BSI offers Independents professional script writing, presentation development, submitting scripts to film/streaming companies, adaptation of scripts to books and film, series, content production services.
How can writers without an agent submit a script to film & streaming studios? Who do I contact and what do I send them?
Take These Steps To Get Started
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What's Needed To Submit Your Script To
Studios, Streaming, Cable, and Broadcast Companies
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If Assistance is needed: Review Our All-Inclusive Development Presentation and Submission Package
Changes That Film, Streaming, Cable, and Broadcast Companies Have Made For Submitting Scripts.
The process begins with the following:
Step1. Executive Producers: No longer is it mandatory to have an agent or "know someone" to submit your script for you. The creative and business execs within studios and streaming companies that review or send your project to committee, do not care who you know.
Note: Industry Executives are only interested in how the person approved for submitting your script has created or produced content for their company or that of their competitors, along with knowledge and experience with developing information about your project that's specific to addressing their creative and production needs.
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Make sure you do your research when searching for an Executive Producer or Producer for assistance. IMDB.com will help to confirm credits from major studios, streaming, or broadcast companies.
Step2. Polished Script. Why the first 10 pages of your script are critical to having your script read or "Passed" on.
Step3. Development Presentation. This document is required to submit your script to film and streaming companies. What needs to be included in a Development Package.
Step4. Submitting your script. How studios and streaming companies decide what scripts they will accept and review.
Our All-Inclusive
Development Presentation Package, Script Polish and Submission of Your Script To Film, Streaming, Cable, and Broadcast Companies.
Our all-inclusive package provides the professional resources and access for script, presentation development, and submitting your script to studios, streaming, cable, and broadcast companies.
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Click here to review what is included in our package.
To Get Started
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Schedule a call with Susan Flanagan our lead Executive Producer, Emmy® Award Winning Writer, Award Winning Producer, Showrunner, Best-Selling Author, and Script Adaptation Specialist, to discuss your project and how to get started with development and submission of your project.
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Rates for our Development Presentation and submission package start at $1,195.00. A retainer is required, and additional payments follow as each phase is completed.
BSI Films ... our lead Creative and Executive Producers
Our executive team has the experience, knowledge and ability to develop scripts and submit them to film, streaming, cable, and broadcast companies.
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Our process begins with speaking with our Executive Producer Susan Flanagan to discuss your project, answer your questions, and discuss how our process works for submitting your script.
Susan B. Flanagan is our lead Executive and Creative Producer, Emmy® Award Winning Writer, Award Winning Producer, Showrunner, Best-Selling Author, and Script Adaptation Specialist. Also, as the Sr. Creative Executive, Writer and script consultant for our Prime Vendor division. Susan works directly with streaming, and studio Development Executives to provide objective analysis and evaluation of scripts prior to them being sent to committee for licensing or pre-production.
Slavik I.A. Executive Producer, Creative Executive, Director, and Digital Artist Supervisor. has contributed to helping produce and visually create some of Hollywood's major box office hits such as: Morbius, Black Panther Wakanda Forever, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Gemini Man, Pirates of the Caribbean and more.
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Rates: Our packages are specifically developed to meet your vision and specific needs of the company it is submitted to.
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Development and submission of reality series, and unscripted content ... Rates start at $1195.00.
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Development and submission of films, series, documentaries, or scripted content... Rates start at $2,195.00
A retainer is required. The remaining balance is submitted as each phase is completed.
Your Development Package is required for submitting your script to film, streaming, cable, and broadcast companies.
Your script is not the only or possibly even the first document that industry executives often will want to review first.
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The Development Executive which all companies have will want to know immediately, what genre is your script, (in 1 sentence) what is it about, is there talent attached, what is a high and low budget for it, and what level quadrant is it?
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They will want to have answers to those questions before they read the first 10 pages of your script.
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This is the reason why Development Packages are critical to including information that meets both the creative and production needs of the company you're submitting to.
Note: A DP may be called a different name by different executives, but the information that needs to be included in whatever you call it, is consistent throughout the industry when submitting your script.
What Is Required
To Be Included In Your Development Presentation
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Script Polish: Click here to review why the first 10 pages of your script is critical to determining if your script is accepted for further review or passed on.
