Pitching your script requires some basic etiquette if you want to get responses, in case you didn’t know. Sure, you’ve got a great project. It is the greatest thing ever written and if anyone turns you down they are stupid, right?
Yeah, I hear this story all the time from beginner writers, producers, directors, filmmakers. If you have ever told anyone this you are, in essence, raising a big fat banner that says, “I don’t know what I’m doing.”
I’m not being mean, it is just that the truth hurts sometimes. I have had a number of people send me unpolished, half-assed story ideas, concepts, or full-blown scripts expecting that I will hop all over it and want to help them make their movie. Unfortunately, that is not how it works.
The Honest Truth
I’m gonna tell you why I don’t read script submissions and why I immediately delete them from my inbox. Even better, I’m going to give you a few pointers that will help you better prepare your script and get people responding to you and not filtering you to SPAM or filing a restraining order against you. This post is all about pitching your script, along with some basic etiquette that you should know before heading out into the “world.”
Why I Don’t Read Submissions
I don’t just “not” read them. I delete them entirely from my inbox once I realize it is a story submission, which is generally within the first few words. There is basic etiquette when it comes to pitching your script or how you submit your projects. The goal would be to get a response, right? Most of the time, beginner filmmakers have no etiquette when it comes to this. Not that they are rude, but more often than not it is because they just don’t know any better.
Delete Reason 1:
Legal reasons. I have at any one time a number of projects I am developing, writing, or planning on going into production for. The last I checked my concept list I was around 75 story concepts…and that number is constantly growing. From that list 2 maybe 3 are getting ready to be written and I am usually working on packaging 1 or 2 additional projects. If I were to accept a story submission and start reading it only to find out that it was similar to a project that I already had in development, what would the other filmmaker think? “Hey, Jared Isham stole my story idea!” might be one thing.
The solution. I just don’t read the scripts. If I want to produce something from someone else, I secretly go out searching for a script. So the takeaway here is to post your script to script hosting platforms. The golden ticket though is to not submit story concepts to people who say “not accepting submissions.”
Delete Reason 2:
How a person contacts me. I have this website set up for the specific reason of providing valuable information to filmmakers. Many times I receive messages from individuals through Facebook or Instagram attempting to pitch me content or ask me to help them with their film project in some way. Don’t get me wrong, I am flattered you would ask me for help. The bonus, I actually really like helping you out and seeing you succeed. A pro tip: Many times the questions I am asked I already have answered in videos on YouTube or in blog posts here on the website. Spend a little time researching to see if you can find the answer. It might be way faster than waiting for me to respond.
"If you can’t put in the work of learning, chances are you won’t last when it comes to actually perform."
Delete Reason 3:
If I answer your question, don’t keep asking the same question phrased differently. What this says to me is that you are not willing to listen to advice and are just waiting for someone to give you a handout. Handouts happen, I’m sure, but I don’t give them. To prove that you are serious about pursuing a career in film, I want to see you put in the work. If you can’t put in the work of learning, chances are you won’t last when it comes to actually perform.
Making movies is a grueling, labor-intensive process. You need to be able to stand on your feet or remain active and alert for 10-12 hours a day on average. You need to be able to manage large amounts of people, think on your feet quickly, know about all the departments, keep the stress of the production at a minimum, and more. If you aren’t willing to put in the time to learn on your own, then I have a hard time devoting my time to helping when someone else who is willing to make the effort could use my assistance.
So how do you go about pitching your projects?
The number one thing is to know you have something that stands out. If you’ve never written something before, maybe try taking a class or searching YouTube for some tutorials on screenwriting. Here is a great place to get you started: Screenwriting Tips for Better Stories. You can also check out Corey Mandell, Film Courage, or sites like ScreenwritingU, Roadmap Writers, Script Reader Pro, or Screencraft. When you have honed your skills at screenwriting your next step is to send out query letters.
When you send out query letters, make sure you follow companies submission guidelines. Try making your pitch super short and hook them from the beginning. Give your bio or why you are the perfect writer for the story and then wait.
Follow-Ups
I think many people lose their opportunity, at least with me, when they keep following up every 12 hours. Give it 2-3 weeks, in some cases it is months. Then do a follow-up, maybe include a quick “even shorter” summary of your last contact…then wait again. If you don’t hear anything else, maybe do one more reach out and then move on, they may not be interested.
Pitching your script with some basic etiquette involved is sometimes a great lesson in patience and practicing the funnel technique. You can’t expect to get a response right away. If you get a 10% response rate then you are probably not doing too bad. Pretty good actually. Your response rate will go down when you don’t put in the work of following the rules and, at least, some basic etiquette of pitching.
Featured Image Photo by Christian Joudrey on Unsplash
