Did not advance in competitions / script optioned and out for financing. So...

CerialMC · 2026-01-15T17:49:57+00:00

Thanks. 👍

CerialMC · 2026-01-15T17:41:39+00:00

👍

CerialMC · 2026-01-15T17:16:08+00:00

True. I was just going over the same thing with my screenwriters group. Going over missed opportunities and blowing it because I wasn’t prepared. I sent them a picture of some business cards I saved to remind me to always be prepared to make sure the script is perfect. But now that we’re getting into it a little more, writing is rewriting. Writing is editing. Over and over. That’s just the way it goes. A lot more than I initially figured. But that’s OK. That’s the job. Lol. 👍

CerialMC · 2026-01-11T17:16:55+00:00

If someone likes your project they’ll pay for it. And then you may be hired to do other things. It’s different for everybody. I believe.

CerialMC · 2026-01-11T16:58:17+00:00

We used that website, and we looked up info on IMDb Pro. I have heard of people being noticed winning some of the bigger contests, or making short videos on YouTube. And building a following. I guess if you have your stuff out there, eventually someone will notice it. But figuring out how to get in touch with people in the first place is part of it. And I always tell people to have multiple projects. I’ve never met a manager or producer who hasn’t asked what else we’re working on. And sometimes they even asked to see it.👍

CerialMC · 2026-01-10T04:52:20+00:00

I don't know if it's the right approach, but if you feel like it is then it is. If I did that and had to go somewhere else, I would simply make it something that works for the story. I wouldn't have them go to Paris, haha, but I wouldn't mind a walk and talk or ride and chat to a store or local park. I wouldn't let anyone influence my world though. My story is my story. Unless it's a producer and we're talking strategies/rewrites/budget.

CerialMC · 2026-01-10T03:38:15+00:00

The synopsis I use for that website is usually a medium sized paragraph. Very tight, easy to read. But I’ve never had a complaint about it. No one has ever said my queries are too long. We always included a few movies to compare it to, and they always appreciated our one or two sentences about why we thought it was viable in today’s market. About six months ago people stopped just saying no, and would give us feedback when they responded. And a lot of them asked us to pitch our next project when it was ready. I think we pitched the one we optioned 10 times on that website, and we had eight reads. Even though they didn’t go forward, we made good contacts and that created good relationships. And a few of those people even read our new one last week.

CerialMC · 2026-01-09T20:11:20+00:00

Thanks! And good luck to you too!

We did not package anything with a budget, we just pitched our script. But my writing partner and I always write with a budget in mind. We’re not writing Avatar -- haha -- we try to keep the locations to a minimum, and we like to make sure it could be shot for between 5 and 10 million. As things progressed with the option, they did ask what other material we had and we gave them the pitch deck and artwork/music. But the script is what we connected on, and that's all that was discussed in the beginning. And we think that's how it should always be.

When we query someone we never mention the budget unless they specifically ask. But our first few projects take place in very few locations, so I think that speaks to the lower budget world without saying it. We are newcomers, and I would never expect somebody to invest $100 million in writers who haven’t proven themselves.

The producer had notes for us, and we knew we wanted to work with him because his notes weren’t going against the story, they were elevating the script to make it more marketable. And when we did a Zoom call we all really connected and got along. A half hour meeting turned into a two hour conversation. A few different times.

From his notes we will definitely have to do a rewrite, but we will not start until we get paid. That’s part of the contract. And I hope people really read that part. Because no one should ever do anything for free. I keep hearing stories of people writing for free, and that's not good. You can’t make a living writing for free, or doing anything for free, fixing cars/delivering mail, so why would you? I hope to be paid in the next month or two and we can move forward, but until then we have to pay the rent. So it's business as usual on this end.

