So... Query letters... again

[TravisBickle]

I read and I read and I read. As with every other subject dealing with screenwriting, if you look long enough, you'll find TOTALLY contradicting advice. Give away the end - don't. Two para's on the synopsis - one para. Tell everything - keep it mysterious. Mention character names - don't. Over and over.

SO, in the spirit of getting even MORE points of view... what's the latest word on query letters? I prefer a lean one with no more than 6 or 7 lines on the synopsis. Also I DO have tons of film experience... but really, what good does it do to prop yourself up as a writer to tell about how you were a production assistant, or a coordinator, etc.

Thanks for reading.

Bickle, T.

[funnyfarmer]

Travis,
I attended a seminar with one of the big production guys at a major studio. This is what he said he likes in a query:

Short, just a logline, maybe a brief synopsis, only a paragraph. If you've won contests, say so. Any relevant background, ex. if you're a doctor and written a medical drama, or a journalist on crime beats for a film noir. Never more than one page, never send in script pages.

He also mentioned he rarely reads past the first sentence so it needs to be the logline, and it has to make him read the rest, or he'll not respond.

So that's what I do, and it's worked. Out of 30 queries I sent in Feb. to agents I had 16 ask for the script. I signed with an agent before Valentine's Day, and had two offer backup contracts before I pulled them. I have a great logline, but this query was logline, one paragraph synopsis no names no details just genre and theme, two sentences on my qualifications, thanks, sincerely, voila. If I ever sell the script I'll post the query-high concept or I'd be more specific. It's opened a lot of doors for me. It's all in the first impression.

[AndyWarholsGhost]

funny,
I was readin' your comments, and you give me hope for my query letter writing abilities!
After reading this, I realize my letter was WAY too long.
Thanks to you, and to Travis for the good question.
Aghost (Aghast)

[TonyRob]

First off, I would like to offer my (apparently late) congratulations to Funnyfarmer on her success... 16 out of 30? That's amazing enough in and of itself... but getting signed within a couple of weeks of sending queries out. You're a god. So, have you finished "our" script yet? What does your agent say about it? :lol

Travis, you asked, "but really, what good does it do to prop
yourself up as a writer to tell about how you were a production assistant, or a
coordinator, etc.?"

My answer would be that it would show agents that you have experience in film on actual film sets, which means that you know how things work and have been "in the biz" in some capacity... I would say that is a definite plus. Just be brief when mentioning it... don't go on and on about it ad nauseum and you should be alright.

Tony

[MatrixAvenger]

Travis,

I agree with you about all the contradictory advice out there. It's starting to drive me INSANE.
When that happens, I always fall back on this: When I'm screenwriting, I'm constantly putting myself in the audience's shoes, thinking what I'd like to see - as simple as that, forget acts, plot points, subtext, blah blah blah blah blah blah, just simply what is going to entertain me?
With query letters and the like, I put myself in the agent's shoes: I'd be looking at one thing here, and that's the logline - can I sell it? In other words, as short as you can possibly make it...
Oh, and congratulations, Funnyfarmer!

[funnyfarmer]

Hey Matrix,
Well, there's a downside to finding an agent that quickly. My script really wasn't ready. He was all excited and sent it to three majors. They still have it. But it's a first draft, or revised first draft, and not as tight or as clean as I've made it since. Plus it was originally 124 pages, and that's the version they have. It's now 118 since I've learned to tighten. So when Bill and Tao and the experts say, "Don't query until you're ready" they are absolutely right.

Also, I grabbed one of the first offers I had. I didn't have enough confidence to see if one of the bigger agents would like my stuff, several of whom wanted exclusives, and I couldn't give it to them. So I went with a sure thing, and I'm satisfied with the work he's done, but I was more afraid of burning bridges than I needed to be. I haven't had any feedback from any of the studios and it's almost worse than tons of rejection. At least I'd know then what needed to be fixed. Now I'm just hangin' out there, waiting. Hoping my first draft is good enough, because that may be all I'll get a chance on. The good news is it's made it past several reads. But I'd feel alot better if I knew they were reading my best. I guess if they call me I can say "Would you like to read the polish?" I can hear Tao laughing his head off right now. Didn't know you then, Tao, or I woulda listened.

[CRASH]

Farmer - studios don't give feedback.

[funnyfarmer]

Crash,
Oh, I know I won't see coverage, but was hoping to hear yes or no someday. I'm not a patient person, and know a spec script rarely sells from a first-timer without some connection. Do you know about how long it takes to hear anything? Or will they just dump the script and move on? I have several more but don't want to jump the gun, and would like my agent to submit another but may wait and see what happens with number one. Any suggestions? I think I'm being a bit 'cart before the horse' again. I'd like to do some querying, promoting, but he wanted to see where these led first. What would you do? You're probably more patient than I am... :)

Also, thanks for saying the same thing Tao did. Didn't find this board until I'd screwed up about everything there was to screw up. But at least I won't repeat the same mistakes twice.