ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

9 years, 3 months ago - Marlom Tander

I would agree. I don't see query letters as a sensible marketing tool.

They are established for factual writers (books, articles) because of the time/costs involved in spec writing, but even then you really need to be established already for them to be taken seriously.

But for screenplays all a query letter does is flag you as someone who hasn't bothered to write a script.

What can be considered is a cover letter with a script outlining your other works in progress or passions. "Here is my great Euro Thriller. I have 3 other thrillers and a "When Sally Met Sally" lesbian Rom Com completed and a Lynchian (Wild at Heart era) mystery in progress".

IF they decide that your Euro Thriller shows you can write, but they really want a Rom Com, you might get a call that you would not have got without the cover letter.

But write the letter for the audience. It's like a CV, even back in the 80's no potential employer ever got my CV. They got a version of my CV tailored to them and the job I was bidding for. When I became the employer I would pretty much disregard people who sent me their CV. To me it implied that they didn't value the job enough to tailor it to our needs.

So if you think they want Rom Coms, send them that, not the Euro Thriller.

9 years, 3 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

The cost of risk in publishing a novel can be thousands of pounds, or a few hundred. The cost of making a feature will never even be in a similar ballpark. The markets are completely dissimilar, and so approaches would be too.

In film, connections are EVERYTHING. Be connected. A recommendation from anyone known to the producer is worth 1000 speculative letters saying 'do you want to buy/commission a screenplay I'm working on'. It's not like there's a shortage of 'good enough' scripts out there, and getting noticed in the throng is a big deal - and your edge is a recommendation from a respected script editor or producer's friend or from someone they've worked with before.

9 years, 3 months ago - Dan Selakovich

Query letters for scripts? I've never even heard of such a thing, and I've been at this a long time. I can't believe there are people out there giving this advice.

As Paddy said, the best way to get your work in the right hands is personal relationships. Or at least know somebody that knows somebody. Even then, it's really difficult.

Screenwriters, in my experience, need a little less self-esteem. I've been handed a lot of scripts over the years, simply because I've had a couple of scripts optioned and people think I can help them with that. 99.9% of them were complete crap, though the writers thought they were brilliant. On average, writers sell their 9th script (survey of working writers), but so many write one, and think it's their golden ticket. I think most writers should be less concerned with connections until they have, at minimum, 3 solid scripts--preferably in 3 different genres. That way, when you meet the comedy producer, you have a comedy to give him/her.

9 years, 3 months ago - Paul W Franklin

In my vast experience, actors aren't buying their coffee in the right place, or even at the right temperature!

In my book

"It's the Wrong Coffee, Gromit! - An Actor's Guide to What Coffee to Buy and Where to Buy it"

I tell you exactly what the title suggests I tell you. Within days (which will feel like merely hours due to extreme levels of caffeine) you will have a greater chance of being spotted than ever before!



And on a more serious note, I find it amusing that Stephanie warns people against spending money to generate query letter leads, and then encourages you to attend her course for the bargain price of $500...

9 years, 3 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

That thing about connections - the connections you make now are your meal ticket in a decade. Right now, your peers are in the same position - trying to get stuff seen and done but all in the same small pool. In a decade, everyone moves up a grade or two. The current top dogs retire or get sacked, everyone ripples up a level, etc. Those current contacts could wind up being very handy, but in the natural timing of things.

I'm making a fairly decent project (7-8 figures ballpark) just now for a director I met through this site a decade ago. We both splashed around giving each other the odd bit of corporate work, etc., now I'm line producing his fourth feature with cast-based presales in 4 territories at this stage. Connections mean I'm doing this. Neither of us would walk cold onto it, having a working relationship established make things a lot easier.

9 years, 2 months ago - Lee 'Wozy' Warren

Here's the thing: In my experience query letters do work. Yes, you heard that right!

The writers group I am part of regularly get script requests, sales, options and requests for 'writer for hire' assignments - based upon a query letter. However, you have to know how to write them (what to put in and what to leave out), who to send them to (there are various groups/levels of producers and knowing which ones work and which don't is key), and ensure that this is just a 'part' of your marketing endeavors not 'all' (Like any business you need a good blend a many different approaches).

My 2c worth.

Wozy