FilmmakerIQ.com

Why Story Structure is the Key to Success

by John Truby
There is a system of thought known as the As-If Philosophy. In a nutshell, the As-If Philosophy says: We know we will die, but we act “as if” we will live forever. The ironic result is that our lives are not nearly as fulfilling as they could be. […]

High Concept Defined Once and For All

by Steve Kaire
High Concept is a term that’s been confused, misunderstood and misused by writers for decades. The common belief is that it’s any movie that can be pitched in one sentence. A man who battles his wife for custody of their children is one sentence, but it’s a million […]

101 Articles To Help Sell Your Screenplay

You’ve spent months, maybe years, you have given your blood sweat and tears. You’ve read it through a dozen times, you have exorcised all your grammar crimes. You have tied up all the loose ends and have a story that transcends. Now that is time to sell, […]

Formatting Scripts to Sell

Advanced format and style tips that can turn a good script into a great read
by Christopher Riley
Before a film or television script can fulfill its destiny in front of cameras and on screens around the world, it must first succeed as a piece of literature, a document that captivates the […]

10 Story Techniques You Must Use to Sell Your Script

by John Truby
The key question that all screenwriters should ask themselves is: how do I write a script that Hollywood wants to buy? Most writers mistakenly think that success is all about connections and star power. Not so. The real trick to writing a script that will sell is to […]

Writing Loglines that Sell

by Jonathan Treisman
Have you ever been stuck listening to a friend tell you a joke that seems to go on without ever reaching the punch line? Your mind starts wandering and you stop paying attention as the joke painfully loses its momentum.
Pitching your ideas effectively, whether from a script, […]

How Do I get an Agent When I’m just Starting Out?

Posted by IQ Member FSUWriter in the forums

Short answer: I have no idea. There is no set way to do it. I called agents on a list. Others knew people who recommended their work to Agents. The key here, and remember this, is that you have to show the Agent […]

How to Sell Your Screenplay (in a nutshell)

Ashley Scott Meyers from SellingYourScreenplay.com offers some basic tips on how to sell that screenplay.

…To sell a script the first thing you need to do is write a great screenplay. I know this sounds obvious, but really, it’s got to be great to get noticed.
— SellingYourScreenplay.com | Read The […]

How to Get ‘Em to Read Your Script

by Ken Rotcop
The phone rang.
It was a big shot producer from a major studio. “Hey, Ken, I love what you’ve done! What a great idea! I’m gonna steal it from you.”
Was he talking about one of my scripts? No. What he was talking about was - well, read on.
Let’s say […]

Writing Successful Query Letters

by Susan Kouguell
A great query letter is your key to unlocking an executive’s door. Take your time and be as thoughtful about your query as you were when writing your screenplay. Industry professionals view query letters as a reflection of the writer’s screenplay and writing skills, so the assumption will […]