time.

[Trichocyst]

It's more than luck though. It's a lot of beating on doors, interning, reading scripts, doing punch up, being friendly, making the right contacts, networking. Showbiz, like pretty much everything in the world, is all about nepotism. You go out there at the right age, make friends with people who are writers, directors, editors, etc. who are also trying to get work made. You might get a meeting through a friend and that's your ticket to pitch an idea.

[Souj]

If you don't live in/around LA and/or know people, 1 of the few options you have is to write up a query letter and mail it to every agent you can get an address for. Odds are still very slim that you'll even get an agent to pick you up as a client though.

[MysteryMithra]

Get in contact with a script coordinator. Be best friends with said script coordinator. They will save your career.

[archibaldcrane]

nah

[Cyn]

Become a producer's cocaine dealer?

[Qalbert]

[archibaldcrane]

The fact that you're concerned about how to pitch a script that you haven't even written, that is 100% for sure going to be dogshit because you don't know what you're doing, makes me rage a little.

[Belkin]

That and any script you pitch will never get made or produced. Ever. They look at it as a sample of your work more than a project that is worth their time and effort. If they pick you up, they'll have you write what THEY want you to write. It's REALLY fucking stupid, but that is the writing business in general. Unless you self publish...which is the only way to go anymore.

[archibaldcrane]

That and any script you pitch will never get made or produced. Ever. They look at it as a sample of your work more than a project that is worth their time and effort. If they pick you up, they'll have you write what THEY want you to write. It's REALLY fucking stupid, but that is the writing business in general. Unless you self publish...which is the only way to go anymore.

Um.

While it's often a case that a script is used to get an assessment of whether a writer is talented, the idea that the only scripts that are produced are ones written by assignment is...completely incorrect. People in development for studios everywhere are reading hundreds of original scripts a week looking to find the "next great film" - I know many of these people, both developers and screenwriters.

[Arvin]

Good luck with that stuff Milkster, hope it goes well lol

[Fhloston]

http://www.tvworthwatching.com/contr...family-guy.jpg

Free script with every car wash, etc

[Ksandra]

tbh, you'd have a better chance of writing a book and have that turned into a movie someday than actually getting a script read/developed with no connections. Even then that's extremely iffy depending on what type of story you're trying to write.

[Zeb]

Write books. Sell em on Amazon's ebook store. Make bank like this bitch.. http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/self-...oks-per-month/

[Milkster]

I was just curious as to how the business and everything works. Not like I'm basing the rest of my future off of getting picked up by a studio. Just something I was interested in doing in my spare time, to see if it would even be worth the effort to pursue it.

[Milkster]

The fact that you're concerned about how to pitch a script that you haven't even written, that is 100% for sure going to be dogshit because you don't know what you're doing, makes me rage a little.

So asking questions before doing something and learning as much as possible so you do it as well as possible upsets you? Hmmm...

[Kerberoz]

Step 1: Write a script.

[archibaldcrane]

So asking questions before doing something and learning as much as possible so you do it as well as possible upsets you? Hmmm...

Just run into a lot of "Oh I have this idea maybe I should think about writing a screenplay" casuals in my life. Writing is a fucking grind, and not many are cut out for what it takes to actually produce something of value.

In my opinion, if you write something that is fantastic, you'll eventually be able to get the right person to read it, but it'll take years without connections. If you're very well connected and you write something "very good", you have a chance.

If you aren't connected and can't write something "very good", you have no shot, and there are a lot of people who don't realize that. Professional writers who make a living at it might write 10 screenplays for every 1 they sell. The fact that you can't write well, and are worried about what the process is after you finish, kinda bugs.

That being said, go for it. Learn everything you can, pick up a few screenwriting books on Amazon, and write your script (please outline your acts first so you can look at it and figure out if it's a proper 3-act movie, or just some random story.) If you finish and you think it's "very good" and doesn't need more changes, then worry about getting it read by someone that matters. But don't feel it's "not worth it" unless you can get it read by someone that matters right now - writing it would be an invaluable lesson on its own.

Writers are defined by action - by actually writing. All the time. Whether they feel like it or not. It's not a path I envy.