Message Board

I have had some success with a script I placed on WSN, and now it's time to renew. I also found ScriptPIMP and it is similar. I can not afford both so was wondering if other writers who have used one or the other or both, have an opinion or experiences they'd like to share.

I haven't used either, yet. But I have been doing a lot of research on both of them.

It looks like WSN has had a lot of success in the past. I plan on signing up with them if my latest batch of queries doesn't land me anything.

I don't know anything about ScriptPimp, but I do know that WSN has been really great. Jerrol or Mia are quick to answer your questions and Jerrol even went out of his way to email me and tell me that someone talked to him about my script and I should contact him. Now that's service.

MK

i have no experience with script pimp, other than entering their contest, and they seemed to be nice guys about that.

i have not scored an option with wsn yet, but i have had one request for my script to be read in the two months i've logged my synopsis on their site, which is sure one time more than i would have had by just sitting at home and whining.

plus, i like the weekly email, from which i have made a contact with a production company, who was not interested in my first synopsis (the one mentioned above) but was willing to listen to anything else i had. i have recently sent them another synopsis and am waiting to hear back.

again, that's one more relationship/contact than i would have had by just sitting at home and whining.

i think it's good deal for the $$$

Hey DMV- how the heck are you doing. It has been awhile.

I have nothing but huge great things to say about WSN. Great contacts, service and exposure.

The difference is that WSN, the Prodcos come to that sight whereas with ScriptPimp they make all the contacts.

WSN now has newsletters for all the Prodcos and A Preferred Tip e-mail that you can get. It all costs money for these services but the results have been really mounting up.

My only concern with Scriptpimp is that there contact on your behalf might get lost with all the other pitches. Whereas an associate or producer will take their time going through what is posted on WSN.

Scriptpimp will only pitch one at a time whereas on WSN you can showcase all your work including any shorts you have written. A good chance to list your resume and successes.

I have never used Scriptpimp and don't intend on using it but all the power to them and their successes.

Steve

I believe also (and someone correct me if I'm wrong here) that Script PIMP has to first read and accept the material (there's a reading charge)

WSN has been great for me; it's connected me with quite a few folks and gotten my scripts to people I could never get to with a query.

Paul

Scriptpimp is a different operation than WSN. Both, from what I've learned, are professional and courteous.

Scriptpimp will give you development notes for a fee. They will also let you submit a script for "potential circulation only" for less money that the development notes fee. However, keep in mind that you have to get a "recommend" on your script from Scriptpimp in order to do so. If you do get the coveted "recommend" I believe Scriptpimp circulates hard copies of your script to those producers, managers, etc who show interest based on the info Scriptpimp provides them.

Confused yet? Hang on.

If you are going to spend money on development notes from any service, then may I suggest reading the review in the latest issue of Creative Screenwriting Magazine. CSM shelled out $10,000 to various folks after for a writer's script and gave grades (some favorable, others not so favorable) to services offering development notes based on the script submitted to them for the magazine. I thought the article was informative because they gave an average score to one of their columnists who provides script development services.

Writers Script Network (now known as Ink Tip, if I'm not mistaken) does not offer development notes for scripts. However, as far as producers, agents, etc having access to scripts it can't be beat.

If I had to choose one or the other based on budget, then I would go with WSN for the time being. Of course, it doesn't hurt to submit a script to the Scriptpimp Screenwriting contest.

Hope this helped.

THANKS to everyone who wrote. (and a special 'hi' to Steve, and yeah, I know I owe ya an email!)

I renewed my script with WSN (Inktip) I checked and had over 50 'hits' on my logline, and several people came back a few times after that. My guess would be that prodcos on Script Pimp most likely also check WSN and I like the security of always knowing who looked at what.

And I agree, Jerrol and Mia have been great (and fast in their replies!) in the past.

Excuse me if I'm mistaken, but I think what DonnaMarie is asking about is ScriptPimp's new Writers Database service, which is different from the coverage service and does seem to compete directly with WSN's service. I haven't used the new ScriptPimp service, though I do use WSN. I'd really be interested in the experiences of anyone who has used the Writers Database service.

I'm using Script Pimp's Database now, and have used WSN in the past. Yes, Jerrol is accommodating, but so is Chadwick Clough at ScriptPIMP.

One thing about the SP database is that you can access produceers/managers/agents under the rubrics of "New Writers Accepted" or "Will Consider ScriptPIMP Recommended." And the entries tell you how they would like to receive pitches, whether by regular mail, fax, emai, or phone.

Both WSN and ScriptPIMP are quality services.

Thanks so much for that post, John!

WSN or Scriptpimp?

If I was a producer looking for a script to turn into a movie I would want to restrict my search to a service that only contains scripts that service "recommends".

If I was a "producer" looking for gullible dreamers I could con. I would look at the service that will post any and every script.

David E.

Response to the last posting:

WSN checks out the producers and agents.

I have scripts out to high power agencies, stars, and name production companies via WSN.

I am not demeaning ScriptPIMP (I subscribe to both sevices) and find both to be well run. However, one person's good coverage is another's pan.

paul

Paul, what makes you think a con man can't have legitimate credits?

Maybe my cynical attitude can be explained and partially understood if I relate my horror story.

I had an option from a local producer, he sent the script to a director of movies and television shows we both had seen and he responded in a very positive way. He said he loved the script and wanted to meet. We flew to L.A. and had lunch, and for a ten thousand dollar fee the producer could tell people he had a known director attached to the project.

Almost to the second the check cleared this director told the producer he wanted to change the time period, setting and main character, and "by the way I want my friend to write it". Thanks for the money, have a nice bankruptcy.

The producer went bankrupt and I quit writing for several years, and like I said this director had legitimate credits. I don't know, maybe he was behind on the mortgage of his Malibu home or had gambling debts, who knows, but in hind sight the script was obviously amateurish and it was probably quite apparent that if the producer didn't recognise that he was just as much a dreamer as I was and therefore an easy solution to the director's financial troubles or simply a few extra bucks to bridge the gap between projects.

So I guess what I'm saying is, if you're script isn't really ready you may be advertising something you don't want to advertise.

David E.

Maybe the best movie I've ever seen that deals with this kind of situation is MISTRESS. DeNiro produced and acted in it, along with Eli Wallach, Danny Aiello, Jason Alesander, Laurie Metcalf, etc -- and with cameos by Ernest Borngine and Chris Walken.

But maybe the best is Martin Landau as a down-and-out producer.

It's a film that especially appeals to screenwriters. I've seen it three times, and laughed harder each time. )I have a morbid sense of humor)

David:

Sorry to hear about your experience.

But like Ben Franklin said: "A fool and his money are soon parted."

If there's one thing I learned trying to break into the business it's NEVER, NEVER, NEVER offer some shlub money to represent your script or promise to "put it into the right hands."

Anyway, I'm confident that WSN is more than open to being made aware of potential scam artists. I've even written to them about one or two myself in my day when the old subject of money came up.

I'm posted with WSN. Very quick to respond to questions, very professional. Jerrol and his team make you feel as if you're their only client. I've had a couple good prospects and sold a t.v. script.

I don't know anything about Script Pimp, sorry.