Reader Question: How do I go about selling a script if I’m not interested in a screenwriting career?
From Anonymous:
I’m finishing a script on a passion project I’ve been working on for a decade but I’m not one of the typical “aspiring screenwriters” you usually see on your blog. I’m not toiling away at a crap job to pay the bills while I work on my writing and I don’t dream of working as a screenwriter in Hollywood, quite the opposite. I’m actually quite successful professional and would have to take a pay cut to become a Hollywood writer. I don’t want an agent or manager, I’m not desperate to break in to Hollywood to start a writing career and I’m not moving to LA.
What I do have is a killer story that I really want to get onto the screen. I’d be thrilled if it was the first and last script I ever wrote if it ended up getting made into a great movie. However, it’s not the type of movie you could do as an independent and I can’t exactly drop everything and go make a movie on my own. It would need to be a medium-budget studio film given the scope and subject matter. I’ve been reading scripts like crazy for several years, read all the books, written and re-written the script — all of the things everyone says to do and it’s pretty damned good.
Managers and agents probably don’t want a “one hit wonder” writer with no desire to write any more scripts, so the typical query letter route doesn’t seem too promising. I don’t live in Hollywood or have any connections there, so sneaking my script into the back door of a production company isn’t really an option either. I plan on entering it into the Nichols and a couple other top tier competitions next year, but those things are a lottery even with a great story.
Question: If this is my one and only shot at selling a script and getting a movie made out of it and I don’t aspire to have a career in screenwriting, how do I get started?
Thanks again for all your efforts on the blog. Its a great resource for newbies and I’ve learned a great deal from all your advice.
In all my years in the business, I have never gotten this question. 99.99999% of the time, conversations about getting representation are with someone trying to sell a script in order to jump-start a screenwriting / filmmaking career. But a person only interested in selling one script and getting just that one movie made? This is a first.
So Anonymous, I salute you! I also think I express the sentiments of most GITS readers — i.e., extreme and obstinate jealousy — that you are in a situation in life where you would have to take a “pay cut to become a Hollywood writer.” Assuming you’re not cooking crystal meth in your basement, I congratulate you on your hard work and good fortune.
Re your question: You may be right about many, if not most reps being reluctant to commit to a “one hit wonder.” Generally they are in the business of grooming writers’ careers because 10% of revenues generated over a decade or more is a helluva lot better than 10% of the sale of this script right here. However two points:
* If you were walking down the street and you saw a hundred dollar bill on the sidewalk, would you (A) walk on by or (B) pick it up? Similarly if an agent or manager happens upon a great spec script from a someone who does not have an aspiration to become a screenwriter, would they (A) pass on the script or (B) try to sell it? 10% of something is better than 100% of nothing. And bottom line, an agent or manager’s gig is about sales. And sales are about having a commodity to sell. So I would humbly suggest you ratchet back your concern about reps not being willing to take on your script, assuming it’s a great one. They will be much more likely to perceive your script as free money than an onerous situation.
* Take a lesson from this screenwriting adage: “Less is more.” In a majority of cases in a script, less dialogue is better than more dialogue, less exposition is better than more exposition, less scene description is better than more scene description. So, too, in this situation. When you write your query letter, you could say this: “I have a great original screenplay, but frankly I’m only interested in selling this one and not becoming a full-time screenwriter.” Or you could take the less is more approach and write this: “I have a great original screenplay.” Period. Much better to hook their interest first, then have a conversation with them about your specific circumstances. Chances are excellent if they really think the script has strong market viability, they will have already decided to take it on before they even talk with you — in which case your situation is resolved immediately.
But then you say you wouldn’t want to become a Hollywood screenwriter. That’s before you sell your script, visit LaLaLand and experience this:
Let’s see then if at the end of your whirlwind rounds of meet-and-greets with producers and studio execs whether you don’t actually say to yourself, “Wow. That’s another great idea for a movie. Maybe I’ll have to give this whole Hollywood screenwriter thing a try after all.” Even if it does involve a pay cut.
For specific advice on how to reach out to managers and agents, go here.
Tomorrow’s question: If my story’s main character is a ‘bad guy,’ do they need a ‘Save the Cat’ moment?