Access to TV/film producers and directors has never been easier through direct access pitching. It is made possible through a variety of online venues (below) that have sprouted up over the years in an effort to bridge the gap between screenwriter and TV/film decision-makers, with the prospect of getting it produced. While traditionally securing a film agent can offer you advantages—like better access to opportunities—direct access pitching offers shorter wait times and the chance to create one-on-one relationships with producers, that can ultimately lead to selling your work.

Whether you’re a professional screenwriter, newbie, or looking to build your credits, direct pitching can offer you opportunities to expand your portfolio to include short scripts, TV, web-series, or even podcasts. More often, when submitting to producers through a direct pitch, you’re connecting with someone who not only has a budget in place to pay you, but is reading for their current production slate, or one in the very near future, increasing your chances of success and securing a paid contract.

Since you are directly pitching a decision-maker, if you receive an outright ‘no,’ you might be able to ask what they are more apt to say ‘yes’ to—they may also return with feedback to help you pitch another project, or to revise the current one. I generally include a note in my pitch indicating that I can make revisions for reducing scenes or characters to work with their budget.

Once you begin direct pitching, it doesn’t take long to see what’s working. For instance, if your logline or synopsis isn’t hooking anyone to read the full script, you can revise it, and try again with the next company, until it does. Equally, you’ll quickly learn what companies are making and anticipate their needs. For example, a new company seeking short screenplays may eventually put out a call for their first feature. Getting in with the short allows you to showcase your work for the future, while building a repertoire of companies to send new work to.

To get you started, the following list offers several online venues to begin direct pitching your work. Each has its advantages/disadvantages; the key is finding which ones work for you!

The International Screenwriters’ Association (ISA)
www.networkisa.org
The ISA offers screenwriters a membership platform to showcase your writing that allows you to direct pitch to ‘writing gigs’ as they come available. They also sponsor several contests and screenplay showcases for members.

IMDb Pro
www.pro.imdb.com
The Internet Movie Database, pro-version, has gone through a revamp since it merged with Amazon.com. It’s a subscription-based service that allows you to view contact information for production companies, directors, actors, and crew for every movie made. You can even view casting call information, which includes calls for screenwriters.

Virtual Pitch Fest
www.virtualpitchfest.com
Virtual Pitch Fest offers a regularly updated list of production companies seeking new material directly from screenplays. The list of professionals includes brand new companies, all the way to professionals, and in recent years, has helped increase access to diverse voices. Always do your research before submitting since people change roles quickly and may no longer be the acquiring rep.

The Blacklist
www.blcklst.com
The Blacklist is another script listing service that in recent years has made partnerships with the Writers Guild, universities, and networks, to get your screenplays in front of decision-makers. Equally, it’s made headway in offering opportunities for greater diversity. For all its connections, however, getting your script searched on Blacklist is contingent on how many evaluations you’ve purchased through the website. The more you have, the more likely your script will be seen. They are costly, so do your research.

Others:

Stage 32 and Mandy
www.stage32.com; www.mandy.com
Offers a job board and networking opportunities for screenwriters.

InfoList.com
www.infolist.com
With a free registration, you can connect with industry news, including jobs and paid opportunities for screenwriters.

Screenwriting Staffing
www.screenwritingstaffing.com
Offers both free and paid calls for screenplays and screenwriters.

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About me: Hunter Liguore is an award-winning writer, professor, and historian. Her script, Equanimity was produced by London director Hana Walker-Brown, in partnership with Sony Entertainment. Most notably, her social screenplay, EVERYLIFE, is now a 30-time global festival/contest winner. Her children’s book, The Whole World in Nan’s Soup (Yeehoo Press), is now available. For more visit, www.hunterliguore.org or @skytale_writer.
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