That pretty much sums it up! The question screenwriters need to ask themselves is: “Would I put $25,000 in my own movie?” — Not with the answer “if I had it,” but really looking at it…. If you had an opportunity to not get paid for your script, but to put YOUR real money into the film, see if it makes money, and THEN take a portion only of the profits…. would you do it. Many writers don’t even want to spend $300 on a script critique or then complain about the cost of contests.

When you think about your won real money, you have a much better sense of how much you believe in your story.

So yes, you’re right on track with your line of thinking, Jeffrey.

Hi Patrick, good questions. Here are a few answers:

1) Yes, the query letter is the pitch and you should not send your script. A query letter or email query such as the services we offer are to get your foot in the door to those who may be interested.

2) Sounds like your process is very much as it should be and that you keep getting better and better. Hopefully that will always be the case. I think entering multiple contests can be at least some temperature check on where your writing is… but just know that sometimes the readers for the contest will know far less than you do about screenwriting. So see what the overall consensus is until you can get a professional reader like myself to give you feedback.

3) No matter what anyone says (myself included), there is no absolute. Once you cross the threshhold of having a “good enough” script, there may be someone out there who loves it. However, the better and better you make it, the more likely you are to find MORE people who love it and therefore create opportunities for yourself.

4) Yes! Indeed, good therapy.

At some point, if you’ve been doing it for a while and you’re getting good feedback, you need to jump in and do some marketing. “Daylight’s burning!”

Thanks for your comments. I’m always happy to see your thoughtfulness about what you write.

Cheers,

Melody

I’ve written a few scripts and in hindsight most aren’t very good but every time I finish one I believe it’s the greatest thing written ever – so I have problems still knowing whether my work is worthy of Hollywood. I’ve been entering contests to get some reality check on whether I’m making the grade. I also strive to be so good that I can’t be ignored (based on some quote by Steve Martin). However, what if being ‘that’ Good is still years away for me. Is it worth me sending off query letters when I don’t have the talent to stand behind it. What if my best will never be ‘that’ good.

Still I continue cause well it’s cheaper then therapy and I enjoy writing but I really think query letters etc need to the main focus when your work has reached that level and the trick is to know when you are at that level

thanks

Beth,

That is absolutely awesome… and yes, I thoroughly encourage that strategy. Too many writers who don’t understand the business — or who understand “just enough to be dangerous” (to themselves) — think they need to approach the big guns themselves. It’s just extremely unlikely that something happens that way.

Your approach was great…. and I have to say… You obviously had great material also or what happened for you would not have happened. Thanks for the Hot Tip on what worked for you!