You wrote a script. And you like it! Congratulations, now you’re ready to get another set of eyes on it. You might have different goals for your project, which will determine what you should do next. Are you hoping to sell your script? Get funding for it so you can produce it yourself. Or is it a writing sample that will help you get representation or general meetings?
Once you’ve thought about your goals, it’s time to start working on your connections to get visibility for your script. Here are a few options:
1. Share It!
Great writing is undeniable. Share your screenplay with your trusted readers, your reps, your social media, and your community. All it takes is the right person knowing the right person.
You probably already have one or two fellow writers who are your first readers. Once they’ve given you some feedback and you’ve edited your script, go ahead and branch out some more.
Share it in your writers’ group. If you’ve got reps, send it to them for their notes and reactions. Each round of feedback will help you strengthen your script and determine how strong it really is.
2. Table Read
I always recommend getting a script up on its feet, preferably by a cast of actors. Maybe you know actors or are posting flyers at your local community college theater department. Hearing the dialogue out loud truly helps to determine what is working and what isn’t.
I’ve also found that asking actors’ opinions about their characters will help you get more insight into the journey each one went through. When I am playing a role, I have a deeper connection to the character’s wants and needs—these actors might be able to let you know if someone’s journey felt unsatisfying.
And you never know—you might find an actor who falls in love with a character and your story and wants to help you bring it to life.
3. Contests
Contests can be a great resource for emerging writers if you’ve got a great screenplay. It can be costly to submit, so you should research who the judges are, who has won before, and what the prizes are for placements and winners. Many programs, such as the WeScreenplay Diverse Voices Lab, provide meetings or mentorship. Reputable programs will give you a laurel but also professional opportunities to network.
There are also free opportunities such as the network writing programs. Submission doesn’t cost money, and some, like the Disney TV Writing Program, will pay its fellows in addition to helping them develop projects or securing writing jobs.
4. Online Platforms
There are several online platforms that allow you to host your screenplay. For example, Coverfly is a site that offers free hosting for projects, making it easy to submit to writing contests, and promotes award-winning scripts on its Red List. Additionally, Coverfly hosts complimentary screenplay contests such as a writing lab and a pitch week.
The Black List is another industry go-to for un-produced films. I mean the actual list—which comes from referrals—not the paid website (though they’re the same company). The paid website is a platform for hosting screenplays and comes with competitions and opportunities. An 8-ranking or above is also a respected ranking on a screenplay. That said, it is expensive to host your screenplay and many writers have experienced inconsistent rankings that give the website a less-than-trustworthy reputation.
How does a screenplay make it on the annual Black List? Right before the winter holidays, Hollywood executives vote on their favorite spec scripts from the year—the compiled votes are compiled into a list that is passed around for reading. Your best bet is to have an excellent (and probably highly ranked from competitions and maybe even The Black List website) screenplay passed around by reps. You don’t have too much control over this unless you’re well-connected or the screenplay is undeniably captivating to every person who gets their eyes on it.
5. Create Something Visual
What can you do to give yourself more control? You can create something visual that promotes your screenplay. I’ve seen writers create posters, social media reels, trailers, or short films as a proof of concept for the feature-length project.
Bel-Air co-developer Morgan Cooper loaded his fan film-esque trailer to YouTube, it went viral, and, next thing you know, he was pitching to Will Smith who greenlit the show.
Filmmaking is a visual medium and while your screenplay is the blueprint for it, ultimately you’re writing to entertain people with a visual story. Getting creative with how you introduce your story to others can help build interest in the screenplay itself.
6. Pitching Events
There are several events designed for writers to pitch their screenplays. From Coverfly’s Pitch Week to ScreenCraft’s Virtual Pitch Competition to the Austin Film Festival Pitch Competition, there are many opportunities out there. They all have different entry requirements and fees, but preparing your logline/summary/pitch is an incredible way to get laser-sharp focus on what your screenplay is truly about.
7. Screenwriting Conferences and Conventions
There are many different screenwriting and entertainment industry conferences where screenwriters can learn and network. The upcoming ScreenCraft Summit is a virtual conference that features keynote conversations and live Q&A sessions with industry professionals like screenwriters, showrunners, and producers.
Conventions are also great places to network and connect. San Diego Comic-Con, in addition to featuring entertaining cosplay all around you, hosts numerous panels and premiere events for films and TV series. Guess who sits on those panels? Industry professionals. You can learn from what they share on the panel and often find yourself seated next to others. This is a great place to meet people and provide a 30-second answer to the question, “Oh, what are you working on?”
Shannon Corbeil is a writer, actor, and U.S. Air Force veteran in Los Angeles with appearances on SEAL Team and The Rookie. She was also a 2023 DGE TV Writing Program Finalist and her screenplays have placed in various contests. You can read more about her on her website or come play on Instagram and Twitter!
