Month: January 2013

Ready for just such an emergency

Maximum Z query letter, representation, screenwriting, synopsis, writing
Be prepared, and all that...*
Be prepared, and all that…*

After sending out the first batch of query letters, I was reminded of something I need to have ready to go in case someone asks for it.

A synopsis.

Just the thought of having to write one fills me with dread. It always has.  But it’s a necessity and has to be done.  (You’d think a writer would have no problem writing something. You’d be wrong.)

I scoured the internet, desperately seeking for one to use as an example. Success was somewhat limited, but there were a handful, each accompanied with suggestions of what to include and what not to.

The general consensus seems to be a short paragraph for each act.  Each one has to be informative in terms of the story and describe what happens, but without going into too much detail.  Like with the logline, you want to make the reader want to read more.

Keeping all this in mind, and after much editing and rewriting, I ended up with a draft that fills up about 2/3 of a page.  Too short?  Just right?  Hard to say, but I like the way it reads.  Simple. Descriptive. Effective.

Add another item to the ‘done’ column of my metaphoric checklist.

I should probably also start working on a treatment, which is a completely different, but still necessary, thing.

But in the meantime, when I’m not sending out more queries, rather than incessantly checking my email and hitting ‘refresh’, it’s a better use of my time to stay focused, keep being productive and work on the western outline.

-Podcasting equipment has arrived. Still learning how to use it. More details to come.

 

*was there ever any doubt that yours truly was an Eagle Scout?

Queries about queries

Maximum Z query letter, representation, screenwriting, writing
Do people still send actual letters?
Do people still send actual letters?

I started compiling a list of where to send my query letter when I realized I should probably have the letter ready first.

Previous versions have kept it simple. Brief intro, logline, 1-2 sentences about me, and that’s about it. Short, to the point, and hopefully effective.  Don’t know how much of an impact they’ll have, but there are a few me-oriented details I’d like to work in as well.

I’ve seen examples that suggest a few short paragraphs that flesh out the story a little, but that seems like too much.  If the logline doesn’t grab them, why would they want to read more?  I like to think mine’s pretty solid.

It’s also important to write the letter so it really stands out from the hundreds/thousands received daily*.  We all want someone to read our letter and automatically think “Now THAT’S something I want to read!”

It shouldn’t take too long to put a strong letter together. Once it’s ready, back to figuring out who should receive it.

 

*Absolutely true. I met with an agent who had started her own agency – just her and an assistant. They were getting approximately 50 letters a week. Imagine how many a powerhouse firm like ICM or WME gets. Every one is your competition.  Just something to keep in mind.

Striding boldly into Phase Two

Maximum Z Buster Keaton, comedy, I Love Lucy, JRR Tolkien, parenting, podcasts, representation, screenwriting, script, slapstick, writing ,
Might as well make it a nice-looking door, right?
Might as well make the way in look nice, right?

I had to work New Year’s Day, starting at 5am. It wasn’t as bad as you might think.

It meant holiday overtime (always nice), the roads were extremely quiet, so there was a lot of downtime, which provided me with the opportunity I was hoping for: to hack and slash my way through the script, cutting out anything unnecessary.  Turns out there was about ten pages’ worth, including an excessive amount of adverbs.

But it’s all gone now, and the script is that much better for it. Tighter, smoother, a faster read.  114 pages of potential cinematic goodness.

The professional feedback will have to wait for now, but notes from trusted colleagues are proving to be just as helpful.

Apart from a few tweaks, this script could officially be considered READY TO GO.  A minor celebration will be held in the form of a trip to the comic book store.

The next few weeks will be split between researching and contacting potential reps and continuing the fine-tuning of the western outline (gotta keep the creativeness going).

-Awaiting delivery of my equipment to get the podcast up and running, so add contacting potential guests to the aforementioned list.  More details as they develop.

-Movie of the Moment – THE HOBBIT (2012). Enjoyable, but way to0 long. Why exactly did they feel this had to be a trilogy? Two movies would have been fine.  This is not the epic tale that LOTR is, and suffers for it.

Saw it with V. She liked it, and was genuinely surprised at the end because she thought it would be a single, self-contained story. She’s already stated her interest in seeing the next one. I can’t help but wonder how much Smaug will be featured in Part 2, and Benedict Cumberbatch doing the voice is an added bonus.

-V was also off for winter break, so there’s been a lot of crashing/vegging out in front of the TV. I’m happy to say she’s outgrown some of the inane kids programming she used to watch, and has discovered I LOVE LUCY. It’s easy to see why this still holds up today. She’s already watched the Vitameatavegamin episode three times, laughing hysterically each time. HuluPlus only provides parts of each season, so we’ll have to try Netflix to track down the candy factory episode.

When your 21st century child develops an appreciation for Buster Keaton and Lucille Ball, you must be doing something right.