submitting script?

[jirpy100]

I wrote a revenge film quite some time ago which I'd like to submit to some small film company doing B-movies and such. I'd say the quality is between that of a Z-grade and a B-movie feature. So, if anyone knows how I can get in contact with say PM Entertainment or such it would be nice, thank you.

Sample (http://users.iafrica.com/j/jr/jrp/My_Retribution_Sample.pdf)

[Organic Machine]

I don't know how to get a script made into a movie but I'd recommend you work harder on it if you don't think it is excellent. Seems most movies don't live up to the script's potential and if the script is already mediocre... Maybe you are just being modest but I think you should really believe in your script before you try to get it made into a movie. I mean, the script is the easiest part to fiddle with to get right. If you can't do better but you still want to be a part of the movie-making process then...well...go get 'em. Fun.

[jirpy100]

It's okay, I don't mind the opinion. I'm one of those eternally honest people, and people just don't get it. I can't take it when *names omitted* give courses on screen fighting and writing when they've made some of the most horrible features known to man. Yet, they "think" they know what they're doing!
But in any case, my only goal was to write a script from page 1 - end, and I did and it was a great feeling to have accomplished something. But I believe it would work, as it is, with an actor like Jeff Wincott, Mr. Daniels or Jeff Speakman. So, it's not that I don't think I could do better, but right now I think this script will fit in nicely with that level of film and I'm just being clear on that, no bullshit.
Then again, back when I read some scripts like Above the Law & Total Recall I really couldn't see it being a success (meaning, on paper it wasn't that special). I think every director sees something different in the paper so it's in any case a very hard move from script to screen it seems.

[Organic Machine]

Okay, thanks for not getting mad at me. I didn't want to directly criticize you or your script, especially since that wasn't what you asked for. But I thought maybe you'd appreciate a reply anyway.

Hmmm...I really don't know how to submit a script to a studio. It might be on their websites. Maybe you could try to make friends with some film-makers? It seems alot of movie-making is who you know. Good luck getting your script made into a movie!

[jirpy100]

I think a lot of the small companies don't even have websites, and don't accept unsolicited submissions. I just thought I'd post it here, rather than leave it on my harddrive for another 2 years.... so, if any indie person is reading this, you know what to do. Sorry that my attitude seems to suck, but I can't lie like Hollywood people. The majority of films suck, that is a fact.

[limubai2000]

I believe jirpy that you either need an agent or you will need to print it out and mail it to an address. You need to find a book about the script market which contains all the names and addresses of the film companies. I read that this process is similar to publishing a book (a feat I will attempting at some point).

[jirpy100]

It's just so much trouble to go through, the business side I mean. All I cared about was the creative process to tell the truth. Plus, I live in South Africa so.... the whole agent thing would be a problem, and people over here are too high and mighty to make action films. I've spoken to people over here, and my script is with that director who did Yesterday (Oscar nomination), but I doubt he ever read it (I made friends with his old writing partner).
And I spoke to an indie UK producer, who I was on very good terms with, but I simply couldn't convince him to spend a few minutes to read the script.... and one local producer just asked me: "Is this a Steven Seagal-like script?" I said, "yes," and that was the end of it.
It's hard to explain, it's been lying here for 2 years, so if it never gets made I guess that's fine, but I would like to know what a director like Joseph Mehri and his ilk think of it, you know? Maybe it's garbage, maybe it's a good b-movie, who knows?

[teako170]

Let me first say jirpy, congrats. A lot of folks think they can write a screenplay but not many actually get around to doing it. Its not the easiest form of writing out there.

I browsed over your script and if you'll allow me to make a few comments....

One: You understand how to correctly format a script. Great! This might seem trivial to many but if your script is not in industry format, it does not get read so you are off on the right foot.

Two: 86 your PP2. Your contact details should be on the lower right corner of PP1. The "first draft" line should be gone. The "synop" and "logline" should be used in your pitch only - but not on the script.

Never heard of Writesafe but if you haven't yet, get it registered with the WGA.

Now, there's several ways to market your script. Limubai2000 mentioned an agent. I had an agent for a few years and you should know that agents are not interested in just a screenplay but the screenwriter. You're an investment and they don't want a one-hit wonder, so before seeking an agent get a minimum of five scripts under your belt.

In the meantime, you want to focus on indie-producers and screenwriting contests. Thanks to the internet, it doesn't matter if you live in South Africa or the South Pole. Below are a few links to my website that will help you begin your search for producers, competitions and some excellent links. I highly recommend Zoetrope (Coppola's site) , WordPlay (guys who scripted "Pirates of the Caribbean") who have some excellent advice columns on marketing a script and Frederick Mensch's "MovieBytes" site which features every possible screenwriting contest you could imagine.

www.teako170.com/megalink.html (http://www.teako170.com/megalink.html)
www.teako170.com/submit.html (http://www.teako170.com/submit.html)
(the "email section" hasn't been updated in some years but it still has many valid links)

Good luck.

[jirpy100]

Teako170,

Thanks for the post. For some reason I've always had it in mind that one must be a US citizen to register your scripts at the WGA. Seems I was wrong... :\
I've grown a lot during the last 2 years, so I'll be reworking the script, taking out scenes and characters, and changing dialogue, before registering it with the WGA. After registration I can submit it to the big sites, which requires WGA certification - which was the very thing keeping me back in a sense.
Then I've got this other script I never finished...

Thanks for the help.