If you have a completed TV Christmas romance written, you will want to sell it. Here are some steps to get it sold!
PHOTO: Christmas cheer via WIX
It's that time of year when the holiday writing classes are in full force as Hallmark's Countdown to Christmas starts in just over a week, and many of us write TV holiday movies because we love them so much.
So, now that yours is finished, how will you sell it?
Today, I am going to share things that I have learned over the last few years in this space with other writers, producers, actors, directors, and writing mentors for TV holiday movies and executives at the studios that produce them every year.
NUMBER ONE--THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS---
THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO SELL YOUR SCRIPT!!
Yes, it's true. Your writing bestie may have sold hers directly to a studio, or optioned a friend's bestselling novel, or had a producer connection, or won a contest--but you may do it a different way--and that's okay, in fact, it's the way of things here in Hollywoodland.
Everyone's road to success, fame, or what we working screenwriters call, PAYCHECKS, is different.
Let me repeat for those who may have been checking a text or distracted by whatever---EVERYONE'S PATH is DIFFERENT.
There is NOT RIGHT WAY to do this.
Please don't compare yourself with your peers. It will only make you completely insane with worry, dread, fear & loathing-as those two go together, and the idea that you suck if you haven't sold your script yet.
This is most likely not the case. It could be; see my earlier blogs on why HOLIDAY SCRIPTS ARE PASSED ON HERE
Let's assume for the purpose of this blog that you have written the most original yet the same, unique yet the same, romantic, perfect TV holiday movie that is the right number of pages, acts, and has everything they are looking for, including being able to make it within budget---it's done and taking up free rent on your laptop, desktop or tablet.
You want it out there in the world but have no idea how to do that.
Here are some ways.
NOTE: these are ways that I have heard work and also have had luck with, and lastly, MY OPINIONS on how to do it--reading this blog does NOT guarantee that you will sell your work. It's advice only.
AFTER YOU HAVE YOUR PITCH READY-subscribe, I will have a new blog on pitching soon!
PRODUCERS-you can contact many TV holiday movie producers yourself. It's a little scary, but you can find them either by searching them via IMDB or Google, or you may meet them in a class or pitching situation. You will submit right to them, and they could buy it and then, yay, produced script.
DIRECTORS-pretty is much the same as above, but sometimes they are harder to contact.
AGENT/MANAGER-if you have an agent or manager or both, they may submit you.
You don't need either for TV holiday scripts, so if you don't have one, don't worry.
STUDIO EXECUTIVES-some studios do not want scripts already attached to actors, directors, or producers. Getting an in with one of these elusive creatures may seem impossible, but it's not. Usually, you can do this via referrals, your agent, a class or workshop they attend, and or via a little luck and persistence.
This may all seem daunting and scary. Wouldn't it be great if when your script is done that it magically sells? Those who teach classes on this always advertise that all you need to do is write a script--it should be so easy, but it's not, but it is at the same time.
Pro tips to ensure your script has the best chances of finding a home on television or streaming and feeding your piggy bank.
IT'S READY-have it read by a professional in the industry, take the notes and revise it. Workshop it in classes, send to your critique group. Do your best to eliminate typos and rookie mistakes on formatting. In other words, no first drafts that you flung out in a week because holiday movies are easy to write. It's deceptive that it's super easy.
KNOW THE GENRE—If you don't watch, love, and appreciate these films all the time, why are you writing one? Honestly, I can't tell you how many of my writing colleagues, friends, and clients tell me that they hate these films, yet they are writing them. Please don't.
FOLLOW THE CORRECT STRUCTURE for who and where you are submitting it. If it's for television make sure the act breaks are in there, if it's for streaming that's not as important. Producers and directors may or may not want act breaks; it's impossible to know until you do your research.
PAGE COUNT-everyone has a different opinion on this. Some places want 85-95 pages, others want 105 pages. Know who you are sending it to and what they want.
and lastly....
The only thing in this business that is constant is CHANGE. What was popular last year may not be what's popular now. What one director wants may not be the same as an executive. One executive could want 95 pages, and another at the same place wants 102--ask me how I know this. LOL Understand that this is a BUSINESS and if something isn't making money, they will change it. Do your best to get the most up to date information on what studios want, what they are looking for, and what's working.
PHOTO: Wix media-Christmas
I hope this blog was helpful to you. Please like, share, and tag me @stephobourbon on FB, Instagram, Threads, X, and TikTok
Happy holiday writing!!!
XOXO
Steph
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