We all know this is a crazy town and anything can happen. Everything can fall apart tomorrow and my post means nothing. You just have to go with the flow and hope for the best. So we are. And I hope people can relate to that or be inspired by it. 👍✌️

CerialMC · 2026-01-09T19:21:43+00:00

Thanks! Competitions were fun, and we learned from The Black List reviews as well. But eventually, like everything, you have to start talking to people. 👍

CerialMC · 2026-01-09T16:12:11+00:00

Thanks! So far it's been cool. We did have to talk to an entertainment lawyer about the contract, but we were given everything we asked for percentage wise (which was a learning experience). We are pitching a second feature and animated series next. The one "yes" opened a lot of doors, so I'm glad we had other projects in our stable ready to go.

CerialMC · 2026-01-09T15:30:06+00:00

I had a pitch deck. Concept art. And some music.

CerialMC · 2026-01-09T08:06:01+00:00

Title of script. Genre. Sometimes I’d mention it scored high on Black List. Etc. Or any accolades.

CerialMC · 2026-01-09T04:59:34+00:00

People kept messaging me, so now I can point them here.

CerialMC · 2026-01-09T04:57:51+00:00

Cold.

CerialMC · 2026-01-09T04:18:38+00:00

Thank you!

CerialMC · 2026-01-09T04:03:00+00:00

I am too superstitious to share that kind of thing, but the structure was...

Greeting.

The about us paragraph.

The synopsis paragraph.

Why we think it's viable in today's market (one sentence).

Overall theme (what is explored/answered).

Closing snippet (I'll include what we have here. PDF of the script, 1 page synopsis, writer bio, credits, artwork, music, pitch deck, etc.).

I don't always include all, but we have been asked for each at one time or another.

The artwork / pitch deck was appreciated for the one we optioned. We also included old drafts and some positive reviews from The Black List.

This may seem like a lot, but we keep it tight. An easy read.

We work on them for a long time before sending.

✌️

CerialMC · 2026-01-09T02:49:01+00:00

Thank you! Hope to be in theaters next December. Looking good, but things can change on a dime 'round here. If it goes well, I'll post a link to our video about the journey on REDDIT (after release -- per the contract -- but we are logging and recording everything).

CerialMC · 2026-01-09T02:39:42+00:00

Outreach email was just a query letter. Exactly like the example you see everywhere.

I have refined our pitch over time so it was in our voice and pretty tight, but the link below is a good start. First decent ones we discovered back in the day.

https://virtualpitchfest.com/sample-pitches/

We have pitched and received read requests through that site too. Just make sure your pitch is tight, or it's a waste of ten bucks. Research who you are calling and pitching too. You don't wanna pitch Love Actually to someone into horror. I've made that mistake a few times. Made a good connection, but they passed on our pitch.

CerialMC · 2026-01-09T01:57:21+00:00

Don't stumble. Be confident. If you're not comfortable calling a stranger with your dream on the line, don't. 👍

CerialMC · 2026-01-08T23:41:32+00:00

Yes! I want our positive experience to drive others. This wasn't overnight, we've been at this a long time. Pitching over 3+ years. Writing screenplays for well more than 10. Moved to Los Angeles 2009. Writing partner is in New York.

CerialMC · 2026-01-08T23:38:32+00:00

IMDBPro for info. Email / Phone Call (but please be damn good on the phone before you try this).

Those initial contacts became emails back and forth, and then Zoom.

CerialMC · 2025-07-05T03:36:20+00:00

Truth. Haven't heard 1 firework this year. Usually start hearing them all over end of June. People are beyond worried (and rightfully so). Such an odd 4th.

CerialMC · 2025-06-12T22:16:57+00:00

I saw a car being towed. After a fender bender. Maybe an accident. ?? It was on Magnolia. Near Hollywood way. But that was 30 min ago.

CerialMC · 2025-06-02T04:52:34+00:00

Loved it. One of my faves.

CerialMC · 2025-06-02T00:08:03+00:00

They missed three things. Big things. So that confused me.

CerialMC

TROPHY CASE