Hollywood Etiquette Part I: Are you Making this Simple (but harmful) Mistake?

Getting your material read is one of the biggest challenges for a screenwriter. You can work and re-work a script for months (sometimes years) and when it’s finally finished you’re eager to get it into the hands of the “right people” so it can be read, sold, and your career can be propelled to new heights! 

I get it. But take a beat before you just start sending your script out to anyone and everyone. The “right people” are not going to want to help you or work with you if you annoy them or encroach on their privacy (no matter how great your script is).

So many people on LinkedIn and Facebook send me their scripts and films without knowing me and without me asking for them. Don’t get me wrong, success in Hollywood has a lot to do with tenacity, grit, determination and doing what you need to do to get your foot in the door. But it’s not a free for all. Certain ‘unwritten rules’ of Hollywood Etiquette still exist and if you want to be remembered in the right way, I hope you’ll follow them. 

Here are 4 reasons why NOT to send your script (film, sizzle reel, or trailer) to someone over Social Media or LinkedIn:

1. It’s a Newbie Move.

When you finally put your work out in the world you want to be seen as a talented professional that people would be confident hiring, or referring to their friends and colleagues. When you send your script out to someone who didn’t ask to read it, and who you don’t have a relationship with (no, being “friends” on Facebook does not count as a real relationship) it shows a certain lack of experience. The ‘knee-jerk’ action of shooting your script out to people over social media also shows a certain level of desperation that is synonymous with “newbie” (and/or struggling) writer. Coming across as desperate and green is definitely not the first impression you want to make on a Hollywood professional.

2. Time is Precious, Respect That.

Reading a script (even watching a short film) takes time. When you send out your material you’re asking someone you don’t know to take 15 minutes to 2 hours to review your work. Busy professionals don’t have that kind of time. Most execs in Hollywood can barely find time to answer the emails in their inbox or eat a proper lunch, so asking them to give a huge chunk of their day to review your material is a very big ask. How would you feel if I reached out, out of the blue, and asked you to spend 2 hours of your time doing something for me - a person you don’t know and have no relationship with? Respect people’s time, the way you would want them to respect yours.

3. You could be sued.

The phrase ‘does not accept unsolicited material’ can be the most infuriating thing for a writer to deal with. Especially when you have material that you know aligns with that company or individual. But the phrase isn’t just something execs made up to keep the ‘riff raff’ out. It can have some serious legal consequences. Most major movies that turn a profit end up with a lawsuit against it by some amateur writer who sent in an unsolicited submission (and for the record, the few that take it to court never win). To avoid this possible legal hassle, pros in the business will only read material that is sent through a referral, reputable agent, or with a signed release form. It sounds extreme but it’s necessary: If someone has stated explicitly that they don’t accept unsolicited material, and just happen to let your script be the one exception, they could end up being in some serious legal hot water. 

4. It’s Annoying.

All of the above reasoning aside, on a base level receiving a script from someone over Social Media or LinkedIn is annoying. It comes across as rude, and is asking too much. This doesn’t mean I don’t want you to succeed, this doesn’t even mean I don’t want to read your work - but it does mean there is a right way to approach it and a wrong way. 

Be sure to check out next week's blog, “Hollywood Etiquette Part II: Four Ways to Get Your Script Read Without Annoying People”.

What are your top tips for getting your script read while remaining professional? Let me know @CaroleKirsch!