Client Project: Script Sources

Having read through countless scripts on sites such as simplyscripts.com and found them to be mostly terrible, myself and Alan have nonetheless uncovered a few gems that seem like genuinely exciting shooting prospects.

However, unconvinced as I am that they have the professional 'sheen' we require, I have gone back to Shooting People (http://shootingpeople.org) and paid the membership fee that allows users access to the scripts bulletin, which emails out unpublished script submissions to potential film makers.

My initial reaction was one of disappointment. The reason I was not keen to pay in the first place was because the site refuses to divulge precisely what you will have access to having taken the plunge, and the answer seems like not much - a paltry handful of scripts each week from writers who often seem ludicrously optimistic about the payment prospects for their work.

However, this pessimism subsided somewhat once I read some of the available synopses, and remembered that our zero-budget and student status was always going to count against us in some ways.

As such, I have composed a letter, explaining my status and situation, and this template has been the basis of the email I have sent out to individuals who have posted synopses that I am interested by on the bulletin.

I hope the letter shows we are committed individuals, and also makes clear to the reader what is in it for them i.e. exposure in our film festival of choice (coincidentally, the exposures film festival.

A copy of the letter follows; if feedback is unfavourable or negative, I will be able to refine the template into something that appeals more to the needs of the reader:-


From:
Duncan Leigh
Student Director / Scriptwriter / Composer
Multimedia: Audio Visual Production
Nottingham Trent University (Nottingham, UK)


Hi!

I am a student director at university currently assembling my team to work on a final year production. This will determine 50% of mine and my associate’s degrees and as such is not a task we are taking lightly.

I was advised to search shooting people for unproduced scripts by writers who wish to see their work put into production.

Our goal (both personally and as a university-given necessity) is to enter the film in the Exposures film festival in July of next year (http://www.exposuresfestival.co.uk/) - thereby gaining some 'exposure' for all concerned.

Whilst I understand this may not be of interest to those looking for a commercial outlet for their work, I can assure you that we are fully committed to any project we work on, and have a vested interest (both in terms of our degree results and our future careers) in producing work of the highest quality possible.

Though the budget for our films is zero, we have access to all equipment etc through the university, and as such can deliver a film that surpasses the amateur standards I fear may have been pictured in your head upon reading the words 'student director!'

As such, I wanted to express my interest in your script synopsis for 'XXX,' and enquire as to whether it may be possible to view a complete version of the script.

At this early stage we are still assessing all available options in order to find the highest quality project available to us that enthuses myself and my producer - something I can say your synopsis certainly does.

If you are interested, I can say that we are interested in working with our collaborators only to the extent they see fit; if you wish to offer input during production, we would welcome it, equally, if you see no benefit to yourself other than having your existing script produced, then we would graciously welcome the opportunity to film it and ask for nothing more than a copy of the script and the correct spelling of your name in order to credit you!

Either way, I can summarise this proposal as an opportunity for you to have your work produced and shown on the festival circuit.

If you have any queries (e.g. about logistics, practicalities, or to ask to see previous work) please don't hesitate to get in touch at duncan.leigh@gmail.com

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this request, and I look forward to hearing back from you.

Yours,

Duncan Leigh