Unsolicited Screenplays

As someone that's literally grown up in the entertainment industry, one of the first things I learned was make sure you have an invitation to the party.  I was three at the time, and I saw my name on it, therefore, it must be mine right?

Not so fast. I didn't know it at the time, however my father also went as Mike to his friends and acquaintances.  Here we are n years later, and some still mistake me for him.

Writing

What's that got to do with screenplays, you might ask? Well, I'm here to tell you as a hyphenate in the industry, I get asked all the time, "Will you make my movie?" I usually attempt to take a conversation at this point if I get a good sense of the person themselves.

Most of the time however, I'll say something like, "Have your people call my people. We'll take a meeting and do lunch." That stops most cold in their tracks, as they don't have "People."

Reading

Now here's what you don't realize; yours is NOT the first script that I need to read that day.  I have a pile, just like everyone else.  I have a significant backlog of scripts that I need to read and/or evaluate.  I get paid a fee to do this. The glorious stories of spec scripts getting sold for six or seven figures while entertaining, are a rarity in this business. 

Anyone asking me to read a script that I haven't asked to read is most likely

• an amateur
• unrepresented, or
• a combination of the above.

Can you imagine walking up to a total stranger at a party and kissing them full on the lips, without so much as a, "Hi, my name is _______?"  That's what you're doing when you ask me to read your screenplay.  Now, if you wish to pay my consultant fee which is too steep for most, we can begin that conversation privately. As a first level connection, you have at least two or three ways to contact me directly.

Thanks for your time. I hope you value mine as much.