Ask the Screenplay Doctor: Software & Submission Pointers

Since I began writing this monthly column, the NewEnglandFilm.com editors have stated, and I am going to reiterate it here, that this is not a column where writers can post their loglines or synopses of projects. I understand how challenging it is to get your query, synopsis, and scripts read and considered, but please don’t submit them to me via email -- this is not the purpose of the column. I am here to offer advice about screenwriting, the business of screenwriting and to answer readers’ questions.

So, with this aforementioned reminder, this leads me to my…

Top Five Pointers for Submitting Your Project:

1. Confirm that the company you are querying is indeed accepting unsolicited material. (Unsolicited is defined as work that is not submitted by an agent, manager, or entertainment attorney.)
2. Follow the company’s submission rules. For example: If a company requests only a one-page synopsis, send them only a one-page synopsis. Nothing more.
3. Only submit your logline, synopsis and/or script to companies who have requested it. When you submit work to a company that is not seeking unsolicited material, your work will be rejected. You are wasting your time and you are wasting the time of the person to whom you have submitted your unrequested work.
4. Research the companies, film executives, and agents to confirm the spelling of their names and their titles. Film industry folks really don’t want to see their names misspelled. Executives’ titles frequently change -- the industry person who is there today may not be there tomorrow. The Hollywood Creative Directory and IMDBPro are two good sources to find extensive contact information for film executives, production companies and studios.
5. Never submit a logline, query letter, synopsis, and/or script that has not been proofread. For screenplays, it is critical that you follow industry standard format.

This final pointer leads to a reader’s question:

Hello Screenplay Doctor,

Thank you,
Warren

Dear Warren,

I’m glad that you enjoy my columns. The free screenwriting software program that many of my students and clients use is Celtx. To download your free copy and to learn more about this software program go to: http://celtx.com/.

I assume there are other free screenwriting software programs available, but none that have been recommended to me -- yet. So, readers, if you have recommendations, please send them to me so I can share them.