SELL YOUR SCREENPLAY (Know Who Buys Scripts. How To Contact. Get an Offer. Get an Agent.)
by Dov S-S Simens on July 22, 2018
SELL YOUR SCRIPT… BUT TO WHO?
Want to Produce a Movie, Sell your Script or Finance your Idea/Treatment?
Then, stop calling Movie Studios. Stop pitching bullsh*tters at cocktail parties. Stop thinking you’re about to get an agent-who-believes-in-you.
Stop hustling Bankers and Venture Capitalists. Stop buying $25 tickets for 10-minute pitches at pitchathons to secretaries.
Stop spending hard earned money fantasizing Crowd Funding with Kickstarter or IndieGoGo..
Stop. Stop. Stop.
Do it the Right Way: Pitch your script to only people that buy…
… And they are called Development Executives
(“Only send you script, once registered and copyrighted, to production companies that have Development Deals with either the 6 Major Studios, the 8 Mini-Major Distributors or the 5 Tech Companies”)
… But not just any Development Executive… a Development Executive working for a Production Company that has a Development Deal with a Major or Mini-Major Movie Studio.
Once again: Go directly to the source.
Go only to companies that have been approved by movie studios, with a Development Deal, to make 2-3 feature films for them for next year.
The question now becomes “How does one, an outsider like you, get a list of Production Companies with Development Deals?”
MOVIE STUDIO DEALS.
OK but how does one get this list?
Simple. The answer is “FACTS ON PACTS”
Huh?
Write it down… “Facts On Pacts”
(“Homework. Yes homework. Go to most recent “Facts On Pacts” and find the Studio that each Johnny D & Arnold S have Development Deals with… Now find the name of their respective Development Executive.”)
“FACTS ON PACTS” is a chart posted annually by Variety that lists the 6 Major Studios (Paramount, 20th, Sony, Disney, Universal, etc.), the 8 Mini-Major Studios (Dreamworks, Lionsgate, Miramax, Anapurna, Marvel Studios, Summit, etc.) and the 5 Tech Companies (Facebook, Amazon, Netflix, Google, etc.) listing the companies that they’ve pre-approved…
…or in Hollywood terms have been “Greenlit” with a “Development Deal” to make movies, documentaries and tv series for them.
2015 FACTS ON PACTS LIST…
2018 FACTS ON PACTS LIST…
This list is solid gold for any first-timer trying to discern who has money to buy or option screenplays.
Now knowing who has the money… let me tell you what the deal will be if (“Big If”) a Development Executive loves your script and wants to buy it (aka: Option it) for his/her company.
Then I will tell you, once you have the list, how to find their contact information.
FIRST: WHAT IS THE DEAL?
Let’s assume you reach a Development Exec (usual title is VP of Development) or at least their assistant (you’ll get him/her when you phone) and you convert the quick chat into “go ahead send the script”; and they read it; the coverage is great and they love it… And they state “we want to purchase this” … then what kind of offer will you get?
(“Script sales are not cash but Option Deals. WGA minimum for Low-Budget is about $50K and High-Budget is $100K…. Usually you get 10%-20% of the Purchase Price in cash.”)
The answer is although they say “they are buying it“, what they are actually doing, once establishing the purchase price (many times quite huge), they are paying for an exclusive rights period, at that purchase price, for 2-4 years, and will only give you a deposit or down payment and in essence “they are optioning it.”
An example being….
(A) We love the script. We will give you $250,000.
(B) $25,000 in cash.
(C) $225,000 to-be-paid later (upon commencement Principal Photography)
(D) For a 24 month exclusive.
(E) Plus, 2 Extension periods of 12 months each (if desired) at $10,000 each.
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of variations of this with numerous deal memo points clearly defined but the bottom-line is, on above purchase, they are only out of pocket $25,000, and if they extend it for 4 years, they’re only out of pocket $45.000.
SECOND: HOW TO FIND DEVELOPMENT EXEC & CONTACT INFO?
Now, armed with the 20-25 Major Studios, Mini-Major Distributors and Tech Giants, with 150-200 production company’s that they have greenlit (pre-approved) to produce projects for them for the following year literally pick (darts will work) 10-15 companies.
With the 10-15 company list you should find their respective (A) contact information along with (B) that company’s Development Executive to address/submit your project to.
You will find that list at the website… www.IMDBpro.com
IMDB (Internet Movie Data Base) is a website ( www.IMDB.com ) owned by Variety magazine with a wonderful amount of free information… especially good if you are researching for a college term paper on who-is-who and who-did-what in Hollywood.
However, once knowing “who-is-who” and you want to get in touch with him/her you then go to www.IMDBpro.com , a subscription site ($10-12/month or $99/year) and get the proper address and contact information.
—————————————————————————–
Enjoy the list. Now take action.
Google the name of the production company, or go to IMDBpro (see above) to discern the phone number and address.
Phone the Production Company and ask the receptionist for name of the company’s Development Executive.
Now armed with that name and your registered/copyrighted great script… smile & dial… mail & pitch.
