Getting Your Screenplay in the Hands of Hollywood Exec's

As mentioned in my previous post, I will share the way in which my script, adapted from Jack London's book, Martin Eden, has garnered some notice from Hollywood and New York film and television producers. I do not yet have a manager or an agent, but have, in fact, had at least half a dozen requests for my screenplay directly from some recognized producers. In fact, I recently started this blog as hopefully another tool to help catapult my script and my name into the proverbial limelight. Notice that I did not mention myself, but only my script and my name, as it is with many writers, I am not one to crave direct or overt recognition. I think it is why we write. If you are a scriptwriter or aspiring as such, then you've heard this stuff before:

• Write the best script you possibly can, formatted to industry standard
• Revise, revise, revise
• Share your draft with some trusted friends who will offer honest feedback
• Revise some more
• Get your script meticulously proofread by an expert in this area
• Revise

You need not take completely to heart all the feedback and suggestions that are offered by readers. On the contrary, consider the suggestions and critiques carefully and make a decision based on your gut instinct. I made many changes based on the trusted observations of my readers. You don't  need more than 3 or 4 readers. I give them the script and ask them to ignore the typos and grammatical errors and ask that they simply read for pleasure. What happens as a writer, or with many creators in the arts, is that you get too close to your work and can not always see the inconsistencies, bumps in flow, omissions that are critical to driving the character and plot. Getting the fresh eye is key! I have made some pretty dramatic changes based on this trusted feedback.

On the other hand, you will also get feedback that you must also consider and reject. With Martin Eden for example, I attempted to remain relatively faithful to London's original story and themes. I had one reader, an extremely educated P.h.D. in her field of research and an amazing writer herself, suggest that I might think about changing the tragic end of my script. The ending was as close to London's original vision as I could adapt in script form. Though I respect the reader and her credentials greatly, this is one point I would not budge. As a screenplay writer, I think you will instinctively know what must remain static.

Once you are pleased with your "semi-final" work, it is time to get a more seasoned and critical eye. It is time to be weighed and judged...it is time for submission to the many available screenplay competitions...