The live recording is at the UCLA Radio studio, Friday, May 18th, 11am.  Pacific time, of course.

I plan to ask Professor Walter about his screenwriting courses, the main mistakes screenwriters make, the best scripts he has read, and many other things.

Have a question for the professor?  Email or tweet me before or during the show!

To listen live to the conversation with Professor Walter live, go to UCLAradio.com this Friday, May 18th, 2012, at 11am and click the Listen Live button at the top.

If you miss the live recording, no worries!  The episode will be up on iTunes a few days after recording.

It will also be on the Scriptcast Homepage

Thanks for listening, and…

Onward!

-Eric

(The easiest way to listen to Scriptcast is to go to the iTunes store and search “Scriptcast”)

All the episodes from the podcast will soon be posted here, with information, links, and the ability to stream it right off the page.

Right now, some episodes are posted, others are not.  We’re working on getting them all up as soon as we can.

For now, feel free to explore; it won’t hurt.

Thanks for your patience, and…

Onward!

-Eric

I swear I’ll pick a project recommend to me soon, though.  (Please keep sending them!)

The full name of this week’s #SSS selection is Don’t give up the ghost (a Franco-American family comedy) which will hopefully be condensed – and capitalized – after production.  It’s a San Francisco based family/indie film with a little mystery and looks to be charming as hell.

Check out their Kickstarter page by clicking the link below (if you didn’t click the link above…):

www.kickstarter.com/projects/569454667/dont-give-up-the-ghost-a-franco-american-family-co

Did you watch the video?  Were you wooed over by the passion of the filmmaker…and the kids?

Yeah, me too.

I think what really sold me was when the filmmaker (Jean Louis Milesi) says, “Please don’t give me any money,” and it seems convincing, as if deep down, yes, he knows this is a joke, but seriously, he’d like to just sell the screenplay instead.

Don’t let Jean get away with it!    Let’s help his kids (and Jean) get this project made.

Seriously, and…

Onward!

-Eric

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Do you have a project worthy of Support Something Sunday?  Email or tweet me the info and I’ll check it out!  eric@scriptdoctoreric.com / @scriptdreric

The project chosen for this week’s Support Something Sunday (#SSS) is none other than the New Jersey indie comedy TWENTY MILLION PEOPLE!

www.indiegogo.com/twentymillionpeople

I found out about the movie while browsing Indiegogo, searching for films to profile these first few weeks of #SSS.   To be honest, TWENTY MILLION PEOPLE was the first project that made me actually laugh out loud.

No, really.  I did.

It was just a quick chuckle, yet it was still a guy sitting at his computer, laughing by himself, startling his dog.

To me, that means something.  Maybe these guys can make a funny movie?

Their Indiegogo page looks great – well written, with unique rewards for every level of donation.  (If I were in New York, I would have donated enough to get the walking tour…).

Though I’m not sure what their movie is about, they’ve already proven they can create a video with a concise, professional pitch…and some funny moments.

Do you like comedies?  I doubt you’ll find one with more promise than TWENTY MILLION PEOPLE.

So what are you waiting for?  Go to their page and chip in a few bucks.  I did.

And now I’m excited to see how the film will turn out.

Good luck, guys.  And…

Onward!

-Eric

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Do you know of a project that is worth profiling on Support Something Sunday?  Email or tweet me the page and I’ll check it out!  (eric@scriptdoctoreric.com / @scriptdreric)

Mostly, I love seeing what folks are creating.  Because of that, I’ve acquired minor addictions to Indiegogo and Kickstarter.

Script Doctor Eric on Indiegogo

Script Doctor Eric on Kickstarter

As you can see from those pages, I’ve given a few dollars here, and even a few dollars there. And every time I sponsor a project I think, “I should do this more.”

EVERY.

TIME.

Thus, Support Something Sunday (#SSS) is born.

Here’s the dream: Writers, filmmakers, musicians, and anyone doing  creative things, help sponsor OTHER creative folks working on cool projects.  It’s a great way to meet other talented individuals, and be a part of something that is getting made.

Hopefully #SSS will help spread this idea like wildfire.  But even if we ignite only a small brush fire, I’d consider that a success.*

Each week I’ll pick one project, cause, or film that feels worthy of sponsorship, donate at least $10, and post about the project (and why I picked it) right here on the site.