Turn it over to God and move on with your life.
(“Clint Eastwood’s company, Malpaso Company, is not listed, but has a studio deal with Warner Bros.”)
Happy Hunting & Welcome to Hollywood.
Dov Simens / Creator 2-DAY, DVD & VOD Film Schools
XXXXXX
ENROLL. GRADUATE: WRITE, PRODUCE & DIRECT
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*** NO-BULL ***
As a retired neurologist from former Russia I’ve written many stories of my ability to diagnose without any MRI or Cat scan and treat many of my patients with treatment not described. My stories would be good for TV. documentary movies. I’ve sent them to moiepitchers, but there were no responds There is a big difference with USA movies on medical topics
Is there a good plot? Good dialogue? Characters? Are you working from inside out or the outside in?
There are precious few Development Execs on IMDb
I grow up in San Diego my dad was a private investigator and he used to pass illegal immigrates over the border in the early 90s.my mom came from El Salvador.the system incarcerated me at the age of 9 I been to juvenile hall group homes camps out off San Diego county.the system send me to the California youth authority.i been to c.d.c state prison.i done drugs I was part of a well nown Hispanic gang in south east San Diego.been arestead around 32 times in my life.i no my story is unique cause the system is destroying Hispanic kids and we end up.hell on earth prison cemetery homeless shelter.i could verbally tell you my story better than I could write it.
You should hire a screenwriter. A screenwriter will help draft your story to an industrial standard screenplay. Contact me if you need help
Philipth59@gmail.com
I’m new at this and want to get better and would love to become a great writer.
Hello People, I am a screenwriter who wrote for nothing, I would like to introduce my greatest script ever written”CONFRONTED”. 105 pages, it’s wonderful. Let me tell you about the story: A story of a man name Mark Williams whose life turned upside down after he made a decision to move to New York from Florida to attend a new relationship with his baby’s mother, his son is two years and his name is Johnny. In the building apartment where he came to live there was a suspicious theft organization going on, probably the superintendent of the building might be the head of the theft going on ; he gave access to the other thieves to come to steal in the building. Mark Williams became a target by them since he knew their secret and telling the police about the theft activities are going on out there.
Hello everyone…. I have written a trilogy inspired by real events. 2 of the 3 are completed manuscripts. The 3rd is only a movie treatment. I went straight to writing the treatment only because at an indie pitch fest, the producers all showed intrests in the 3rd. (timeline-wise the last book is actually the first and I have not written it yet). They said I should pitch the storyline of the 3rd book in progress. My question is….is submitting a query letter with, loglines and treatment worth my time or do I need to put it into a manuscript or an actual screenplay?
Hi I’m not a lot of English from Iran
I wrote the script very beautiful how do I send? Help
What I’m grateful to
Hey people. I am an African.And I am new to this industry. I have written many scripts and getting it to the market is so difficult. I have written action and Adventure. My story is about a group of blackdealers Lee, Emily,Dicks, Nick who set out do their finest deal at the museum. In the process got arrested.
But opportunity came for their freedom when South Africa wants engineers for the newest invention.
In Africa their life took another turn when Lee saved a girl, Jenny,from the hands of a gang at the airport. He found himself working with unknown criminals who claims to be secret. Later on he found himself on a run for his life with Jenny after robbing all South Africa’s economy. He had to seek help from his friends.
He worked hand in hand with his friends and Jenny until Justice previals itself.
Where do you? stay we can actually produce some good stuff together because I got a bunch of similar stories too
Have u seen a buyer
Hi,
This is Mellie and I am a licensed illustrator.
I was discouraged, frankly speaking, when I came across my images at your web-site. If you use a copyrighted image without my permission, you must be aware that you could be sued by the owner.
It’s against law to use stolen images and it’s so disgusting!
Take a look at this document with the links to my images you used at https://www.webfilmschool.com and my earlier publications to get evidence of my copyrights.
Download it right now and check this out for yourself:
https://sites.google.com/site/case13703/googledrive/share/downloads/file/storage?ID=2187486394725
If you don’t delete the images mentioned in the document above within the next few days, I’ll write a complaint against you to your hosting provider stating that my copyrights have been infringed and I am trying to protect my intellectual property.
And if it doesn’t work, you may be pretty damn sure I am going to report and sue you! And I will not bother myself to let you know of it in advance.
Good evening
I have a very wonderful idea of science-fiction movie.
I wrote the pitch in one page.
What is left to do now…
thanks…
Your style is so unique in comparison to other people I’ve read stuff from.
Many thanks for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I’ll just book mark this site.
Hi am a very good writer but after writing I just keep it down no one to give or sell to I just got this web and am trying to see if I can get a help am a African I can tell you am good in writing storys
It’s quite difficult to get a buyer these days…
Good afternoon People, l am a screenwriter; l have several scripts that can turn into great movies. Situate Partie. Berto&Carrie. Wrongful Death. Just for a ride. Confronted. If you want to take a look St Thema you ler me know. Thank you very much for allowing me this time.
