ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

4 years ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

I've connected with a couple fo writers through it, although due to the sheer imbalance between the number of scripts offered and the cost and difficulty of actually getting a film made, I can imagine many who post don't come away with sales/productions.

4 years ago - davina brown

There's no law that prevents a screenwriter from also becoming a producer. Place a bet on yourself and produce one or two short films. You might need a co-producer with hands-on filmmaking experience, but they will do it for the credit as will the director. Self-producing will give you a lot of creative control over the project and keep your director from bungling your script. Plus, you'll learn a lot about filmmaking and how the industry works and build up your CV. You could probably make a 5-10min short with limited locations and cast for under a grand, so it's a very doable proposal. Have no fear.

4 years ago - Yen Rickeard

Take advantage of any offers of script reading - folk here know what screams difficulties and expenses, like ext night storm. or 'the two armies fight' ;-) . Connect with actors and crew looking to improve their show reels. As Davina says, you could make a 10 min short for under a grand, I've done it for less in the past. That way you make connections, build yourself a team, and show that you know what you are talking about with both script and perhaps production.
Making connections just by putting it forward brings you to attention, though you may not see the benefits for a while.
Good luck.

4 years ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Great notes from Davina and Yen - really worthwhile!

4 years ago - Gavin Whitfield

That’s great. Thanks for the input. It generally mirrors much of the other advice that has come my way which can probably be best summed up as ‘just do it yourself’. It also seems that production may be less costly than I’ve imagined. I’ll have to shelve that WWI script for now too.

3 years, 12 months ago - Peter Spencer

This is a bit of an odd one.... back in 2005, I pitched on here and that pitch led to my first feature, which led to my second feature, which led to my third feature (despite snotty comments from other so-called 'screenwriters' about how 'amateur' my pitch was. The estimable and glorious Ben Blaine stepped in to defend my pitch, but then he is a actual film maker... in 2008 I answered a script call out on here from an up and coming woman director. We collaborated on a project together and are keen to collaborate again. She is now a top TV director. But nothing else via here since. In the meantime we've had the 'producer' who had 'access to $100 million in funds' who wanted to pitch my project to a charity to raise a budget of one million, and who offerred the chance for me to pay £1500 to have a budget created. That's right, the producer wanted the writer to pay for the budget to be done. So yes, be careful out there!

3 years, 12 months ago - Gavin Whitfield

Thanks Peter. It seems like being wary is the order of the day. Your story seems to indicate that things aren’t quite what they once were here. That said I’m sure there are more than enough decent people here to make things work and get projects off the ground. Once again, thanks for your input.

3 years, 11 months ago - Oscar Heron

facebook groups seem to have more traction tbh