By Forris Day Jr.
Originally published over a decade ago “The Script Selling Game” is now out in its 2nd edition. Lot’s of new information has been added. The book written by Kathy Fong Yoneda is loaded with information aimed at helping screenwriters sell their scripts. The content is presented through the eyes of an industry executive, Kathy Fong Yoneda, a person who has been on the other side of the desk. She knows what the production companies want and she has written this book to guide you, the screenwriter, on a successful path.
The book starts with a section called “In the Beginning”. Here she helps you understand the best way to develop ideas for your story. You will learn the elements that need to be in a particular type of script. She also discusses the reality of the business. Studios need to make money and just because all your pals think you are a brilliant wordsmith doesn’t mean the production companies feel the same.
In “Meetings and Pitches” you learn more about the business side of things. Most people hate pitching their script but at the end of the day if you want it made you have to pitch. She goes over much of the jargon used so when you do go into a pitch you will understand what is being said. There is a lot of jargon to understand. Come out of this chapter knowing you could pitch your script and not look like a clown.
“Submissions: What to Do and What Not to Do”. Pretty self explanatory. When you submit a script many think it just disappears into oblivion but it is actually on a very slow journey through many hands. Don’t blow it here by doing the wrong thing. That slow and painful journey is outlined here. Good information for the impatient screenwriter.
Finally in the last section “Thinking Beyond the Script” Yoneda discuses things such as marketing yourself, marketing your writing and ways to keep your edge as a writer. Even if you aren’t currently working on a script this section is a good read if you want to be inspired. She also covers agents, lawyers and all that other stuff that people tend to approach with their fingers firmly planted in their ears, pretending they don’t exist, but they do exist. She gives a few good pointers on handling these folks and protecting yourself all the while.
“The Script Selling Game” has been around for years and is now updated to reflect animation, internet and submitting for cable and television. I recommended this book be read by scriptwriters of all mediums to gain a firm grasp on how to sell your script. You may have to tone your ego down a few notches but if you can do it, you will be fast-tracking the sale of your script. As writers we want to be heard. Sometimes the best way to be heard is to just listen. My advice…listen to Kathie Fong Yoneda. Her advice is solid and will save you many headaches as you try to get your script sold and produced.