Want to sponsor a film/short/art-project but not sure which one to choose?  Great!  Sponsor the project profiled!  That’s the point of #SSS!  I may even be offering prizes for those who join in sponsoring with me.  (Stay tuned!)

If you don’t sponsor the project profiled on #SSS, that’s fine, but hopefully these posts motivate you to help out a creative venue in one way or another.

Perhaps you have a worthy project in need of sponsorship?  Drop me an email!  While I probably won’t be able to choose every suggestion, I’ll certainly take a look at every project emailed to me…

So send me your projects, people.  The first Support Something Sunday project will be profiled next week.

And…

Onward!

-Eric

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* This is a metaphor of course.  Script Doctor Eric does not condone the starting of ANY type of fire in the wild, except those designated by camping sites or other controlled areas.

I won’t be writing on screenwriting (or screenwriting AND writing) today for two reasons:

1. I posted twice last week. (Boy are my fingers tired!)

2. I’m launching a little something on Sunday that will call for a post EVERY Sunday.   (Stay tuned!)

So, new posts will now come every Sunday, and sporadically throughout the week.

Will this be the last post you read arriving on Tuesday, since it is so close to Sunday?

Probably.  At least for a while.

So…sorry, yes, the Tuesday post is temporarily dead.

Long live the Tuesday post!

-Eric

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* If so, the title of this post makes no sense!

Bascially, he wants to try something new or different, and stick with it for at least two weeks.

He hasn’t started his first challenge, but I think this post and a quick Facebook survey will spur him into action.*

Want to get involved?  We’re already heard from a few folks about this (thanks for the emails!) and it seems a lot people like the idea of either helping choose which challenge Matt should do, or joining in the challenge themselves.

But if we haven’t heard from you, and you want to influence which challenge Matt will do first, tell us by either commenting below, tweeting me (@scriptdreric) or shooting an email to eric at scriptdoctoreric dot com.

Here’s a list of eight options to choose from…or suggest a new one!

1. Start conversations with three strangers a day

2. Make a stranger laugh each day

3. No driving or riding in a car

4. No Internet

5. Do stand-up comedy every night

6. Study a foreign language 1 hour a day

7.Wear a name tag

8. Wear an eyepatch

Sounds like fun, right?

We’ll announce which challenge Matt will be taking on the next episode of Scriptcast!  Stay tuned, and…

Onward!

-Eric

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* For the Facebook survey, please see the Script Doctor Eric Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/scriptdoctoreric

Of the five methods below, the first three assume you know an agent or encounter one online or in the so-called “real” world.  If you live in Los Angeles, and take screenwriting classes, meet other writers, odds are you’ll be running into representation.

If you don’t live in in LA, you can connect with a lot of these folks over Twitter and other social media platforms.  Tweet me – @scriptdreric – and maybe I’ll point you in their direction if you ask nicely…or use any of the other methods detailed below. 

This isn’t the be-all, end-all list, but IT IS based on my experience working at an agency, freelance reading for agents, managers, and production companies, and going through this as a screenwriter.

Here goes nothing.

5 Ways to Get an Agent* to Read Your Screenplay

1. Ask them nicely

Would this actually work?  Yes.  Sometimes.

If you meet an agent in a restaurant, coffee shop, online, in a class, at a party, WHEREVER, if you want representation, you have to not be afraid to breach that slightly-embarrassing question.  So step up and ask nicely.

Sure, there is a chance they’ll be annoyed – choose your situation wisely.  That’s also where the “nicely” comes in.  You might want to say something like, “Could I send  you the first 10 pages of something I’ve been working hard on?”

If they say “no,” don’t push it, BUT you might ask for their advice on where you might send it instead.  Do they know someone looking for clients?

2. Befriend an agent

Scared to ask the agent you just met to read your work because you’re getting along and it might make the relationship awkward?  No problem.  Don’t bring it up for the next few months.  Make an effort to just plain “be a good friend.”

Does this seem silly?  Perhaps it doesn’t need to be said.  However, I get the impression that aspiring screenwriters are often intimidated by folks they meet in the entertainment industry.  Don’t be.  They’re just people.

If you like movies and screenwriting, you’ll have a lot to talk about with most agents.  Make a friend.  And when you’re comfortable, start talking about that screenplay you’ve been working on.

