How Does A Beginning Screenwriter Get Their Scripts Read? by Justin Warren

In this Film Courage video interview, writer/director Justin Warren talks about how a beginning screenwriter can get their script read.
MORE VIDEOS WITH JUSTIN WARREN
goo.gl/J8ksc1
CONNECT WITH JUSTIN WARREN
www.justinwarren.me
www.thentherewasjoe.com
CONNECT WITH FILM COURAGE
www.FilmCourage.com
#!/FilmCourage
/ filmcourage
/ filmcourage
/ filmcourage
BUSINESS INQUIRIES
bit.ly/22M0Va2
SUBSCRIBE TO THE FILM COURAGE KZbin CHANNEL
bit.ly/18DPN37
LISTEN TO THE FILM COURAGE PODCAST
/ filmcourage-com
PROMOTE YOUR MOVIE, WEBSERIES, OR PRODUCT ON FILM COURAGE
bit.ly/1nnJkgm
SUPPORT FILM COURAGE
/ filmcourage
Stuff we use:
CAMERA - This is the camera we have used to film 90+% of our interviews (over 200 interviews and counting) It continues to be our workhorse - amzn.to/2u66V1J
LENS - Most people ask us what camera we use, no one ever asks about the lens which filmmakers always tell us is more important. This lens was a big investment for us and one we wish we could have made sooner. Started using this lens at the end of 2013 - amzn.to/2tbtmOq
AUDIO
Rode VideoMic Pro - The Rode mic helps us capture our backup audio. It also helps us sync up our audio in post amzn.to/2t1n2hx
Audio Recorder - If we had to do it all over again, this is probably the first item we would have bought - amzn.to/2tbFlM9
LIGHTS - Although we like to use as much natural light as we can, we often enhance the lighting with this small portable light. We have two of them and they have saved us a number of times - amzn.to/2u5UnHv
COMPUTER - Our favorite computer, we each have one and have used various models since 2010 - amzn.to/2t1M67Z
EDITING - We upgraded our editing suite this year and we’re glad we did! This has improved our workflow and the quality of our work. Having new software also helps when we have a problem, it’s easy to search and find a solution - goo.gl/56LnpM
*These are affiliate links, by using them you can help support this channel.
#writing #screenwriting #screenplay

[@skylar7249]

"networking" an introverts nightmare.

[@Matt_Mosley1983]

100%.

[@Fireeater-rl4ep]

Found my people! Right here!

[@indelible_]

🎯

[@Fireeater-rl4ep]

This guy basically answered the question why so many Hollywood movies suck. Decisions aren't based on talent, creativity, or what the audience wants. It's based on who-knows-whom. LET HOLLYWOOD IMPLODE! ARISE, INDEPENDENT FILM!

[@sweetsoftdog1105]

Let the streaming empire shadow the old world.

[@lfamvs5520]

I think you're putting your hope into the indie developers

[@tradycjashort]

You think indie writers are better than those working in the industry? Right.

[@marieb5251]

“You’re playing the game according to somebody else’s rules, and you can’t win until you understand the rules and step out of that particular game, which is not, after all, worth playing.” - James Baldwin

[@indelible_]

Until you make your own rules? - the moral

[@niamhdann2376]

Wow, Billy sounds like a pretty great guy to get such a reaction.

[@lionkingmatiouz3441]

Yeah, beautiful state of mind, spiritual vibe

[@kittybee5528]

This made me giggle, because I got excited for Billy! Then realized I have no idea who Billy is...

[@kennytankersley4365]

I'm 47 and trying to get into television writing. I wrote a spec script for the Netflix series Disjointed. Sadly the show was cancelled just before I finished it, but I decided to finish it anyway. It sat around for months until I decided to send it to Kathy Bates. She said it was one of her favorite shows to work on, so I figured she might enjoy reading it. Maybe if she likes it she will mention me to someone...never know. At the very least she can just enjoy the story. I didn't send it to any agents, because I heard you should not submit a script from a cancelled show. If anyone thinks I should anyway feel free to comment. Also working on a spec script for The Orville. Wish an old guy luck!

[@JulisaWho]

You should stop writing specs and write original pilots. 99% of people don't want to read specs anymore when staffing people for shows. Also sending scripts to random famous people probably won't work, sorry! A better method would be to try and network with people who are already in the industry...writer's assistants, showrunner's assistants, agency assistants etc. Those are the people actually reading things and they are much easier to meet! FYI I've worked writer's assistant on a Netflix show, a script coordinator on another Netflix show and have relationships with many screenwriters so feel free to ask me any questions. Good luck to you, never too late to follow your passions =)

[@kennytankersley4365]

@@JulisaWho How would I meet some of those people? I do have a couple of ideas for shows. Also who would suggest I speak with? You can PM me if you prefer not to put that info out. Thanks

[@JulisaWho]

@@kennytankersley4365 Do you live in Los Angeles? It's really hard to meet people that work in TV unless you live in LA...NYC and even ATL are options too, though to a much lesser extent. It's pretty easy to meet assistants actually. You could just go on Facebook and search for people who work on a show, send them a message and ask if they'd meet up for a coffee.

