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ScreenPlayLab is more than 2,500 upbeat film and television creators helping each other succeed. | Home | Blog | Join | Calendar | Speakers | Theaters | Workshops | Press | Links | About | |
Do not try to hand a script to a producer or try to pitch them in the room. It's not only offensively presumptious, they already have more than enough to read submitted the right way through agents. If you want to pitch someone the approach is to mention you're working on a comedy [or reality show or drama or documentary or whatever] about [your topic in one word, such as, gladiators or millionaires or Paris Hilton]. If that sparks any interest from the VIP you can phone his or her assistant later. You ask the assistant if you can have a meeting or have your agent send over the script. If you don't have an agent expect the answer to be no, but there's an outside chance you'll be allowed to submit without an agent if you sign a release. Be respectful of the value of other people's time. "No" means "I don't have time". And, "We don't accept unsolicited" means "You need to get an agent first". It's an agent's job to discover new talent.
Do not hand a headshot to a speaker at an event. It seems too forward and will probably get lost anyway. A better approach for actors is to have business cards printed with your headshot. It's always ok to ask someone if you may give him or her your business card. By the way, overnightprints.com is a great place to get cards printed.
Send a note to follow up and thank the speaker for speaking. Don't just write that you want something. Be specific what you liked about the presentation and remind the speaker that you met (if you did). Do not assume the speaker remembers you or cares about your personal apprehensions. If you want something be specific in asking for it (e.g., "By the way, are you accepting new clients for representation?").
Do not ask for the speaker's contact info. The speaker's mail address will be available in HCD, IMDB, or his website if he accepts mail. To contact by email the protocol is to email the host (Robin or Gabrielle) and ask it be forwarded. We can't give out speaker contact info.
Allow two weeks for a reply from any VIP. They are that busy. If you had hundreds of people contacting you it would take you a couple weeks, too.