Scripts I want to read

It occurred to me a few days ago that, while I read a ton of scripts, I may not be reading the scripts that will best teach me how to get noticed in Hollywood. Sure, reading classics and works of the greatest screenwriters out there today are great ways to improve at the craft of writing screenplays, but these scripts were written by some at the height of their careers. What about reading those scripts that got an unknown noticed? What was it about those early works that caught a reader's eye and sent the script up the chain to be purchased and developed?

I took the question to one of my best Twitter partners-in-crime, @tracinell, who started getting the feelers out there to our online screenwriting community. It's been an interesting few days. Two scripts came up immediately, Juno by Diablo Cody, and Little Miss Sunshine by Michael Arndt. Beyond those two, I then pulled up the analysis of spec sales in 2009 by Scott Myers from Go Into the Story. For 2009, Scott had listed 67 sold scripts. I looked up each of the screenwriters listed to see how many of those were first time sales for the writer. The time-consuming task between the list and IMDbPro was an eye-opener. Here are my rough observations:

• By my loose criteria, maybe 11 of these scripts were from first time, unconnected writers. 
• Many of the scripts purchased were written by teams. While one may be a newcomer, the other was generally well connected which eliminated them from my list. 
• That's about 17% of sales.
• Many of the sold scripts were topping that year's Black List.
• Once someone sold ONE script, several others followed quickly. This is important. Have an arsenal of material. When you're hot, you're hot.
• Finding those first scripts to read isn't an easy task. Even back from 2009 sales, many of those films are still in development or in production making those scripts scarce.

I'll get to later years' analyses, but for now I'm letting 2009 sink it. Not the greatest news for unconnected writers but it's also encouraging: It does happen. Now it's just a matter of working on the craft to up those odds.

TWS

Best Books about Screenwriting and TV Writing

Whether you are a beginning screenwriter or have been honing your skills during the past decade, you are most likely always ready to read the best books on screenwriting. Sometimes, it's for inspiration, other times for motivation to stick to the craft despite the years of tenacious efforts seeking the first break into the business.

I have compiled a bibliography of the best screenwriting books I know about and use, and have made the list available on my Web site, AcademicBib.com. There are books on screenwriting and books on TV writing, each with a link to Amazon so you can get some information about the piece, read reviews and see if it's a book that interests you.

AcademicBib.com is a work in progress, so navigating the site is still a bit rough. However, using the links directly to the books on screenwriting and TV writing should make the search easier. Missing a book you're looking for? Let me know! You can post here in a blog comment or email the information to TheWriteScript@Yahoo.com.

Happy reading and, better yet, happy writing!
TWS

#Drinks4Doll -- It's a Party!

If you've spent much time at all with the Twitter screenwriting community, you've come across @DerisiveDoll.  If you've followed Doll's posts in the past few months then you know she's about to move 3000 miles across the country to re-start her life in Los Angeles and pursue the dream we all have of breaking into the business as a professional screenwriter.

We want to help get Doll's journey off to a great start by having a huge going away Twitter party so that our #Scriptchat community and #LoglineFriday faithful can spend some time offering support and best wishes to Doll before she hits the road. 

• Date:  Sunday, March 20, 2011 
• Time:  Immediately following U.S. #Scriptchat (6 p.m. Pacific, 8 p.m. Central and 9 p.m. Eastern)
• Virtual Party Location:  Go to Tweetchat.com and enter the hashtag: #Drinks4Doll. 
• Theme: Surf's Up! Relax in your favorite beachwear.

We have games planned and prizes to give away, so don't be late and don't be shy.  Also, if you'd like to help us get Doll outrageously drunk during the party, please considering "buying" her a drink by clicking: #Drinks4Doll and making PayPal donation. If you don't want to condone drinking, then think of it as a few dollars for gas or a latte. It doesn't have to be much and you don't have to donate to attend, just show up at #Drinks4Doll and party with us.

See you next Sunday at #Drinks4Doll and please help us spread the word on Twitter!

Thanks,
@TheWriteScript and @Tracinell