Matt’s 2-Week Challenges

Posted on April 20, 2012 by Eric

If you listened to Scriptcast: Episode 42 you heard Matt discuss something called his “2-Week Challenges.”

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

5 Ways to Get an Agent to Read Your Screenplay

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Eric

I’ve written a lot on query letters for your screenplay on this site – and I’ll mention them again below, HOWEVER, I want to briefly discuss four OTHER ways to get an agent to read your screenplay.

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…)

Query Letter Question

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Eric

Just got this question from a reader:

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

Emily Blake Returns to Scriptcast!

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Eric

Scriptcast – A Screenwriting Podcast
Live Recording
Fridays, 10am-noon
www.UCLAradio.com

Matt and I are pleased to announce that screenwriter and blogger Emily Blake will join us in studio for the live recording of Scriptcast this Friday, April 6th, at 10:30am!

The last time Emily was on, we had a great time discussing screenwriting, blogging, action movies, and other (awesome) things. Check out the episode if you haven’t already: Scriptcast Episode 10: Emily Blake

Since Emily’s last appearance, she’s had a couple of nice breaks. Her work was profiled on the very popular screenwriting website Scriptshadow, she won the TrackingB screenwriting contest, and she landed representation at one of the big three agencies!

In other words, she’s going places, folks.

Hear Matt and I kiss up to Emily by listening to the live recording of Scriptcast. Just go to www.UCLAradio.com and click the “Listen Live” button at the top this Friday at 10:30am.

Want to ask Emily a question? Email it (eric@scriptdoctoreric.com) or tweet it to me (@scriptdreric) anytime before the show!

If you miss the live recording, don’t worry – the episode will be up on iTunes in a few days. It is a podcast, after all.

Thanks for listening, and…

Onward!

-Eric

Scriptcast – Now Recorded on Fridays (For the next few months)

Posted on March 31, 2012 by Eric

Just a quick post to let you know that for the next 10 weeks Scriptcast – A screenwriting podcast will be recorded on Fridays, from 10am – noon.

So if you want to listen live, go to www.UCLAradio.com on Fridays at 10am or so and click the “Listen Live” headphones at the top.

Of course, it’s a podcast, so if you miss the live recording no worries – the episode will be up on iTunes a few days after the recording.

Why the new time? Since we record at the UCLA Radio studios, we get a different time each quarter, depending on availability.

This quarter, Fridays at 10am works the best for us and the station. So…see ya then!*

-Eric

*And this Friday, April 6th, a special guest is coming on the podcast! Hint: She’s a screenwriter who has been on Scriptcast before, but since then has had some great things happen for her in her writing career…