Day 3 Assignments

[Robert Smith]

BOB SMITH’S MARKETING CAMPAIGN

What I learned doing this assignment is…?

The importance of thinking in terms of concrete goals and the tactics that can reach it.

CAMPAIGN STATEMENT: To sell a script to a producer.

STRATEGIES: To secure support from A-List Actors and producers.

LIST OF TACTICS

Organize and present one or two staged readings of my unproduced screenplay w/a director. This gives an “audience test” for the script and is an opportunity to invite producers, directors, investors.

Attend conferences about Direction and Production.

Enter script contests to build credibility for the scrip.

Script-blaster.

Query letters to producers.

Follow up on producers, I have met.

[Julia Keefer]

Campaign: A systematic course of aggressive activities for
some special purpose. A combination of strategies
and tactics working together for the overall
purpose. I am launching a campaign to publish three novels as a trilogy with adaptations to the screen and audio books for the literary global market. I tried to write pure genre, but my project is a dramedy with fantasy and horror elements. However, if a producer wants to option one of my novels and cut out a thriller thread, I will succumb for the right price.

Strategy: A plan or a series of tactics to accomplish a
specific goal. I must get a NYC literary agent as soon as I finish the submission drafts of the novels. I have excellent first drafts. Ideally, I would like Penguin Random House Doubleday Knopf because I worked in publicity for Penguin and was published in three Doubleday anthologies. They have the global reach and film contacts for adaptations. If this works, I will perfect screenplays of the first two novels and maybe even revive three screenplays I wrote in the eighties. My last big novel in 2006 sold well in France and the Middle East but my trilogy is from1998 to 2040 in Manhattan, New Paltz, and the Hudson Valley so I need New York publishers, producers, and stars.

Tactic: An action taken to accomplish a goal. Mass mailings never worked for me so I must contact agents with referrals. I will comp an editor friend into my Equinox classes. There are probably only a few NYC agents who would want to do this project and I must find them. Although I am published many times, I never had an agent and I need one now. I cannot compete with the Hollywood market but as I teach fitness, I will be open to meeting NYC producers and celebrities. In the past I trained the president of Stigwood group, Olivia Newton John, Diane Keaton, Woody Allen (he bought the gym I showed him in the Hamptons), other stars, and I was in A Bronx Tale with De Niro and ran into him in New Paltz. I used to run into Seinfeld and Madonna at the Reebok Club and Matt Damon in New Paltz. I got my first screenplay to Brooke Shields, Michael Jackson, and Baryshnikov in the eighties, but it was deemed too offbeat. It is dangerous to pitch screenplays to your patients for fitness and it backfired in the past sometimes. I need to find more contemporary NYC producers and stars, but nothing can be pitched until my book deal is made. I will work on the literary query letter.

The best that could happen: I get Penguin Random House Doubleday Knopf, at least two films are made and one audiobook, and my reputation allows me to revive screenplays I wrote in the past with a new comic twist.

The worst that could happen: I get rejected by all the agents and the
top publishers. In that case, self-publishing is better than a small literary
press that goes out of print. I have done it before. Then I would have to pitch
screenplays to local producers. My trilogy must be published at all costs. I don’t
have time to write new screenplays on spec or to spend hours hustling
Hollywood. I must be realistic about my dire financial situation but never be
desperate when I am pitching. One of my themes is the similarity between the
rich and poor of Manhattan so I move from soup lines with the homeless to
luxury Equinox clubs and upscale cultural events. Unlike Emma, I started rich,
dated princes and millionaires, and after years of being a useless intellectual
I fell into poverty in old age. But I must not chat about myself because I am
the writer, not the star. I almost got a deal years ago, but I told them I
wanted to star in my screenplay, not Sally Field. I was offered a “story by” if
I would give my screenplay about a rape on an AIDS wards to Erich Segal to turn
it into an eighties love story but I stupidly said no. Going forward, I will be
more flexible once my novels are published.

[Michelle Damis]

Michelle Damis’s Marketing Campaign

Campaign Statement: I will be simultaneously trying to sell my script and work on self-funding/producing. Whichever one happens first.

Main Strategies: Making a list of everyone I have worked with and or met. Create a “sell” list, and a “produce with me” list.

-List of Directors I’ve worked with

-List of Actors

-List of who represents actors look for connection to get represented.

-List of Producers

-List of possible investors and other funding.

-List of writers I’ve worked with/know reach out about their representation-get a referral when possible.

What I learned doing this project is that I have lots of personal resources and need to get organized so I can be more effective.

