Why Selling a Screenplay is like Selling a Car

Ever wonder what it's like to sell a screenplay? It's not alway what you might think it is. This videos helps you understand what might happen after you sell your screenplay.

www.fredericklevy.com

to buy my books:

Hollywood 101:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1580631231/hollywood101

Short Films 101
http://www.amazon.com/Short-Films-101-Launch-Filmmaking/dp/0399529497/ref=sr_...

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Tags:

• Frederick
• Levy
• screenplay
• screenwriter
• script
• writer
• film
• car
• sell
• Hollywood
• 101
• Management
• Short
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• movie
• movies

[JandTandKs]

There's one huge difference between selling a script and selling a car (and one minor difference, too).

I put my car on Craigslist and within hours, had 20 people wanting it; I sold it the next day. I wrote a screeplay a year ago and to date, nobody but me has even looked at it.

Also, if you didn't build the car, you don't have nearly the feelings for it that you do the script you conceived and brought to life. Someone else created the car - you simply maintained it and showed it love.

[FrederickLevy]

very true...and I like your reasoning....but I'm just trying to give a reasonable analogy!! ;)

[56KFILM]

I've read your book about making shorts to start a film career. I notice once the filmmakers got reconized and won awards for their shorts. What is the next step? I've done research on Trevor Sands and it seems he is not working but just writing screenplays that are in long term development. If I did venture the short film circuit and got recognition would I have to have a career plan of action or would my agent make those decisions?

[FrederickLevy]

An agent does not make decisions. An agent provides opportunities. As a manager, I assist my clients in making the best decision possible, but I can only show them the pros and the cons of each opportunity and offer my best advice. At the end of the day--the decision is theirs to make.

[TallGrass45]

just paint the fucking car!!!

[Krackells]

What if I don't sell the car. What if I loan it? ;-)

[74usery]

@FrederickLevy Your analogy is awesome, but instead it might've been easier to understand should you have said 'pitching a script' is like selling a car. But I agree with you 100%.

[74usery]

@FrederickLevy In others words, pros don't like dealing with agents.

[74usery]

@JandTandKs I know where you can sell your script and real live producers will look at it. I had Mary Pat Bentel ask for my script for a friend of hers but she only produces comedy so i'm writing one for her. Hope she remembers me..haha

[ethasorice]

thanks to God that I have found your video.. it's very helpful!

[mrfunderful]

So, if they decide to go with somebody else to do the re-write, they have to pay you in full for the screenplay. Rather than half now, and then the other half when you turn in the revised draft, right?

[Moviebuff358]

Ok here is what I'm wonder.... If you sell the screenplay.. Do you still get credit for it?? Like in the ending credits will it say screenplay by: (your name) ??

[Dimes329]

Dude are you fuckin serious? Screen writers that have agents bad or good are well aware of this. People watching your video are ones that don't have agents and are looking for representation to sell their work. That’s the hard part, that’s the part that people are looking to learn about. Not ridiculous analogies about cars and changing script content with whoever buys it. That's not even selling the script, that’s negotiating before it. Your video is not helpful in anyway whatsoever.

[slimshadyfan4ever]

But isnt there a contract?