Alex Ferrari 0:00
I’d prefer to welcome again to the present returning champion, Jeff Calhoun.
Geoffrey Calhoun 3:29
Brother, the way you doing? Thanks, good to be
Alex Ferrari 3:31
right here. I’m good. But I’m good. I reached again out to you, man, as a result of I need I’ve been getting a whole lot of emails and requests about question letters. And I, we have by no means executed something like that on the present. I do not even suppose I’ve an article about it in bulletproof screenwriting. So I used to be like, You know what, I’m gonna name a person who is aware of about these items. And, you already know, you clearly created the the screenwriters information to formatting course that now we have on ifH Academy. And this type of goes together with that newbie stage sort of stuff was like question letters and all that sort of factor. So I believed that this could be match. So simply to reply among the questions that I’m getting from the tribe and see when you can present some worth to the viewers right this moment. So I recognize that.
Geoffrey Calhoun 4:18
Yeah, completely.
Alex Ferrari 4:20
So to start with, what’s a question letter sir?
Geoffrey Calhoun 4:24
Well, I imply, a question letter is you are just about pitching your script to producer director, a serious supervisor supervisor or an agent any of these issues, but it surely’s similar to an actual fast e mail. It’s not something too concerned.
Alex Ferrari 4:39
That as simple as that and usually it’s an e mail, not a snail mail.
Geoffrey Calhoun 4:45
Yeah, no, you are not you are not staying mailing anymore.
Alex Ferrari 4:49
Not a lot only for the faxes sir. Not the faxing. You do not do
Geoffrey Calhoun 4:52
the fax you are not gonna use a pager. That stuff. When I used to be first beginning out although you possibly can ship letters and so he did do this again then. But yeah, no, you are not mailing scripts anymore, none of that stuff.
Alex Ferrari 5:07
So what are among the greatest errors you see with question letters?
Geoffrey Calhoun 5:12
I imply, considered one of them is that they’ll, they will try to pitch themselves. Like, you already know, I gained all these awards, and I’m on this massive fancy author. Right. I feel one of many one of many worst ones I’ve seen is like, you want to learn this script, or else you do not know what you are lacking. I imply, nothing comes off this are determined or smug, or that
Alex Ferrari 5:32
is it. But is not it humorous that you just say like, oh, yeah, you want, I’ve gained all these awards. I’m such a sizzling shot, massive screenwriter. But but, you are sending a question letter. So that peak is like John August, not sending the question letters. Yeah, precisely. You know, Aaron Sorkin not sending the question letters? So um, it is sort of counterproductive in that sense.
Geoffrey Calhoun 5:52
Yeah. It would not make sense. Yeah, I might, I imply, have not dangerous grammar is a giant subject. It’s a giant subject
interval, even in script.
Yeah, properly, some writers try to justify it. But yeah, no, it is a massive downside. The see the factor about question letter is that I imply, you are introducing your expertise, a author proper there. So it is an introduction to who you’re in whether or not you are proficient in that and the way in which your question letter reads, properly, then it is indication that you possibly can be a good a minimum of a good screenwriter.
Alex Ferrari 6:28
Now, how lengthy ought to or not it’s?
Geoffrey Calhoun 6:31
It’s not lengthy, I imply, we’re not sending out pages. You’re simply gonna do your, your your intro. And then you are going to do you are gonna do a logline like a one to 2 sentence log line. And there’s two faculties of thought on this. It sort of has to rely the way it works for you. So you possibly can do the log line after which what we name the elevator pitch. Or you possibly can do the logline, the elevator pitch and a brief synopsis. And that is about it. I do not I would not transcend that. And once more, like I mentioned, there’s two faculties of thought on that some folks do that synopsis some folks do.
Alex Ferrari 7:03
So only for individuals who do not know it actual fast, what’s the logline so only for individuals who do not perceive
Geoffrey Calhoun 7:09
Yeah, after all. So the logline is only a temporary one to 2 sentence rationalization of your script.
Alex Ferrari 7:15
Simple as that. And then the synopsis clearly is the synopsis of your
Geoffrey Calhoun 7:19
script. But I might do a brief synopsis although. So I might do like three related senses.
Alex Ferrari 7:25
Yeah, tops proper. And the elevator pitch is comparable so far as the hyperlink Yeah,
Geoffrey Calhoun 7:29
so So the elevator pitch is rather like it is Back to the Future meets Pulp Fiction, you already know, one thing like that.
Alex Ferrari 7:37
I’ll see that film. I watch that film, which I used to be I used to be one other query I used to be gonna ask you must you do the entire you already know, again Back to the Future meets Pulp Fiction world or higher but Pulp Fiction meets Jurassic Park that film I wish to say however like do you do you do this? Because I do know lots of people prefer it’s so Hollywood to try this. But it does get the it will get the message throughout actually shortly like within the 90s diehard on a ship, diehard on a aircraft diehard in an enviornment.
Geoffrey Calhoun 8:11
I’m going to I’m going to be sincere with you it is seller’s selection at this level. I imply, you are able to do it you may get away with it. You cannot I imply? I suppose it comes down when you’re doing it properly. I have never executed it however would my question the success I received I did my logline and I did a brief synopsis after which that then ended up stepping into Fred seabirds palms. Next factor you already know, I used to be getting a name from Frederick otter and so they have been asking me if if I if I had a TV youngsters’s animated comedy, and I did not so after all I mentioned sure. And name up considered one of my finest author associates and mentioned guess what we’re writing tonight. And after which we wrote a pilot and we pitched it to him so in order that’s how I received success. But when you have been to do the elevator pitch I might be sure to solely did movies that have been profitable and well-known so
Alex Ferrari 9:02
like cats cats meets Ishtar not not it isn’t that should not be
Geoffrey Calhoun 9:09
I’ve had nightmares of that one. How do you know you are my goals?
