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Let's talk about what Development Executives want to see.
The system industry execs have redesigned to help accept and review a greater number of scripts, has a more objective method to the madness in place for what they want your script and presentation to reveal.
Don’t get me wrong, you still need a polished script and Presentation, but it’s how they want the Presentation prepared and the Script written and formatted that is some next level stuff.
New rule, your script is NOT the first document a DE will read. Your Development Presentation (DP) is the first document they will review.
If your Presentation is compelling enough to capture their attention the next step is to review the first 10 pages of your script (sometimes the first 1-2 pages.)
If page one or two, does not reveal what they want identified, chances are they will not spend an hour reading it, least of all sending it to committee.
When a script is submitted to a film, streaming, or broadcast company, Development Executives will want to review the following information.
Answers to the questions below can be found by clicking here.
What is a Development Presentation (DP)
Why is the Development Presentation (DP) read before reading your script?
How is it different from a pitch deck?
What information is in it.
Script: The first 10 pages of your script are critical.
The first 10 pages of your script must reveal key entertainment and writing standards a DE will want identified.
Why will the first 10 pages of your script determine if your script is sent for a full review or Passed on?
What is a quadrant?
What is HC?
What is CQ?
If you have questions, please email us.
Sonia, BSI Films
What's Included In A Development Presentation
Need help? Click here for information about our services.
Click here to view a sample Development Presentation package.
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Script Polish is not included.
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Budget: Top sheet budget - created by line producer familiar with cost that are specific to production and budget needs of who it will be submitted to.
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Executive One Sheet - Includes a summary that highlights information regarding the entertainment and business components of your project.
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Pitching/Submitting Your Script - For Independents wanting to submit their scripts to investors, streaming, studios, cable and broadcast companies, our executive team has the ability to present projects that meet standards and guidelines set by each individual film, streaming, cable, and broadcast companies. To ensure projects meet those standards, we only submit scripts developed by our team.
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Support information that highlights the entertainment and business value of your project, i.e., talent, director attached, books with a following, YouTube channel with clips or shorts of your project, social media following, etc.
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Concept Video: Not included. However, it is a great substitute and highly recommended if you do not have signed talent attached to your project.
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Script Analysis Report is not included in this package, but highly recommended if you don't plan to get a script polish.
Funding - Syd Shaffer and his hedge fund group raises funding for major studios and independents. Click here for his Q&A regarding funding films and negotiating production deals.
Below are key factors industry executives look for in how your script is formatted.
* Research has shown there is an extremely short amount of time a film or series has to grab, hold, and maintain the attention of an audience. That’s why films and series need to excite and grab the attention of the audience within the first 2 pages (first 2-3 mins).
What industry executives are looking for in the first 10 pages of your script.
*High Concept: What is the hook that makes the audience want to keep watching? (a.) example: think Law & Order or any genre that has some type of action happen in the first page.
* What is the CQ (Central Question of the story.) The script begins with an action, that creates the central question "who, what, or why." (a.) example: scene opens with an Amour Car being robbed, but only a box was taken (why.)
* What Quadrant Level is the script? ** Quadrant is defined as what demographic does it appeal to? - A movie that appeals to all four major demographics both male and female, and both over and under the age of 25 (is a level 4.)
Sophie, Producer / BSI Films
Our Process For Submitting to Streaming, Film, Cable, and
Broadcast Companies
Need help? Click here for information about our services.
The first step is to develop your project so that it meets the creative, production, and business needs of the company you're submitting. Starting with your Development Presentation and writing of your script.
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Once the companies have been identified for submitting your script to, information is sent to their legal office for approval prior to being sent to their Development Executive (DE.)
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They will notify us once the information has been cleared and submitted to their Development Executive.
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"Call Sheets" are
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Definition of a Call Sheet: This is a notification streaming and film companies send out daily and/or weekly to industry executives on their call list. It lets them know what genre(s) they're interested in accepting for review on that given day or week.
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Although there has not been a "Call" for genres of scripts like yours, this process will continue for the next 9 months.
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In addition to receiving the above "Call Sheet," we also review the contacts we have at other streaming, cable, and broadcast companies to confirm the current status for accepting genres your script falls under.
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We also have contacts with major international film and broadcast companies that we will review and determine if a genre like yours meets their needs.
Note: Short version of how the industry process works for accepting and reviewing scripts.
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Streaming, film studios, cable, and broadcast companies have complete control over who they accept scripts from, what projects they will accept, and when or if a project will be reviewed.
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All projects submitted by new or well-known producers go through that particular company's process, for review and evaluation. And yes, even well-known producers get rejected.
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All companies do not produce all types of genres. Therefore, your project will not be submitted to all companies
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All companies also make rules for the type of content they will accept for review or reject.
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If a project is "Passed" on, that company in most cases will not contact us. They only contact producers if they're interested in the content.
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We will submit a project to multiple companies if the script meets the needs of other companies.
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Submitting a script can take 1-2 weeks. All projects must first be cleared by their legal department to ensure they infringing on any copyrights and/or licensing laws.
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If a project is "Passed" on, it does not mean the script does not have entertainment value. Most times, it means they don't have a need for it that time. In some cases, it may be sent to their inventory.
