YouTube has become a rich source of information for many things, but one of those is that information can be sent out quickly, easily and across a wide range of demographics.
Many YouTube videos have information on how to write scripts to start with, but if you are wanting to sell your script you need to know how to gain the market's attention. You need insider tips and tricks on how to make the writers' markets sit up and listen to you, because of how well you have sold your script through pitches and interviews.
In my own opinion, I would start by making a name for myself on these social networking sites and on video channels such as Vimeo and YouTube. Write your own script, make the film and broadcast it to everyone you know and on to certain channels and markets such as short film competitions, because you never know who may be watching at that moment. I found these statistics through a Google search of YouTube ratings. It stated (YouTube, 2013) YouTube has over 8million unique users visiting it's site each month and over 72hours of footage are uploaded to YouTube every minute. YouTube is also localized in 53 countries, and broadcast overs 61 languages. In 2011, YouTube had more than 1 trillion views or around 140 views for every person on Earth. This huge exposure to the mass audience allows your content to be viewed by those who may not come across your work normally everyday. Your work will be opened up to new audiences simply from searches and links from other sites, reposts through social networks and be charted through your video's 'favourited' statistics, viewing statistics and hits.
When you have written your script I would circulate it round friends, family or onto your demographic for which the film was intended for to gain feedback. Take the responses on board and see how you could improve your script. You can then lend this information onto your other scripts which you will have to write for backup. If an agent or producer sees your script and likes it, they will ask for another to ensure your skills are carried through to other pieces of work; ensuring your scripts are quality controlled.
Making your film will allow you to project your intended vision onto a piece of media, which can then circulate on YouTube, Facebook etc. The internet is a huge network of contacts which will allow you to explore possible ventures as well as those finding you.
Sell Your Script (Sell Your Script, 2012) has a great post/forum in which it posts competitions for scriptwriters to enter. It is a great website with many posts asking for screenwriters to work on short films, advice, forums and discussion posts where you can ask for advice and/or promote your own body of work through links to your webpages with your films on them.
Searching through forum sites and other related blog posts will allow you to make new contacts and promote yourself.
There is also a very interesting article on website How To Sell Your Screenplay by successful writer Ashley Scott Meyers (Meyers, 2012) - IMDB Profile.
Obtaining information from successful and noted writers will allow you to understand the steps needed to be taken to achieve the selling of your script.
When you feel as though you are an accomplished scriptwriter, can write clearly and produce a strong script for a potential short or feature, I would then look and research into the steps given to achieve selling your script.
Scriptwriting in the UK (Stack, 2005) gives you information on how to obtain an agent. Stack is a successful scriptwriter who set up the Red Planet Prize in 2007 and won the BBC New Writing Award in 2004.
In 2005, Tony Jordan, a successful screenwriter with over 20years experience, set up a production company named Red Planet Pictures. In 2007, the Red Planet Prize was set up to nurture aspiring writers and discovery new writing talent. The prize has been met with considerable success; with previous finalist penning the drama series 'Death In Paradise'. Other finalists have had the opportunity to join the mentoring scheme by joining the writing team for Kudos children’s drama MI High.
Talking from experience, Stack explains how agents will think and respond to your proposal and script, so his knowledge and experience will be useful for first time proposers.
Stack also comments on how important getting an agent is; as they can become the bridge between yourself and the clients. Agents will be able to network and create new contacts for you to send your script to, creating more work. You as a writer can also network a little, but while you are writing the next best thing, your agent is out sourcing new avenues and clients; getting your name out there so others take an interest.
Although Hollywood may be some time away, this YouTube video (ScriptTip, 2007) may give you some useful information on selling your script to anyone.
Jen Govey has worked as an assistant for directors and producers at Pinewood Studios. Having read through scripts herself as her job she decided to write 'A Rough Guide to Screenwriting' as some of the entries she viewed needed advice; (Govey, 2013) "Most of the scripts I had read before were written by professionals and many had already been made into films. The quality of open submissions, were, quite frankly, dire. Some sent hand-written, unbound epics that were unreadable, some were in strange typefaces and layout, weird paper, weird language, some made no sense at all, some sent novels, drawings, diagrams and many included a three page letter telling you they had written the latest Hollywood blockbuster... when they sadly hadn't in fact."
On her site, Govey has compiled a list of UK and US agents and has also written a piece on getting an agent.
What Happens When Your Script Is Sold?
From research online, it seems that the buyer of your script acquires the rights to your screenplay. However, as Seigel (Seigel, 2011) states: "A reversion provision generally states that if a motion picture feature does not commence principal photography or is not completed by a certain time (such as anywhere from three years to ten years after the production company, broadcaster or studio acquired the screenplay rights), then the writer would have the right to reacquire the rights in and to the script. " This warns writers that you cannot be precious and protective about your script unless you are intending to direct and produce the film/series yourself. There are many contractual obligations that are required if you are to sell your script; so take note that you should look into your chosen market and industry, should you want to write scripts for other directors or write, produce and direct your scripts yourself.
Seigel's article on Movie Outline gives you information on the rights you have as a writer if your script has been sold.
This is a sample contract which was on website The Brass Bad (Seilhamer, 2011).
Seilhamer also offers assistance with scriptwriting and career advice.
The contract also includes the amount of money from final agreement to which the writer will receive upon when the script has been submitted completely with no grammatical errors and other requirements such as the screenplay length in pages.
This information is very useful to grasp an understanding of the industry and what rights you have as a writer to your work.
It is better to fully acknowledge and understand the competitive industry before you decide to sell on your work.
In conclusion, I would advise continuous writing, proof reading, quality control and research into successful scriptwriter's and on their careers before sending out scripts.
Make your own films; this proves your visual aesthetics have been translated from script to screen. It will also give you practise on what to include in a script that translates well for the actors onto the camera.
Find a good agent who will support you and your script, if you are intent on selling your work and not making it yourself.
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