getting a screenplay "signed"

[Daniel]

I wasn't quite sure how else to phrase it, and I doubt "signed" is quite the word I'm looking for. But basically, my question is this: if I were to have a decent screenplay, how would I go about trying to get it made into a movie? How would I contact the right people? And is it true it's virtually impossible to get a screenplay turned into a movie or television show unless you "know someone on the inside"?

[Spherical Time]

Yes, I think it is.

A screenwriting instructor once told me that if you love your work, you're probably going to go insane.

Even if you can convince a studio to buy your work, that isn't a guarentee that they're going to actually produce it. Sometimes, they'll buy a script and just sit on it so that no one else will make it.

For me, the worst part is all the crap the do make is so bad. I've never understood why they don't look for good writing. After all, good writing sells.

[Daniel]

So in other words, you need fame elsewhere to be sucessful here. Figures.

[Spherical Time]

It's the great irony of publishing:

To get published, you must have already published.

To get an agent to publish something, you must have already published.

To be start off in the field, you must already be established in the field.

[Verto]

Yet if that was true for everything no one would be doing anything.

[WhispWillow]

You just have to be hungry for more. Rejection is a taken in this world, it's something we've gotten used to by now.

[Spherical Time]

Yet if that was true for everything no one would be doing anything.You can't start big, that's for sure.

There are ways to make it look like you've made it big before you have.

[Daniel]

You can't start big, that's for sure.

The majority can't. Then there's those like J.K.

[WhispWillow]

I base her sucess on determination though. She was turned down by so many before actually making it.

[Spherical Time]

I suppose I should have qualified my "Irony of Publishing" post a bit more.

From what I know of screenwriting, it's harder to get into than writing.

But I think I've said enough in this thread . . .

oops?

[Max Vantage]

It's a good idea to get yourself familiar with the ins and outs of the screenwriting "industry" (if you can call it that). As with the publishing world Hollywood's only output is entertainment...nothing else. They sell nothing but films which is why it's so damned difficult to make yourself in Hollywood because the moguls won't just buy anything unless they think it's as close to a surefire moneywinner as possibly..
Merchandise that comes from Blockbusters are another money maker but the profits are split up all over the place.

So no matter what, if there is any shred of hope for screenwriters to be able to sell their work "off the cuff" they will have to have written a first class script that will get noticed by going through as many channels as possible. Writing a script is only half the job as it's a calling card for your talent. The other half is you. When you're in Hollywood you are pretty much basically selling yourself and not anything you have actually written. So it's true; it's not really what you know, it's who you know and the clout that you have behind you that matters.

As with most things; enter as much competitions as you can and network, network, NETWORK!!! The more people know you and what you have done the better your chances of getting in the door.

[mammamaia]

as i mentioned in the thread about format, i mentor lots of aspiring screenwriters and will be happy to answer any questions about the business aspects of the craft, as well as the creative end of things...

it IS very hard to break into this business... but not impossible... talented new writers are discovered all the time, and lucky first scripts are even optioned/bought now and again...

for all the answers to this thread's questions and all FAQs to do with the film industry's writing side, here are the best places to start:

http://www.twoadverbs.com/
http://www.imdb.com/board/bd0000019/threads/

and anyone can email me any old time, for help/advice/info...

love and hugs, maia
maia3maia@hotmail.com

[Analog Worms]

If you need help breaking into films.

Try ScriptPimp.

http://www.scriptpimp.com

[mammamaia]

i wouldn't recommend any payment-required site... best to do it the tried and true way, with hard work, patience, networking and a killer query to agents/producers...