Writing and Selling Drama Screenplays
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• LinkedIn. There are lots of groups for writers on LinkedIn. My favourites include 'UK Screenwriters' and 'Screenwriters Network Worldwide' because they are always quite lively, with lots of discussions going on, but there are loads of others. Use the search facility to find them and connect with as many writing and filmmaking professionals as you can – but never spam people.
• Facebook. There are loads of great FB pages and groups dedicated to writing and discussion. The liveliest ones that pop up in my inbox the most are:
Guerilla Film Maker:
www.facebook.com/groups/guerillafilm/
Talent Circle Film Network:
www.facebook.com/groups/2457086898/
The Scriptwriter:
www.facebook.com/groups/139894528009/
Check out The Scriptwriter Dominic Carver on Twitter: @DomCarver.
Screenwriting U:
www.facebook.com/ScreenwritingU
New Writers Writing Screenplays:
www.facebook.com/groups/2212470452/
Good in a Room: (pitching advice)
www.facebook.com/GoodInARoom
Stephanie is also author of Good in a Room, available via Amazon. You can find her on Twitter as @goodinaroom.
But there are loads more. Just keep an eye out and 'like' everything. You never know where it might lead.
And, finally, these are my personal favourite free websites that offer articles and advice on screenwriting and your career:
• Seth’s blog: www.sethgodin.com
Not strictly a screenwriting website, but most of what Seth says can be applied to being a professional writer. He offers succinct and to the point advice about managing your creative aspirations and your career. A must-read. Find Seth on Twitter: @ThisisSethsBlog.
• Lee Jessup: www.leejessup.com/home/
Lee is a Screenwriting Career Coach and offers no-nonsense advice on how to build your screenwriting career and get your work out there. Follow her on Twitter: @LeeZJessup.
• Women & Hollywood:
http://blogs.indiewire.com/womenandhollywood/
A great site that puts women at the forefront of screenwriting, movies and filmmaking; its founder Melissa Silverstein is a tireless campaigner. Follow her on Twitter: @melsil.
• ScriptMag: www.scriptmag.com, @scriptmag.
A great site on all things screenwriting, with alternative views of movies and writing from various contributors. Well worth a look and moderated by Jeanne Veillete Bowerman aka @jeannevb on Twitter.
• Go Into The Story:
www.gointothestory.blcklst.com and @GoIntoTheStory on Twitter.
Run by screenwriter Scott Myers, who also runs 'The Quest' screenwriting course. GITs is the official site of The Black List (next).
• The Black List/The Black Board:
http://blcklst.com and @theblcklst on Twitter.
The best unproduced screenplays list, which has recently ventured into paid script listing. Take a look. Also, its sister site/forum, The Black Board, is at http://theblackboard.blcklst.com and @TheBlackBoard on Twitter.
• Festival Formula: www.festivalformula.com, @festivalformula
Consultant Katie McCullough helps filmmakers with film festival strategy, submissions, crowdfunding and social media presence.
• Script Secrets:
www.scriptsecrets.net from William Martell, @wcmartell on Twitter.
Bill is the king of the cable movie and I’ve probably recommended his brilliant article '16 Steps To Better Scene Description' more than any other screenwriting article, ever.
• John August: www.johnaugust.com and @johnaugust on Twitter.
Top screenwriter and director shares his screenwriting insights and answers writers’ questions.
• Wordplayer: www.wordplayer.com
Veteran screenwriters Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio offer their insights on screenwriting and working in Hollywood.
• Sell Your Screenplay:
www.sellingyourscreenplay from Ashley Scott Meyers.
A great website that breaks down how to get your work out there, Ashley Scott Meyers also has an 'email blast' service.
• The International Screenwriters’ Association: http://networkisa.org
A useful resource and monthly newsletter that offers lots of good advice to screenwriters on writing and pitching.
• ReadWatchWrite: http://readwatchwrite.com, also @RWWFilm and www.facebook.com/readwatchwrite
You will have heard the screenwriting mantra 'read lots of scripts'. Brad has set the challenge of: read the script; watch the movie; reread the script – and see how your perception of the script/film changes. Well worth doing.
• Scriptwriting In The UK:
www.dannystack.blogspot.co.uk, also @ScriptwritingUK on Twitter and www.facebook.com/ScriptwritingUK
Danny Stack is a screenwriter and filmmaker in his own right who also reads screenplays. His blog is a great UK-orientated screenwriting resource.
• Projector Films: www.projectorfilms.com
Tim Clague is a BAFTA-nominated scriptwriter and filmmaker, offering up his alternative views on getting our work made/out there. Check out The Scriptwriter’s Life here, a great visual on your work: http://scriptwriterslife.com
• UK Scriptwriters – podcast: Check out Danny Stack and Tim Clague talking screenwriting, here: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/uk-scriptwriters/id384710944 It’s FREE.
• On The Page Podcast: Renowned script consultant Pilar Alessandra’s (@onthepage) free podcast. Subscribe here: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/on-the-page-screenwriting/id262077408
Make sure you check out iTunes for more podcasts. There are lots dedicated to writing and filmmaking – and most of them free or costing pennies.
