Are you passionate about writing? Do you have a way with words? Do you see your name rolling with the credits at the start or end of a movie? Do you have a great story to tell that the world would absolutely have a fantastic time watching? Do you want to sell it? I thought as much (every writer thinks they are great and would grab the first chance to have their material sold). Selling a screenplay is not easy at all, especially as a first time writer. However, it is even worse when you don't have a clue where or how to start. This article will give you a guide which can help you to come up with the best way for you to sell your work. You might even have to use several different methods, but if you put in the necessary work, you will get there.
First of all, this is what you have to know, in order for your screen play to sell, it has to be a really good screenplay. No! Scratch that. It has to be a great screen play. And in order for you to come up with a great screenplay, you have to be a really good writer. So how do you become one? Simple. Write, write, write. Yes, that's write... ehm, I mean right. The only way you can become the best writer you can ever be, is through practice and experience. No one is born a great writer. They are only born with the talent, but talent has to be natured and harnessed. The more you write, the more you get better at it. Write as much as you can. Ask for advice where you can. Get the help of an editor or script consultant if you must. Have a trusted friend to read your work and get their opinion. Then write some more...and read some screenwriting books for important tips. Read scripts from produced screenwriters too. I always suggest reading your favorite movie's script. They are available online for free on sites like The Script Lab and Simply Scripts. Most experienced writers will tell you that if that's your first screenplay you are holding in your hands, it's probably not your best material and it probably won't sell. But that doesn't mean you suck as a writer. It just means you need more practice and you can definitely get better. Now once you have written and written and written; and are sure that your material is up to industry standard, it's time to sell (you probably have a lot of scripts by now, and looking at your first script like "what the hell was that?!", with your most recent as the best masterpiece ever written).
1. The most best way that people find as an easy way to sell their work is through an agent. There are agents that actually hunt for good screenplays and pitch them to producers for sale. If you sign under one, they can read your work, tell you if it's worth selling or not (before you can even embarrass yourself in the industry) and then they can actually sell it for you. They are almost like publishers in the book writing industry. The best thing about agents is that they have vast experience working with producers, they mostly know the great ones personally and they know exactly what each one of them requires. So they will easily know which producers are most likely to like your script. There are thousands of such agents in Hollywood, but unfortunately, we don't have any in Swaziland or Africa. However, there are some agents that will represent international writers. Another thing to note about agents is that they seldom go for brand new writers. They are more likely to sign an experienced writer than an inexperienced one. So if that is your first screenplay, it will be quite hard to get an agent. You have to be patient and persistence is key!
2. Now the next best option is taking one of your screenplays and actually produce a film from it. Yes, I know you just want to be a writer and probably don't have much interest in the harsh hustle of production, but if you want to make your work easily noticeable, making a film will help. You can even ask a filmmaker friend to help you if you have a good filmmaker friend that might just be looking for a script to shoot. It is easier for people to agree to watching a movie than reading a script. And this will show that not only are you a good writer, your material can actually be transferred from paper to screen (believe me, some stories are just better read than watched). If they like your film, they will probably ask to see your other unproduced work; and if your film attracts a large audience and even makes it to theaters or festivals, voila! You are no longer just a no name writer. It is now easier for you to get an agent or grab the attention of a producer independently, without an agent.
3. It is not always that agents will be able to spot good work. Sometimes they do get it wrong. Your work could be unique and unusual while agents are looking for commercial and easily marketable stuff. Don't throw it away! (But make sure that you know the difference between unique material and bad material). If you feel that your screenplay deserves a chance but you have a hard time securing an agent, sell the script yourself. Now do know that this will require A LOT of work and effort. You have to perform the magic of an agent without the wand, which is their contacts and experience. Write query letters to producers, managers, and directors. Call them. Email them. Tweet or Facebook them. Do what ever you can. However, be realistic in your quest. You are most likely to get a response from Adze Ugah or even Gavin Hood than you are from Quinton Tarantino or Christopher Nolan. When they ask you to send in your work, make sure that your really great script is accompanied by all the required material. A solid log-line, treatment, character profiles, the works. Try as much as possible to not put a producer or director in a position where they have to request you for more information on your screenplay, chances are they won't. Submit everything at first chance. The only time they should be asking for more, is when wanting to see your other screenplays. You also have to learn how to pitch. They will call you in to pitch and you have to be good at it. Again, it's a once in a lifetime chance. You fail the first time, they might never want to see you again. Keep your pitch simple, short and rehearse before pitch day.
4. Look for screenwriting gigs online. Sites such as Craigslist and many others that post screenwriting jobs will have directors that are looking for scripts. They will either want a ready written script, so if you have one that fits their requirements, you can send it through; or they might want you to develop and idea into a screenplay. These are mostly independent filmmakers so it's not your one way ticket to Hollywood, but it is definitely a way into the industry. You will now have a produced screenplay on your credits and great experience, plus a good pay check (depending on each project).
5. Another great way to get exposure is by entering screenwriting contests. There are various competitions that are open to international writers and can help you to gain experience and recognition. Join some of them and have a guarantee that your script will be read by a professional and if it is any good, might get to win a prize. The prize money is a nice bonus, but even though winning does not mean your script will be bought and produced, someone will notice your work and give you a call. Another thing, before entering a contest, do your research and find out what previous winners have achieved so far. Some competitions put you in a better position for long term success than others.
6. Attend festivals, conferences, seminars and workshops. This is a great way to not only learn more, but to get contacts too. You will meet various directors, producers and managers that might be looking for new scripts or writers to help them with a project. Once you have had an in person meet up with a producer or director, it is easier to pitch to them in future. If they allow you to send in your work, do so immediately. Don't wait for months or even long weeks, they might forget about you. They probably meet new people preaching the same gospel to them eveyday.
7. Work your way up. I know this might seem like the last resort, but you actually don't want to wait until it's too late to realize that this is what you should have done. So make this your first step if you can. And you can try out all the other strategies while doing this. Get a job as a production assistant or runner or even as a toilet cleaner at Universal. You will get a chance to not only learn as much as you can, but to also get closer to the experts and by God's grace get one of them to listen to you or introduce you to people who will. Be prepared to be considered a nuisance by some who feel that you are bothering them but others will definitely see you as ambitious, determined and driven. Before you know it, you have worked your way from runner to assistant, to producer or straight to award winning screenwriter if Woody Allen decides to take his conversation with the delivery boy any seriously.
There are a whole lot of other things you can do to boost your chances to sell your screenplay or get recognized in the industry. You can relocate closer to where most studios are located. If you want to work in the South African industry, move to Johannesburg or Cape Town. If you have a keen interest in Nollywood, go live in Lagos. Relocate to Mumbai to gain access to Bollywood and go to LA to get noticed by Hollywood. Work with local filmmakers too. One of them might be a step ahead of you and have a string of contacts that they might be willing to share and take you with him/her to the big time! As I said earlier in my post, it will not be easy at all! However, it is not impossible. And remember to copyright your material before sending it out. I will write a post on copyright in the next week if you are not sure how it really works.
Do you have anything to add or questions? Feel free to comment below.
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