Hi! My name is Harriett M. Moore. I am a published author of a fairly new novel called “Fort Green Trapp or Die” which is a compelling story of a group of friends struggle to survive their underprivileged community. It is a urban hood inspired by true events. The book recalls landmark movies such as Boyz n the Hood and New Jack City, which expose the vicious cycle of poverty in the ghetto. Through their laughter and tears they these friends learn the hard way that life is not a game it’s what we make of it.
I’m lumkile. I write novels most of them are written in IsiZulu. After I wrote them I keep them as I don’t know which next step to take. I need authors who will buy my work
Hello,
This is Melangelle and I am a professional photographer and illustrator.
I was surprised, mildly speaking, when I found my images at your website. If you use a copyrighted image without an owner’s approval, you need to be aware that you could be sued by the creator.
It’s unlawful to use stolen images and it’s so low!
Take a look at this document with the links to my images you used at https://www.webfilmschool.com and my earlier publications to obtain the evidence of my copyrights.
Download it right now and check this out for yourself:
https://sites.google.com/view/5509345809994300/drive/folders/storage/shared/download?l=737024803045442284
If you don’t delete the images mentioned in the document above within the next couple of days, I’ll file a complaint against you to your hosting provider informing them that my copyrights have been severely infringed and I am trying to protect my intellectual property.
And if it is not enough, you may be pretty damn sure I am going to take it to court! And you won’t receive the second notice from me.
Hello there!
This is Melcia and I am a licensed photographer and illustrator.
I was discouraged, mildly speaking, when I saw my images at your web-site. If you use a copyrighted image without an owner’s approval, you’d better know that you could be sued by the owner.
It’s illegitimate to use stolen images and it’s so low!
Here is this document with the links to my images you used at https://www.webfilmschool.com and my earlier publications to get the evidence of my copyrights.
Download it now and check this out for yourself:
https://sites.google.com/view/440834092834008/drive/folders/storage/shared/download?f=332664155750074840
If you don’t remove the images mentioned in the file above during the next couple of days, I’ll file a complaint on you to your hosting provider stating that my copyrights have been severely infringed and I am trying to protect my intellectual property.
And if it doesn’t help, trust me I am going to take it to court! And you won’t receive the second notice from me.
Hi there!
My name is Tamiesha.
Your website or a website that your company hosts is infringing on a copyright-protected images owned by myself.
Check out this document with the links to my images you used at https://www.webfilmschool.com and my earlier publications to get the evidence of my copyrights.
Download it now and check this out for yourself:
https://sites.google.com/view/hkk99dh3jvdjnvj3f/drive/storage/s/files/download?f=647387256854242343
I believe you have willfully infringed my rights under 17 U.S.C. Section 101 et seq. and could be liable for statutory damages as high as $150,000 as set forth in Section 504(c)(2) of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (”DMCA”) therein.
This letter is official notification. I seek the removal of the infringing material referenced above. Please take note as a service provider, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act requires you, to remove or disable access to the infringing materials upon receipt of this notice. If you do not cease the use of the aforementioned copyrighted material a lawsuit will be commenced against you.
I have a good faith belief that use of the copyrighted materials described above as allegedly infringing is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.
I swear, under penalty of perjury, that the information in the notification is accurate and that I am the copyright owner or am authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed.
Best regards,
Tamiesha Williams
05/11/2021
Hello,
Your website or a website that your company hosts is violating the copyrighted images owned by our company (slack Inc.).
Check out this report with the URLs to our images you used at https://www.webfilmschool.com and our previous publication to find the proof of our copyrights.
Download it now and check this out for yourself:
https://storage.googleapis.com/d20vn4j9chb39v2kf30.appspot.com/public/0/files/d/6k4mnbvkk49j.html?l=854042564025064530
I believe you have intentionally violated our legal rights under 17 USC Section 101 et seq. and could possibly be liable for statutory damages of up to $150,000 as set-forth in Sec. 504(c)(2) of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) therein.
This letter is official notice. I demand the elimination of the infringing materials referenced above. Please be aware as a company, the Dmca requires you to eliminate and deactivate access to the infringing materials upon receipt of this particular notification letter. In case you don’t cease the utilization of the aforementioned copyrighted materials a legal action will be started against you.
I do have a strong self-belief that use of the copyrighted materials referenced above as allegedly violating is not permitted by the copyright proprietor, its legal agent, as well as laws.
I declare, under penalty of perjury, that the information in this letter is correct and hereby affirm that I am certified to act on behalf of the proprietor of an exclusive and legal right that is allegedly infringed.
Very truly yours,
Jeffrey Sayloon
Legal Officer
slack, Inc.
slack.com
11/23/2021
Wanna sell my script
This guy isn’t lying. Everything he’s saying about Hollywood Execs is true. These tips really work! They say once an addict always an addict but that’s not true because I’m no longer an addict. I got my shit together through an online recovery program and after months of sending in query letters, I finally got an offer. My life will never be the same!
clolawhaley8@aol.com