How do i get the movie im writing recognized by the film industry?
January 5th, 2009
Jesse asked:
I am working on writing a movie, ive got the format down, i know the characters names, and, if i do say so myself, ive plotted a really good storyline. Once im actually FINISHED, how do i get my work recognized by the right people? Where would i send it to, who would i talk to about making my movie happen?
I am working on writing a movie, ive got the format down, i know the characters names, and, if i do say so myself, ive plotted a really good storyline. Once im actually FINISHED, how do i get my work recognized by the right people? Where would i send it to, who would i talk to about making my movie happen?
Maybe im just being a dreamer here, but if anyone could help me with this, i would greatly appreciate it =]
thank you
Your first step is actually writing the screenplay. Don’t worry one bit about who to send it to or getting the movie made until you have that ready.
If you haven’t written a screenplay before, I highly recommend
Writing a GREAT screenplay takes time, so make sure that it is a good as it can be before you send it out into the world.
When you are ready, it is true that you need to know who to send it to. Working IN the professional industry can help as having access to other professionals could generate the connections it takes to get your work to the right people. That said, working in a “technical” job (below-the-line) usually won’t help you to that end. The business is notoriously specialized and “Above the Line” people generally look “down” on “Below the line” people and won’t USUALLY take them seriously if they have greater aspirations for creativity (writing and/or directing).
So the best thing to do is to get a job in the business, but not necessarily any technical position. When you are ready to send your scripts out, you would never send one to a “studio.” It doesn’t work that way. As an outsider, you’ll first have to convince an Agent to represent you and your work and then that Agent will submit your work to others. Very few Agents, Producers, etc will accept unsolicited works in order to protect themselves legally. They have enough scripts from “inside” that they don’t have to risk reading a script from an outsider. Plus, they really don’t have a lot of time.
So how to get that access? First, write an amazing script…. better yet, write three of different genres. If you want to sell yourself as a qualified Writer, then you have to prove that you can do that. And know that even established Screenwriters have trouble selling their original works to be made into movies. Your scripts may be made into movies and may not be, but they can be used as writing samples for executives to “judge” your talent. Only when you reach that point, will have to worry about your script actually being made into a movie.
Brian Dzyak
Cameraman/Author
IATSE Local 600, SOC
You could find a studio to send it to, but it will be basically impossible to make it unless you have worked in the industry for years, have a degree (called an M.F.A.) in screenwriting, or make it yourself and submit it to festivals.
For the first path you’ll have to get a job as cameraman, an A.D. or something like that, and after a few years you may get approached to submit something you’ve written (if you express an interest in it).
For the second path you’d want to know what is the best option for you, is it a Hollywood film, is it more of an independent film? Whichever it is you’ll want to look into what schools you can afford, and which meet your criteria. I’d recommend picking up a copy of Film School Confidential.
For the third path you’ll need quite a bit of money dedicated into the project (between 30 – 90,000 min.). Also you’ll want to check out every film festival you submit the film to because a ton of them are just set up to take money from young trusting filmmakers.
It will be almost impossible to get the film made without a complete dedication to the story. It will take years to get it made and after that it is never guranteed anyone other than yourself, cast and crew, friends and family, will ever see it. But if you truly believe the story is great then write and try, by any means necessary, to get it made. I’m not trying to discourage you, but you must be realistic you can’t just think because you have a great story then you will get everything handed to you, you very well could have to work harder than you ever had (I could be wrong), and even then you may not be successful, but if you think your story is good enough I would whole-heartedly encourage you to get it made.