3. Ask them repeatedly

I am not sure I would recommend this method, but I have seen it work many a time.  The agent will read your work just so they can answer that guy who keeps asking them every week in the cafe…

If you do decide to go the route, try not to ask more than once a week, and be sure and BE POLITE!**

If you don’t happen to know / meet an agent, never fear!  Here are two more ways to get an agent to read your work:

4. Get recommended

Don’t know any agents but know someone who knows someone?  Don’t be bashful – ask them to read your script.  If they like it, they might VOLUNTEER to pass it along to their contacts.  Their recommendation will give your script a little bit of social currency (hey, two people like it…) and you’re not a total stranger – just one step away.

If your friend doesn’t like your script?  Don’t take it personally!  Keep that connection!  Stay positive!  Now you have something to talk about when you buy them lunch!

And if they kinda-sorta like it?  Well, you might either take their notes OR see how they’d feel about passing it along to their agent connection.

5. An Old-Fashioned Query Letter

Yes, many places do not read queries, but you’d be surprised at the number that do.  A well-written letter could open the door to an agent, and if not, perhaps an assistant who LOVES your idea.  Keep in touch – you never know where they might end up.

Not sure how to write a query letter?  You may want to read a little post called How to Write a Query Letter

Hope that helps!  Remember, if you do land representation, you’re not out of the water!  Keep writing and pushing until you’re working steadily.

Best of luck, and…

Onward!

-Eric

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* This could easily by “manager” or even “producer” in some cases…

** If you’re funny or good looking, then you can probably get away with being slightly less polite.  Kidding!  (Sort of…)

Music:

“Treats” – Novelists (featuring Randall Park)
“My Only Vice” – Novelists (featuring Randall Park)

Discussed:

Welcome Emily Blake back to Scriptcast, Emily Blake interview, TrackingB Screenwriting Contest, getting an agent and manager, taking general meetings, dressing for meetings, writing commercial screenplays, BREAK, screenwriting style, screenwriting voice, catch phrases, Tonight He Comes / Hancock, Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill, Requiem for a Dream, Shane Black’s Lethal Weapon script, it looks like robots live here, a mirror dusted with cocaine, Raymond Chandler’s Playback, Emily Blake’s transition from a serious tone to a more comedic style, Matt’s Two-Week Challenge, talking to a stranger, creating awkward situations may or may not help your screenwriting, The Game, Coolest Weapon Game, flame thrower, Emily’s Blog – www.bambookillers.blogspot.com, thanks for listening!

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Catch us on Twitter!

Emily – @bambookiller
Matt – @tweetofmatthill
Eric – @scriptdreric

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Click below to stream the podcast AND/OR go to the iTunes store, search “Scriptcast,” and subscribe for free!

I just finished reading your article on how to write a query letter and I have a question for you. I’ve written a short story that I would like to submit to a talent agency in the hopes of getting it made into a movie but I have no idea how to write the query letter for it. How do I go about telling them what I want to do with my story?

Thanks for the question!

While many movies come from adapted material, most of that material originates from published work or soon-to-be published work.  I’m not sure about the status of your short story, but if you have a literary agent or manager (say, in New York, for example) you might have them use their connections to find the right folks out here in LA.

If you are just starting out, and your work is not published, and you are not with a literary agent who represents your fiction and prose writing, it will be difficult to get it in the right hands as far as selling the movie rights.

Literary agencies in Hollywood are looking for screenplays and screenwriters who are actively writing screenplays.  They want a finished product they can SELL.  Which leads me to my next question:

Do you want to be a screenwriter or novelist?

Sure, it’s not an “either/or” question necessarily.  BUT, if you want to be a screenwriter, you’ll have to write screenplays.  There’s no way around it.

If you want to write fiction, prose, novels, etc., why not look for a print or reputable online publication that will display your work?  While the freelance market isn’t great, there’s still some people out there paying for writing.  If you haven’t already, take a look at The Writer’s Market which has pretty much everything you can imagine for prose writers.  I don’t get a kickback from recommending it, but darnit, I should.

Does that make sense?  Hope so!

Best of luck with your work.

And…

Onward!

-Eric

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Do you have a question for Script Doctor Eric?  Check out this nifty page: Contact Script Doctor Eric