I'm an award-winning screenwriter and wanted to know what considerations must be made when writing for producers.
I'm bad at this stuff. Pitching to producers. So I am not a really good person to ask. I sort of write what I feel, and somehow it works. But then Anthony, if you are "An Award Winning" bloke, there must have been producers looking at your work to give you the award, so I would chase the arse off off them. Ring their bells and remind them that they gave you an award, so they must have liked something you did.
I think how you win in this game is not giving up and keep punting your stuff out there to almost anyone who will read it. Have a good Tag line that explodes in their faces.
Movie Title: The Last Lightkeeper Tagline: "When the storm hits and the world goes dark… One forgotten soul still holds the flame."
Movie Title: Echoes in the Attic Tagline: "Every creak tells a secret. Every shadow remembers your name."
Those two movies don't exist but I bet someone might be interested in making them. You can almost write the story now can't you.
Hi Anthony,
Are you looking for advice on how to tailor a script for a specific producer or general tips of how to make your script pop to a producer?
General tips
Our August Member Spotlight Nigel may have some insights for you.
@Nigel Holmes When you're working on a script, do you keep the potential producer in mind or have any tips for Anthony around how to make a script stand out to a producer?
@Nigel Holmes Thanks a bunch for this insight. I'll use these tips. Let me know where I can help. If you need more than a title and a tagline, I can help set up a pitch sheet. Tony
@Meghan Dubitsky Yhanks for facilitating the discussion. Let me know where I can help too.
Hi Anthony— I'm late to your question but maybe you can be more specific? I am a producer and happy to offer my perspective. Generally, if a producer has an interest in your script, then it is likely because they feel that your project is in their wheelhouse (i.e., they see some business in it for themselves.) So when you meet on it, listen to what their ultimate hope for your script is when they are suggesting revisions and make sure you are aligned with it and that you are clear on the goal. If so, and if you believe in the producer, it may be worth taking into consideration for a revision. If you aren't aligned though, it can be too hard and long of a slog that is likely not going to be fruitful. Feel free to ask me anything more specific.
Thanks for the input Corey.
I always take into account the notes from the producer and incorporate them best I can. Any input on how to communicate better to producers (i.e. taking notes, "pushing back", etc.) would be helpful.
When is it acceptable to push back?
What are a producer's pet peeves?
How can I best impress a producer when on an assignment?
Hi Anthony, I think the key to a notes conversation is for both the exec or producer giving the note, and the writer hearing the note is to get to the reason for the note. When I put together notes, I generally offer a suggestion of what to do; but the more important thing that I try to communicate is "why" I have the note. The change I suggest is often less important to me than the reason I am making the suggestion. So I would say as a writer, listen openly to the idea— but also ask questions about what it was that wasn't working, felt off, was missing, etc. for them. You/the writer will often have a better idea of how to address the underlying problem — this is always what I hope for from working with a writer. Also, that discussion leads to important review of both the script problems and solutions. To your question of "pushing back"— I wouldn't look at it that way. You are a team. No one wants the script to succeed more than the producer who isn't getting paid to work with you. (Execs are getting paid but they want you to succeed too.) Just have an open discussion, and listen. Everyone wants to feel heard, the more you listen, the more likely you will be listened to. Pet peeves for producers are not being listened to — so even where you don't address a note that is given, express that you considered it and why you came up with what you came up with, or why you kept what you had. And you can impress a producer on an assignment by clearly communicating, delivering on time or letting them know your timeline is shifting and what your are working on that's taking a bit more time. Be positive. Try to judge them by their best ideas and not their worst and you will more likely get that in return. I hope all this is helpful :)
That's great insight. Coming up through the "Hollywood System" as a writer, we're taught to collaborate with the producer and not to "push back". I've never worked on a paid assignment, but have worked with consultants on almost all of my projects and have become dependent on honest feedback from industry professionals. If possible, I try to repeat the note to the producer to make sure I understand everything and that I can apply the notes properly. Thanks for giving me your time on this one.
