Message Board

Lana: My script took first place honors in the CWA contest(comedy genre) from over 400 comedy entries (2,000 total). The check and goodies were appreciated, but now the work starts. You can't totally depend on the contest principals to push your work. Very busy. So now begins the query process. There's no "easy" method. It's harder than writing the script.

Sorry George, nice words but meaningless. I've written a script that placed First in the 2011 Creative World Awards contest (from over 400 entries in the comedy genre; 2,000 total entries). Have phoned agents, and managers. Have sent flowers, candy to get their attention. Was told not to bother. Last year sent one hundred queries. No requests.

I've recently sent 50 query letters just to managers. Twenty came back as "not able to deliver" and other such comments. The script has also won three other contests: Cynosure, Hollyscript, and Script Doctor. So it has past the smell test.

I placed an ad in "Variety"... no response.

The script has been called "simply phenomenal" by one analyst, and "comedic genius" by another. Comments like these and $4 will get me a latte at Starbucks.

So please don't insult honest, struggling writers who are trying everything to get the attention of these agents and managers who are "constantly searching for good material." It's simply bullshit.

Thanks guys: Apprecite it. My problem is not my script which every analyst has heaped praise upon. My problem is getting ANYONE to even read it. If it was read and turned down I could certainly understand. IT HAS NOT BEEN TURNED DOWN. IT SIMPLY HAS NOT BEEN READ AT ALL.

The Creative World contest isn't obscure. It had over 2,000 entries from 6 continents. In my genre (comedy) in which my script finished FIRST, there were over 400 entries.

As a result I sent out queries to fifty managers and agents, with the info about winning this contest on the outside of the envelope. Still nothing. Unfortunately about half of the queries came back as that person no longer works there. By mistake I relied on Agents and Managers listings in the Directories.

From now on I will call ahead to obtain the name of a person to contact. Something I should have done in the first place. We live and learn. However my hope is waning.

I am wriitng other scripts, so if I do manage to get the attention of a manager, I will have other scripts to show.

I know I appear to be belly-aching here and maybe I am. It's just when I hear about the constant search by the professionals, I wonder where the hell they're searching. There must be hundreds of quality scripts bouncing around town at any one time (out of the thousands written).

Again, guys, thanks for the comments. If anyone has any suggestions I'm willing to rename my first child.

Irin, don't mind at all. Thanks for asking.

Log Line: "This action/comedy finds two feuding sisters facing peril after peril atop a fast moving train as it maneuvers the treacherous Guatemala mountains. If they fail at their quest, their kidnapped, harridan Mother will be killed."

If you or anyone has a contact, I'll gladly honor a "finders fee".

Thanks again, guys. I appreciate it, and will rework it with your suggestions. If it works I'll acknowledge you at the Oscars.

Appreciate the advise. I understand it's not a popular genre for Hollywood (neither was Bridesmaids). As one reader put it "it just may be so unique that it might appeal to a producer looking for a different, winning comedy." It's why I wrote it. As she said, funny is funny.

I'll keep plugging away. I can get people to read and appreciate it as long as I pay them (for coverage). So I'll eventually get around to everyone as long as the money holds out.

Again, guys. Thanks. I do appreciate it.

Irin: Thanks, Buddy. Will definitely take heed. However, can only do 8%.

Thanks Heather. These are all good suggestions. I've just been too close to it to see. I'll try one more time, then I'll give someone else a chance at the board.

LOG LINE: "Petrified that her monster-nag of a mother will be killed or worse have to move in, our school-teach heroine must endure a chase after a sweet Latin bail-jumper; a run-a-way Guatemala train; evil smugglers; and her husband's latest indiscretion...her sister!"

Adios all, and thanks again.

Just got back in. Robert, nice job. I like it. I'll bring you in on the split (but the split is getting smaller).

Script just moved along in the Reel Authors contest along with nice feedback. Once again, we'll see.

I don't know about you guys, but my frustrations have grown since contest wins. I have,in fact, won four of them with the same script. Some of the contests were fairly big ones. The script won First Place (comedy genre) in the 2011 Creative World contest; and First Place in the 2012 Reel Authors contest. This from thousands of entries. The script also won two other smaller contests. The contests themselves said they would promote, but I have as yet to receive one request for the script from any producer, agent, or manager. Hundreds of phone calls by me heve gone on deaf ears. If the script wasn't any good, I'd leave the rat-race, pack my bags and head home to the folks. I may do that anyway. I can't handle another win. Any of you in the same boat?

Thanks so much all for letting me know there are others out there as frustrated as me. Great advise, all. I thought Creative World might be the one contest with "juice". Over 2,000 entries. Even met with the contest principals. Have now entered Page. Will take your suggestions about festivals and contacts..

The fact that you are all suffering with me somehow brings me great solace. Spread the suffering around, I say. But now the "feeling sorry for myself" day is over. I'm taking your advise. On to my next project. After all, I'm a screenplay writer, who just gets paid in contest results.

Again, guys, I really appreciate you taking the time to respond.

Thanks Michael, Paul, Dude, Irin, and others who responded. Advise I will take to heart, as well as others who find this site.

My last contact with anyone was a manager (MXN) who has a nice stable of movies they've been associated with. Upon my phone call, they agreed to accept an email query (based I believe on the contest wins). They then requested the script and release. After two weeks, I followed up. "It's not right for us. We're just a small company". What, what? They were listed on Done Deal as the managers for all the Diablo Cody rom/coms.

My script is not an epic. No big cast. It's just two females chasing after a colorful bandito in South America. Now maybe the location was a problem, but the American southwest would do nicely.

But I will take away from it a line-of-communication (even if it only lasted two weeks). It would seem contacting managers is the way to go. Just have hit them at the right time with the right script.

One more thing. Have any of you created a web-site for any of your scripts? I built one for my action/comedy called chasingdonjuan.com. I'm not worried about having it "out there" but I'm guessing that no producer will visit the web-site due to legal ramifications. Any thoughts?

Again, thanks for your thoughts, and for letting me vent.

Ditto, Robert. Thanks. Thoughts from all very helpful.