Temper Expectations as You Sell Your Script

When venturing for the first time to sell your script, it is advisable to look past instant-success stories like that of Diablo Cody, discovered by a producer who found her blog on the Internet. Online discoveries are so rare it’s hard to think of another example. Cody’s discovery, and eventual production of the film “Juno,” was a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence. If you think selling your script is as easy, you’re greatly mistaken. Waiting around to be discovered and skipping the marketing and promotion commanded would be a time-waster. Stick with what works for most aspiring scriptwriters: present a clean script, and promote it well to the best markets.

If you have time to write a blog about your life, as Cody did, maybe it’s a good outlet to hone your writing skills, and establish a readership or fan base. Heck, it might even help boost your name in Google searches. But if you really want to sell your script, and sell it effectively in as little time possible, don’t count on your online words to get you discovered. You’d be setting yourself up for great disappointment. After all, how many people do you think are out there who believe they somehow will land a pot of gold through a blog?

Successful Insight to Help Sell Your Script

“It was very serendipitous and very weird,” Cody said in an interview with the Seattle Times published in December 2007. “It was not like I had, you know, a master plan.” Out of the blue, Hollywood producer Mason Novick, of “Red Eye,” came across Cody’s blog and came calling. Interesting is that Novick says he sought a fresh, new voice in scriptwriting. While you work to sell your script, you might use this producer’s desire to your advantage. Aside from the writing tone, perhaps in a query letter you can try to promote yourself as one of these new, “fresh” voices in scriptwriting.

Other Cody comments in the Times article can shed some light for you into the business. For example, she said, “I lacked any formal knowledge of screenwriting. I just did it, it was that simple.” Sound familiar? Perhaps comforting words if you fall into the same boat, which is quite possible. Precisely who has formal knowledge of screenwriting, except those who have tried it for many years or who have had works produced? Also interesting are comments from writer-director Jason Reitman, of “Thank You for Smoking” fame, whom Novick contacted to forward Cody’s script.

A Producer’s Take That Can Help Plan to Sell Your Script

As you try to sell your script, think about these words from Reitman: “Usually when you read a screenplay, it’s just awful. It’s just horrible. There are so many bad scripts, and you read them and you’re looking for a glint, you’re looking for something, anything I can grab onto, and usually there’s nothing, not even a foothold. And then once in a thousand scripts … it’s the exact opposite. It’s so good that before you get to the end you’re already scared: Oh my God, I’m in love with this, I’m never going to get it.” Strong insight into the mind of a producer – and producers should be high on your list of target audiences in which to sell your script.

Lastly there’s Cody’s comments about the scriptwriting process. She wrote “Juno” in evenings, at a Starbucks or in a Target store on weekends, where she was self conscious. “I always think everyone’s looking at me with pity, like, ‘Oh, there’s another struggling screenwriter, another loser.’ ” Tough words to read if you are a writer and trying to sell your script. Of course, you don’t consider yourself a loser. You’re just a writer who aspires to have your words transferred into a medium where it can be enjoyed by the most people possible. There’s nothing wrong with that. Just be sure to temper your expectations, and not assume that you’ll be blindly discovered by some producer out there surfing the Internet.

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