How to Get Your Script Made Into a Movie

If you build it, they will come. Right? That’s not really how it works when it comes to learning how to get your script made into a movie. In fact, you can write scripts for years and, if you aren’t taking the appropriate next steps to get your script in front of the right agents and producers, the chance of it ever being made into a movie are slim to none. In fact, a huge percentage of the success of your script is dependent not upon the early writing of the script itself, but on who you know, where you send it and what steps you take to get it made into a movie.

If you’re ready to sell your script, continue reading to learn how you can get it in front of the right people and work on achieving your dream of the script becoming part of the big screen.

Write a Great Script

Before you ever get your script read, you need a great story. Without a great story, how will you possibly pitch it to the producers, agents and anyone else responsible for taking a leap of faith with your work and turning it into a movie?

If you haven’t already read your script several times over, shared it with a close friend, and let family see it–now is the time! You want to get as much feedback from those who are close to you (and hopefully objective) as possible.

Take suggestions, make revisions, and make sure that when you start reaching out to others about actually getting the script brought to life that it’s absolutely top-notch.

Greatness will be Recognized

If you have a great script, it will make its way to the right people with just a little sharing. All you have to do is put it in front of the right people, at the right place and have a story that meshes well with the current market. If your script doesn’t do great now, it may have value several years from now as markets change and interests evolve.

As long as your script is a great piece of work, it will make its way through the proper channels once you start sharing and it will be passed along through the hands of various contacts as energy and interest begin to grow for it. Eventually, your script will make it to the right producer if it’s meant to be.

Build Relationships

Getting your script turned into a movie is all about the relationships that you build. You need to have an agent on your side. Without an agent, the chances of getting your script into the hands of several producers is unlikely.

Think you can just send your script out to the masses? It’s not going to work! Producers are faced with so many scripts from so many people on a regular basis, the fastest way to get your script thrown right in the recycle bin is to send out unsolicited emails with the script attached. It simply won’t be read.

Know The Right People

However, with an agent you will have the power of a refined network on your side. Agents can’t guarantee that your script will be turned into a movie, but they will help you get the script known around town.

The best way to get your script made into the movie that you dream of is to network, build relationships, and tell people about your story. Eventually your script will find itself at the right place, at the right time, in front of the right people. An agent can help speed that process up as they have already networked with many of the right people and have some leverage there.

Submit to the Black List

The Black List is a platform where you can submit your script for a chance that it will be discovered by a producer that’s looking for a great script to work with. The Black List online community will critique your script and is a great place to get some feedback, make some changes to your screenplay, and continue to build your script into something great.

If your script is interesting enough, it could pique the interest of a producer. Just remember, submitting your script to the Black List is not free. If you’re not part of the guild, you will pay $30 monthly per script to keep it live on the site and in front of the Black List audience. If you wish to have a professional evaluation on your script, expect to pay an additional $75.

If you can afford the evaluation, do it. This is one of the greatest benefits of the Black List. having your script read and evaluated by a critic will help you make the most out of the content and will help you see the potential future potential in the script becoming a film.

Nobody is Going to Steal Your Idea

It is so common for screenwriters to think that someone is just going to snatch up their idea and run with it. Thus, many don’t share their script with studios or ever get it in front of the right hands because they’re too worried that someone is going to steal it and not concerned enough that someone may actually pay for it.

The truth is, studios don’t want to steal scripts or stories. Doing so would result in enormous costs for them in the form of bad press, lawsuits, and costly court proceedings. None of it is worth it for your little ol’ script.

If you’re that worried about it being stolen, you can take steps to protect your work prior to putting in front of a studio, but that’s really just an added cost and time for you on something that really isn’t necessary, to begin with.

Meet Producers

Your agent should be able to put you in front of producers that have the power to see your dream through. Now is the time to meet producers and network with them. Attend a film festival. This is where producers are spending their time so it’s a great place for you to be with your script.

As you build relationships with producers, chances are, they will listen to your summary and consider next steps. Have your contact information ready to share so that if you win their interest over with your story next steps are already in line.

Get Your Hands Dirty

Getting your script made into a movie is not always as easy as write, share, produce, repeat. In fact, you may have better luck if you put yourself in the industry to work. Consider a job in the film industry as an assistant or some other entry-level position that will allow you to get in front of more people that have the potential to help you build your script into the movie you desire it to be.

The jobs that arise in the entry-level stages of film are certainly not glamorous, but they can be rewarding. You’ll have the opportunity to get yourself recognized for the hard worker that you are and others may be more willing to listen to what you have to say.

Take the Leap

The odds of getting your screenplay turned into a move are slim but not impossible by any means. Take the leap and keep working to get your script converted into a movie. The more you try, the more you network, the more you reach out to producers, the greater your chance of success.

Remember, no matter what steps you take or how you go about getting your script noticed by the right people, it’s going to take time and effort. Chances are you will not win the heart of the big screen with your first script. Many never see their dream come true. But with perseverance, you have as good a chance as anyone to get a script made into a movie.