How to Interest a Producer in Your Movie Script

You’ll have more success having a strategic plan to proactively approach producers with your project.

Here are 3 steps to implement to create results:

Step 1: Assess what you are bringing to the project and ensure it’s a valuable offer that a producer will be interested in.

• What do you have packaged?
• Do you have attachments – a director, marketable talent?
• Do you have any financing in place?
• Have you produced a "proof-of-concept" video or short that gained traction?
• Has the script won any awards or received recognition?
• Is the script based upon an underlying property that has value?

Ensure you are presenting a valuable and irresistible opportunity to entice an established producer to come on board.

Step 2: Make a list of ideal producers to approach. A great place to start your initial search is with IMDbPro.com where you can find contact information for producers and productions companies.

Look for producers who produce film scripts in your genre and, most importantly, within your project’s budget range. If your story has a $5 million budget, you don’t want to approach producers who make $40 million films.

Step 3: Connect with the producers and present your offer. Ideally, you want to step into any opportunity you have to meet the people on your list in-person (at film festivals, events, conferences, markets - here is select list of Film Festivals & Markets to consider).

You can also call them directly. This strategy can help you move past the gatekeeper. Your first sentence needs to state the value you’re bringing to the producer, such as...

“Hi, my name is Ima Writer, and I have an action-thriller script based on an award-winning book, with Ms. Marketable Actor attached and 10% of the financing secured. Is Mr. Big-Time Producer available to speak with me about this project?”