Ok, to start off, I AM A writer. But I'm also a development exec. I know a good amount of you on here personally, so I have to share a little advice I can only hope a lot of you don't do. It's something I've been meaning to do for a while, but I had assumed was common knowledge... but apparently this is not the case.
First off - good lord, PLEASE use some humility when selling your work, or yourself as a writer. I don't care if you tell me your the next greatest thing to hit Hollywood, or that your script is going to change the game.
--Telling me, I'll win an oscar for directing or producing your work will NOT make me want to read it. Truth be told, chances are I just put it down and walked away.
--Sending me a million casting decisions upon our first or second email, or telling me your brother is attached to this character, etc. etc. is seriously not helping. Truth is the more "attachments" that have no meaning to a project make it even more and more unattractive.
--Demanding phone calls to "discuss" material is NOT ok. Especally if I don't know you.
--This may just be me, but I have no need for your WGA #. If it isn't registered, that's your problem, not mine.
--Sending a screenplay with handwritten notes is absolutely NOT acceptable. Seriously? Seriously???
--You should only ever send scripts in PDF format. Not FD or MM, but PDF. IT is the only accepted format with most everyone (ask first). And NEVER EVER EVER send a script in microsoft word. That is extremely amateur, and I can promise that 99% of the people who open that will in turn delete the file, because if you're not commitetd enough to either download, steal or buy a copy of screenwriting software, then why should they read your work? This is actually a bigger problem then a lot of you think. Seriously NEVER send anything in word. PDF only.
--Don't bludgeon your email with a long list of "could have beens" or "may be interesteds". Unless something is firmly commited, it just looks desperate. I don't care that someone at WMA may be reading, or some tv star read it once because her dogwalker is your cousin. Seriously, it distracts from the script itself.
--Another very weird thing recently someone (in the business) queried me. I responded and was then bounced back this email
"I apologize for this automatic reply to your email.
To control spam, I now allow incoming messages only from senders I have approved beforehand.
If you would like to be added to my list of approved senders, please fill out the short request form (see link below). Once I approve you, I will receive your original message in my inbox. You do not need to resend your message. I apologize for this one-time inconvenience.
Click the link below to fill out the request:"
There was then a link for you to go to and fill out all of your contact info. ARE YOU SERIOUS? NEVER EVER EVER EVER make it difficult for someone who could be requesting your work to contact you. Did I fill out all of this guys info? no.
--DO NOT tell someone your script is based on a critically acclaimed novel, only to later reveal the "novel" is actually a manuscript sitting at your house that your mom (critic) loves. It's not based on a novel if the novel has never been published, ok.
--And if you've been lucky enough to score a read from an agent/etc. thanks to a friends connection, do NOT send them a list of your 50 scripts that you've written. Seriously, if you show anyone your 50 scripts that's a HORRIBLE sign. IT shows you've written 50 scripts, and no one has wanted one. That's shorting yourself immediately. So, if you're in this opportunity, please only have 1-2 projects (your best work) to present, and know your other work so that you can pull it out at a whim. BUT do not say you have this many, it's a BAD move.
--And for fvks sake, cap the page count on 120. ANYTHING over is just too dang long. Seriously, even 120 is pushing the bar. And this I KNOW will get your script thrown away.
EVEN if you tell me I'm going to win an Oscar :-)
First off - good lord, PLEASE use some humility when selling your work, or yourself as a writer. I don't care if you tell me your the next greatest thing to hit Hollywood, or that your script is going to change the game.
--Telling me, I'll win an oscar for directing or producing your work will NOT make me want to read it. Truth be told, chances are I just put it down and walked away.
--Sending me a million casting decisions upon our first or second email, or telling me your brother is attached to this character, etc. etc. is seriously not helping. Truth is the more "attachments" that have no meaning to a project make it even more and more unattractive.
--Demanding phone calls to "discuss" material is NOT ok. Especally if I don't know you.
--This may just be me, but I have no need for your WGA #. If it isn't registered, that's your problem, not mine.
--Sending a screenplay with handwritten notes is absolutely NOT acceptable. Seriously? Seriously???
--You should only ever send scripts in PDF format. Not FD or MM, but PDF. IT is the only accepted format with most everyone (ask first). And NEVER EVER EVER send a script in microsoft word. That is extremely amateur, and I can promise that 99% of the people who open that will in turn delete the file, because if you're not commitetd enough to either download, steal or buy a copy of screenwriting software, then why should they read your work? This is actually a bigger problem then a lot of you think. Seriously NEVER send anything in word. PDF only.
--Don't bludgeon your email with a long list of "could have beens" or "may be interesteds". Unless something is firmly commited, it just looks desperate. I don't care that someone at WMA may be reading, or some tv star read it once because her dogwalker is your cousin. Seriously, it distracts from the script itself.
--Another very weird thing recently someone (in the business) queried me. I responded and was then bounced back this email
"I apologize for this automatic reply to your email.
To control spam, I now allow incoming messages only from senders I have approved beforehand.
If you would like to be added to my list of approved senders, please fill out the short request form (see link below). Once I approve you, I will receive your original message in my inbox. You do not need to resend your message. I apologize for this one-time inconvenience.
Click the link below to fill out the request:"
There was then a link for you to go to and fill out all of your contact info. ARE YOU SERIOUS? NEVER EVER EVER EVER make it difficult for someone who could be requesting your work to contact you. Did I fill out all of this guys info? no.
--DO NOT tell someone your script is based on a critically acclaimed novel, only to later reveal the "novel" is actually a manuscript sitting at your house that your mom (critic) loves. It's not based on a novel if the novel has never been published, ok.
--And if you've been lucky enough to score a read from an agent/etc. thanks to a friends connection, do NOT send them a list of your 50 scripts that you've written. Seriously, if you show anyone your 50 scripts that's a HORRIBLE sign. IT shows you've written 50 scripts, and no one has wanted one. That's shorting yourself immediately. So, if you're in this opportunity, please only have 1-2 projects (your best work) to present, and know your other work so that you can pull it out at a whim. BUT do not say you have this many, it's a BAD move.
--And for fvks sake, cap the page count on 120. ANYTHING over is just too dang long. Seriously, even 120 is pushing the bar. And this I KNOW will get your script thrown away.
EVEN if you tell me I'm going to win an Oscar :-)
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