You’ve finished your screenplay. It’s all written, polished and streamlined. You’re now ready to put it out into the big, bad world! Now, all you have to do is wait for your agent to take your script and shuttle it express-post to all the major power players in Hollywood.
The Script That Won’t Sell
Only, there’s one slight problem. Your script is about a divorced man who likes to make origami paper models. Then he finds redemption through the love of a good woman? Nope. He becomes so good at origami that he turns his hobby into a successful business? Nope. He gets caught up in some other event that leads to intrigue, adventure and romance? Sorry, no.
Nothing happens.
Say what?
That’s right, nothing happens. The divorced man just makes origami models and that’s it. There are a few amusing anecdotes along the way, however, and some vaguely interesting encounters that promise something, but go nowhere.
Believe it or not, I read such a screenplay in my days starting out as a script reader and this was one of the better bad examples. The writing was solid. The script was well formatted. But there was no story. And most importantly, there was no way this writer was going to be able to sell this script.
Now, if Stephen Spielberg or another well-known Hollywood power player had written such a script, the sale would be that much easier. In fact, they wouldn’t have to sell such a story—they could just produce the movie and finance it themselves.
But… would anyone watch it?
Perhaps a few. But I doubt it would break even—even with a big name attached.
Write Scripts That Are Marketable
For the vast majority of us (who aren’t Spielberg), we have to work in the framework that is Hollywood. And Hollywood, is, more than anything else a collection of companies that seek to be both successful and profitable.
Now, if you’re trying to pitch the idea for “a divorced man who makes origami paper models” to a producer or Hollywood agent, don’t be surprised if you have to go door-to-door literally banging your head against the door (which, by the way, is now a door made of concrete and never opens) to try to sell your script.
Don’t take it personally. Your script is a tough sell. Screenplay agents want to know that they have a “chance” to sell your script. They want to know that someone “could” buy it.
And movie studios, producers and production companies want to know that your script will translate into a movie that can sell and make money. A movie that gives a decent return on investment.
Now, I’m not asking or suggesting that you sell out as a writer.
I’m simply suggesting that you write material that is engaging and interesting to the largest audience possible.
You might be interested in divorced men and origami, but how many other people in this world feel the same way?
If you truly respect your audience, you will try to entertain them, speak to them and give them what they want. You can also check out this interesting article if you’re an absolute beginner and want some more information on how to sell a script.
Focus On Your Audience
Agents have a keen nose and they can tell what scripts will be an easy sell and what scripts will be left on the shelf, collecting dust.
My five cents worth of advice: do yourself, your agent, and your career a favor and write a screenplay that has an exciting, interesting or at least somewhat intriguing beginning middle and end.
Write a script that people can’t stop reading. Develop a story that hooks peoples attention.
This means getting outside of yourself and your own head. Think about what other people would be interested in and what would entertain them.
In part 2, I’ll talk a little more on the specifics of writing a script that is more marketable!
*Jennifer Sloane has worked as a screenplay agent in Los Angeles and Nashville for the last five years. Jennifer loves good movies, music and animals. A former television and movie executive, Jennifer currently heads business development at Script Mailer (a company that connects screenwriters with agents and producers in Hollywood).