Query Response Time and Other Related Anomalies

[JakeHolman]

Hey Gang,

My co-writer and I have been working to enhance our query, log and such to send it out on a mass scale. We've been experimenting with various forms of exposure, ie: calling agencies, getting names, cold querying, personalizing, etc., but we've only heard back from a very (very... very) small percentage on our list.

I certainly understand the process takes time and these avenues are receiving hundreds per day but from cruising the boards, I see many of you are at least getting requests or getting read. As I sit here pondering our approach in search of better productivity, here are a few questions which I'm sure have popped up time and again...

- In your experience, what is the average time for a management company/lit agency to respond to a query?
- Do most companies/agencies usually respond to queries, regardles if they're interested or not?
- From your experience, what's the percentage or ratio of queries to responses or requests?
- My mind is playing tricks with me on this one but...
Does the fact that we live in Vancouver (Canada) work to our disadvantage?

From previous threads, and a bit of common sense, I realize if we don't hear back it could be for a variety of reasons. One could certainly assume a lack of response could be due to the query itself. I'm always open and looking to improve but just wondering if I'm missing something here with regard to the process.

Thanks to some great advice from the boards, we've already rewritten and reworked our query. But, I think we may be caught somewhere in between an initial lengthy query, a more concise rewrite and the log itself.

I'd really appreciate it if someone could point me to a few solid online query samples or could provide any further advice. I can also be reached at...

theboman@bigfoot.com

Thanks in advance, and also for taking the time to read this essay of a post.

[aguirrej]

Jake-

From what I can remember you can expect to get some responses within a month, with about half of them actually getting back to you. Being in Vancouver will not help the cause.

I'd concentrate on agencies and leave the prodcos for after you've secured representation.

Keep your query short and make sure your logline kicks ass. Be patient.

"Give me fresh cliches." Sam Goldwyn

[moorea01]

Jake - E-mail query those you can rather than snail mail. Some managers and prodcos are very open to this and it eliminates the whole out-of-town issue on the initial query at least.

I'm relatively new to this myself, so certainly no expert. I started querying prodcos first and now that I've gotten a few positive responses, I'm at the beginning of my agent/manager querying campaign.

My experience with the prodco's has been anywhere from 45 minutes (literally) to 2 1/2 weeks from query time to request. With agents/managers, I only have e-mail query data - my snail mails either aren't getting responses or haven't had time yet - it's only been a week. With the e-mails, it's taken about 1 1/2 hours to 2 days to hear back.

My request ratio right now is about 50% with prodco's (these are mostly smaller ones, of course) and about 50% also with agents/managers (but I've only heard back from 4 so far - 2 requested, 2 very politely passed).

Have you tried putting your logline/synopsis up in the logline section? People are pretty helpful there and some have really good suggestions.

[JakeHolman]

Thanks guys.

I guess it's one of those days where I'm playing Devil's Advocate with my conscience.

With the location issue... I guess I'm just wondering the scope of when a query is read. I understand the importance and necessity of being in Los Angeles but would people actually toss a query aside just because the address reads Vancouver instead of LA?

We've sent out a variety of e-mails, faxes and such. We haven't heard a peep really from anyone, especially the e-mails and we started this process about 3 weeks ago. Basically heard back from very few.

I'm starting to get the feeling it's either the log or the entire query itself. Maybe trime to revamp and start fresh.

[moorea01]

Jake, I'm not in LA either and, in fact, mileage wise I think I'm further than you so that in itself won't kill the query with everyone.

Have you been targeting only larger companies, big 5 agents, etc? Or are you querying some of the smaller and more open companies? Who you're targeting will definitely influence your request ratio. It shouldn't stop you at all from querying the larger ones - just expect a much lower percentage if you do.

[Muckraker]

Welcome to the House of Pain known as cold-querying.

It's not a science, so there are not any real straight-up answers to your questions about response percentages or time frames.

Of course you'll first need a solid logline and query letter -- people on this board can certainly help. But aside from that it's largely persistence. Call, write, email -- whatever you like. The more you do, the better your chances. Keep up to date on what's selling and by whom to whom. Troll every related website you can find. Build a database of contacts and track them as they move from agency to agency, or get promoted at a production company, etc...Eventually you will get some response. I think the 50% response rate mentioned above is almost unheard of. I do agree that if you haven't heard anything in a month, consider your query to have gone into the circular file and move on.

Good luck to you.

[JakeHolman]

Excellent advice guys, thanks again.

I guess I'm just trying to find out the norm for such responses. Basically, to see how we're doing up to this point and what additional steps we need to take in the future.

Received a two more in the last 24 so it's back to the list we go.

[robynncat]

Here's a thought, review the title of your screenplay.
Sometimes, that can be the deal breaker. I actually
renamed two of my screenplays and got a much better
response (even though I personally liked the original
titles better). Look at the titles they're using now
and you can get a feel for what works and what
doesn't. I've had producers who passed on the same screenplay with the original title ask to see it with
the new title.
Also, regarding querying, I tend to keep it to a paragraph
or two. I list my credits and include a short but meaty
synopsis. I rarely use log lines.
Use strong actionverbs and exciting but tight writing
to convey your story.
And, I do think it's pretty much a crap shoot. I know
it's like this in the publishing world too. You just have to
hook up with the right producer, agent, or manager who
falls in love with your story.
Don't give up. :-) Robynn

[JakeHolman]

Thanks Robynncat.

I think we're going to shake things up again, look at everything objectively and give our query a face lift.

Giving up isn't in the vocabulary, just riding the roller coaster... again.

Much appreciated.