Completing a screenplay is a testament to dedication and creativity, but it marks the end of only the first phase. The next stage shifts from pure invention to strategic business and outreach. This chapter is about preparing your work for the world and navigating the complex terrain of the entertainment industry.
Polish Your Script
A first draft is a foundation, not a finished product. The initial step is to let the script rest for a few weeks or even a month. This break allows you to return to the material with fresh eyes, making it easier to spot plot holes, clunky dialogue, and structural weaknesses. This new perspective is the starting point for a comprehensive rewrite.
The rewriting process begins with the big picture before focusing on the details. Focus first on the macro elements: story structure, character arcs, and pacing. Once the structural integrity is sound, turn your attention to the scenes themselves, tightening action lines and ensuring each one serves a purpose. Only then should you refine the dialogue, reading it aloud to catch unnatural phrasing and ensure each character has a distinct voice.
Feedback is a necessary part of this polishing phase. You can find readers in writers’ groups, either locally or online, or use professional script coverage services for detailed analysis. When reviewing notes, look for recurring patterns; if multiple readers flag the same issue, it is a clear sign that a specific area needs work. The final step is a thorough proofread for typos and formatting errors that can signal amateurism.
Protect Your Intellectual Property
Before sending your polished script out, it is wise to establish a record of your authorship. The industry offers two primary methods for this, each serving a different function. Understanding the distinction allows you to properly safeguard your creative work as you begin the submission process.
One common method is registration with the Writers Guild of America (WGA). This service, available to members and non-members, creates a time-stamped record of your script’s existence on a specific date. The WGA registry primarily serves as evidence in potential disputes over authorship or plagiarism. However, this registration lasts for a five-year term and does not confer the legal rights of formal copyright.
For more robust legal protection, registering your work with the U.S. Copyright Office is the standard. This formal registration is a prerequisite for filing a lawsuit for copyright infringement in a U.S. court. It establishes a public record of your ownership and grants you the exclusive legal rights to reproduce and distribute your work. While a work is technically copyrighted the moment it is fixed in a tangible form, formal registration gives you the legal power to enforce those rights.
Prepare Your Submission Materials
With your script polished and protected, the next task is to create a suite of professional documents to market your work. These materials are your script’s introduction to the industry and must be as carefully crafted as the screenplay itself. They serve to capture interest and convince someone to invest their time.
The first tool is the logline, a one- to two-sentence summary that distills the essence of your story. A compelling logline introduces the protagonist, their goal, and the central conflict they face, all while hinting at the genre and stakes. For example, a logline for Jaws could be: “When a giant man-eating shark threatens a New England beach town, a local sheriff, a marine biologist, and an old seadog must hunt the creature down before it kills again.”
Next is the synopsis, a one-page summary of the entire plot from beginning to end. A synopsis must reveal the ending, as its purpose is to give a potential representative or producer a complete understanding of the narrative arc. It should be written in the present tense, follow a clear three-act structure, and resolve all major plot points.
Finally, you will need a professional query letter. This is your direct outreach to agents and managers. The letter should be personalized, addressing the recipient by name and briefly mentioning why your script is a good fit for them. It should feature your logline, a brief paragraph expanding on the plot, and a concise bio highlighting any relevant writing credentials.
Develop a Submission Strategy
Getting your script into the right hands requires a thoughtful and targeted approach. Writers should consider a multi-pronged strategy that combines direct outreach, online visibility, and industry engagement. This involves researching the appropriate channels for your specific work.
Querying Agents and Managers
Seeking representation from an agent or a manager is a traditional route. Agents are licensed to negotiate contracts and make deals, while managers focus on guiding a writer’s career, offering feedback, and making connections. New writers often find it more productive to start by querying managers, who may be more open to developing new talent.
Create a targeted list of representatives whose clients write in a similar genre to your script, using resources like IMDbPro and the WGA’s list of signatory agents. Once you have your list, carefully follow the submission guidelines for each company. Many have strict policies against unsolicited attachments and prefer to receive only a query letter first.
Using Online Platforms
Services like The Black List and Coverfly allow you to host your script for industry professionals to discover. These platforms function as a database where representatives can search for talent based on specific criteria. A high rating or positive review on a respected platform can boost your credibility, but these services are tools for discoverability, not a replacement for proactive outreach.
Entering Screenwriting Competitions
Reputable screenwriting competitions can be a powerful way to get your work noticed. Contests like the Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting and the Austin Film Festival Screenplay Competition are highly regarded. Placing as a finalist or winner can provide prize money, industry recognition, and connections. Research competitions thoroughly to ensure they are legitimate, as a win from a well-regarded contest is a significant addition to your query letter.
Networking
Building a professional network is about fostering genuine, long-term relationships. On social media platforms, you can connect with other writers and industry professionals by participating in conversations using relevant hashtags like #WritingCommunity. Attending film festivals, workshops, and writing conferences provides opportunities to meet people face-to-face. Connections with fellow writers can lead to writers’ groups, peer feedback, and future recommendations.
Master Your Pitch
At some point, you will find yourself in a meeting where you need to pitch your script. A verbal pitch is a concise, engaging presentation of your story. It is a skill that must be practiced until it sounds natural and conversational.
A verbal pitch allows for more personality and context than a written logline. Your goal is to hook the listener, convey the genre and tone, and make them care about your protagonist and their journey. Focus on the core emotional conflict of the story, summarizing the setup, the central conflict, and the stakes without getting bogged down in minor plot details.
Practice your pitch repeatedly, perhaps with a two-minute timer. The delivery should be confident and enthusiastic; your passion for the project can be infectious. Be prepared to answer questions about your characters, themes, and why you are the right person to tell this story, as a well-delivered pitch sells both the script and you as a writer.
Understand the Business and Keep Writing
When a producer is interested in your script, they will often “option” it rather than purchase it outright. An option is a rental agreement; the producer pays a fee to exclusively hold the rights to your script for a set period, usually 12-18 months, while they try to secure financing and talent. If they succeed, they will exercise the option and purchase the script for a pre-negotiated price.
An outright “sale” is less common for emerging writers but involves a company buying the script immediately. The entertainment industry moves at its own pace, and it can take years from an initial option to a film getting made. Many optioned scripts never make it to production, so patience is necessary.
The most productive thing you can do while waiting for responses is to start writing your next script. A portfolio of work demonstrates your seriousness and versatility as a writer. When you get a meeting, one of the first questions you’ll be asked is, “What else are you working on?” Being able to pitch another project shows that you are a career writer with a future.