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by Beverley Wood for Vancouver
Film School
(copyright Vancouver Film School - http://www.vfs.com )
"What kind
of scripts is Hollywood buying these days? Do I have to move to LA
to be a successful writer? How many scripts do I need before I
approach an agent?"
These are questions aspiring
scriptwriters ask again and again... at least the ones who are
concerned about selling what they write. And for those trying
to break into La-La Land, concern is a necessity. Not only does
a
script need to be emotionally compelling and well written
with likeable characters and strong dialogue -- it also has to
answer a market need. Harsh reality, yes. But selling scripts is big
business (annual writing budget of Hollywood studios and
networks: $1.25 billion USD).
Warden, White & Associates
of Los Angeles represents writers and directors whose credits
include (among others) Sleepless in Seattle, Meet Joe Black and
Enemy of the State. Senior partner David Warden says that the kind
of script the town seems to be looking for (right now) falls into
genres: Contemporary thrillers, sophisticated horror, cast-able
comedies with clear ideas and a high concept. Adds Warden:
"Male leads are preferable or young female leads like
Drew Barrymore or Sandy Bullock; Young audience films or light
fantasy must have a concept like What Women Want or The Santa
Clause - contemporary star driven stories that will be appealing to
major actors."
When Warden White commits to a
screenplay, they try to get directors and actors interested to make
it more appealing. For example, they were recently able to set
up a client's project at a major studio once they received interest
from Michael Douglas (Traffic, Fatal Attraction, Wall Street) and
Wolfgang Petersen (The Perfect Storm, Air Force One, Das Boot).
Explains Warden: "We look for compatibility between what the
screenplay is in terms of subject matter, the way the characters are
developed, and on what scale the story plays itself
out.'"
The firm represents writers who live all over the USA
and in Canada. And Warden actually cautions against moving to LA.
"LA tends to be a place where writers drive themselves crazy by
listening to the lies of other
writers," says Warden.
"Also, every writer in LA is affected by the same outside forces TV,
newspapers, environment - so often they come up with similar ideas,
which is not good in a limited market. I tell our clients
to
leave LA as soon as they can afford to, because it keeps their
ideas fresher."
Warden recommends that you have two
finished scripts and half a dozen treatments before you start
pitching yourself - in order to show a range of interest and size of
story that you are capable of. And he doesn't think
age is
much of an issue. "Youth always seems to be pursued in this town,
but I don't think you have to be young in order to sell your
stories," says Warden. "I think what is important is that whatever
story you tell has the ability to emotionally affect the reader. If
it rings of that kind of truth, it stands a good chance of finding a
buyer."
If writing is in your blood, to thine own self
be true. But keep an eye on market conditions.
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pitch
a script
