10 Tips When Writing Your Screenplay Query

(Part of the ongoing "Debunking Screenwriting Myths" series)

In the past, I’ve had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to assist several big-name directors and producers in their quest for screenplays of a specific genre or topic. These producers knew that, with my vast network of screenwriter contacts at my disposal, and my willingness to reach out to these fellow writers and help them in attaining a sale or option deal, that they would have a much better chance of finding these screenplays and that "special" screenwriter.

 Once the word went out about a particular script search, the resulting storm of emails with accompanying scripts, bios, resumes and links was indeed satisfying; it was nice to know that so many of my contacts actually READ my emails or posts. More importantly, I believed that I was perhaps making a difference in their lives.

 Then, I began to read the emails…the bios…the resumes...and the links.

Ugh!

So, I thought it might be a good opportunity to provide a simple checklist of some of the things one SHOULDN’T do when responding to a script request:

 1)      Don't IGNORE the specifics of the scripts that are being requested. If the genre requested is science fiction, you shouldn’t submit a story about a baby whale and the handicapped child trying to raise it, unless, of course, the whale can fly and the child is from Jupiter.

 2)      If the request is for screenplays with a Japanese-American theme, don’t submit a screenplay about a Chinese family, then add “It’s close”! Makes you sound like an idiot, at best, and racist, at worst.

 3)      Don't “cut and paste” your pre-written query letter into an email, and address the recipient as “Dear (blank)”. When you cut and paste, sometimes the fonts are different, and it appears very unprofessional.

 4)      Don't BOMBARD the recipient with every screenplay you’ve ever written, or hope to write or thought about writing. I cannot tell you how many writers submitted one query letter with more than five different loglines and synopses. No one is going to read it. Trust me.

 5)      Don't IGNORE spelling or grammatical errors- not in the query letter; not anywhere! I have actually seen writers misspell their own titles.

 6)      Don't make DEMANDS of the person requesting the script. Demands, or requests such as “DO NOT FORWARD TO ANYONE WITHOUT MY EXPRESSED WRITTEN CONSENT!” are very off-putting. Who would want to work with you if this your best first impression?

 7)      Do NOT accompany your query letter with any kind of request. I have seen query letters contain requests to “help raise funds for sick children” or to “support your local LGBT office”. Even if these causes directly relate to the theme of your screenplay, don't request anything else. Their favor to you at this time is being willing to accept your screenplay and review it's contents- period. Don't press your luck.

 8)      Do NOT take the submission of a query letter as an opportunity to apply for a job as a script reader, a production assistant, a grip or an actor with the production company.

 9)      Do NOT forget your title. Trust me- seen it left out many times.

 10)   Do NOT forget your contact information. (See #9)

Writing a query letter is an art in and of itself, and there are definite “do’s and don’ts” when writing one.

Here is a partial “do” list:

 A) If you are responding to a request for a certain type of script, first thing you should do is ONLY respond if your script fits in what they are looking for. If it does, makes sure this fact is highlighted in the first sentence: “I am responding to your request for Japanese/American-themed scripts, and I’d like submit my comedy/drama “Life at The Tea House”, a Japanese/American story of love, redemption and ninja zombies.”

B) Highlight your “hook” right away (this is why it’s called a “hook”). This “hook” is the reason why your story is different from every other story of the same genre and theme.

C) When you include your logline, make sure it is the strongest logline possible. I cannot stress this enough. If the reader gets to the logline, and it doesn’t hook them, they’ll probably not read any further, no matter how great the letter — or the script — may be.

D) Write a brief synopsis of your story, to include and beginning, middle and an end. Three short paragraphs, less than a page total. I recently received two query letters; one was 43 pages, the other 15. Hand to God, I’m telling the truth. The only thing missing was the writer’s birth certificate. Sheesh!

E) End the query with a brief “writers” bio. I recommend that you do this in the “third person”. It’ll read like a press release and seem professional. Do not include useless information like where you went to school or every contest you’ve ever entered, unless it is absolutely pertinent (one exception is if you know the recipient attended the same school as you, they might look at you a little more favorably). Two lines that tell the reader a little about you, your writing, and a mention or two about prestigious awards, if any. Quarter-finalist in the Bombay Theater Writing Contest doesn’t qualify for space in the prime real estate of the query letter.

F) Make sure everything is spellchecked and grammatically correct, and do not forget your contact information. You have but one shot at making a good impression, so don’t blow it.

Writer's Bio: Geno Scala is the owner of "The Script Mentor" (www.thescriptmentor.com); professional screenwriter; ghostwriter/book adaptations-for-hire; known as "Ghostwriter to the Stars"; Executive Producer at Shark-Eating Man Productions (www.sharkeatingman.com) ?; former Executive Director of 72nd Academy Awards, Grammys, Soul Train, Saturn and Blockbuster Awards shows; currently developing "Bad Priest", one-hour drama, episodic TV series; produced reality docudrama "Just Like Elvis" TV series; screenwriter of "Banking on Betty"?, (action adventure/comedy; 2012); winner StoryPros; Script Pipeline; runner-up Scriptapalooza and more.