What titles/positions do you query at prodcos?

[BIG Z]

Totally green question, but do you try to get a query in front of the Creative Director...VP of Development...Creative Executive...?

[SoCalScribe]

Originally Posted by BIG Z

Totally green question, but do you try to get a query in front of the Creative Director...VP of Development...Creative Executive...?

The entire Development (or Creative Affairs) department handles the consideration of material, but query letters are usually the province of the lower-level administrators and executives: Story Editor, Creative Executive, Director of Development (Creative Affairs), etc. You don't often have VP-level and up handling query letters, unless it's a very small company where there are only a couple people in each department. When you get to a company where there are many people in a development department, the less experienced junior execs get the queries and specs to sift through, and the more established senior execs usually focus on making deals with established talent and shepherding projects through active development.

[BIG Z]

Thanks! Very helpful information.

Now, if I could only find an organized way to weed through 3300 prodcos to find the ones who might be interested in my script, then find a way to contact the people you mentioned...

[fisherman]

Originally Posted by BIG Z

Thanks! Very helpful information.

Now, if I could only find an organized way to weed through 3300 prodcos to find the ones who might be interested in my script, then find a way to contact the people you mentioned...

Yeah, that's the darnded onesideness of it all, and one of the many reasons they call this business a crapshoot.

[MacG]

You're bound to run into a ton of "no-unsolicted-material-accepted" rejections, which is why it's always imperative to be extremely polite to whomever answers the phone.

When I was just starting out sans-representation over a decade ago (God, I can't believe it's been that long...), I was able to turn more than a few of those "nopes" into "yeses" by simply explaining my situation.

Being gracious is always important, though: the receptionist today may be the CE within the next few months. Seriously, you just never know who is going to ascend the ladder or how fast. Everyone should be treated as a potential contact.

[BIG Z]

Originally Posted by MacG

You're bound to run into a ton of "no-unsolicted-material-accepted" rejections, which is why it's always imperative to be extremely polite to whomever answers the phone.

Do you advocate calling production companies then over email queries? Or even calling reps?

Don't worry...decades come and go

[NikeeGoddess]

Originally Posted by BIG Z

Thanks! Very helpful information.

Now, if I could only find an organized way to weed through 3300 prodcos to find the ones who might be interested in my script, then find a way to contact the people you mentioned...

you should plan on attending one of the big pitchfests this year. the companies who participate tell you what they're looking for right now. that's the information you need.

[Geoff Alexander]

Originally Posted by BIG Z

Totally green question, but do you try to get a query in front of the Creative Director...VP of Development...Creative Executive...?

Just don't address the intended recipient as "Dear Industry Professional"...

[PrestonW]

... I've had luck with queries to "Industry Professionals." If you have no alternative, why not?