Be Creative!

Selling a ‘tent-pole spec’ screenplay in this day and age is no easy task, even for seasoned pros. It takes not just a brilliant idea, with global appeal, that is easily marketable to an ever more intelligent metropolitan population. But also a comprehensive understanding of how your idea fits into the current media (business) market.

How your film will make money must be quite clear. What is the market for it? Media Executives want to know: How do people respond to it? How does it fit into the market trend/trajectory.

Ultimately selling a ‘tent-pole’ spec script is about marketing. It’s about selling ideas and experiences, and the internet - social networking, web pages - is the future of this. The internet is where ideas and experiences are now made and shared. It is where 21st century commerce takes place. It's just the fact now.

Some people think that using the internet to market and sell a screenplay can make you look “desperate”. They could not be more off base. The truth is, not using the internet to market and sell your ideas will be like not using email today.

If you think creating web a page, social networking, Twittering, blogging, or in anyway being creative about reaching out / networking on the internet is "desperate", you do not understand the media business of today (and tomorrow). We are rapidly accelerating irreversibly into ‘The Digital Age’. Not using social media, being creative with it, and the internet is “media career suicide”. As ‘Hollywood/Media’ merges with ‘Silicon Valley/Computers’ the old business models of the entertainment business are falling apart faster than new ones are finding success. The game is changing. FAST. This change is giving Geeks more clout. The NextGen, tech savvy youth more advantage and hobbling the tech-challenged. It is changing the way we consume and create media, in new and exciting ways, often faster than anyone can keep up. What’s the best way to not get left behind?

Get creative.

Don’t worry about looking desperate to anyone. As long as you are being creative – trying new models, new ideas -- you are part of the future of the media business. Those that know how to use the internet to create experiences and new business models are the next wave. They are rapidly changing Hollywood.

How does this relate to screenwriting, you ask?

Well, if you are trying to market and sell a ‘tent-pole’ spec screenplay you are going to need to be aware of the market trends and developments. When it comes to studio specs:

“It is all about commercial viability.”

The financial success or “commercial viability” of a script, is based on the market. Getting a hit Studio film nowadays is like hitting a moving target, it takes great perception and skill to determine where the market will be once the film is released – where the target will be in the future. If you can aim right, i.e. know the market trend, you are far more likely to hit the target.

With the success of 'Inception' there is a realization in Hollywood that people want smart, ground breaking films that make us think. This is combined with a renewed interest in original material, and a diminished interest in “established” or “known/old” material. The numbers are clear; they don’t lie. Chris Nolan has the incredible and rare ability to take an established franchise like Batman and make it new; intelligent. He raised the bar via ‘Inception’ and the market likes it.

It’s about being intelligent and “Twitter-buzz-worthy. If it’s not original – at least made in an original or smart way -- it is unlikely to be intellectually stimulating or worth talking/tweeting about. But if it is both original and smart. The tweets will fly, the interest will soar and money will pour in.

The global film market is also rapidly changing. Because the amount of media we consume has gone way up - Netflix, HBO, Cable TV – we are beginning to demand more from our films, and box office movie going experiences. Combine this with the fact that the metropolitan film markets (the main source of ticket sales) are getting more ethnically diverse, more educated, and more selective. As people get smarter, more globally aware, higher in consciousness, they demand better entertainment.

Advertising fatigue has also made “word of mouth” more important than ever. The best way to get ‘word of mouth buzz’ is to make something smart that people want to talk about. It’s the best, most effective marketing, and it is free. The only catch is that you need to make a really good movie that people want to talk, tweet, and blog about...


Today the story/script and the marketing, are very much the same thing, two sides of one coin; inextricably connected. Because contests and competitions are not usually the best route for tent-pole, blockbuster films, you will need to find alternatives. Don’t avoid contests per say, but don’t rely on them either. Most ‘tent-pole’ films would not win a screenwriting contest. So assuming you have a great idea, that you truly believe in, and know would make a great film, you will need to get creative.

How well can your script/story be marketed – sell - commercially to a global marketplace? The first test starts with you the writer and the internet. How well can you market and sell your idea to people? To an agent, manager, director or producer? How do you stand out and get attention on your polished and market ready screenplay?

Be creative!

Test your idea. Your talent.

Make a website. Make a YouTube movie. Blog! Reach out.

Get exposure.

Get the story “pitch” out there to as many people as possible. Use your talent to showcase your “commercial viability”. This will get your script read; which is the first goal. Therefore a website, or connection for a script, has the sole purpose of GETTING THE SCRIPT READ. Like a headshot gets an actor an audition. Then your script will need to speak for itself; land the part.

You will never be considered if you are never seen/read. So how do you get your script read?

The rule is: “Whatever works”

“There are no rules.” Anyone who says differently is trying to sell you something, or keep you down.

Be creative.

Today, increasing amounts of the new talent, and development deals are coming from the internet. From YouTube obscurity, as was the case with Fede Alvarez who got a 7-figure deal with Sam Raimi (Director of Spider-Man) from a $500 budget YouTube video. It’s the ‘Justin Bieber effect.’ It started with bands and artist that have been given record deals from myspace pages, from virtual obscurity. Now it’s doing the same for the movie business. The internet has effectively intensified the competition in Hollywood; leveled the playing field in many ways. It’s now a global talent competition, running 24/7.

Bottom line: If you have the substance, the talent, showcase it as best you can, however you can. Don’t be afraid to put your work out there. Putting it out there – making web pages, YouTube videos, Blogging, or Band Pages -- is the name of the game.

1) Use the internet. 2) Be creative. 3) Get seen. 4) Get feedback. Get an audience. 5) Be able to back it up, in person, and for a writer, on paper. 6) Get a deal.

Hollywood is a creative industry/business. Get creative, or get (shut) out.

Worrying about “looking desperate” or being afraid are creativity killers. Was Justin Bieber desperate when he made YouTube Videos? No. Do what you love. Being innovative/creative is never desperate. You think it is, or won’t/can’t even try to create/innovate, then you are in the wrong business. If you can’t be creative – try new models, test new ideas -- you won’t make it in the New Hollywood. It goes for everyone. Screenwriters too.

Being negative is also a creativity killer. Before you say something sucks, or “no one has sold a screenplay from a website, or the internet”… Just remember, no one had gotten a 7-figure deal from a YouTube video… until one day: Someone did.

Is it possible to sell a screenplay with a website or social networking?

It most definitely is.

Maybe I’ll be the first. Maybe you will. Maybe someone reading this will. You could say that all the YouTube Videos / Web Pages you have seen suck, but that doesn’t mean someone isn’t posting one right now that is fantastic, and it will land them a meeting with a manager or executive. Rather than say they suck, you should try and make a better one…

Be creative.

That’s the game. That’s how it works.

Just wanted to share my thoughts. Hopefully this helps!

Best,

Julian Tyler

www.juliantyler.com