An introduction to the commissioning process for screenplays

1. Screenwriting
Commissioning

2. What next?
You’ve written an awesome, kick ass script. Your
characters are well developed, the plot points are original
but believable & your ending still brings a tear to your
eye….
BUT WHAT NOW?

3. What next?
It’s not enough to write a great script, you’ve got to
understand the part of the industry that is powered by
great screenwriting.
Welcome to
THE WRITERS ROOM

4. There’s no i in Team
Like every part of working in the TV & film industry, getting a
screenplay to the screen is a collaborative process.
Many talented staff work tirelessly to get a script sold:
1) Agent (& their assistant)
2) Script Reader
3) Script Editor
4) Development executive

5. The Agent
They will take care of the business end of screenwriting.
They will find you work. Getting paid is priority 1, after all.
http://www.wma.com/
http://www.caatouring.com/

6. The Reader
The script reader is given the completed script to evaluate
if it should be commissioned. They will analyse it for
strengths and weaknesses, and provide a report to the
development executive.
Their opinion is crucial.

7. The Editor
The script editor offers a critical perspective on the
screenplay as it is written and rewritten. They will analyse
the screenplay and provide feedback to the writer on what
works and what doesn’t.

8. There are 2 ways to get a
script to screen.
1) Write an unsolicited script (ie/ no-one asked you to
write and no-ones paying to write it.)
2) Get commissioned by a producer / production
company to write a script.

9. An Unsolicited Script
Things to do:
- Write screenplay to final draft (unpaid)
- Get someone at a literary / script agency to read your unsolicited
script
- Get a script agent to represent your script
- Sell your script to the right buyer
Its harder than it seems. What problems might you encounter?
What benefits might there be when compared to commissioning?

10. Commissioning
The other route to screenplay success is to get commissioned.
To be commissioned you need to get hired by a producer or
production company.
To do this you’ll still need to be “discovered” and represented by an
agent.
How do you get discovered?

11. Competitions
http://www.oscars.org/awards/nicholl/index.html (once a
year)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/send-a-script/ (three
times a year)
Beware!
There are many competitions that you have to pay to
enter.
These come with a big WARNING label stamped firmly
across them.

12. Commissioning
Every broadcaster has their own
commissioning guidelines for writers.
Normally its who you (or your agent) know that
gets you in, however some production
companies (such as the BBC) do accept
unsolicited scripts at set intervals in the
year.

13. The 1st ten pages
Once you’ve submitted your script you come to the 1st hurdle: the first
ten pages.
Within the first ten pages the script reader will know if they have a
professional screenplay on their hands. Have you set the story up
in the first ten pages? Are the main characters, setting and
locations established? Are the stories themes there? Is the script
formatted correctly? Is it spell checked? Is the writing exciting &
engaging?
Yes – The reader will put your screenplay forward for the next stage,
where someone will read the whole screenplay (unless they get
bored…)
No – Hello waste paper bin.

14. The reader
If the reader makes it all the way through your script and
decides its something that the company wants to make
then it will be passed to a development executive and
you will be invited to a meeting to discuss the script and
its development.

15. Rewrites
Now begins the hardest part for many writers. You have given
birth to the perfect script. You have nurtured and grown your
fable about corruption in the 16th century Papal city. Your
main protagonist, the tortured priest Archibald Von Persie, is
uncovering a scandal that reaches to the heart of the
Vatican.
“Hmmm. There’s not enough action. Can we get more guns?
Should we move the setting to New York in the 80’s. And
make Archie an ex cop who goes undercover as a priest.
And where’s the love interest? You know who’d be great for
this: Megan Fox.”

16. Links
http://www.creativeskillset.org/film/jobs/script/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/
http://www.sydfield.com/