Part 88: Tips When Getting "Script Searched"

As a producer myself, I'm always conducting script searches on behalf of other producer friends or clients, because I want to help upcoming writers- and established ones- add to their resume and credits, while making a little money, and hopefully find that “break” we all struggle to find.

The hard part is actually making the referral without doing too much damage to one's own credibility. It's also difficult to tell others- usually friends- why they may NOT have been recommended or referred to the next level. I realize I’m not required to this, but I think it’s beneficial for the writer to hear exactly what WE thought of the entire submission package: query, logline, screenplay, etc. Doing this does NOT win any friends, but once the dust settles, hopefully the writers will take a nice, long look at what I’m telling them and try to improve in these areas- with or without my help.

Chances are the rejections are piling up and you can’t understand why. You’ve been told how wonderful a writer you are, and you’re convinced that screenplay you have fits the criteria of the script search to a “T”.

In these situations, you'll need to look over your submission package and see if any of your issues just might be included on this list:

1)???Failed to follow directions:?In most script searches, pretty explicit directions are provided. You’re free?NOT?to adhere to them, out of personal choice, but there will be clients (I’m one of them) who will not give a second look at someone who failed to follow any SPECIFIC direction. The reason is simple: if you can’t follow the directions on how to submit a query, then you’re probably not going to do well moving forward. It tells me you think you’re “different” and should be treated as such.

Sorry, you’re not. Follow the directions.

2)???Missing information; no query; no logline; no script:?For a script search, we received several submissions missing the screenplay itself. When asked, some didn’t include the query letter, the logline, the project title or contact information. Sometimes, you'll forget an attachment. I understand; I do it all of the time. So, I often remind the writer about one or more of the attachments. Usually, I get an explanation as to WHY the screenplay wasn't attached- and it isn't by accident. We're?not?going to beg for you to submit. If you are uneasy about submitting your screenplay to someone you don't know personally- that's fine. We don't need a lecture or an explanation. Just don't respond.

3)???Spelling errors:?Oh, my- I couldn't imagine this would be an actual problem in the day of - at the very least- spellchecker. If your query letter is rife with spelling and grammatical errors, no one is going to waste their time looking any further. You must treat you marketing material with the same respect and concern as your screenplay. In a competitive industry such as ours, you really?DO?have to be perfect.

4)???Doesn’t fulfill the genre or budget requirements:?In the case of a recent search, one script had an open budget, yet another had a very precise budget requirement. If you submit a script that is obviously?NOT?in that range, it is automatically declined. You should?NOT?take the opportunity of a specific script search to submit everything you’ve ever written, especially when it doesn’t fit the stated genre requirements. You do more harm than good to your reputation. No producer looking for a Western is going to consider a sci-fi and be so overwhelmed with how the great your story is that they will forgo the Western script search and choose your screenplay instead. That's a movie in and of itself...

5)???A synopsis doesn’t have a “surprise” ending:?In a synopsis, you tell us the story, without specific details; a “reader’s digest” version. Your script probably doesn’t end with “you’ll never guess what happens next”, so your synopsis shouldn't either.

6)???Missing Writers Bio:?Clearly, many folks do not know how to put together a proper query letter. While disheartening, it’s not the end-all, at least for this script search, but you really need to learn it. You should learn the?“new and improved”, most preferred version as well (yes, there is one). Included in all query letters should be a “Writers Bio”; a place where you can tell the producer about your writing accomplishments and relevant credits or experience. One writer submitted a resume, which I included in the submission. His experience was so extensive and at such an impressive level, it could only be properly demonstrated through a resume. Most of us?HAVE?writing resumes, but probably can reduce the relevant information to two or three lines under a writer’s bio.

7)???Writers Bios without specifics:?It’s a wonderful thing to be able to say you’ve been optioned eight times and have had five movies released through studios. Care to mention any of the films by name? Unless you ARE a household name- and many of us aren’t, even in our own households- you need to back up your claims a bit. Again, it comes down to?time and credibility: we don’t have the?time?to determine your?credibility.

8)???Do not beg:?Very unprofessional. We all want it. Show you want it by submitting the script exactly as explained, write a cogent query letter with an effective logline, a proper synopsis/one page, include your contact information, and provide a script that meets the basic requirements of a spec script, and has been reviewed by several PROFESSIONALS. All the begging in the world is not going to get you any further.

If you have any questions about your screenplay, or how to write a proper query, logline or synopsis, please contact The Script Mentor at?[email protected]

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WRITER'S BIO:?Mr. Scala spent 24-plus years in the Hollywood community and was the?Executive Director for the?72nd Annual Academy Awards,?as well as?The Soul Train Awards,?The Grammys,?The Blockbuster Video Awards Show?and?The Saturn Award Show.?He is writing the biopics of early rock pioneer?Jimmie F. Rodgers,?Motown star?Tammi Terrell?and iconic folk singer and philanthropist?Harry Chapin- all while continuing to mentor new writers and self-published authors. Currently, he is working on a project scheduled to be filmed in the spring,?starring?Liam Hemsworth and Samuel L.?Jackson.?Geno has three produced feature films:?"Assassin 33 A.D.",?"Black Easter"?and?"The Tombs".?All are currently available on Amazon Prime and Tubi.