Finding and Optioning a Screenplay
Acquiring a screenplay is not a difficult task, what often proves to be difficult, is finding a good one. If you are careful though, you can usually find many talented, up-and-coming writers who have yet to be discovered and have one or many amazing scripts just waiting to be developed. Often these writers will settle for little to no compensation for the opportunity to have one of their scripts developed. Similarly, you may even be able to find a great (and little know) story in a published book or magazine which you can adapt into a stellar screenplay.
When search for a screenplay, keep in mind your budget and production capabilities. It does you no good to option an expensive property only to be unable to truly develop it due to financial, location, experience, or staff restrictions. Make sure that characters, locations, and special effects are realistic to what your production company is capable of producing. If anything, error on the side of being under ambitious in your material selections.
So where, or how do you go about finding screenwriters? He are some suggestions:
Place an ad in one of the entertainment trade magazines such as Backstage West or The Hollywood Reporter to let potential writers know that you're on the lookout for an original script for production.
Read scriptwriting magazines such as Creative Screenwriting and Scr(i)pt Magazine and pay attention to articles on writers. Check the classified sections and ask for obtainable screenplays that are currently advertised by writers.
Screenplay magazines typically catalog writers' newsletters and writers groups that you can attend in order to locate writers who have a screenplay set to turn into a motion picture.
Frequent writing discussion groups advertised in the an assortment of writers' magazines or in the classified sections of trade magazines like The Hollywood Reporter, or that you come across at a writers' assembly, and network with the individuals in attendance as well as to the speaker him/herself. Many patrons most likely have a script they're peddling.
Send e-mail to each individual that you know, letting them know that you are looking for a wonderful script or an amazing idea for a film. After the announcement spreads, particularly on the World Wide Web, you'll start receiving submissions.
Get in touch with organizations that represent script writers. (You can ask for a record of agencies from the Writer's Guild of America. Send an inquiry memo or call, and let the agency know that you're looking for scripts. Be certain to provide them an idea of your finance range, how much capital you have to produce your movie (a little or a lot?).
Research the library and local bookstores for directories such as The Hollywood Creative Directory that document reputable writers who may have a spec script sitting in their desk drawer, or young, hip, new writers enthusiastic to have you make their work. A spec script is a screenplay done on speculation, without being commissioned by someone to write it, in the hopes of that script being considered for production. It's typically a story the writer is particularly passionate about.