-
Wondering which camera, gear, computer, or software to buy? Ask in our Gear Guide.
Producing companies contact mails?
- Thread starter Quarry
- Start date
Have you done a rough budget breakdown for your script? could be a real eye opener like it was for me. it would give you a better perspective then 'about a million'
this gave me an idea for a thread we could start. a list of companies who, in the past, have accepted unsolicited material.
back to the OP. have you done any hard graft other then emailing companies? get off the computer, get on your phone. call people, arrange meeting, call more people...wipe rince repeat
#1 reason writers say they can't get an agent: Can't get in the door.
#1 reason agents say they won't take on a writer: Writing they can't sell.
Quarry, I bet you find this whole thing frustrating. Me too. But, there are thousands of writers just like us, with award winning scripts in hand. The way into the industry is not by pounding on doors. The people inside will not answer. They look for new talent (like yours) via certain very specific avenues. You must play by their rules, it's as simple as that. But the good news is you already hold the key to open those doors yourself; a brilliantly written, marketable screenplay. Quarry, this is the key and you already have it in your hands. Congratulations.
So now that you have the key, how to use it?
Without industry cred', virtually no production exec would ever assign someone to cover your script.
Credibility comes from having someone in your corner that the execs already know, usually an agent, or a manager. In order to get an agent, you need to get them to read your work. Here again, you need credibility.
Some ways writers build credibility:
1) A reputation of excellent writing & making large deals.
2) Win a major writing contest.
3) Make a few deals writing some indies, and work your way up.
4) You've optioned the film rights to a New York Times Best Seller and have attached yourself to write the screenplay.
5) A Studio exec wants to make a deal with you, and you need a agent to negotiate it.
6) You got a RECOMMEND from a resepected script coverage service.
7) Knocked them dead at a pitchfest
Wrote a fantastic query letter and matched your marketable script to a small boutique management company that works in your genre.
As a start, I suggest you tackle #2, 3, 6, 7, 8.
I repeat, you already hold the key to the doors, but now the journey begins. Please keep us posted on your results. I'm inspired by your confidence and motivation.
Thomas
#1 reason agents say they won't take on a writer: Writing they can't sell.
Quarry, I bet you find this whole thing frustrating. Me too. But, there are thousands of writers just like us, with award winning scripts in hand. The way into the industry is not by pounding on doors. The people inside will not answer. They look for new talent (like yours) via certain very specific avenues. You must play by their rules, it's as simple as that. But the good news is you already hold the key to open those doors yourself; a brilliantly written, marketable screenplay. Quarry, this is the key and you already have it in your hands. Congratulations.
So now that you have the key, how to use it?
Without industry cred', virtually no production exec would ever assign someone to cover your script.
Credibility comes from having someone in your corner that the execs already know, usually an agent, or a manager. In order to get an agent, you need to get them to read your work. Here again, you need credibility.
Some ways writers build credibility:
1) A reputation of excellent writing & making large deals.
2) Win a major writing contest.
3) Make a few deals writing some indies, and work your way up.
4) You've optioned the film rights to a New York Times Best Seller and have attached yourself to write the screenplay.
5) A Studio exec wants to make a deal with you, and you need a agent to negotiate it.
6) You got a RECOMMEND from a resepected script coverage service.
7) Knocked them dead at a pitchfest
Wrote a fantastic query letter and matched your marketable script to a small boutique management company that works in your genre. As a start, I suggest you tackle #2, 3, 6, 7, 8.
I repeat, you already hold the key to the doors, but now the journey begins. Please keep us posted on your results. I'm inspired by your confidence and motivation.
Thomas
Last edited:
A general rule is: Don't email unless you're asked to.
I gather you only emailed those who have a track history with your material, personalize the email with the details of why it'll be a good fit for them and what their potential return based on history in your genre? If not, you're asking them to take all the risk of wasting their previous time without you shortlisting the up side and showing you've done at least some basic homework.
If we won't like your script, why would a producer/distributor/investor?
I was actually reffering to the violence... You see, I really enjoy finding creative ideas for violence, like, slowly nailing one's eye until the nail reaches their brains, broken bones that swell and deform... and exciting things like that.