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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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One Sheet: Includes a summary that highlights information regarding the entertainment and business components of your project.
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Submitting your script to streaming, film, cable, and broadcast companies requires following the steps set by each company accepting scripts for review. Click here for details.
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Click here to review the standard process by companies once a script is submitted.
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Although Concept Videos are not included in this package, having this visual can show how your project meets their creative and entertainment needs. It serves as one of the substitutes executives will immediately review for not having to attach talent to your project.
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Script Analysis Report: is a one-page cost-effective analysis of your script ($49)
Click here to view a sample of the SAR (on page 4.)
Script Development and Polish
When polishing your script for submitting to an Industry Executive, the
first 10 pages of your script will determine if the review continues, or your script is Passed on.
Click here if assistance is needed in developing your script.
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Script Polish: Includes a thorough review, evaluation, and edit (if needed and with writer's permission) of how a scripts meets industry writing standards, if what's written meets the vision of the writer, and the script's ability to capture and hold the attention of the audience it's targeted for.
Why are the first 10 pages of a script so important?
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The viewing audience has an abundance of great content available on multiple devices and platforms to capture their attention. 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 targeted audience within the first 2 pages (first 2-3 mins.)
For example, Law & Order starts off every episode with something that happens in the first minute!
That's the hook, then the question (who did it) and it's written for a level 3 quadrant.
The writing and creative structure of a script should reveal the following within the first 10 pages:
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High Concept: What is the hook that makes the audience want to keep watching?
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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.
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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 both male and female, and both over and under the age of 25 is a level 4 Quadrant.
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Is Script Evergreen: Is a script that is tied to time and can be viewed any time of the year.
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Does the genre meet current viewing trends?
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 $2,495.00 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.
How Your Script Is Processed Once It's Accepted By
Streaming, Film, Cable, and Broadcast Companies
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When your presentation arrives at the company you have submitted it to: If it meets their guidelines for acceptance, it is sent to their legal office for approval prior to being sent to their Development Executive (DE) for review.
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All projects must first be cleared by their legal department to ensure they are not infringing on any copyrights and/or licensing laws.
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The genre of your script will be a key factor in identifying companies to submit it to. All companies have their own production or programming needs that varies week to week and often determines if it is accepted.
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 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 accepted, there are no guarantees your project will be accepted. If it is accepted there are no guarantees it will get produced.
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.
15 min
Schedule Appointment
Q&A Interview With North America and International Investors, studios, streaming, and broadcast companies.
My name is Sophie Marcelle, Development Executive and along with Elyse Ferrari, Producer with (BSI Films) we had a candid conversation with investors Syd Shaffer and Samantha Swenson regarding funding and production deals for independents.
Mr. Shaffer and Ms. Swenson are senior Executives of an international hedge fund group that has raised funding for some of the biggest Hollywood film box office hits and negotiated production deals for independent films and series in recent years.
Although some of you may have already read this post, I posted it again because for those who have not read it, may find it helpful, if seeking funding or a production deal with studios, streaming, cable, and broadcast corporations.
*Warning: Syd has a colorful way of talking and uses strong language.
Elyse/Sophie: What chance does an independent really have of getting a film funded or a production deal from streaming, cable, or broadcast company?
Syd: They have the same chance as anyone else in this room with the right people presenting it and they play by the rules.
Elyse/Sophie: So, who are the “right people” and what are the rules?
Syd: The right people are those who have a f**king clue about how this process works.
No one in this room has ever given millions to someone they never heard of, never met, who has no credits and only a script to show us. If you got a producer or exec. producer that has experience, credits from major companies, has contacts or permission to contact players, you got a chance. At the very least, know how to develop a project so that when it's presented, we get info we're looking for. But if all you got is a script, your chances of getting funding from anyone in here is none and never.
As for the rules, they’re very simple. Learn how both the business and entertainment side of this industry works. Or work with a producer that has the resources, accesses, and knowledge of how this process works. If talking to someone in this room, they want to know the genre, what talent is attached, how much is needed, what financial instruments do you have in place to protect their investment, is there distribution in place and how much profit will I make. If you don't have any of the above, can you prove there's public interest in your project, i.e., social media, book sales etc., and say all that has to be said in less time than it takes for them to sip out of the glass they're holding.
