Customer Reviews

How to Sell Your Screenplay: A Realistic Guide to Getting a Television or Film Deal

5 star:		(13)
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3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

This rocks! This tells you everything--I mean, everything--you need to know about breaking into the crazy profession of screenwriting. The Wilen sisters pull no punches. Besides the practical need-to-know stuff, the book is filled with the realities of the business. The numerous anecdotes from produced screenwriters are enlightening, entertaining and sometimes harrowing. I teach Screenwriting at New York University's Tisch School of the Arets. This book is going immediately onto my required reading list.

I am a professional screenwriter, have worked at every studio, had three films made, with one Oscar nomination. I was sent this book as a courtesy, and even though most of the writing-related books I read are craft-based and not about how to break in, this has to be the most comprehensive, detailed, reader-friendly and writer-sensitive book I can imagine. It is like being told everything you need to know and having your hand held and your back patted and your existence affirmed all at the same time. The case histories, mostly by "made" writers themselves, are supportive and informative. No one can write your script for you. But if I had to break in all over again, I would be grateful as heck that this book were out there. My only problem with it is that there wasn't something like this around for me when I was starting out. In every other way, this book is great news for the emerging screenwriter who is serious about making this a career and a business, and not just some pipe dream.

I sent the following e-mail to a friend that was looking for advice on how to sell his screenplay:

I just finished writing my second screenplay and I'm researching how to market it. I bought an EXCELLENT book that walks you through not only the script format (which was invaluable because I thought I knew the stuff and learned a lot) but also the marketing and research you need to do to sell the script. It's called 'How to Sell your Screenplay' by Lydia and Joan Wilen.

In addition to chapters on finding people to read your script, how to pitch your ideas, how to organize your search, how to word and format correspondence, this book is full of great insider stories about the screenplay trade and I highly recommend it as a starting point. Even if the guy doesn't find the book especially enlightening, the back is full of other resources (an annotated bibliography, web resources, etc) that will help him learn the business.

So, in a word, I recommend this book. I give it five stars and I've only read half of it. I found so may tips and interesting anecdotal stories in the first half, it's worth every penny.

The Wilen sisters have written a fabulous book on selling your screenplay. Each section is extremely well-thought out and planned. They explain in detail the correct format for a screenplay, the legal terms with sample contracts. They also provide examples of coverage sheets, and clearly outline the steps you need to take to approach possible buyers of your screenplay, teaching you how to deal with agents and production companies with courtesy and professionalism.

Also, throughout the book are sidenotes from respected screenwriters and other members of the industry, as well as stories of the voyage from script to screen, on many well known movies including 'Men of Honor', 'Nightmare on Elm Street' and 'Sleepless in Seattle', once again reinforcing the idea of how long it could possibly take for your script to be sold.

They never deviate from giving encouragement to the new screenwriter, but offer doses of reality in a gentle way.
A priceless resource for anyone trying to break into the screenwriting business, this should be the first book you purchase.

There are endless how-to volumes that skirt the necessary information needed to break down the vaulted door to Hollywood. Between the covers of such books are topics ranging from the author's personal brilliance to trivial and irrelevant sidebars. If you like that sort of thing, good news! There's plenty to choose from.

However, Lydia and Joan Wilen have written the authoritative book for beginning scripters. The Wilens have actually had their material produced. That in itself is a feat most screenwriting "experts" can't boast of. So, when they have a suggestion, I pay attention. And what they have to say has led me to a legitimate producer who has requested my script. In fact, favorable suggestions were offered, which I've incorporated into a revised draft that's being read even as this is being written.

The point is, none of this would have occured had I not purchased How to Sell Your Screenplay. My dog-eared copy has helped open a door for me not previously accessible. Buy this book, read it, then read it again before embarking on a journey as treacherous as writing a script - selling it!

This book is a MUST for anyone thinking of entering the world of screenwriting. Very clear, very easy to understand, very organized, and EXTREMELY useful tips on how to make it big in the business. It's become my own personal Bible for screenwriting!

If you truely believe that you have written 'the' screenplay that someone somewhere has to make into a movie, read this book. Not only will you receive a number of slaps of reality, you will get some great advice on how to make it happen.

Writing a screenplay for the movies or for television is only the beginning of the process. Once the script is written it must be pitched (sold) to a studio executive or a production company producer. Expertly co-authored by veteran script writers Lydia and Joan Wilen, "How To Sell Your Screenplay: A Realistic Guide To Getting A Television Or Film Deal" provides an informed and informative introduction to how the script writing business works, what the components of a professional-looking screenplay are, and how to format a script to make the best impression. "How To Sell Your Screenplay" then goes on to explain the role and importance of agent and managers, producers, lawyers, directors, and actors. Enhanced with the example of an effective query letter, "How To Sell Your Screenplay" also features the 'Square One System' for submitting scripts with a minimum of time, cost and effort, while achieving a maximum of success. Of special value is the up-to-date listing of resources, the advice for improving pitching skills, and avoiding common mistakes in pitching a script. Simply stated, "How To Sell Your Screenplay" should be considered 'must reading' for all aspiring script writers seeking to establish themselves professionally.

Despite the authors' distance from Hollywood and lack of produced experience as screenwriters, they've done a fabulous job--partly because of the excellent rubrics of the SquareOne Writers Guide series--of putting together a solid overview of what's involved in making a screenplay sale. The book contains invaluable sidebars--from sample collaboration agreement to sample query letters--that alone makes it worth the cover price. The systematic approach to marketing, glossary of industry terms, along with advice on containing your ego and controlling your emotions-all add up to making this a must in the Hollywood storyteller's library.

Even if you never aspired to write a screen play and just love the movies, you'll love reading this book and getting a great feel for how the industry works and how screenplay writers function. Well done with lots of resource material included - so you will want to own it!