Monday 13 June 2011

Where should I send my Script?

This is a question I get asked a lot. You can send it in to script competitions. No harm in that. (I write about that here) You can send it nebulous corporations who have a public service remit and will genuinely read it eventually. Better than leaving it in a drawer. I shouldn't bother sending it to an agent (unless it's a movie script or novel).

But for sitcom, I give the same answer every time. Send it to a producer who makes programmes you like - and whom you think will 'get' what you're trying to do. Print it out, put it in an envelope, spell their name correctly, write a polite covering letter that doesn't make you look like a nutjob, a stalker or a precocious 12-year-old (even if you are, hide this fact). Then wait.

If it's really good, they'll call you. Really and truly. Most scripts aren't any good, including those written by experienced professionals. So if you've written something that isn't even broadcastable, but shows promise and talent, they'll call, email and contact you somehow eventually.

Bear in mind they have work do, a job in hand and it doesn't really involve you - but they need shows to produce, and every time they open and envelope, they fear the worst, but hope for the best.

If you don't hear back ever, and you've sent it three different producers, maybe, just maybe, the script isn't as good as you thought it was. In which case, do what all decent writers do: do it again. Rewrite, edit, change, delete, type, scream, delete, type, read, simmer, pause, read again, edit then send. If you're not prepared for any of the above, may I recommend another job?

Any producers on the receiving end, please feel free to confirm or deny any of the above, but that's my experience and recommendation.

31 comments:

  1. 100% right. But, mostly, if you re-write it having not heard from a producer (or having had it rejected) then either try someone else - or make sure it's clear you've re-written it. If the opening pages are the same, it'll probably get the same reception as it did the first time. Producers have memories - but are mostly pretty decent human beings. Mostly.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Another really useful post. When you are just starting out you need all the help and advice you can get of course. I have taken on board all of the above. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Excellent post. Thanks. And now a silly question. Say I want to send it to a producer (like Ash Atalla for example), do I need to find out who his agent is and send it to his/her office in the hope that they'll pass it on?

    ReplyDelete
  4. A bit of googling will reveal Ash Atalla runs a production company called Rough Cut. Try them...

    ReplyDelete
  5. I've noticed Rough Cut state on their website that they do not accept unsolicited material. Is this normal?

    ReplyDelete
  6. When approaching a producer, should you attach the script with the initial approach, or should the first email say "Is it OK if I send you a script" ?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Many production companies say they don't officially accept unsolicited scripts although, most of the time, that's there to stop a deluge of scripts coming in as well as meaning the company don't have to give feedback. Despite that, a lot of the time these scripts will be read (I know people who've had feedback on unsolicited scripts from Roughcut).

    I'd say, contrary to the above post, sending it to an agent is a good idea. I managed to get an agent through a sitcom script and it gets you round the 'no unsolicted scripts' problem. The key is, as with production companies, choose an agent whose clients you like and who'll get your writing.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I think it only polite to ask first!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great advice, but as Paul says, most of them don't accept unsolicited scripts. Should you ignore that? I thought it was there to protect them from people who might accuse them of stealing script ideas

    ReplyDelete
  10. I guess it's a judgment call on whether to send a script to a company that says 'Don't send us scripts'. I don't know why a production company would say that, but some clearly do. I guess it stops them from piling up in the office if there is another show in production and no time to read them. Obviously, you don't want your script to be bothersome.

    In terms of writing to ask permission to send a script - I shouldn't bother, myself. Just send it. You're asking them to respond to a request before you've even sent anything, otherwise, which is just asking them to do admin before they've even read your script. Just send the script. What's the worst that can happen? It'll go in the bin.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'd also add it's fine to follow up to see if the script's been read yet but nothing's worse than being chased up every week. If it's taking a while for a producer to get back to you, it's because they're busy. Reminding them about a script will not make them less so.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks for the replies James and everyone else. Very helpful.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Is it worth sending to producers as well as BBC Writersroom (http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/)? Especially if I were to send it to BBC Producers, or would it end up in Writersroom anyway?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Mmm...it's a fine line, you need to be politely persistent!
    Regarding who to send scripts to-
    I got my first break by sending a sitcom to a script consultant for some feedback. He liked it and helpfully past me the name of BBC in house script editor he knew...started work with him...he left but past me his producers details and so on. One thing leads to another. That was five years ago, had a first commission at BBC LE a year ago. NEVER give up, keep at it. And all contacts are useful...

    http://thecomicaldoctor.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think you mean "passed" not "past", BBC writer.

