In my last post I spoke a little about what you need to do to sell your script. In this post, which is a follow up to my previous post, I’d like to go over this topic in a bit more detail, specifically some of the things you need to do to write a screenplay that sells.
Now, there is a difference here between selling a script and selling a pitch. When selling a pitch your story will need to be high concept. But for now, let’s focus on writing a script that sells.
You’ve written the script and it’s all polished. The first thing you need to make sure is that your script is of a good enough standard so that potential buyers (studios and producers) will be interested enough to buy it.
Write a Script of Outstanding Quality
It’s been said over and over again. But most screenplays are not that well-written. Either the story doesn’t flow or make sense. The characters are underdeveloped. Or the idea isn’t appealing in itself.
One of my good screenwriter friends put it this way, “I’ve read scripts from here to Timbuktu, but I can count the number of decent scripts I’ve read on my left hand.”
There are thousands of unpublished screenplays out there. But the vast majority of these screenplays are poorly structured and poorly written.
If you can structure your screenplay with a great beginning, middle and end—tight dialogue—and developed characters. You have a better shot at selling your screenplay than 99% of the other screenwriters out there.
The Unappealing Idea
If you have a great script but a tough idea to sell, don’t worry.
Imagine, for a moment, that you’re the screenwriter of Sideways—the hit 2004 movie about two men reaching middle age with little to show for it but a lot of disappointment.
You’ve just written the Sideways screenplay and you now want to sell your script to someone who will turn it into a movie. The only problem is . . . pitching the movie doesn’t do it justice.
You tell your agent, your screenwriting agency, producers, directors, and studios that this is a movie about two men who are unhappy with their lives, one is a failed actor and the other is a depressed English teacher. Together, they go on a wine tasting trip and have some entertaining romantic adventures along the way.
It’s guaranteed to be a hit movie!
Surprisingly, no one believes you and no one calls you back, let alone reads your script.
In this case, it’s nice to use Sideways as an example because the film was both critically and commercially successful. And, in the case of Sideways you have a screenplay that is very well-written and you would only be able to gauge how good the story is by readying the script.
For some screenplays, as in Sideways, a pitch won’t do the story justice. It would be very hard to convince a potential buyer that your “Sideways-esque” screenplay is worth reading just from a simple pitch. So, what do you do?
You hold back. You don’t reveal too much. Of course you still have to convince people to read your screenplay, whether that person is your agent or a producer. You still need to whet their appetite and convince them that this is a screenplay they should read.
Then, and only once they have started reading your script, will people see your screenplay’s commercial potential. In this case, less is more. When sending a query to an agent or talking about your script, keep it short, keep it simple and make it attractive.
Try to see things from a movie studios perspective. They need to know that your screenplay has commercial viability. They also need to know that they will be able to make a decent return on their investment if they buy your script.
The Great Idea
Of course with a great idea it is much easier to get your script read. Say, for example, that you have just written a screenplay with huge commercial appeal and a great story—think Titanic as a good example of a hugely successful commercial movie.
It’s an easy pitch and not too difficult to get someone take a look at the script. But at this point, you better make sure that your screenplay is of a decent standard because it doesn’t matter how good your script is—without decent writing no one is going to buy your screenplay.
They might buy your idea, but that is another thing altogether
It’s important to remember that ideas aren’t stories. Ideas are the germ of a story. And what agents and producers and Hollywood wants is stories, lots and lots of stories. They’re appetite is insatiable.
Ideas are wonderful and fantastic. But they don’t necessarily mean you have a great story. It’s just easier to pique someones interest with a great idea, that’s all.
Write the screenplay, then you’ll know if you have a great story!
To be continued in part 3 . . .
*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).