Process for getting your script at a pro level for the marketplace?

[JoeNYC]

(Note: I previously posted this on Zoetrope.)

In the beginning, I made the MOTHER of all newbie blunders: sending my script off to an L.A. agent before my script was ready.

Of course, at the time, I thought it was ready, but this bozo assumption was made because of a deadly combination of not being patient and inexperience in the craft and business of screenwriting.

Do you know how hard it is for a nobody to get an agent from one of the top ten agencies in L.A. to request your script from a query letter?

I had a shot and I blew it big time. I learned my lesson the hard way.

Now I'm more patient with my writing, studies and development of my script.

An A-list writer with mega hits on his resume said in an interview that in the beginning he and his partner made a decision not to send a script out into the marketplace until they were positive it was an excellent example of their writing and that it was commercial enough that someone would want to buy it.

It wasn't until their tenth script that they felt these requirements were met and it sold.

This is a perfect example of patience and discipline in achieving one's goal.

After the fiasco I've mentioned in the beginning of this post, patience and discipline is now what I strive for in achieving my goals.

The following is my process to make sure my script is actually ready for the marketplace.

Keep in mind; I'm not saying this is the perfect way to go. This is just my process. I know other members had success stories without going through the process that I go through.

First, I go through a few drafts to get the vision I want, then I polish and proof. I put it away for a couple of weeks to get some distance from it. To be able to look at it with fresh eyes.

After a couple of weeks, I see problems. I rewrite, then polish and proof. I send this draft out for peer feedback.

I look at the notes and whatever resonates with me that I believe would help make my material stronger I'll use for my rewrite. I put it away for a couple of weeks, and then I look at it again and fix whatever problems I see. I send this version out for peer feedback.

Preferably, I look for different reviewers to get a fresh perspective. The reviewers who critiqued the previous draft are only going to agree with the changes you've made that they suggested and still not like the ones that you didn't change.

At this time I also send the script out to a couple of contests that offer feedback to see what an experienced contest reader feels what the problems are and to see how strong the concept and its execution stands up amongst my peers at this stage.

With the notes from my peers and contests, I rewrite again. Put it away for two weeks and rewrite again, then I send it out to my peers for feedback for the third time. Usually it takes no more than three rounds of feedback for the notes to be minimal.

Otherwise, I stick to this process of rewriting and sending it out for peer review until the notes are minimal, or I realize the story is unfixable and I move on to another.

Once the notes are minimal, it's time for me to move on to the next stage: Professional feedback.

I send my script out to at least two professional consultants. These consultants have read, not hundreds, but thousands of scripts. They either are professional writers or ex-development executives that worked in the industry.

I know some members are against paying when they can get feedback for free from their peers, but from my experience professional consultants are on a different level.

They have an educated and professional eye to really see your story. They have years in experience in articulating what works and what doesn't work. They have practical knowledge of the craft and business.

When I get their notes, I'll rewrite. Put it away for two weeks and rewrite again.

After all of this, the script should be strong. It should be ready to send out into the marketplace, but I won't send it out. Not just yet.

I'm going to be patient.

I'll now send it out to about 3-5 important contests. I do this to get some credibility for my query. If you can mention that the story you're pitching advanced in a respectable contest, such as the Nicholl, it could only help.

I'll also send it out to a reputable coverage service, such as, Coverage, Ink., or Scriptshark.

I do this to get an idea on how an experienced reader, who works freelance with L.A. agencies and production companies, responds to the story.

It's like having a mock trial on how it would be perceived in the marketplace before I actually send it out in case I need to do any last minute tweaking. It's also to see if I get a Consider or Recommend, so I could include that on the query.

Some may say that an agent/producer won't take that into consideration because they'll think the company is being generous -- "they just want repeat business" -- but I think it does have a positive psychological affect.

If an agent/producer sees a recommend from a reputable coverage service that uses the same readers the industry uses, I think it could be an edge, no matter how slight.

After I accomplish all of the above and if I get a request from my query letter, I can relax, knowing that I did my best to send out the strongest version possible.

The rest is left up to the Screenwriting Gods.

About the professional consultants.

The better ones are expensive ($500-$1500). I don't recommend that a new writer, somebody without prior writing experience in other mediums, send off their first and only script to the top consultants for analysis.

The reason you always here the first script is a learning experience is because new writers haven't study the craft long enough to get a good understanding, so for most of the new writers their first script is gonna be light, weak when it comes to adding depth, structure and meaning (theme) to their stories and characters.

I suggest to a new writer, who feels he has a great concept, to use one or more of the following elements for learning what needs to be done for making your script stronger: peers, contests that offer feedback (Slamdance offers a couple of pages for a $75 entry fee) and not expensive but good script consultants ($150-$350).

Otherwise, after the free peer reviews, let the script sit for awhile until you gain more knowledge on the craft, and then go back to it and shape it up.

Be patient. Don't make the same mistake I made.

[Leech]

JoeNYC -

I'm glad to see that you've learned from your mistake. Let's hope, if that agent is still active, and you still want a professional relationship with said agent, that you will be given another chance.

