Because of the high volume of scripts production companies receive, many only accept submissions through agents and/or managers. If you don't yet have one of your own, check out our rundown of agents who represent playwrights and/or screenwriters.

Can I send my script to a production company?

It's really as simple as getting the production companies address, email, phone number, or fax number and pitching your script idea to them. Most of the time you're going to be politely turned down or dismissed out of hand but once in a while you will get through and someone will agree to read your screenplay.

What studios accept scripts?

How much do studios pay for scripts?

The typical selling price for a spec script is approximately $110,000. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) sets distinct minimums for various projects, such as brief TV episodes, movie script sales, and high-budget feature films, ensuring that compensation corresponds with the nature and scale of the work.

Do movie studios buy scripts?

Many times, screenplays are bought and never see the light of day. Companies, studios, and producers buy scripts and screenplays to take them off of the market so others can't make them.

How to Send Movie Scripts to Studios

Who can I sell my script to?

How do I sell my script to a movie company?

Does Netflix accept scripts?

Per the Netflix Help Center: “Netflix only accepts submissions through a licensed literary agent, or from a producer, attorney, manager, or entertainment executive with whom [they] have a preexisting relationship.”Any idea that is submitted by other means is considered an “unsolicited submission.”

Is it hard to sell a script?

And that's no easy task, especially if you're trying to sell your first script. Selling a script takes a lot of hard work, loads of planning, and little luck, but the good news is that people sell scripts every day.

How do I sell my script to lifetime?

By policy and for legality purposes, Lifetime does not accept unsolicited pitches or materials. This is to protect them and you. They only accept pitches and materials from agents, managers, and through referrals from those they have worked with in the past.

How do I get my script noticed?

Querying agents and managers can be a successful way to make connections and get your script read, especially if you don't have any existing industry connections. Querying is essentially like cold calling: you're asking agents and managers to read your script in the hope they may represent you.

How do I get a studio to pick up my script?

Does HBO accept unsolicited scripts?

We do not accept submissions directly — all submissions to HBO must come through an agent.

Can you submit scripts to A24?

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A24, and its affiliated and related entities, do not accept, review or consider submissions of any unsolicited materials, including, without limitation, ideas, concepts, suggestions, articles, pitch documents, treatments, scripts, etc.

Does Warner Bros accept scripts?

Yes. How many scripts can I submit? Up to two.

Does Amazon accept scripts?

Amazon Studios used to have a portal that allowed writers to submit unsolicited scripts, but unfortunately, it was shut down in 2018. To get your script to Amazon Studios, you will have to team up with a literary agent, entertainment attorney, manager, or producer who has a relationship with Amazon.

How much should I charge for a script?

Rates typically charged by screenwriters on Upwork are: Beginner: $30 per hour. Intermediate: $46 per hour. Advanced: $95 per hour.

How much do scripts get sold for?

The average? Around $110,000. There are different WGA minimums for everything, from a 15-minute episode of television, to selling a movie script, to a big budget feature film. Even then, those are divided into different prices.

Do I need an agent to sell a script?

In fact, most working screenwriters sell scripts on spec less often than the past and instead get paid for OWAs, which means “Open Writing Assignment.” That means they're hired liked a freelancer to write an idea the production company already has. Still, yes — you can actually sell a screenplay without an agent.

How much does Amazon pay for scripts?

Amazon Studios' prior policy, until today, stated it had the exclusive right to buy a movie script for $200,000 or TV script for $55,000 from the day it's uploaded up to 45 days out. It can then pay $10,000 to extend that option for 18 months, which it can do up to two times, according to its FAQ.

How do you pitch a script to a studio?

It's crucial that you know your screenplay inside and out. When you pitch your story to the producer, start with your logline and then go through the story in the order it's told. Set the scene, and introduce the main characters, describe the conflict, cover any key plot points, and finally, outline the conclusion.

How much do studios pay for book rights?

The fact is, book authors rarely become wealthy from movie deals. When the screen rights are sold (or when the option is “exercised”), the writer often gets a sum equal to about 2.5 percent of the budget. Keep in mind indie films are only made for a few million dollars.

Are screenwriters in demand?

Streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, and Hulu massively disrupted the entertainment industry and fueled a lasting boom in film and television production. During the 2010s, the number of new shows and films created hit all-time records; and, accordingly, the demand for skilled screenwriters skyrocketed.

Do screenwriters get royalties?

Screenwriters often don't get paid royalties. Screenwriters usually get paid in residuals along with actors, musicians, other writers involved, producers, and managers. The two kinds of residuals include fixed and variable. In a way, this is a more stable form of income than earning royalties.

How much is a movie script worth?

Unlike books, however, those screenplays that do sell, tend to sell for a lot. Though the WGA minimum is in the $130,000 range, the typical selling price for a spec script (a screenplay written on speculation, with no committed buyer) hovers in the neighborhood of $300-$600,000, plus bonuses.