PEER REVIEW/ SCRIPT HOSTING AND PITCHING SITES
These websites offer writers the chance to host and/or pitch their work, either for free or for a fee. Make sure you check out all the T&Cs and/or guidelines before you get started (if applicable).
• Zoetrope: www.zoetrope.com, @Zoetrope_Mag.
A 'virtual studio' for writers and filmmakers, set up in 2000. Membership is free.
• Inktip: www.inktip.com
Possibly the most well-established, paid-for pitching platform; writers can buy listings on the website or in InkTip’s magazine. Inktip boasts a pretty impressive number of productions of the scripts listed.
• Amazon Studios: www.studio.amazon.com, @Amazon_Studios.
Quite a few writers have made it to development stage with this initiative so far, though at the time of writing none has been produced.
• Shooting People: www.shootingpeople.org, also @ShootingPeople on Twitter and www.facebook.com/shootingpeoples
Subscription is £35 per year but gives screenwriters and filmmakers access to a number of bulletins, events and opportunities, including a weekly dedicated script pitch bulletin.
• Mandy: www.mandy.com, @mandyfilmtv.
Another free comprehensive listings of jobs and various other opportunities.
• Social Media. Use social media for 'shout outs' on your own work or for peer review; don’t be too aggressive or too timid and you’re bound to find people. The best times to post are when the most people are online, which is typically 8.30am; 1pm; 5pm. There are also tools that run diagnostics of when your own followers are specifically online. Check out ones like Tweriod or sites like www.mashable.com / @mashable for more information on using your social media effectively.
• Google! That’s right… don’t wait for opportunities to land in your inbox, check out the internet every week at least for leads and/or set up Google alerts. Good search terms include (but are not limited to) 'script lead'; 'call for scripts'; 'unsolicited scripts welcome'; 'script call'; 'looking for screenplays'; 'searching for scripts', etc. In addition, Script Angel’s Hayley McKenzie (@HayleyMckenzie1) has a BRILLIANT run down of UK production companies that accept unsolicited scripts, which you can find here:
http://scri
ptangel.wordpress.com/2013/01/17/production-companies-uk-accepting-unsolicited-scripts/
Whenever you find what looks like a good script lead and/or place to pitch, DO check the following:
• Have you heard of the person/place making the call?
• If you haven’t, can you do a search on the company or person making the script call?
• Does the person have an IMDb listing or website or other online presence?
• Does the person or place making the script call respond to tweets or similar?
• Do you know anyone who has made a submission to this person or place? What was the outcome?
If in doubt, be sure to Google them and check whether they turn up on the Writer Beware! Blog, which you can find at www.writerbeware.com and http://accrispin.blogspot.co.uk
Remember: reputable agents and producers will NEVER ask you to pay for your own readers’ reports or to pay them money to 'take your work to market'. So don’t fall for this; it’s a scam.
EVENTS, COURSES & TRAINING
There are so many events, it’s impossible to list them all… so I’ve attempted to list those that are free or charge nominal fees or that offer the most exposure to writers in terms of networking and self-promotion, including pitching, as recommended by my Bang2writers and social network.
• The Writers’ Guild of Great Britain frequently holds events for free or nominal fees, check out their website for details:
www.writersguild.org.uk/news-a-features/events
• The British Film Institute and BAFTA: Check out the various courses, initiatives, schemes and events run by signing up for their newsletters at www.bfi.org.uk and www.bafta.org
• The BBC Writersroom runs free and low-cost events throughout the year, so keep an eye on their website for details. FYI, the Writersroom no longer accepts screenplays all year round, but instead offers 'windows' during which writers can submit work for consideration. Find out more details here:
www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/send-a-script/
• Chris Jones: www.chrisjonesblog.com and @livingspiritpix
Chris’s blog is a real shot in the arm for any writer who wants to know how films get made, from film financing up. You can take his Guerilla Filmmaker Masterclass www.guerillamasterclass.com, or his renowned 'Gone Fishing' course online www.gonefishingseminar.com
• London Screenwriters’ Festival:
www.londonscreenwritersfestival.com and www.facebook.com/londonswf. Held the last weekend of every October, LSF is the premier event for screenwriters and filmmakers, attracting a huge host of talented speakers and delegates, as well as big players, including Hollywood producers, in the speed-pitching event. LSF is the place to take your polished projects and make serious inroads to your career.
• London Breakfast Club: www.facebook.com/londonbreakfastclub Held throughout the year, roughly £16 per event: a great speaker and a great breakfast… plus networking!
• Women In Film And Television (WFTV): www.wftv.org.uk
Check out the initiatives and interests of this influential organisation, run by CEO Kate Kinninmont (@WomenInFilmKate).
• The Great American Pitchfest:
https://pitchfest.com, @thepitchfest and www.facebook.com/GAPFGreatAmericanPitchfest. GAPF takes place in June each year in Hollywood and its founders, Signe Olynyk (@Screenwriter12) and Bob Schultz (@pitchfestbob) ran the Pitchfest for @LondonSWF.
