Screenwriting : Querying! by Rachel Troche

Hi, Rachel Troche. I've had the most success (script requests, sold short scripts, a shopping agreement, jobs, and making connections) by networking on Stage 32. I suggest checking out this blog: www.stage32.com/blog/the-importance-of-community-and-collaboration-in-th...

I've also had success by sending email query letters. Stage 32 has a webinar called "How To Write A Query Letter That Gets You Past The Gatekeepers" (www.stage32.com/education/products/how-to-write-a-query-letter-that-gets...).

And here's a post I made with query letter tips: www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/Tips-for-Writing-an-Email-Query-Letter

I knew I could count on you for great advice Maurice Vaughan ! thanks so much for those resources!

You're welcome, Rachel Troche. I hope you sell your script!

Hi Rachel Troche, congratulations on finishing your script!

I also suggest not discarding screenwriting competition in advance: being listed as an official entry, or semifinals or finalist can help your script to appear more solid and attractive to an agent or production company.

Thanks Chiara! I've entered 3 so far and should hear back from one early next week

Great! I wish you good luck Rachel Troche

Rachel Trocheongrats! A lot of people say to skip contests, but I think they're valuable if you select the right ones. I think the Nicholl, PAGE, and Austin Film contests are worthwhile because they're very respected. There are others, but just do your research. There are a lot of worthless ones too.

I'm fighting a bit of imposter syndrome currently, but I submitted a work to PAGE. I guess we'll see this summer.

Hi Neil Jaye ! Those were the top 3 on my list, plus Finish Line because they allow for free rewrites and resubmissions and really champion their winners. Already submitted to Finish Line, Page and Austin - curious what submissions will look like for Nicholl this year with everything they've changed. They've been top of my list for years, but this is the fist time I've had any thing good to send them.

Congrats on submitting to Page and best of luck! It is definitely a mind game to press that button. Fingers crossed!

Rachel Troche Great to hear about your finished script. It's truly an exciting moment - that feeling when you're about to take a script to town, balancing both pressure and enthusiasm. There's nothing quite like it.

Your timing brings up an important question many writers face: querying versus contests versus script services. Each path has distinct advantages depending on your current stage and goals. While cold querying has traditionally been challenging (most literary managers or producers don't accept unsolicited material), platforms like Stage 32 can provide direct access to industry decision-makers through structured channels.

Our Writer Development Program takes a unique approach by reverse-engineering the matchmaking process. Rather than mass submissions, we focus on understanding what specific executives are actively seeking, then connecting them with writers whose work aligns with those needs. This targeted approach has proven much more effective than traditional querying for many writers.

If you'd like, I'd suggest emailing us at Success@Stage32.com so our team can provide tailored, curated strategic advice based on your specific script, career goals, and current market conditions. We can help assess which approach - whether pitch sessions, consultations, or contest submissions - might be most strategic for your particular project.

Knowing a script consultant has already vetted your script, it may be valuable to taste the waters, pitch it to a couple of execs that are a fit for your project and see where that leads. You also don't want to overexpose your project to producers as a literary manager may want to take a revised script to these production companies down the line if you sign with a rep.

Looking forward to potentially helping you navigate this exciting next step!

wishing you great success with your feature!!

I don't know of current best practices, although I'm curious because I'm also thinking I'll do some cold querying this year. in the AMA yesterday, Richard strongly encouraged paying for Stage32 connections over cold queries. But I'd love to follow/partner with you in the query trenches!

Jaye Viner I totally get having a warm-ish connection, but I'm not yet sold on the pay-to-play model. Don't get me wrong, I see the value and the appeal, but I'm also not made of money and can't afford to pay to pitch dozens of reps who still may or may not be interested. Cold querying is free, and I run the same risk. The internet is all over the place with how to format a successful query letter, what works, what doesn't, what's acceptable nowadays. I will probably give both a shot, see what sticks - if anything, paying someone from Stage32 will allow me access to ask some of these questions...

Thanks Geoffroy Faugerolas ! That's really helpful to know. My biggest concern is with niche, especially when it comes to the military. it's something you either get because you've been in/surrounded by it or you don't. I had a reader recently who, while their notes were constructive, was terribly unfamiliar with combat PTSD and why re enlisting would be appealing (in truth, this really helped with my rewrite so I'm grateful). I know this is super specific, and maybe I'm looking for a unicorn, but the people I'm hoping to reach are in this niche community (i.e. Amy Adams and Reese Witherspoon both come from military families, David Ayer and Adam Driver both served). Is this something the Writer Development program would be able to help with? just trying to do a cost/benefit analysis...

Congrats and good luck. Hope it turns into a winner for you.

Just my opinion. The most effective way to query is not to query. I got zero contacts through querying, and all my contacts through, what I call, aggressive networking; the one thing all producers say you should NEVER do, it is unpolite and people will remember, and hate you for it -- many have years of experience being humble, so they should know. And don't forget, everybody knows everybody in Holywood.

Focussing on the people in your niche? Absolutely! Research. Research. Research!!

Hoping that somehow you can contact famous actors/actesses to get your project running without you, yourself and... you, spending serious money beforehand -- a pipe dream. You will never get to them directly! Gatekeepers. Gatekeepers Gatekeepers. It's not without reason that everything goes through official channels.

"... being listed as an official entry, or semifinals or finalist can help your script to appear more solid and attractive to an agent or production company." Not! 99,99% it will do nothing! Just a waist of time if you focus on getting an agent, a manager, or you want producers attached to your project; but if a screenplay competition is one if your tools to CHECK if your screreplay us UP TO PAR, that means something. Keeps you sharp, motivated to revise the absolute shit out of your screenplay!!! When you think you're done, you're not even halfway!

Only a few comps MAY get a producer to open up a cold query email - Nicholl, Austin, Sundance. Aim for producers who do military themed movies, not only people sign military background.

Rachel Troche the more niche, the better. Makes you stand out. You have specifics targets. It's much more efficient than spraying the town and 300 executives with the same, bland pitch they've read 200 times. I'd recommend embracing your specialty. Niche can be seem to restrictive. I don't know what you do is too niche. You just know who it is for and/or who could understand your vision. That's what you really want from a producer. Queries have pros and cons. I've helped hundreds of writers query. Some got represented out of it, others got nothing. Hit or miss. The key is having the right intel (who accepts cold queries, making your query feel personal, having a strong pitch etc.) We're going to be launching in the coming weeks an exciting writer development program through Stage 32's Writers' Room where we'll discuss things like querying and writers will have direct access to our team for personal strategizing, career guidance, and advocacy.

First off, huge congrats on getting your script polished and ready to go out into the world - that's no small feat! Your coach gave you solid advice. While competitions can be great for visibility, targeted outreach to producers who genuinely connect with military stories can be way more effective, I take what happened with WARFARE as an example being a current military film that has catapulted the genre to more eyes!

I might be interested. Have you posted it to your profile?