submission etiquette
- Tom_ZC
- filvayer
- Delor22
This archived discussion is "read only".
» Tom_ZC - submission etiquette
Okay, so sending a query first and then only sending requested scripts is pretty much the standard. It only makes sense. Of course, for maximum success you'll want to get a script in front of as many eyes as possible of theater directors who do your type of material. My question is how do you avoid stepping on people's toes. For example, maybe you've queried 5 theaters in the Chicago area and 2 have requested the full script for evaluation. I believe it would only be fair to inform each theater that another Chicago theater is considering the work. However, I wouldn't want to come across like, "You'd better snatch this great script up fast or your competition will get it." Also, theaters don't all evaluate a query equally fast. As a result, maybe you get a "please show us the script" from Theater A in May, but you don't get that from Theater B until August. So you send in your script to Theater B telling them that another Chicago theater is considering it. Do you then have to write to Theater A to tell them, "Guess what? Now another Chicago Theater is checking out the same script." My concern is the same as before. I don't want to sound like, "Hurry up and read my script or you'll lose out to your competition." I would also hope that they won't be worried that some theater far away (e.g. San Francisco or wherever) is considering it. Or would they? Are theaters very uptight about being able to advertise a show as the "world premiere"?-- posted by Tom_ZC
» filvayer - Re: submission etiquette
In response to submission etiquette posted by Tom_ZC:Patience is a virtue in any field, and dealing with people reading your scripts is a great example.
You're right, in that querying first not only saves money on postage and copying of scripts, but helps to find those who are really interested. Many theaters may ask to send the entire script right away, but I generally don't.
I don't think there's any problem with querying multiple targets simultaneously. However, when it comes to submitting scripts, I have never sent a script to a publisher when another publisher already had one. And I don't think I would do that with theaters who were geographically close to each other. Theaters, if they pick a new script, will also want to advertise that they are premiering a show, or even giving a regional premier.
With so many scripts available, I also think that a playwright who sends multiple submissions of a script to theaters may be misinterpreted as someone too anxious to get a production. There is enough work for a theater to decide on a script, obtain rights, and consider casting, that they don't need any additional difficulties from a playwright. Also, should a playwright get into the seemingly enviable position of having two theaters vying for the script, the theater who doesn't get it may form a very bad impression of the playwright.
Again, patience has to play a part here. I've had publishers hold a script for two years, but then end up publishing it. Some people can't look past the initial production; they don't also consider long-term relationships and consequences.
All that said, if you have two close theaters who have requested the script to read, first, look at who responded first. Sometimes you can wait with the second one long enough to get an answer from the first. If, however, timing is such that both theaters need scripts at the same time, it would most definitely be the cordial, professional, and ethical thing to do to tell each that you have been requested by multiple theaters for the script; but you don't need to disclose the theaters' names to each other.
-- posted by filvayer
» Delor22 - Re: Re: submission etiquette
I'd enjoy reading an article on what makes a great query for a theater or publisher. There are many books, etc. on the art of magazine querying. I want Tom_ZC's problem with multiple interest! Any guidelines you can share are appreciated.-- posted by Delor22
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