You Don't Have To Live In Hollywood To Sell Your First Script!
March 14th, 2004
You Don't Have To Live In Hollywood To Sell Your First Script!
by: Andrea Leigh Wolf
My name is Andrea Leigh Wolf and I am walking, talking proof that you don't have to live in Hollywood to sell your first feature spec script. I did it -- without an agent and it was the first script I wrote -- putting another 'can't be done' myth to bed. In the six years since I began my journey, I've sold one feature spec, NOWHERE TO HIDE, currently in developement with Dorolena Films -- optioned '4' other spec scripts -- I was hired by Blix Entertainment to write the script for their project, JUST ENUFF, the life story of NBA star, Chris Jackson and this project, too is in the very early stages of developement. I am currently working with an independent producer on my 34th screenplay. I am frequently invited to speak at writer's conferences and workshops and I enjoy working with new writers on perfecting their first spec scripts.
My "new screenwriter" check list:1. Because you're new -- your script has to be better than a more established writer. Submit a clean, easy read as your Calling Card script.
2. Write visibly. Make your reader 'see' what he reads in your script.
3. If a producer offers help -- TAKE IT!
4. Know that the writing of that script is only 1/4 of the process. The other 3/4 is marketing that spec script and yourself .
5. Attend as many writer's conferences as possible.
6. Be prepared to pitch your project anywhere and at anytime.
I hope you'll consider Calling Card Productions when you're ready. It's more than another critiquing service -- because I am a professional screenwriter, a working screenwriter. I have maintained many contacts within the film community so I am able to offer advice and support during the marketing process of my client's scripts -- once I've critiqued a client's script -- seen the revisions suggested and I am confident that the script is ready. I was able to get one of my client's Horror script read at Universal and another client's script is currently at American Zoetrope.
When a client hires me to critique their script, (1)I do an 'on-your-page' critique, meaning that the corrections, etc. are on your script page so it is clear what needs to be done. (2) It includes a page-by-page evaluation (suggestions on expanding an important scene or eliminating the scene if needed. (3) I key the first '5' pages of their script and bind it as is the industry standard, so the writer knows exactly what I mean. For this my fee is $350.00. However, I do critiquing on a limited basis because I am a working screenwriter as well.
From this site, I hope new screenwriters will feel free to contact me via e-mail with questions I will be able to answer on this site. I hope that you will enjoy my articles and realize that I've walked the walk. Many people critiqing and teaching screenwriting are NOT screenwriters, but rather studio execs, etc. who most likely have never written a spec script before.
In my book "THE PATH OF A SPEC SCRIPT, An Out-Of-Towner's Guide to Success" I've written a journal of my path to success in which I've included everything such as contracts, readers reports, etc., every phase that my script took as I searched for success. The latest updated (I update the book every year) will be available March, 1999.
Because I didn't live in Hollywood and knew no one in the industry, I had to find a way to make my dream come true -- alone. I did.
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