UK Scriptwriters podcast, ep 13!

Tim and I recorded a podcast over the Bank Holiday weekend (we're, like, SO dedicated... or sad). If you missed it, let me point you in the direction where you can play, download, subscribe or share.

We talk about "How Do I Get An Agent? NO, REALLY, HOW DO I GET A GODDAMN AGENT?!" Plus there's our fab competition with Industrial Scripts (this time with Tim doing a cockney gangster rendition of a famous line of dialogue, it's got to be heard to be believed! All within the first five mins). Go on then, hit that play button.

Don't forget you can email us with any suggestions or feedback (or just say hello!). Find us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter. Cheers!

Screenwriting Bullet #12

PITCHING

Pitching is an unavoidable task. Even if you're the world's most reclusive hermit, at some point you're going to have to tell someone what your latest script is about. The good news is that pitching is both a verbal and written task. The writing pitch chain goes like this: logline (25 words of less), pitch paragraph, one/two page outline, outline (3-6 pages), treatment (6 pages or more). So, if you manage to avoid pitching your story verbally, then it would probably come in one of the above forms.

Unfortunately, one-to-one verbal pitches take on a world of pain as insecurity and performance anxiety usually take hold. However, a good basic template for a formal verbal pitch would be:

Introduce yourself.
Talk about where you got the idea from or why you are so interested/passionate in the subject matter.
Give the logline/25 words or less description.
Expand on this logline, giving the broad summary of the plot, including the end.
Thank the pitchee for their time and ask if they have any questions.
Get out, have a stiff drink.

Related Posts
What's The Big Idea?
Pitching 2.0
Pitch Perfect
Pitching Follow Up
It's Breakfast Club meets Psycho
Professional Documents

6th Blogoversary!

(don't know who owns the image but I got it here)
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Friday 12th, August 2005. That's when it all kicked off. I wasn't quite sure what I was doing but I had just stumbled on the world of blogging (James, James and Tim, mainly, after exhausting Word Player), and was hungry for more screenwriting procrastination.

I had no idea what I was getting into, or what the blog would come to represent; in essence, it has defined my profile and has invariably helped my career (possibly hindered on a couple of occasions), not only with commissions but through panel appearances, random perks and general internetworking.

And, of course, without the blog, I wouldn't have had the idea for the Red Planet Prize, or I wouldn't have been able to make Origin, my ambitious short film. (When I started the blog, I was in post-production with my very first short film attempt, On The Death Of His Wife, a no-budget affair to see what could be achieved with a morning's filming.)

To celebrate six years (this is post 653), I thought I'd share the Top 5 Blog Posts Of All Time (So Far). These are the posts that get the most hits and bring new readers to the site. So, hello, welcome, thanks for stopping by, or if you're a regular reader, then mine's a pint. Here's to the next 6 years!

TOP 5 BLOG POSTS

5. How To Get An Agent
Do you need an agent? How do you attract their attention? What's the best way to make an approach?
(I'm going to do a new post on this topic soon)

4. Broadcast Comedy Forum
This is actually a guest post by m'regular co-writer Sam Morrison but is insanely popular as it breaks down what the key players in UK comedy are looking for (well, last year anyway).

3. Script Reader UK
How to be a script reader, and what it's actually like.

2. Beat Sheets
Just what in the hell are these blasted things?

1. Joss Whedon's Top 10 Writing Tips
Another guest post, essentially, as it's an article reproduced from a magazine but this one spread across the interwebs like wildfire, and continues to fan some flames of interest from a wide array of screenwriting aficionados.

Script Reading Summer Sale!

August is typically quiet, with everyone either on holiday or up there in that fancy Edinburgh for the festival. Plus, I'm currently winding down from a few commissions (several episodes of a new kids' show, exciting!) and resetting myself for the September push. All of which means I've got some free script reading time on my hands.

So, if you fancied some 'Stack Attack'* action on your latest script, just whack me an email. 15% discount available for all my online chums! Full details over on the dedicated page.



* (c) Tim Clague/Suki Singh

Talent Connector

Industrial Scripts recently launched a new service - Talent Connector - where they will personally recommend new writers and their scripts to the key players in the UK film and TV industry. From Industrial's press release: "the ongoing programme... champions the best unrepped talent to come through the company’s coverage system. It is the first of its kind in the UK and Industrial Scripts neither charges writers fees to market projects, nor takes a fee if projects sell or attract the representation of an agent."

What I really like about this is that it's a genuine proactive push to help new writers get the right kind of attention when, previously, they might have struggled with the industry-wide 'no unsolicited scripts' policy. Personally, I've always been passionate that the industry could and should do more to discover and champion new talent (hence my idea for the Red Planet Prize, and whatever I can do via this blog), so Talent Connector is a welcome addition to the fold.

The cost is effectively free (once you've had your script covered by Industrial's script reading service, which is fair enough) and their industry-reach is very impressive indeed. I've always been a huge fan of Evan's passion, determination and focus, and what he's doing here with Talent Connector (and Industrial Scripts in general) is only a good thing for UK writers. Please note, this is not a fast-track system providing short cuts or false promises. Good writing is the key, and if your script survives the initial industry review, then there's a solid chance of interest from a wide variety of producers and agents.

Check out their FAQ section for the full downlow. "Talent Connector is continuously open for submissions, all year round, and will culminate each December with the announcement of the Industrial Scripts Gold List – when the best 10 scripts to pass through the coverage system will be revealed, and prizes awarded."

Industrial Scripts also sponsor the UK Scriptwriters podcast, and each month they give away a place on their Effective Script Reading course. I think Evan's giving the option of choosing one of the other courses, like Screenwriting for Beginners, or Making the Low Budget Film (highly recommended), so all you have to do is give our podcast a listen (around 4mins30 in) and enter the competition from there. It's all free of charge, baby!

The podcast was recently nominated for an European Podcast Award (wahey!), so do vote for us if you get a moment (no email or register needed, takes 5 secs). Cheers!

European Podcast Award

Wow, the UK Scriptwriters podcast has been nominated for an European Podcast Award! Apparently. Just getting my head around it at the moment, but nice to be nominated! If you'd like to vote for us, simply click on the vote below (or follow this link). You don't need to sign up or register or anything, just vote! Cool and the gang!