So LondonSWF 2014 happened and needless to say, IT WAS AWESOME. Hope you’re connecting, tweeting, blogging and enjoying yourself even AFTER the event because that’s what it’s all about … I’ve even seen some of you popping up on the social media accounts saying you’ve bought your 2015 ticket ALREADY. Let’s keep the LSF fires burning all year round! 😀
I’m delighted to hear loads of LSF delegates got screenplay requests in the Pitchfest and across the festival as well … This year I noticed many more LSFers delivering their loglines conversationally and taking the opportunity to get their pitches out there, constantly, all weekend. One chap managed to grab my attention in the Final Draft Marquee with his concept, even though I was ALSO trying to run off to the loo! Proof the power of storytelling supercedes even basic bodily functions, haha!
As ever, lots 0f writers hav contacted me with various questions about their submissions, so I thought I’d do a quick round up for anyone else wondering:
1) Do I have to send my stuff RIGHT AWAY?
This has been the most popular question and certainly, if you sent first thing Monday morning after the festival? This is NOT A PROBLEM. However, I always think it’s a great idea to leave it at least until the end of the week after LSF, usually because *most* people send right away(submissions backlog!); plus there’s also the point that if a producer, agent or filmmaker is working at LSF all weekend, there’s a strong chance s/he won’t be back at work first thing Monday, as they need a day off!
2) How long have I got to send my stuff?
Several LSF delegates have contacted me to say, though they previously felt their work was finished, obviously being in such an immersive writing environment like LSF has made them think of various things they’d like to change about their work. Again, this is not a problem and if you think you’d like to change something, DO IT. But you DON’T need to tell anyone who’s requested your work you’re doing this, but you DO need to send it within approximately 2-3 weeks of the festival, maximum. Seriously! For perspective, I requested the first ten pages of a screenplay from a writer at LSF 2013 … and got it two weeks before LSF 2014!! Yikes!
3) I’ve realised my work is not ready after all. Should I still send it?
This depends. If you made a strong connection with whomever’s requested it, then yes. If you didn’t, then probably no … BUT end of the day, honesty is always the best policy! For example, I had a discussion after one LSF that went like this:
ME: Hi, where’s your pages? I was looking forward to reading them.
WRITER: Oh, I realised after X session at LSF they weren’t ready, so didn’t want to waste your time.
ME: It was actually your concept I was most interested in.
It’s a real shame the writer in question here didn’t get in touch and say she didn’t feel her pages were ready and allow me to respond: instead, she decided what my response would be, so stopped a transaction from occurring between us. Just imagine if she’d emailed me instead with:
WRITER: Hi Lucy. Thanks for requesting my pages. I was sitting in X session at LSF though and I had this great idea. Am I okay implementing that before I send you the script?
Now we can’t know what would have happened for definite or what my response would have been; but check out the DIFFERENCE in language and POV between the writer’s potential dealings with me … The first one is negative, as in “she couldn’t possibly be interested”, whereas the second is, “I’m excited about this, I hope you will be too”. Which do you think is more likely to swing YOUR way?
So, to summarise this post:
1) Don’t panic or rush your submissions
2) Don’t take too long either
3) Be POSITIVE!
Good luck!
LINKS
How to – and how NOT to! – submit your pages & follow up if you get read requests at LSF
Script Submissions Checklist (PDF)
The Bang2write Submissions Bundle – an e-library of dedicated links
Writing might be hard work, but that’s not the same as being hard
You have to jump off the cliff and build your wings on the way down
Posted by a member of the London Screenwriters’ Festival team.