[@justinbanks2162]

it be real sweet if you dropped kathy's email in the comments

[@Mr.FakeBelt]

@@justinbanks2162 Not for Kathy it wouldn't.

[@slickwilly6868]

Have you guys ever noticed that in these videos there are people who never made it giving the advice on how to get your screenplay read. You'll never see a well established screenwriter in these videos like shonda rhymes, etc... The best way to it read is by making multiple copies and sending to different actors,directors, producers and etc...

[@kimathitalton8709]

It's pretty hard to even get into their position.

[@michaeltanaka9011]

He found another door through the Hollywood system. One of the best response to the golden question.

[@magmovies9323]

Just the video I needed right now. I like the part where he said persistence and effort is an avenue. That's exactly what I'm doing and will continue to do :)

[@sorenadix6411]

This didn't really help much. Same message: Luck, and wait on the Good Lord's timing.

[@zackmartinelli4200]

You’re doing great work, love your interviews!

[@Fuliginosus]

"It's not what you know and it's not who you know; it's what you know about who you know."~ Dick Cheney

[@khwaic]

Great advice! Find a network and liked-minded people. Then help each other as you write and create projects.

[@IBB469]

Why is it this is the most honest answer I've found

[@DP_Productions99]

Love to hear this and I love the channel #FilmCourage

[@filmcourage]

Thanks for the love!

[@frankraucci9110]

To me he’s saying keep trying any way you can. Let other people who know what they are doing read your script to give you some feedback.

[@robertnaber8411]

Good advise.

[@getparadox]

Good interview.

[@filmcourage]

Thanks for watching!

[@Nautilus1972]

I guess write a good one is the only answer. And if it isn't singing in the first three pages ... nobody will be likely to go any further. And then the rest has to be good. Do YOU think the script is a good/great one? Then it's just email bombardment in this age, with the first ten pages?

[@ericwilliams626]

It will never happen. You will never find your connection. The connection is within yourself, find The IDEA that sets you apart from everyone else and that IDEA has to be bigger than the story itself. Pay the receptionist.

[@Matt_Mosley1983]

wtf? shut up.

[@chevalierdenoir754]

America is the WILD WILD WEST not just Hollywood !

[@pomaaosei2354]

Please what if you are in Ghana? With absolutely no one or nothing to fall on. I am finding it hard to get my stories out there. Can I please get help?

[@iagreewithyoubub]

This gentleman constantly says "like" but the subtitles edits them out. That is all.

[@sullyFL]

Ooo....ahhh. PRE-LAP.

[@Leo-ws6cp]

Great video but who was your next screenwriter you announced on community with a new book? 😃

[@filmcourage]

The interview happened. Not positive but we may have asked one of your questions. (Will probably be a while before that segment is released.) Hoping to reveal this guest next Tuesday with the first video.

[@dmjimageryltd]

I am writer based in the UK and want to be able to pitch TV and Film scripts in the US . Any advice on how to approach this.

[@filmcourage]

Here's a video that offers guidance no matter where you are in the world - kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXKnmKWnnsRgmpY

[@dmjimageryltd]

@@filmcourage Thank you. This is a really useful.

[@filmcourage]

@@dmjimageryltd Great! There is still a lot of work to be done but hopefully that gave you some things to think about and possibly implement.

[@dmjimageryltd]

@@filmcourage Sounds like spreadsheet time and start listing most film companies producing content for cinema or streaming platforms and working out what type of genres they work on. Looking at recent and upcoming. The finding the who's who of each company. It's a huge job, but I guess you start with the genres you like and work outwards. Ignore any single point writers productions.

[@filmcourage]

@@dmjimageryltd Indeed. We like seeing with someone who is engaged and is committed. And willing to attack the business side. Our best to you.

[@jamesbrownyoutubeeyedolsea9869]

There's no project in the world like mine I hope we can network 💪💯

[@c.b.r.2894]

So hard to get a script made, and those that are made usually suck to high heaven. What a mess.

[@roathripper]

when does persistence and effort become an exercise in futility? where's the line?

[@Genus39]

Never, persistence and effort are for the journey. You gain experience and intangibles and I do wish you persevere.

[@gregoryrivas6863]

It's all about connecting relationships. Who YOU Know. With talent and drive. Bottom line.