[Jodi Harrison]

Jodi’s Marketing Campaign – Day 3

It takes some thought, tactics and strategies to build a campaign. Stick by it. Do at least one thing each day from your campaign, if it’s not working, shake it up a bit, there are plenty more ideas in this assignment to mix around and try.

1. My main goal in my overall Campaign is:

To secure the sell of my script and to find a Manager.

2. Make a list of your main strategies:

I’d get script coverage first to make sure it’s industry ready.

Target small Producers that have connections with large producers.

Target Managers

I can recirculate my short that I wrote, directed and produced for festivals.

3. Make a list of tactics that fit your strategies and campaign:

To contact via query letters listed Producers with similar films through Wikipedia, imdb, et al

Same track and contact for my top Actress picks (the Producers that worked with them)

Use blasting services for Managers, but mostly Producers

Submit to posts for open writing gigs that are looking for elements like my script from sites like ISA

Respond to Craig’s list for writing gigs to network

When/If in LA: I’ll attend an industry event again. WGA events used to be amazing. Producers gave of their time on a one on one before the events got too big with too many attendees.

When/If in LA: if ScreenwritingU has a Hollywood event, I would be most interested in attending these.

When/If in LA: Volunteering at events is a very good idea to meet industry people-Maybe AFM in November.

I’ll enter the top contests. Or the ones that are supposed to give traction.

I’d find Producers on LinkedIn in the genre and specific target that I need

I have saved contact names, political groups, and reproductive groups that I will also reach out to.

I want the reproductive groups to read the script.

I’d consider a pitchfest

Maybe eventually use ImdbPro (it’s expensive, so I’ll try other options first)

Maybe down the line:

Creating a teaser video or sizzle reel is a good idea for youtube etc, but costly

The graphic novel for the pitch is also a good idea

[Claudia Wolfkind]

Hi Hal, Cheryl and my awesome fellow Pro-Series 80 members. I apologize for being gone so long, I won’t hurt your eyes with writing all that’s happened, I’m just here to state that I am taking up the mantle again and moving forward. As I’ve missed so much, I’m basically starting over (truncating for the lessons completed but going over every single lesson and what work completed to make sure that I did, in fact, learn what I needed to learn – to truly honor this wonderful program I even just re-listened to the opening teleconference and I am so glad I did. I’m excited to be back, wishing I was marketing my script… but, I need to write it first! 😉 I’m grateful that I get to put my nose to the grindstone, I hope to see you all in the Alumni group as soon as I can catch up!

[Amy Falkofske]

Amy’s Marketing Campaign

What I learned doing this assignment is some strategies and tactics I can use to get my movie made and move my career forward after my script is ready.

Campaign statement: Get my movie made with a small indie producer, or get a writing assignment with the Hallmark Channel or a similar channel like GAC Family or Lifetime or UP.

Main strategies:

1. Write the story as a book, get it published, and then return to

Hollywood with a script.

2. Submit to every producer connected with Lacy Chabert.

Tactics:

1. Enter contests.

2. Attend ScreenwritingU events and meet producers.

3. Send query letters.

4. Pitch my movie on Virtual Pitchfest.

5. Send a query letter to the producer I’m connect to on LinkedIn who has produced movies similar to mine.

[Pablo Soriano]

Pablo’s Marketing Strategy

What I learned: My big break is not going to just fall on my lap. I have to put myself out there.

I basically copied all these ideas from the exercise. I found these suggestions to be super helpful.

Campaign: Sell screenplays to the Studios.

Strategy 1: Target small producers with connections to Studios.

Bring in High Concept screenplays only.

Write a graphic novel, get it published.

Create a screenwriter blog to promote your writing.

Tactics:

– Call producers and pitch your script.

– Send query letters.

– Attend industry events.

– Enter contests.

– Ask everyone you know to read the script.

– Build a network on Linkedin.

– Build a network on Twitter.

– Build a network on Linkedin.

– Build a network on Facebook.

– List your script in InkTip.com.

– Attend Pitch Fests, pitching your script.

– Create a YouTube video.

– Create a graphic novel of your script.

– Create a website for your screenwriting.

– Respond to Craigslist ads for screenwriters.

– Approach managers for potential representation.

– Pitch your projects at Pitch fests.