      Delete
  15. Thanks for this post, it's useful to know.

    I've written a script with a friend and we've had limited success with getting it read. We've been very lucky and it's been seen by a couple of bods fairly high up in the comedy tree, but despite this, actually getting an agent still seems to be a nightmare! It's all such a game.

    I think we'll send it out to a few places on spec and see if we get similar feedback, then see where we go from there.

    Thanks for the excellent blog, it's a really useful resource!

    ReplyDelete
  16. What if you have already made the sitcom?
    http://www.youtube.com/user/glastonburytv#p/u
    - can't get anyone to watch it but gotta give us points for effort!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Some great banter going on here and lots of different ideas. Glad to hear someone on here knows people who've had feedback on unsolicited scripts from Roughcut. And Comical Doctor, where do I find these Scrpit Consultants you speak of?

    ReplyDelete
  18. Also something I've learnt recently: write episode 1 first & send that!

    We wrote ep2 first (mainly because first episodes are scary and hard) and the feedback we got could have mostly been answered with our planned ep1.

    Serves us right for being lazy!

    ReplyDelete
  19. << Just send the script. What's the worst that can happen? It'll go in the bin. >>

    An electronic bin or a physical one? i.e. do producers generally prefer printouts or email attachments?

    ReplyDelete
  20. Don't send your script to a production company, send it to a specific, named producer at that production company. Send it to info@indie.co.uk and it'll hit the 'no unsolicited submissions' policy and get binned. Send it to media.ponce@indie.co.uk along with a short but complementary cover note referencing a couple of shows Mr Ponce has personally produced, and why you think it'll be up his street, and it'll most likely get read.

    An emailed submission is as good as a paper one in this day and age. Increasingly, producers use ipads or the like, so make it a pdf if possible. Make sure you've got the formatting right or it'll go straight in the bin.

    Discovering a brilliant new writer who nobody has heard of is the holy grail of comedy producing. So as long as you don't sound like a weirdo, your script will more than likely be read. Eventually.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Great feedback guys,certainly very helpful.
    I have a question:

    I'm an actor with a fantastic sitcom idea that I know will work. I am the main character and the other two main characters are fellow actors and friends. We are going to shoot a pilot along with the written script so if the script doesn't excite the producer the pilot may well.

    Should I send the script with a pilot DVD?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is tricky one to be honest. I had a meeting recently at ITV regading a script I had written and also self produced (at the cost of about £2000 and many many hours) The producer wasn't too hot on the DVD at all but really liked the script. she said 'you don't want people to judge the script on the acting, directing and editing which they will do when watching your filmed project'. We had a great time filming and I learned alot but I think unless you are going to film it to the standard where it can compete with like to like then you may struggle. I.e if you are filming a sitcome pilot it'll have to be very very good in order to impress which will be very very hard. Sketches and small clips are far easier to impress with filming yourself. 30 min sitcoms are very tough.

      Delete
    2. No. You can't make a good show from a bad script. If they don't like the script they won't like the show.

      Delete
  22. thanks, that is true. I will go for it.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hello!
    I realize I am a bit late to this! Not sure if you will see it. (-: Anyway, I completed a script and was given advice to send it to BBC Writers Room. Well they state in their terms and conditions that they do not accept scripts from "overseas". If I sent it in anyway, would it be ignored or get read? I have searched and searched for the green light "We accept unsolicited scripts" but could find nothing like that here in America. :,( "Land of opportunity" my arse!
    That's why I was glad to find this article! Thank you in advance!
    -Olive

    ReplyDelete
  24. Great advice. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  25. is this thread still going? I've just completed a sitcom script and was wondering if anyone has encountered any good end-of-2015 companies to send stuff too? Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Just curious if anyone has advice on what to write on a covering letter or example an example one. Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Just curious if anyone has advice on what to write on a covering letter or example an example one. Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  28. This might help: https://www.writersandartists.co.uk/writers/advice/253/preparing-for-submission/query-letter-and-synopsis/make-me-forget-i-m-reading-a-book

    ReplyDelete