• Hollywood Field Trip: www.hollywoodfieldtrip.com
Run by Guerilla Filmmaker’s Genevieve Jolliffe, HFT takes a small group of delegates out to Hollywood to meet agents, managers and producers and boasts an impressive success rate, so check it out. A must for any British screenwriter wanting to crack LA.
• Raindance: www.raindance.org or @Raindance
Offers great tips and articles for writers and filmmakers about the realities of screenwriting and filmmaking. The Raindance Film Festival happens every year, plus Elliot Grove has written books and other training about film production. Make sure you subscribe to his site.
• Power to The Pixel: http://powertothepixel.com
Dedicated film and cross-platform/transmedia event, usually running in October of each year. A great event for writers to keep their finger on the pulse of changing tech/ways of delivering content, plus producers and agents can be found here, so networking opportunities are good.
• BVE: http://www.bvexpo.com
Billed as the 'essential broadcast and production technology event', knowing as much as you can about the changing face of tech in film is again a great idea, especially as many producers will also be present.
• The Underwire Film Festival: www.underwirefilmfestival.com
A dedicated celebration of female filmmakers, Underwire is not a 'closed shop' to men and is a lovely, inclusive environment.
• The Stellar Network:
http://stellarnetwork.com and @StellarNetwork.
A research and development agency that works with emerging talent, Stellar Network invites submissions from writers for its dedicated pitching sessions at BAFTA. Subscribe for info on these calls.
• The BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Forum:
www.rocliffe.com, also @rocliffeforum.
Initiative connecting emerging writers with new filmmaking talent.
• Euroscript: www.euroscript.co.uk
also @Euroscript and www.facebook.com/Euroscript Euroscript offers script reports and training/mentorship for writers and runs evening courses.
• Southern Script Festival:
www.facebook.com/groups/140419319345469/
Held at Bournemouth University in beautiful Dorset, SSF started in 2011 and is held by BU students for new writers.
• Other film festivals:
Film festivals are great places to meet producers, agents and filmmakers. There are so many film festivals, both in the UK and worldwide, that it's impossible to list them here. So check out this directory for a film festival near you, provided by the British Council: http://film.britishcouncil.org/festivals-directory
BOOKS
There are so many books dedicated to writing, it can be hard to know which ones to go for. I have compiled a Pinterest board of the books most recommended by my Bang2writers. Find it here:
http://pinterest.com/bang2write/bang2write-books/
The books I recommend Bang2writers read most:
• Writing Drama by Yves Lavandier
• Screenplay by Syd Field
• The 21st Century Screenwriter by Linda Aronson
• Aristotle’s Poetics For Screenwriters by Michael Tiernan
• Teach Yourself Screenwriting by Raymond Frensham
• Successful Models For Filmmakers by John Sweeney
SCREENWRITING COMPETITIONS
Here are the 'big six' feature screenplay contests. Most of these sites also offer articles, information and tips on screenwriting. Bang2writers have won and placed highly in all these contests, many of them with thrillers:
• The Nicholl Fellowship: www.oscars.org/awards/nicholl/
• Bluecat: www.bluecatscreenplay.com, @BluecatPictures and www.facebook.com/groups/BlueCatScreenwriting/
• Final Draft Big Break: www.finaldraft.com/products/big-break/
• Screenwriting Goldmine: http://awards.screenwritinggoldmine.com
• Just Effin Entertain Me: www.justeffing.com/screenwriting-competition/2013-competition/open/ and @Julie_Gray
• Scriptapolooza: http://scriptapolooza.com
• The PAGE Awards: http://pageawards.com. @PAGEawards and www.facebook.com/pageawards
You will notice that, barring Screenwriting Goldmine, there is a strong US bias for feature screenplay contests. There are, of course, many, many other screenwriting contests. Check out the Movie Bytes Screenwriting Competitions Directory, which handily categorises all contests, including by genre: www.moviebytes.com/directory.cfm.
SCRIPT READERS & SCRIPT EDITORS
There are many, many readers online to choose from,
but these are the only readers Bang2write officially recommends and/or refers 'Bang2writers' to when they want a second opinion, or I am too busy. They range in price from moderately expensive to cheap; I don’t believe in paying several hundred pounds for feedback, but I also believe 'pay peanuts, you get monkeys'!
• Michelle Goode, So Fluid Script Consultancy, @SoFluid, www.writesofluid.com (www.facebook.com/writesofluid)
• Hayley McKenzie, Script Angel, @HayleyMckenzie1, www.scriptangel.co.uk (www.facebook.com/scriptangel)
• Yvonne Grace, Script Advice Writers’ Room, @YVONNEGRACE1, www.scriptadvice.co.uk (www.facebook.com/groups/237330119115/)
• Andy Wooding, Film Doctor, @Film_Doctor, http://filmdoctor.wordpress.com (www.facebook.com/FilmGP)
• Samuel Hutchinson, Hutch Scripts, @SamHutchi, http://hutchscripts.wordpress.com
• Richard Cosgrove, Camden Script Analysis (@rcosgrove), https://camdenscriptanalysis.wordpress.com
• Ellin Stein, Solid Script Services, @ellinst, www.solidscripts.co.uk
• Scott 'The Reader' Mullen, http://sixtybucknotes.blogspot.co.uk