Whether you are ready to send out your first feature screenplay, or if you are soliciting financing for your expensive short film using your script – writing a good query letter is the key to getting your contacts interested in looking at your script. Since most recognized agents and producers never open unsolicited scripts, this is an important tool for any filmmaker.
The first thing you need to do in order to write a good query letter is research. You need to find the KEY PEOPLE you are sending your letter to, and you need to know why your script may interest them. Never address your query to a company, always an individual at that company – and always research who is most suitable for your project by looking up similar projects, directors/writers/actors/actresses they have previously worked with and other relations to your contact. When they receive your letter they will want to throw it in the bin, unless you immediately tell them WHY YOU ARE CONTACTING THEM SPECIFICALLY. In short: FIND YOUR WAY IN.
After you have addressed your query letter to the right person, FORMAT your letter so you know how much room you have to move for your writing, query letters are never more than one page, single spaced and in a nice, common type font.
Next we are on to the pitch. Here I could make you nervous, say things such “your entire future in film depends on these sentences” – but it doesn’t, so try not to be too nervous. All you need to do is get someone interested in reading your script, or at least the first few pages of it. A teacher of mine once said the best way to do this is by painting a picture – make them visualize the trailer and the poster (i.e. if they can see how this film will be sold and marketed = make them money, they will bite).
Let’s divide this into two parts: The logline + the story.
Your logline, as you know, is a ONE-SENTENCE TEASER FOR YOUR MOVIE. It includes who your main character is, what challenge they face and what obstacles they need to conquer in order to succeed. Should always be roughly 40 words or less if you can. For example: Elite astronaut Hiro is on a mission to stop Mars from colliding with the Earth when he encounters sexy alien Plutofina in great distress, forcing him to choose between inter-galactic love and saving the world. (Ehrm… well, you get the point). NEVER GIVE AWAY THE ENDING – you want them to want to read your script. This part of your query letter should help your contact to IMAGINE THE TRAILER FOR YOUR MOVIE; visualize a 30-40 second summary on the screen.
Your story, as you know, is where a producer or agent will find their KEY SELLING POINTS. Ask yourself if there is a key dramatic question. Where does the tension come from? If you struggle with this one, look at other films in your genre and see what questions they pose – and work from there. For example: Would you kill to keep your family safe? How far would you go to preserve world peace? This part of your query letter should help your contact to VISUALIZE THE POSTER; imagine who will see this movie and why.
After above paragraph is squared away, you move onto yourself. Take a sentence or two to sell yourself – include your achievements and awards (if any) and if you have a personal experience that ties you to the story of your script (translation=why you tell this story better than anyone else) briefly explain this. This part of your query letter should tell your contact WHY YOU ARE THE BEST SOURCE FOR THIS STORY.
Finally, invite your contact to read your script and make it easy for him/her to reply to you – maybe include a self-addressed and stamped envelope with a note for them to sign inside, just saying they would like to read your script. Whatever it is, MAKE IT EASY TO REPLY “YES”.
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Good luck!