Revised Submission Policy

 

We are a Writers Guild of America signatory agency.
We abide by all WGA rules and regulations in accordance with the latest WGA contract.

We do not represent Novels, Books or other printed matter, you need a Publisher.

 
     
  We do not charge a fee beyond our 10% commission for basic* agency representation services.  
     
 
*Should we package your project and/or act as the Production Company the fees are different.
 
     
 
FEATURE FILMS
 
     
 
We are interested in character driven comedies, dramas only and faith based films.
 
     
 

Faith based like: FireProof, Courageous, The Apostle. Comedies like: Something about Mary, Sex, My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Dramas like: Sex, Lies and Videotape, Sling Blade, The Spitfire Grill, , Chasing Amy, Pulp Fiction, Monster's Ball, Clerks, Reservoir Dogs.

 
     
 

Please DO NOT send Science Fiction, Horror, Period/Costume,

Road Pictures or Big Budget Special Effects/CGI Feature Films to us.

This is the chain of events regarding submissions.

 
     
 
1.
 
 

Send a SYNOPSIS* of your film to us via email. michael@talentsource.com

 
     
 

*A SYNOPSIS is a one page description of your work. It should cover: Exposition, Conflict and Resolution.
It SHOULD NOT tease the reader, it is an outline of the COMPLETE story.

It SHOULD NOT contain dialogue.

 
     
 
Any synopsis that is received that does not tell the whole story is deleted.
We do not have time to be teased or ask you to do it again.
 
     
 
2.
 
 

If we like your synopsis we will request a TREATMENT. A treatment is 7-10 pages of "Cliff’s Notes" style description of your work. A scene by scene guide to the story. It SHOULD NOT contain dialogue.

DO NOT SEND it unless asked, it will not be read and will be deleted.

 
     
 
3.
 
 

If the TREATMENT is approved, we will then and only then, ask for the actual SCRIPT

This should be printed out and mailed to us. It should be properly formatted, in the proper type face and be between 90-120 pages.  It should be properly formatted, Scene Numbers on both sides of the page, Page numbers on the Bottom Center and contain NO DIRECTOR'S NOTES.

 
     
 

You should send the script to us at our posted mailing address, these will not be returned.  Please do not send by certified, or signature confirmation required, it will languish in the post office until it is returned to you.

 
     
 
TELEVISION
 
     
 

TV Series, MOW's (Movies of the Week) and OTO (One Time Only) Specials.

If you have a GREAT idea (Yes, I know, it's truly remarkable, never been done, a sure hit) then this is what is required for a series to even be considered a contender. 300 pilots are shot each year at a cost of $100,000 to $4,000,000 each, MAYBE 30 will get a shot at being on the air, perhaps 10 will make it 13 weeks, 2 of those might last 5 years or more.

1. A pilot ( approximately 40-45 pages ) 60 minutes for a 30 minute program and a two hour pilot for a one hour series.  Keep in mind that TV programs are really 22 min. long for a 30 min. program and 44 minutes for a 60 min. program.  I strongly suggest that you watch a 30 minute program and a 60 min. program for timing, use a stop watch.  Time the opening, the segments, the commercial breaks, the credits, learn the formula, there is one; working with it is what separates wannabe's from professionals.

2. For a series, you need at least 4 complete episodes FINISHED!

3. A Character bible, a character by character in-depth description, motivation, appearance, habits, dress, NAIL THEM DOWN.

4. 13 Episodes in outline form, the story arcs, what is the theme of each show.

Movies of the Week and OTO's.

Treat them like a Feature Film with the exception of commercial breaks, they need to be planned properly.  You just can't halt a scene and insert a series of commercials, you need to write around the commercials, because my dear friends, THIS IS SHOW BUSINESS, what you write is the stuff BETWEEN the COMMERCIALS.

Reality Series

Hopefully, this fad is about over; it stinks for writers, it's heaven for producers because they don't have to pay writers, although they seem to have an inordinate amount of Producers involved) On the other side, they shoot at a 20 to 1 ratio.  Very little of what they shoot can be used and editing is a nightmare with much higher post production expenses than any scripted production.  Treat it like a pilot, be as descriptive as you can.  If you try to play the tease, you'll lose!  If there is already something like it on the air, don't bother.  If your twist or combination makes it very special, give it a shot.  Keep in mind that insurance costs are outrageous and that the sexual revolution ended years ago. We live in a world governed by bean counters and the repressed, create accordingly!

NO BOOKS, NO POETRY and No we can't take your idea and write

a script for you (Yes, people have actually asked this question).

Please send all materials to:

Talent Source
1711 Dean Forest Road, Suite H
Savannah, Georgia 31408

COLD HARD FACT:


If you are a new writer and you actually want to see your work produced, then understand that your best bet is to write for a small budget feature.
  Producers are more likely to take a chance on an unproven writer (you), whereas, the major studios will not risk producing a big budget feature written by an unknown with no proven track record.


We DO NOT accept unsolicited screenplays.

We have a lot of material to read, DO NOT waste your time or ours telling me about your desire to be a writer, your Elementary, Middle School, Jr. High, High School, College, Post Grad or Professional writing history. I don't need to see your resume, a letter from your Mom, Dad, Doctor or your Therapist. No story boards, No cartoons, and please don't even think about telling us that you want to Produce / Direct / Act or that so and so would be perfect for the role!

Let your work speak for you!

 

Last Comment:


There are over 400,000 scripts registered with the WGA each year, usually about 400 feature films are produced. It took Forrest Gump
7 years to be made, it was best selling book first and Bob Zemeckis was the director. So be patient!

We are not trying to be mean and nasty, we get 10,000 ideas a year, 9,980 of them are a waste of time, rehashed versions of existing films, extremely poor dialogue, not formatted properly, poor grammar skills, and just plain sloppy.

It is not our job to edit, retype, copy, print your work, it must be delivered to us in the proper way for us to present it to Producers, by taking on and representing your work we are in effect putting our name and seal of approval on it.   Please do your best to be in the top 20 that make us love this business.