go to existing members screenplay online

has a list of US companies, with contact information. Wikipedia has a world-wide list of production companies. These state that you won’t sue them if they already have something similar in development-which legitimately does happen quite often. Some companies will look at a script if you first sign their release form. Send out six query letters, wait about six weeks, then send letters to six other agents, and so on.Ĭan You Submit Directly to a Production Company? If they’re interested, they’ll ask to read the script. If anything about you is relevant, include that-for instance, if your script is set in Japan and you lived there for five years.ĭon’t make extravagant claims like, “This will be bigger than Harry Potter!” Nor should you mention ideas for sequels or merchandise. First, send a query letter, one page on which you indicate the script’s genre, title, and one or two paragraphs summarizing the story. There are many people wanting agents, so it may take some time for you to land one. In other countries, do an online search for “literary agencies,” and see whether there are any that handle scripts. Some will consider submissions only from people referred to them by existing clients.

Always check an agency’s website for the latest submission information.

also has a list, as well as interviews with a number of agents. The Writers Guild of America site features a list of agents who are signatories to the Guild agreement. Also, the agency contract you sign will have a clause that allows either of you to terminate the contract. Reputable agents do not charge upfront fees nor do they push you to use the services of script editors. Even more important for a new writer is that a good agent knows which producers or studios are looking for what kind of scripts.Īgents usually get a commission of 15% of what you get paid. They depend on agents to screen out the worst material and negotiate a deal with you.Īn agent will try to get you the best deal possible. Most studios and producers will not read a screenplay unless it comes to them via an agent. Why You Need an Agent and How Agents Work In Canada and many countries in Europe, there are agents who will help you market your work, but in other countries, you will have to approach production companies directly. In this final lesson, you’ll learn how to sell it, focusing on the process in the United States. In the previous lessons, we covered how to write an outstanding screenplay and how to format it. Episode #10 of the course Getting started screenwriting by Jurgen Wolff

Go to existing members screenplay online