Keep in mind, they are not going to read your script, listen to how great you think your script is or want to hear how much money other movies made that are similar to yours. We already know how much money other movies have made, hell the people that financed those films are probably in this room.
However, we are open to hearing about what the public thinks about your project. Have you promoted your script on social media, do you have a following, has your script been adapted to a book and are there book sales, do you have a channel on YouTube with a following? Basically, any numbers that proves there are people interested in your project, we will listen to. If you have a script and want someone to fund or negotiate a production deal that will pay you millions to produce it, be prepared to know both the entertainment and business sides of this industry or get someone that does.
Syd: One more thing, I along with everyone in this room haven’t read a script in decades. If I want to know about your script or what it takes to produce it, I’ll hire your EP, Susan or someone like her to tell me what the hell is going on, so don't ask me to read your script.
· Let me ask you a question. I personally know your executives, I also know they don't have time to read scripts, I bet they have you do it. Am I right?
Elyse/Sophie: OK... yes, they have us read them. We're the first step. We determine if it meets basic writing standards set by industry executives, where the concept ranks in current marketing trends, does it go beyond 2 quadrants, and if it's on the "The List" (this is an exclusive list of unproduced scripts anonymously chosen by various Studio Development Executives and pulled if the need arises.)
As you know, a script does not have to be on "The List" to be considered by you, or the studios. The majority of projects you and the studios send to Susan are not on that list, but you know that. So yes, we read them first.
· Question, if independents don’t know the right people or have a producer, what can they do to compete for funding or a production deal with studios, streaming, cable, or broadcast corporations?
Syd: If they don’t have a team or a producer with the knowledge and resources to develop their project or know how this game is played, find someone that does.
This is big business! You can’t even rob a bank and get the money people are asking for to make a movie these days. There’s a shit load of money being paid out even for low budget movies, not to mention big-budgeted films, even scripted series have budgets in the millions … per episode! Look, most writers/independents don't treat this industry seriously. But writers can play in this game, if they're serious. I know for a fact it can be done, because our firm and others, fund those projects and negotiate production deals with studios, streaming, cable, and broadcast companies on behalf of independents.
There are credited writers, producers that are able to assist them. News flash, they’re not going to do this sh*t for free. They have their own projects to develop. But whatever you do, don’t retain just anybody to help you. There are a lot of good people in this industry that can do what they say, unfortunately there are also a lot that can’t do a damn thing. When you find one, look at their credits (IMDB) this is a good place to start.
Elyse/Sophie: What if an independent does not have a team, does not want to retain someone to help them, or follow your rules? What other options can they pursue for finding an investor?
Syd: Really? Is this a serious question? So, you’re going to ask me for millions but don’t want to follow my rules. So why the f**k should I give you my client’s money? Listen, if they want to go solo and fund their own project then go for it. But if you want some investor to give you millions of their client's money for a high risk investment, but not give them the information being asked for, they won't even look at you.
Raising money to produce content is a high risk and high rewards investment. That's why there are rules. The rules are proven to protect that investment and hopefully make a profit.
So, following the rules and process is mandatory. Keep in mind, no longer is a script the only or most important step in the process. Studios literally have millions of them. So stand out, at least on paper show you know what the hell you’re doing.
Elyse/Sophie: Please give me examples of projects you've gotten deals for by independents. How can independents contact people like you, and do most investors think like you?
Syd: You’re funny. What did I just tell you, if you play by the rules, you can find anyone in this room? If you don’t, you won’t.
For examples of independent films we've helped fund our clients don't want their names out there. If I told you there would be a parade of people and emails at their door in 5 minutes. I say go to the movies and 3 out of the top10 box office hits were directly or indirectly funded by our team. Also, over 90% of films produced in the past decade were filmed by independents. So we've been busy. Writers are smart, when they figure out what made others successful they follow the leader.
As for do most investors think like me. Hell no! But those that don’t, tend to lose a lot of money. Nearly everyone in here makes decisions based on a variety of factors that are specific to what they’re looking for. So, I have no f**king clue what everyone else thinks, but I do know, if you show up here holding only a script … drink quickly, because security will be escorting you out.