[@charlesnsubanta6193]

Wowow lovely sir so amazing how can I talk to you

[@Matt_Mosley1983]

Sadly, the only way to get read is to network :-( Unless you make something yourself and get it sold to have people ASK you what else you have, you have to find people who know people (or will end up meeting people who will be able to help) Fact is, nobody reads anymore unless they're doing someone a favour. Everyone WANTS the latest great writer... but they don't want to have to FIND them, they want them delivered to them. Sucks. JJ Abrams sold his first scrippt because he bumped into an old school friend who had just sold a script... he said he was also a writer... she read his script... gave it her agnt... sold it and now we have the movie *REGARDING HENRY* because of it (and some crap STAR WARS sequels)

[@briwxo]

what if we're somewhere like Indiana with no local opportunities lol :(

[@michealknight8211]

Make an indie. I’m in Oakland, Ca. We can collaborate if you want

[@mzhotniz86]

I want to get to know him relationally

[@leatricetoland3675]

Thank you for truth, IT'S NOT FAIR. this truth made my days. finally someone tells the truth instead of trying to protect the game. it's not fair. Viola Davis said, only 1 out of 50,000 actor/actress makes it. that is the racial. what my friend did, he raise is own money. I got an agent. I shopped his story/script until he got the right people attention. but it's not fair. if you can hold to that, then you know that you are going to run into a lot stupid things.

[@waltherbudman144]

"... or sumthin' like that...."

[@kingkylie9655]

he was very articulate, why mock him for like one sentence...?

[@jamesrogers9056]

Like like like

[@Ricobaca]

8:27 he doesn't know

[@brodibarringer5016]

3 ways, who you know, who youre related to and pure LUCK..thats pretty much it..

[@AVISIONMUSICTV]

I don't want my script read. I want it made. I know its phenomenal. I don't need anyone's approval. Put up the budget and lets go. So many crappy films have been made and are getting made. Stop playing these silly games. And definitely not moving to hollyweird to break into anything.

[@vincentharris8552]

So, not what you know, but... Film school then seems like a waste.

[@Matt_Mosley1983]

100% luck, no matter how good you are. Just look at how many unproduced script YOU have read online that you'd pay to see... and how many scripts those *DATE MOVIE* douches have sold and had produced. I got a tiny break when a slasher script of mine was found on SimplyScripts and produced. I gt another break when another script was spotted and sold last year... but none of these are high concept or comedy. My bread and butter. They're a 'teens in the woods' slasher, and a 'two girls in a house with a killer outside' scripts. Nothing wrong with them (especially the second one) but luck they were found.

[@matildadavid9523]

Not to jump on a political bandwagon but if you happen to be interviewing someone with insight on the topic any time soon -- I like to do a lot of online script swaps. 99% of the time, it works out fine. But occasionally you run into a creep or two... The ones who ask you what the real life inspiration is to the sex scene you wrote or start weaving cutesy names into the conversation and then continue to email you every five minutes for the next six hours. It's easy to block them online, but in reality, and in a collaborative environment where reputation is imperative... What are the options for dealing with sexual harassment around the industry?

[@samvalentine9243]

Lol did you really write a sex scene that prompted that question?

[@matildadavid9523]

Sam Valentine Incest. Strange, granted, but in the realm of cinema... Not that strange. Wasn't particularly explicit either. Most feedback said it was tasteful in execution while disturbing in content... Which is fine... Because it's a crucial conflict in the plot... My point being, I could have written Secretary or American Beauty or Shame and it still wouldn't have been appropriate for someone reviewing your work to ask, "Do you have a bdsm fetish/pedophiliac tendencies/sex addiction?"

[@samvalentine9243]

I was just curious, not taking a dig at you or anything. Tasteful but disturbing sounds good for the screen. Not surprised that it attracted a creep, but there's not much you can do when using the internet. Is there a way to stay anonymous when doing these script swaps, i.e. just using a gender-neutral handle with no photo? I guess there's still your title page but you could just put "M. David" or something.

[@matildadavid9523]

Sam Valentine I could and have, but back then it was more for my own internal mysoginy than to avoid harassment. Steps can be taken online, but one would hope that you'd graduate to working with others in the physical world and... What then?

[@samvalentine9243]

By misogyny do you mean misandry? Never met a female misogynist before. Regardless, it's just like any other industry...report misconduct to your superiors, in the case of the film industry that would be your dept head. Now couldn't be a safer time for women in film, given that everyone is on their toes and are just more aware of harassment in general.

[@MegaRockstar48]

Networking and “knowing people” is the same bs in other industries......Explains why sooooo many shit films get made

[@GnosisMan50]

Like, yes, like, you know, like..

[@kingbryson15]

So it is luck lol

[@amymccleary460]

There is nothing good on Netflix

[@metapirateTV]

A waste of time video.

[@melodymundy5985]

Why are we listening to him?