Another good example of what I like is this movie (only with a better plot).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVWVke8VoqQ
I suggest you to see at the scene in 58:30 but don't jerk off right now. I don't think that movie is too good. In fact, it seems a little borring to me, but I remember the first time I saw it I was eight years old and I was both horny and scared.
Another good example (except of the toxic waste scene in robocop) are many of Saw scenes. The best, I think, is where acid gets inside the stomach of a guy and his guts start dripping out until he is cut in two.
The Joker scenes in the Dark Knight, where a guy has a cell phone inside his ribcage and the other one, with the pencil in the eye trick, had a really good potential but, they were wasted in a childish film.
What I'd really like to see is a scene in the Nazi bathrooms, with the Zyklon B. Reports say that when they opened the bathrooms they found towers of corpses, with the women and the children bellow, because they were trying to get as higher as possible, since Zyklon B was coming from bellow, like they were trying to avoid it. Durring that effort, the strongest, meaning, the men, prevailed and stepped on the women and the children. Can you imagine a scene showing that?
By the way, do you know any contact e-mails for "Full Moon Entertainment"? I googled it and it only gave results of full moon nights.
There is a directory that you can buy that has all this information that you're looking for. Each distributor, studio, each main employee and their contact details.
I thought it was in my notes, but I cannot seem to find the directories name. Jerome Courshon was where I learned the name. The thing that I must note again, if you cannot learn to talk to the studio execs, you're going to be wasting your time.
Alternatively, have you tried calling them?
I thought it was in my notes, but I cannot seem to find the directories name. Jerome Courshon was where I learned the name. The thing that I must note again, if you cannot learn to talk to the studio execs, you're going to be wasting your time.
Alternatively, have you tried calling them?
What is all about those stuff of copyright? I mean... If the document in my computer is earlier than the document of the one who stole my idea isn't a proof that I'm the owner? What is it? Does the computer lie?
Now that I'm thinking of it... He might have used an older file and say this is the first edition of MY script... However, I have a document that was last edited before he edited his document for the last time. So... That's a proof...
Now that I'm thinking of it... He might have used an older file and say this is the first edition of MY script... However, I have a document that was last edited before he edited his document for the last time. So... That's a proof...
Last edited:
I'd believe your shit don't stink attitude if you had anyone else read it besides your Mum. That said if you want production company listings just sign up for IMDBPro. But even at an indie level you'll probably need an agent still.
Personally I think the whole "torture porn" genre is dragging horror in to the ground. You sound luke you really believe in your script though, so just try and get other people to read it before you send it off.
I was drunk actually.
Anyway, they sent me a contract in an email, actually dealing with whether or not I'm the owner of the script I sent. They say they are interrested for the script and want to confirm that I give them the right to use it, but the contact doesn't mention anything about money.
What I have to say now? Just go for it... Find the e-mail addresses and contact the production companies... fuck the agents... If you believe in your script and yourself you don't need anything of these. They are actually desperate for new ideas. You know this if you've watched any movies lately. So, just go for it. And if someone questions your ability to write reply "can you suggest anything better? bring it on"... If you can do this, only then send the email...
Last edited:
Sweet! Sounds like you're on your way. We'll say we knew you when...
Wow, this is unexpected.
Please, let us know when you've finalized the sale. I'd be interested in knowing how the negotiations went, and whether you got the money you were asking for.
In my line of work hearing "It's a deal" usually means "Now that I have your interest, we can start negotiating"
Congratulations!
Thomas
Please, let us know when you've finalized the sale. I'd be interested in knowing how the negotiations went, and whether you got the money you were asking for.
In my line of work hearing "It's a deal" usually means "Now that I have your interest, we can start negotiating"
Congratulations!
Thomas
Serious inquiry
Private message me a screenplay of your favorite scene and maybe we can talk.
You can view some of our smaller projects at the youtube channel youtube.com/abhorrentfilms
Private message me a screenplay of your favorite scene and maybe we can talk.
You can view some of our smaller projects at the youtube channel youtube.com/abhorrentfilms
Other link not working?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=youtube.com/abhorrentfilms
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=youtube.com/abhorrentfilms