What You Should Know About The Film/Streaming
Industry
This division of BSI Films is a film Production Company and Prime Vendor for major film, streaming, broadcast companies and Independents. We provide script writing, script development and specialty services i.e. submission of scripts and Adaptation services.
Click here: To schedule a call with our executive.
Click here: List of changes studios have made to their script submission process
Click here: Submitting scripts on your own: with or without assistance
Click here: Studios are seeking scripts that extend beyond a single format
Click here: Why The First 10 Pages Of your Script Could Determine If It Is Accepted or Passed on
Click here: Developing and submitting scripts / if assistance is needed
Click here: What happens to your script once submitted to film, streaming, or broadcast studios
Some of the changes studios have made to their
script submission process
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Studios are seeking script packages that extend beyond a single format. Note: scripts alone are still being accepted
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Submitting your script with or without assistance is now a more viable option.
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Multi-platform script packages give writers and studios more than one source to create new content.
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Talent does not have to be attached to your package.
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No longer is it mandatory to know someone in the industry.
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No longer is your script the first or only document that execs will read. Script Presentation
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Streamline Presentation package: Script packages now carry more weight. Before reading a polished script, executives assess a well-structured script package. Click here to view sample.
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What to include in your Script Development Presentations (DP), how does it differ from a pitch deck?
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Script Polish: Structure the writing of your script so that the first 10 pages capture and holds the attention of the studio execs it's sent to.
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Studios are seeking original concepts. Therefore, when submitting your script do not compare it to something they've already seen. Some of the changes studios have made to their script submission process
Submitting your script
with or without assistance is now a more viable option
Studios have made revisions to requirements for submitting a script and setting guidelines for evaluating scripts more objective and is opening additional opportunities writers can take advantage of with or without assistance.
Getting started: Submitting your script with or without assistance is now a more viable option.
Some streaming companies (domestic and foreign studios i.e. Canada, western Europe, Mexico) on a given day may allow for unsolicited scripts to be submitted (restrictions may apply.)
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Having a team member with the ability to submit your script, provide experience developing your script, and understanding the creative, and business side of how studios operate is helpful and allows you to compete with others for deals with studios.
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However, if you don't have a team member with that ability. It's no longer the only option writers have available to reach studio executives and/or bring public attention to your script.
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Film/streaming studios are seeking scripts that extend beyond a single format. Note: scripts alone are still being accepted.
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Development of your script and script package must meet streamlined standards for submitting to studios. This will help with submitting an unsolicited script.
Note: Studios have been told by their legal division that taking unsolicited scripts will make lawyers a lot of money because those scripts open them up to greater exposure for lawsuits. That's why studios don't take unsolicited scripts anymore.
Studios are seeking scripts
that extend beyond a single format
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Click here: For more information, answers to questions about your script, and if assistance is needed.
Now that studios are showing interest in scripts that are also written in more than one format. Writers have the option to show how they're using print and online media to bring attention to their script.
For writers to reach print audiences: Having a book version of your script (Adapting your script to a book) gives the writer and studios more than one resource for creating and producing new content.
Why studios have interest in script to book adaptation.
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The format and structure of a manuscript provides an expanded version of your script storyline, and each character is defined, outlined, and developed. This makes it easier to create new content based on the concept, storyline, and individual characters.
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This is why sequels and spin-offs to your original script are easier to write and produce in a predicable amount of time.
Note: For writers adapting your scripts to a book creates your own business model that provides studios content they are seeking. Simultaneously, gives writers the ability to promote the book version of their script to a domestic and global public audience, that they own and control!
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There's a reason Steven Spielberg, Michael Mann, Kevin Costner, Stephen King, have made adaptation a cornerstone of their promotional strategies for their script. Some of their biggest box office hits were taken from books they wrote.
Writers now have the access to the same resources to adapt their own scripts. It easier than you may think.
Note: For writers adapting your scripts to a book creates their own business model that provides studios content they are seeking.
Simultaneously, it gives writers the ability to promote the book version of their script direct to a domestic and global public audience, that they own and control!
Note: Writers now have the same access and resources to write and/or adapt their own scripts. Click here: It is easier than you may think,
Developing and Submitting Scripts
Studios have revised what's required for submitting scripts and guidelines for content based on objective set of standards.
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List of changes made to how studios accept scripts for review.
For writers: additional opportunities exist for writers submitting scrips to studios due to studios expanding their reach
Having an executive with the ability to submit scripts is still the primary choice.
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But not the only one. Click here to view other options
Streamlining Presentation packages: Before reading a polished script, executives assess a well-structured submission package that highlights potential to meet their creative and business needs.
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Script Polish: Structure the writing of your script so that the first 10 pages capture and holds the attention of the studio execs it's sent to.
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Why is the formatting of first 10 pages critical to a script being accepted or "Passed" on?
Studios are seeking scripts that extend beyond a single format.
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Print: film adaptations, books, YouTube, podcasts, and social media following, all factor into scripts being submitted with or without an agent.
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Digital Content: Public interest matters. If a script has an existing audience—through book adaptations, YouTube clips, or social media followings—this increases its appeal to executives.
Why Are The First 10 Pages Of your Script Critical To Your Script Being
Accepted or "Passed" On Once Approved For Review
Note: Studios are not asking that your script be rewritten, or your storyline be changed.
Instead, they are focused on how the script is formatted starting with the: the beginning, middle, and end.
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Viewing audiences based on their marketing research have a lot more options and devices to view content on. Many viewers may be on their phone, iPad, laptop, or flipping through channels all at the same time.
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If the opening of a film or series does not capture their attention in the first 1 or 2 pages, and the other 8 does not hold their interest, chances are they will flip the channel.
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Audiences, have a lot of options when it comes to viewing content. That's why it's important that your film or series start with shock and/or awe to grab the attention of the targeted audience you're going after.
Studios: In nearly most cases once the phase of reviewing a script begins. If your opening scene in the first 1-10 pages of your script does not capture and hold the attention of the writer, producer, or Development Executive, odds are they will not continue reading your script.
What are the guidelines for writing and formatting your storyline a Development Executives will seek to identify in the first 1-10 pages of your script.
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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, event, or scene happen in the first 1-2 pages.
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What is the CQ (Central Question of the story.) The script begins with an opening scene, 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.)
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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 i.e. male, female, under and over 14 and both over and under the age of 25 is a level 4.
How Your Script Is Processed Once It's Accepted
How Studios Determine What Scripts Are Accepted For
Review or Rejected ("Passed")
What to know about studios and their internal process for receiving scripts
Steps studios take once your script is received for review
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All projects will first be reviewed by a company’s legal division.
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Once it determined you meet the required criteria to submit scripts.
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A script release form will be issued and must be signed, before the process begins to accept and send your project to their development division.
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For information regarding what happens to your script during the review process, click here.
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Your Development Package along with your script will be a key factor in identifying companies your project is submitted to. All companies have their own production or programming needs that varies week to week and often determines what projects are accepted for review or sent to inventory.
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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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Streaming, film studios, cable, and broadcast companies have complete control over what projects they will accept, and when or if a project will be reviewed.
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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 their own rules for the type of content they will accept for review or reject.
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If a project is "Passed" on, the company it was submitted to in most cases may or may not contact you. 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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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.
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Once your script has been submitted, there are no guarantees your project will be accepted for review or get produced.
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However, it does mean you have a chance to compete with the others for licensing and/or production deals.
Note: Keep in mind it took Steven Spielberg 17 years to get Shindler's List produced by a major studio. Within those 17 years he wrote a lot of other block buster movies. He will be the first to tell you, keep pushing your script, but don't stop writing more scripts.
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