Screenwriter Blog Posts

Do I Have To Live in Los Angeles to Sell a Screenplay?

This question seems to be a reoccurring question asked by many writers who are trying to sell a screenplay. The answer is simple; no you ...

Written by

Melody Jackson

Establish Credibility Before They Read Your Script

Once you have polished your script, gotten a thumbs up from a professional script analyst, and you also feel it's ready to go, then you ...

Written by

Melody Jackson

The Fastest Way To Get A Literary Agent For Your Screenplay

If your intention is to be a professional, working screenwriter – whether in Los Angeles, Alabama, Michigan or Australia, being represented by an agent or ...

Written by

Melody Jackson

Market To Producers, Agents, or Managers First?

https://smartg.com/wp-content/uploads/wr-images/PD-AG-MG-First-FINAL.mp3 If you’re ready to market your screenplay, it’s likely you’ll plan to follow the advice of what most other industry professionals will tell ...

Written by

Melody Jackson

Should I Put 1 or 2 Spaces Between Sentences?

In dialogue, how many spaces between sentences? Are there 2 blank spaces between the period and the next sentence? Or 1 blank space? Actually, Guy, it’s ...

Written by

Melody Jackson

Is It Better To Market Your Script to Producers, Literary Agents, or Literary Managers First?

Screenwriters often hear “You need to get an agent to sell your screenplay. That’s the only way it will happen.” And because they hear that, ...

Written by

Melody Jackson

7 Tips For Effective Producer Follow-Up Calls

Congratulations, your pitch of your screenplay was compelling and now a literary agent or producer has requested your screenplay. Be proud of yourself as this ...

Written by

Melody Jackson

How to Write Captivating Script Dialogue

One of the biggest challenges in writing a great screenplay, even for seasoned writers, is writing strong script dialogue. The truth is that if you ...

Written by

Melody Jackson

Do You Have a Hook In Your Screenplay Logline?

When you pitch your screenplay to a Hollywood executive, whether in a one-on-one pitch in person or in a query letter, your story needs to ...

Written by

Melody Jackson

Five Tips For Making Sure Your Screenplay Has Commercial Potential

You may have lots of ideas for screenplays or you may have only one. But before you write any of them, consider whether your premise ...

Written by

Melody Jackson

Networking in Hollywood Like the Girl with the Extraordinarily Long Arm

You’ve probably have heard that you need to schmooze in Hollywood, and sometimes hearing this makes actors shudder because they feel it means they need ...

Written by

Melody Jackson

How to Make Dialogue Better in Your Screenplay – Simple Tricks To Be Creative

Nothing kills a good story faster than bad dialogue. If your screenplay dialogue is predictable, if everybody speaks in the same rhythm, or if every ...

Written by

Melody Jackson