The beauty of writing a screenplay is all I need is paper and pen (or computer). A very true statement.
But, once the screenplay is written… I need $$.
$$ I have to register and copyright the screenplay. Some screenwriters tell me that it doesn’t cost much but “much” depends on your income bracket. Right? $22 to one person is pocket change. $22 to another is a couple of meals for the family.
$$ Query letter costs. Postage. Paper. Return envelopes. It adds up.
$$ Contests. I’m told that to get noticed I should win contests. But, to win a contest I have to enter it. And those entry fees aren’t cheap. And, yes, someone will win but what are the odds that it’s going to be me?
In my opinion, I must register my work. That’s an expense I can’t get around. Gotta protect my baby from people who want my baby!
As far as querying, I haven’t decided if there is a difference between sending a letter in the mail or sending an email. One costs $$, the other does not. But, since I always get the same response … NO RESPONSE … I can’t say if one way of querying is better than another way of querying. For now, I’m sticking to querying by email.
Contests? I’ve struggled with the subject of contests since I finished my first screenplay. Since money is tight in my house, I really have to question if contests help or not. I have received honorable mentions in contests that I have entered but I have not won any yet. The honorable mentions got me a mention on a few web sites but that’s it. No one asked to read my screenplay.
The odds that I will win a contest… very slim. But, someone has to win so I might as well enter. Right? But who really wins? The contest rakes in the money and I get nothing. Does the winner get their screenplay made into a film? Sometimes. Not often. Winning a contest is no guarantee.
Which is why I prefer contests that give you something in return for your money. Even if it’s only a few lines of “review”, at least it’s something.
Screenplay Contests … Think of them as an industry, use them wisely. And, except for a few exceptions, the contests are in business to make $$. Remember that!
And then there’s another cost of screenwriting.
Time.
Boy, does it take a lot of time!
