How To Sell a Script – Find a Script Consultant With Connections
Finding yourself a quality script consultant is an essential part of understanding how to sell a script. It can take time, but there are definitely a multitude of benefits to doing so, including potentially selling a screenplay. The one that is most apparent is that you are hoping that they will be able to recommend your script to one of their connections, preferably one who can actually get the thing green-lit and off to the races. But there’s an often-overlooked second category, and sometimes this fact is just as important:
Two script consultants, both of whom can be equally as connected in the industry, might give very, very different feedback on the same exact script.
This is an incredibly important thing to understand, as a consultant might mistakenly tell you to get rid of the very thing that makes your screenplay stand out, the one thing that makes it the most marketable in the first place. The important thing to remember here is that this is largely an art, not a science – the consultant will not always be right in terms of how to sell a script. In cases such as these, it is always advisable to go with your gut instinct, and there is no law against seeking a second opinion in situations like that as well. If the two opinions are divergent, then you will have to ultimately choose what you think is best for both yourself and in terms of selling a screenplay.
As far as choosing a script consultant goes, look at trying to find one that suits your specific needs – many consultants are specialists in one specific thing (character, marketability, etc.) The point is to find someone who works for you and can help you accomplish your specific goals, whether that be how to sell a script or something else related to screenwriting in general. One thing you should definitely do is thoroughly vet your potential script consultant. Here are a couple of questions that you should ask them before procuring their services:
Are they capable of focusing on your specific needs regarding your screenplay?
What exactly do you specialize in?
Are they available for discussions and clarifications regarding their notes and other general questions you may have?
What is their overall process, especially with respect to notes?
A good script consultant is not a proofreader or editor – their job is not to simply point out typos and grammar errors and make corrections accordingly. Their job is to help build your script up by adding insight that comes from years of experience in working in the industry that you do not have – after all, that’s what you’re paying them for, right?