| 1] PROOFING: |
If your script is finished – and we mean completely finished! – then read it over at least more 5 times, until you’ve found every single spelling and punctuation error. No sense wasting anyone’s time with shoddily written material. If you need help with punctuation, we highly recommend Lynne Truss's hilarious and mucho informative book, "Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation". |
| 2] TEST READ: |
Give your finished - and proofed - screenplay to a friend or relative and ask them to read it in one sitting. If they can't finish in less than 2 hours then you probably need to trim some fat. Whoa, easy Grasshopper, if you can't tackle the two items listed above without breaking a sweat, then you don't deserve a spot in the Hollywood game. So patience young squire, for soon you will be ready to take the pebble from Guru's hand. |
| 3] LOG LINE & PITCH: |
Write a captivating, mouth-watering One-liner (Log Line) and Pitch for your script. NOTE: These are the most important two lines you’ll ever write in your life so take your time! Log Line / One-liner: This is a one-sentence summary of your screenplay that must seize the attention of any Hollywood executive the second he lays eyes on it. Ideally it should only be one sentence, but you can get away with two in a pinch. Usually it is structured as follows: A man/woman who is blank, does something, somewhere and something exciting/hilarious/gut-wrenching/romantic/scary happens. Pitch: This is a quick, short-hand way to describe your screenplay by referencing an existing (usually successful) feature film or TV show. Try to reference modern films as executives are getting younger and younger and comparing your script to Fellini might confuse their tiny little minds. Title: "Crescent City Boogie" Log Line: Eddie Kraus, a British expatriate turned New Orleans Police detective, begins to suspect that his Creole partner may already be dead as the two lawmen pursue a pair kidnapped college students on a reckless crime spree across the Crescent City. Pitch: A Sixth Sense-esque cop buddy picture set in the Big Easy. Alternative Pitch: Lethal Weapon meets the Sixth Sense |
| 4] SYNOPSIS: |
Write a short 1 – 2 page synopsis of your script. Look, I know this is a lot of homework, especially after you just slaved over 100+ pages of the actual script, but hey, no one said breaking into Hollywood was gonna be easy, did they? Well, did they? Once again this seemingly trivial 1-page synopsis is actually indispensable when it comes to selling your script. Why you ask? Well, it's because Hollywood Executives and their script-readers are very lazy…err over-worked, yeah that’s what I meant to say. Over-worked! Thus they need to be able to do a basic assessment of your project as quickly as possible. If they like your synopsis, then there is a very good chance they will request your script! If you don’t have this document ready, you’ll probably rush it when it is first requested and then blow your big break. Best to have all your ducks in a row before, err… before, damn, crap idiom… Well, you get the picture. |
| 5] QUERY LETTER: |
Armed to the teeth with your awesome one-liner, tantalizing teaser pitch and wicked 1- page synopsis, it is now time to start writing some captivating query letters. What is a query letter? Well that my friend – if written well - is your ticket to ride. This is what you will initially send to an agency, management firm or production company introducing yourself and your project and inviting them to read a copy in the near future. Ideally it should be short and to the point, utilizing only your Log Line and Pitch to get their attention. Do not submit the synopsis unless they have specifically asked for it. Do not add a resume either. If they want it, they will ask for it! |
| 6] SUCCESS! |
Yippee! An Agent called and wants to READ MY SCRIPT! Err… now what? Now what?! Don’t just stand there you fool! Race to your computer, log on to the Hollywood Script Express.com and SUBMIT your script for printing ASAP.
Time is of the essence. You want to follow up with this Agent or Manager as fast as you can to keep him excited, and more importantly, to keep him from falling in love with other material in the meantime. Speed is the key! This is why the Hollywood Script Express exists! We're here to give overseas and out-of-state screenwriters a fighting chance on the mean streets of Hollywood. Ideally, providing you with that crucial Edge Over The Competition! Once you submit your script (and cover letter or release if you choose to include), the Hollywood Script Express team will immediate start on the laser printing and binding and guarantee to have your work in a local Los Angeles post office the next Business Day… if not sooner! For urgent shipments, the Express also offers Overnight delivery and even Same Day Courier! back to top |
| 7] FOLLOW UP: |
I sent an Agency my script as they requested, but I still haven’t heard anything back? Relax, my friend. As mentioned, give the company some time. This is the biggest thing in your life, but to them it’s just another day at the office. Give 'em about 4 – 8 weeks before following up with a second letter or email. I wouldn’t recommend calling until you’ve established a relationship. If you still don’t hear anything after that, you should assume that they have passed and that the material is just not right for them at the moment.
Hey now, cheer up bubba. You can't take rejection personally. You have to have thick skin to survive in this cut-throat game. Just pick up that paper and pen - alright, keyboard - and write another letter to a different company. If the rejections start to pile up on a specific project, then consider a rewrite of the script. Perhaps write back to one of the agents that passed and ask them for feedback. Most likely a junior agent or assistant was the one who actually read your script and often they will send you their coverage or notes so you can improve your next draft. Occasionally you'll find that they'll even offer to read a rewrite or encourage you to contact them when you have a new script ready to go. Remember, never burn a bridge in Hollywood. Your worst enemy can one day become your best and most lucrative friend. Guru’s Tip: If you do write a new draft and take it back out to market, a good trick to improve your odds of a re-read is to change the title of the new draft to prevent it from being flagged by the agency’s submission log as already having been read / covered. At least you've finally got a foot in the door! back to top Copyright 2006 Hollywood Script Express.com |
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