ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

3 years, 2 months ago - Bianca Rus

Hi Fred,

From what I know, most production houses and TV channels do not even open the emails of unsolicited scripts. I just won a screenwriting competitions through Filmarket Hub and pitched my first feature film project to companies such as Universal Pictures, BBC, Sky, etc. and the best way to approach this is trying to submit to a competition ( for shorts - plenty here in the UK, US and Europe) or do some networking to get to some people from those companies or someone to recommend you.
Regarding producers, I found mines here and on Linkedin, just post a message about the project on Linkedin as well and see who replies ( if you have some good followers from the industry).
The producers that raise finance are in very high demand so keep on searching on platforms like this one, search on IMDB who produced similar projects to approach those companies ( an IMDB PRO account would help), try also networking events organised by Film London or other websites, FB groups.

Hope this helps,

Good luck!

3 years, 2 months ago - Vasco de Sousa

If you read the writers and artists yearbook, and similar guides, some production companies are in there with their guidelines. Usually, no unsolicited scripts means you have to pitch something first. This is called a Query letter. If they think it is not too similar to what they are already doing, they may ask you to send the script. (But they may want a signed release form so you don't sue them if there are similar elements.)
You could also go through agents, and send them query letters.
I would recommend reading selling a screenplay by Syd Field. Yes, it is old, and deals with Hollywood rather than the UK, but it is a good starting point.
There are also lots of introductions to screenplays, if you buy them in script form, that include a kind of making-of which tells you how they were sold.
As far as contests go, I heard they work in Eastern Europe, and I saw one contest winner in Spain that got produced, but I don't think many producers really care about that. I mean, audiences are not seeing horror films or comedies for the highbrow awards they won. Most screenwriters only win contests after they have had several films (or tv shows, or at least radio plays) produced at guild level.