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Home: Video University Forums: Filmmakers & Screenwriters:
How to get the script out

X-Sohrab
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Apr 13, 2004, 3:03 PM

Post #1 of 5 (1265 views)
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How to get the script out	Can't Post

Im currently 18, attending a community college in Lansing Michigan. The high school that I attended before college had an out standimg film program. Voted #1 in the US for many years now. I have much more experiace, and Technical information then any Senior does right now at MSU. (we are currently in the top 250 films of Project Green Light and soon we find out if we made the top 50 cut)
Ive made many short films in the last 3 years. From acting in them, to doing special effects, making up my own sounds and everything.
For the last year, ive been working on a script. It is no where near completion and im assuming it will take another year to get it perfect. I dont want there to be any missing links.
Like many others, I know my film has something new. I know its fresh, its got a cool hip into it and if done right, it will make a studio money. I mean, that is ultimitly why every studio approves a movie. Because it makes money.
I also know that, if I dont know anybody, I will never get anywhere. Nobody cares about my college or GPA. They care if my agent is a big shot (i dont have one lol) or who my uncle was. To make matters worse, I live in Lansing Michigan.... *crickets....*
The Capital of Michigan? Ya? No? Sure? Yea. Thats Lansing for you. Not really on the Map and its the capital. I mean we got Roger Moore in Flint so thats cool but thats about it.
I know in a few years, I will be making the move to LA. I know that I would like to direct this film and even more so, I would like to 1st see if Warner Brothers would look at this film. Its in their allway I think.
My question comes to you like this:
How do I get my work out? Do I go to LA, try to find an Agent, pay him X amount of money and he tries to nock on different studio doors? Is that how the process works?
Ive heard the story of start as the guy who mops the floor and brings the coffee and work your way up. Im sure ill try that but what are the other techniques at nocking on some doors?

Any input is much appreciate.

X-Doug_Graham
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Apr 16, 2004, 9:54 AM

Post #2 of 5 (1264 views)
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Re: How to get the script out	Can't Post

: How do I get my work out? Do I go to LA, try to find an Agent, pay him X amount of money and he tries to nock on different studio doors? Is that how the process works?
: Ive heard the story of start as the guy who mops the floor and brings the coffee and work your way up. Im sure ill try that but what are the other techniques at nocking on some doors?
You've really got two questions there:
1. How do I sell my screenplay? and
2. How do I get to be the director?
You already have the answers. To sell the screenplay, join the Writers Guild of America (West), and get an agent. (You don't have to move to LA, but it won't hurt, and it's a lot more fun than Lansing anyway).
To become a director, first get a job as a production assistant and work your tail off for peanuts. Work your way up to AD and then to director.
Who you know is important, but it's not a csse so much of who's your uncle or your father-in-law, as much as who knows you and respects your work.
Regards,
Doug Graham

X-Shawn
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Apr 18, 2004, 12:24 PM

Post #3 of 5 (1264 views)
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Re: How to get the script out [In reply to]	Can't Post

And often times if you do sell a script to a major studio you can be sure you probably wont be directing it. I've seen that happen a couple of times. If you are not a big director why would they trust you to be in charge of their investment.
Selling your script would go easier if you had an agent. You want to make sure you copyright it somehow too.

X-Steve_Yankee
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Apr 26, 2004, 8:58 AM

Post #4 of 5 (1264 views)
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Re: How to get the script out [In reply to]	Can't Post

: or who my uncle was. To make matters worse, I live in Lansing Michigan.... *crickets....*
Hey! *I* live in Lansing. It's not THAT bad...
But yes, my stock answer to anyone living anywhere
in Michigan who wants to get into the movie business
is "move out of here." You may end up moving back
at some point -like many do who have tried to
enter the cogs of the Hollywood Machine without
losing an arm or a leg (or both) but hey...you
have to go where the action is.
Good luck!
Steve

X-Teddy_Moore
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May 17, 2004, 4:08 PM

Post #5 of 5 (1264 views)
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Re: How to get the script out [In reply to]	Can't Post

: And often times if you do sell a script to a major studio you can be sure you probably wont be directing it. I've seen that happen a couple of times. If you are not a big director why would they trust you to be in charge of their investment.
: Selling your script would go easier if you had an agent. You want to make sure you copyright it somehow too.