[John Budinscak]

Budinscak Marketing Campaign

Day 3

What I learned doing this assignment:

o One of the key strengths to the ProSeries is an instruction manual on how to open your own doors.

o Another key of the ProSeries is its phenomenal network, the success and the opportunity to become part of it.

o Being from out of state, I appreciate Hal setting up a solid campaign I can duplicate. Thank you!

o I’m excited about finishing the script, developing a sound campaign and getting it started.

I reside in Florida and have no restrictions to travel at all. I can be wherever I’m needed in a short amount of time. But being from out of town, my goal is to sell a script.

Campaign: Sell a script from outside L.A.

Strategies:

Use mass-market vehicles every month until you have a deal.

Finish other projects to have additional completed scripts.

Develop a targeted campaign for road trip movies, especially the coming of age.

Tactics:

Query Letter blast on ScriptBlaster.com

Enter contests to create credibility.

InkTip.com listing in quarterly publication and on their site.

List your logline on every logline site.

Participate in Pitchfests.

Attend conferences close to home.

Build an amazing network on Social Network sites.

Receive a “Recommend” from a script consultant

Upgrade and update my social media presence which totals 1 site – Linkedin.

Build a strong network – offer assistance before asking for assistance.

[Emmanuel Sullivan]

Emmanuel’s Marketing Campaign

What I learned from this assignment is a marketing campaign can take on various forms depending on your genre, screenwriting experience, location and network. In all the campaign must be carefully planned.

[Rob Bertrand]

Rob Bertrand’s Marketing Campaign

What I learned: I learned the value of having a great marketing campaign and the importance of planning it thoroughly.

Campaign Statement: To connect with a manager in the horror/thriller niche and sell my first screenplay.

Main Strategies: Use industry screen coverage websites like WeScreenplay and hone my scripts until they are perfect. Upload to InkTip and The Blacklist. Send Query Letters to producers of motion pictures in the same category as my own. Send Query Letters to Managers.

Tactics: I plan to enter as many contests I can. Use the success of my DB Cooper Screenplay, which has won 5 awards over the last year, to springboard to bigger success.

[Elizabeth Koenig]

Elizabeth’s Marketing (and ongoing script development) Campaign

What I learned: Great idea to be thinking ahead. It will not only help once I have competed scripts, but it inspires me to COMPLETE scripts.

Development and Marketing Campaign Statement: Complete and elevate—then market my 6 (comedy/profound) scripts, all currently partially developed—beginning when 1-2 are completed.

Main Strategies:

Complete: finish current script. Then my second most developed.

Daily produced screenplay reading

Daily skill building/review (from Hal’s various classes’ notes and Trottier’s text)

Elevate: work with new critique group; consult prior mentor David Trottier and/or Chris Soth—or others once scripts complete; Hal’s Professional Rewrite and Get Your Script to Power Players

Market—as projects become sellable, increasingly develop market strategies with tactic ideas below

Tactics list:

· Clarify and build brand

· Begin blog posts and/or podcast for marriage book content (in current development with my fellow psychiatrist husband) and otherwise build following for psychiatric self help work – use to promote screenplays

· Consider if/when to develop documentary on first endemic COVID in Washington state with personal connections (Michael Osterholm, Anthony Fauci, local medical providers/public health and personal experience)

· What Freud Forgot: utilize Rainn Wilson connection to see if Steve Carell might read 10 pages

· With Standard Model of Perfect, consider finishing this YA novel simultaneously with the screenplay

· Specifically finish the (yet untitled) project my son’s producer friend (Scott Budnic) and I share a deep passion for (recidivism prevention/rehabilitation/mental health care)– then ask him to read 10 pages

· Consider starting a Producers Group geared toward improving psychiatric/psychological understanding – if that would even be a ‘thing’ ?

· Daily script writing

· Daily produced script reading

· Daily ongoing learning (comedy; subtext; dialogue, formatting)

· Weekly critique group work

· Continue to develop and better understand overall marketing with Hal’s Marketing class

· Improve understanding of low/medium budget, etc.—how to understand where my scripts “fit.” Sources include: Stage 32, Industrial Script resources, those from ProSeries Marketing lessons

· Identify appropriate budget, genre, etc directors/producers for each project

· Send query letters to these directors, producers, actors as appropriate

· Six-degrees-of-separation networking (which is, I feel like I have heard this from Hal before?)

· Join industry groups? Need to learn more about this.

· Volunteer at industry events? Learn how!

· Follow producers, directors on Twitter

· Do Toastmasters with Hal and work on pitching skills – then attend Pitch Fests

· Enter contests

· Attend conference on directing /producing be better understand these aspects of film production.

Print this list—I almost forgot!