Filmmaking Community discussion

Good Morning Everyone.

I've been working on a lot of short stories and was in need of some help on getting information and resources on how I could solicit these stories to television producers. An example of what I was trying to do is the old "Tales from the Crypt" fashion, where it's an hour long horror/chiller short story. If anybody has any advice, help, or resources that they would like to share, I would be very grateful.

Thanks and have a great day!

Hi Angelique,

Well, I've never been produced or anything, so can't vouch for any tactics. But, I've read some books that I've really enjoyed.

It's older, but the first one I read: How to Sell Your Screenplay: A Realistic Guide to Getting a Television or Film Deal.

Also, The Screenwriter's Bible: A Complete Guide to Writing, Formatting, and Selling Your Script. The focus is more on films, but you might be able to pick up some useful information - at least to point you in the right direction.

Hope those help!! :D

As a Producer and creator of several kid's TV series and films in development I must say you are at a great disadvantage. http://lookman.biz

The industry is always short of money and most producers have their pet projects. They are assailed by many scripts like publishers. As an outsider you need an agent to heard. I only work on in-house projects, but I am told by broadcasters similar ideas are spawned miraculously and are then never seen again. This is a relationship industry.

- Your best hope is to find a filmmaker, write a script, and make a five minute trailer. Then call yourself a producer and hope you have the money to attend the expensive markets and pitch to Broadcasters and distributors.

- Alternatively find an agent or send your idea to a Broadcaster.

A pilot will likely cost $10k to $50k. It is an industry where independent producers fight to make ends meet as they are squeezed by the level above. However, Canadian Producers do have government funds available.

Lookman wrote: "The industry is always short of money and most producer..."

Hi Lookman, This is probably the most succinct and clear summary I've come across. Took me a screenplay and months of effort at trying to interst people before the penny dropped. It's a pity, because writing screenplays has to be the best fun a writer can find anywhere, especially if, like me, you enjoy writing dialogue and visualising everything you put on paper.

There is one other option to get noticed, and that's to enter competitions such as the Final Draft "Big Break". A bit like buying a lottery ticket, I know, but one never knows ...