I do have a question though:

Do you see yourself not needing so many pairs of 'fresh eyes' for revisions of your script? I know people say that "writing is rewriting," and I understand that there is nothing inherently wrong about getting feedback, but your method strikes me as 'too much.'

Everybody has their own method, and whatever helps is best, but I'm hoping that there will come a time, for you, where you can rely on yourself and a select few to judge your script's readiness.

I say this because you are going to be marketing yourself as a professional screenwriter. Studios and Producers are going to come to you to write and 'fix' scripts. You'll be hired to submit a draft within twelve weeks. For a spec, you can take as long as you want and, therefore, submit a script to your peers for as many times as you like. But for assignments?

And on the topic of the A-list writer you brought up, there's a column about being the expert. You'll also want to check out his rant which is posted on the Hall of Fame.

[Angeloworx]

I found it "too much" as well. And the point of writing assignments is very well made. My spin on things or I should say my question to you is, how do you find confidednce in your writing when you depend on consultant or fresh eyes all the time?
I do think everyone, including myself, believe that their work is a masterpiece. A draft that will sell... maybe even a 7 figure pay check with a 3 deal picture. Who doesn't? I just hope that you can find more confidence in your work at the time you actually send it out to production companies or agents or whatever, without spending 6 months of feedback. But who am I to critique your process? So, good luck. Hope you read my post and give your opinions. Actually, I'm going to post one up now.

peace...

[JoeNYC]

Yeah, it might look excessive to some, but with something as important as this, a non-pro using his script as a calling card to break into the industry -- cold -- where it needs to be a unique and/or great concept and executed well for someone willing to take a chance on an unproven writer, I want to get objective opinions on my script's development in order to get it as strong and perfect as possible.

Could I use just one or two professional screenwriters (Don't know any peers on the same level of education and experience as a pro consultant) instead of going through my peers to get an objective eye, sure, but I rather go through my peers first in order for the pros to see a draft closer to the finish, than beginning.

If it takes one round of feedback and 3 drafts, then great. If it takes multiple rounds of feedback and 20 drafts to get a story strong and perfect, then okay. I'm willing to put in the time and effort to make sure my script is strong and at a professional level before I send it out into the marketplace.

And don't get the wrong impression that if someone needs to go through 20+ drafts that it's indicative of a writer being weak in the craft. Sorkin went through 20+ drafts to get "A Few Good Men" strong and perfect. Don't know if he got feedback from his peers, producer, director, etc., but I'm thinking he must of received notes.

[Leech]

JoeNYC -

I'm only happy that you want get the strongest script possible. Believe me, I will be thrilled if it makes an improvement. I want only the best for you, and all the others here.

What throws me off was that you inted to promote yourself as a professional writer to the business, but the quality of your work relies heavily on the rounds of peer and consultant reviews. If you tell me that you won't send your work to producers and agents until you're less dependent on those reviews, then I will understand.

I hope I didn't imply it, but I don't think the number of drafts a writer writes is indicative of the strength of the writer.

This post is edited to add: I feel bad for bringing some issues up because it looks like I'm trying to shield the ray of light that you found. I just wanted to point out my concerns. Sorry.

[Jake Schuster]

"Nobody's perfect."
-----Billy Wilder, "Some Like it Hot"

[LauriD]

Joe -

Sounds like a very rigorous system. Has it led to your marketing scripts again and what's been the result?

L.

[Jake Schuster]

Harold Pinter's first produced play, "The Room" took him four days to write. Sometimes too much editing, too many opinions, strip the life and spontaneity out of a work.

[JoeNYC]

Leech says, "...relies heavily on the rounds of peer and consultant reviews."

I understand what you're saying, "appearances," but the people in the industry don't know how many rounds of feedback a writer put his script through. They just know they have something they could sell to the studios and public, theoretically.

This thorough process that I explained above I'm doing only until I break in or give up. This is my version of checks and balances, to be patient and disciplined, to make sure I don't jump the gun and send out a script before it's ready.

I realized the hard way that when your concept connects with an agent/producer you get only one shot to impress, so it better be your best effort.

Lauri, after the disappointment I mentioned earlier I slowed down and haven't sent any scripts into the marketplace yet. I have sent them into competitions that included close to 3,000 of my peers and they've all advanced.

Even the ones I eventually felt wouldn't be good enough to send out into the marketplace -- and since have cannibalized scenes for other scripts -- advanced to the top 5%.

So, this is the type of success I've had so far by being patient and thorough. Not a bad confidence booster.

I have a script now that's in the pro consultant stage that I feel is right for the marketplace. It's high concept, commercial and funny.

After the development is complete, I'll market it and post a follow-up on the response.

[Angeloworx]

How much have you spent preparing your script for the market place? How many agents and production companies do you intend to send it to? It is going to be exclusive for that contact you had in the past? How long has it been since your first draft?
If you have time to answer these questons that will be of help, to me at least. I am re-wrting my screenplay that will go to a VP in development which I kind'a sold a pitch without the script. It's been 4, almost 5 months since the last time we've spoken to each other. If your reasoning and results of your process is worth trying, well, I would consider at least getting a professional consultant as long as it isn't too expensive. I did want to get into this industry to get money NOT feed it with my money.