How streaming, film, cable, and broadcast studios
determine what scripts are accepted for review or "Passed" on?
What you should know regarding how the industry process works for accepting and reviewing scripts.
All scripts will first be reviewed:
All companies set their own rules for the type of content they will accept for review or "Pass" on.
All scripts 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.
Due to the number of scripts received daily guidelines for information companies want to see , It is suggested your script package be concise and able to address both the creative and programming needs
Most companies have a genre they're looking for on a given day.
Once a studio/company determines your script meets their rules and guidelines to be accepted for review, the following steps are taken:
Studios/company's legal division reviews scripts, to ensure release forms have been completed, script does not infringe on any existing copyrights or presents other potential legal issues.
once a script package is accepted
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All studios/companies have their own production and programming needs that varies week to week and often determines what projects are accepted for review, sent to inventory or "Passed" on.
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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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Your Development Package, polished script, and support material (concept video, book version of script, etc.) will be a key factor in identifying companies your project is submitted to.
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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.
What to include in your Development Presentation
To get started: schedule a call with our EP, Susan Flanagan
Executive Producer: As a Prime Vendor for major studios, streaming, broadcast companies and Independents.
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We offer writers the same professional resources we provide our industry clients. Along with the experience, guidance, and resources needed to compete on a professional level when submitting their projects to Film, Streaming, Cable and Broadcast Companies.
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One Sheet: Is a one-page line-item description of what your script is about. It includes: the genre of your script, one sentence log line, what it cost to produce, quadrant level, concept video one-minute run-time, and support information if available.
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Budget: Top sheet budget that is created by a Line Producer familiar with cost that are specific to the production and budget needs of who it will be submitted to.
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Script Polish: Includes a thorough analysis, evaluation and comparison of what's written compared to vision of the writer and edit (results are discussed with writer before any written edits are made.
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A Concept Video is not included in this package but can be added. Although you no longer need to have talent attached to your project having a visual (Concept Video) is highly recommended but not mandatory.
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Script Analysis Report: is a one-page cost-effective analysis of your script.
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Click here to review the process studio and streaming companies use for accepting and rejecting scripts submitted to them.
Our Executive and Creative Producers
Meet Industry Requirements
For Developing and Submitting Scripts To
Film, Streaming, Cable, and Broadcast Companies
Click here for more information about our team:
Executive Producer Services provided for Development and submitting your script: Our executive team has the experience, credits that meet industry standards and requirements for submitting scripts to major studios, streaming, film, cable, and broadcast companies.
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Susan B. Flanagan our lead Executive Producer, Emmy® Award Winning Writer, Award Winning Producer, Showrunner, Best-Selling Author, and Script Adaptation Specialist.
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Slavik I.A. is our Creative Executive, Director, and Digital Artist Supervisor. He continues to contribute to visually creating and producing some of Hollywood's major box office hits such as: Morbius, Black Panther Wakanda Forever, Madame Web, Spider-Man, Pirates of the Caribbean, Transformer: Dark of the Moon, and more.
Script Development and Polish
Our Script Polish: In addition to the basic thorough edit of a script. The following is critical to determining if your script meets their creative needs.
When your script is accepted for review. The Development Executives of the company you've submitted to, can tell within the first 1-10 pages if a script based on current marketing trends, the genre, the log line, and the level of writing skills the writer has, if a script meets their needs.
Why are the first 10 pages of your script critical to determining if your script is accepted for further review or passed on?
Answer: This is where your writing skills have to go to another level and include the following:
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Research has shown there is an extremely short amount of time a film or series has to grab, hold, and capture the imagination of an audience. That’s why most films and series tend to excite and grab the attention of the audience within the first 2 pages (first 1-2 mins) and the reason the first 10 pages of your script is so important (think of how the first scene in Law & Order opens).
What industry executives are looking for in the first 10 pages of your Script Polish:
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Note: In all cases, if your opening scene in the first few pages of your script does not capture and hold the attention of the Development Executive, odds are the review will end.
What are the guidelines for writing and formatting your storyline Development Executives will seek to identify in the first 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 happen in the first page.
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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.)
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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 18.ale, and both over and under the age of 25 is a level 4.
Our production division is led by Slavik I.A, our Executive Producer, Director, Premier Previsualization, Animation and Digital Artist Supervisor. Slavik has helped produce and create visuals some of the biggest box office hits in recent years, such as Morbius, Gemini Man, Pirates of the Caribbean, Falling Skies, The Mummy, Tron, Transformers, and other major box office hits.
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Creating a Concept Video Starts at $2,150.00 U.S. dollars and up.
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Pay later and payment arrangements are available.
Please speak with our Executive Producer about your project.