Alex Ferrari 9:13
Scare advertisements meets his artwork. We ought to do a complete
Geoffrey Calhoun 9:18
present on finance meets falls two.
Alex Ferrari 9:21
Oh no, no, no. Cats meets cats meet the room.
Geoffrey Calhoun 9:28
I’m offered cats. That theater
Alex Ferrari 9:32
director Tommy was so are you able to think about Can you think about giving Tommy Wiseau $200 million.
Geoffrey Calhoun 9:38
I feel you simply discovered his subsequent challenge.
Alex Ferrari 9:41
Thank you. I feel I Tommy that is free when you’re listening. Now, you have been saying earlier do not concentrate on your self. Focus on the story. Focus on the screenplay. How formal must you be? Because a whole lot of occasions like hey bro slightly too casual but additionally do not wish to be however you additionally do not wish to be like To Whom It May Concern. Oh, I haven’t got that. So the place’s the the place’s the stability?
Geoffrey Calhoun 10:04
Yeah, properly, you are going to when you are going to question any person, you are going to goal them. So you have already executed your analysis on them. And you will discover folks by IMDb Pro, or there’s even books you will discover. But whoever you’re querying you, let’s speak about this for a second, ensure that they settle for unsolicited supplies, unsolicited which means you do not have an agent or supervisor. So that is, that is first bar. So in the event that they do settle for unsolicited supplies, then you possibly can question that individual, as a result of they’re open to it. And it is simply Hi, good day. And then you already know, Alex, or whoever their title is, you aren’t getting to Formula formal with it. But you aren’t getting too informal. So I might say it could be just like the writing model of enterprise informal so your your acceptable however your little unfastened?
Alex Ferrari 10:51
You received it. Exactly. It let’s let’s speak slightly bit about the way to discover that proper individual to ship it to as a result of each you and I get question letters for screenplays, which continues to be thoughts boggling to me. I imply, a minimum of you are a screenwriting, you already know, teacher and Guru and guide. I do not I interview people who find themselves within the screenwriting house. I imply, I run an internet site
Geoffrey Calhoun 11:16
to make this $200 million script I
Alex Ferrari 11:18
wrote I you already know, which is cats meets the room. But um, however something cats meets your it is, it is strong, it is cash. It’s cash. It’s strong. It’s cats meet Star Wars cats meets, you already know, Harry Potter, I imply, each each, it is all it is simply, it is, you are all good. But I get I get question letters, and I simply delete them instantly, as a result of I’m like, I’m not even gonna reply. Because I do not wish to similar to I do not wish to be legally accountable or something like that. But that is the
Geoffrey Calhoun 11:48
massive factor. Yeah. You do not wish to get you do not wish to get sued for that.
Alex Ferrari 11:52
Exactly. So however that was like, one of the best one I ever received was like, related related, like, you want to you want to learn that is the subsequent Star Wars The subsequent proper, you already know, Mission Impossible collection or one thing, some grandiose sort of principle. And you have to learn this. I’ve additionally after which they go into who they’re, and all of the wonderful movie festivals they’ve gained, and awards they’ve gained, which I’ve by no means heard of. But regardless, that is simply not the way in which enterprise is completed. In our trade, anyone who’s really if anybody who really has gained actual awards, like actual awards, issues that like an Oscar an Emmy. Yeah, the nickels or one thing of some kind of magnitude within the house. Yeah. You say that possibly a couple of times within the letter like, Hey, I’m a nickels finalist.
Geoffrey Calhoun 12:47
That’s that is slightly bit you dropped, you
Alex Ferrari 12:49
drop it, you do not slam it over folks’s heads, and also you undoubtedly do not brag about it. Yeah. Because would you match? Would or not it’s truthful to say like, the question letter must be sort of like having a dialog with somebody you simply met at a celebration? Like when you meet any person at a celebration, you are not going to go as much as them and go, Dude, I’m one of the best. My subsequent screenplay goes to be superior. You have to learn this e-book. Is that Is that truthful to say?
Geoffrey Calhoun 13:11
Yeah, I feel that is completely. I feel that is completely correct. Yeah. Because you are not too formal, proper? But you are not too relaxed with the way in which you are speaking with folks and, and pitching your, your challenge. And I feel that is good.
Alex Ferrari 13:22
Now, is that this coming to with the tone as properly being for extra data on like, ought to the tone be? Like, what’s the tone? Because you possibly can be aggressive? You could possibly be, you already know, do you begin telling jokes, I
Geoffrey Calhoun 13:34
can be simply purely determined. If you possibly can simply come off? Yes.
Alex Ferrari 13:38
That’s a Jakar. determined. Ah, that is that is the precise cologne they promote that you just put the issue?
Geoffrey Calhoun 13:45
Yeah, no, I might, I might, I might preserve the tone. As far because the question goes, you need your tone to match sort of the style of the script, you are writing it. So when you’re doing like a brief synopsis, you need to be in that sort of a tone of, of of like a thriller or a comedy. But you do not wish to get to, like I mentioned, you wish to get too loopy with it.
Alex Ferrari 14:07
Right. So like, so far as like, being too humorous. Make like a joke or two is ok, particularly when you’re when you’re pitching a comedy. Yeah, you are not doing slapstick. Yeah, precisely. But slightly little bit of that just a bit bit to sort of give it of a character, possibly one thing to stay out. Slight. Yes. It’s all much less is extra. Exactly. Less is extra. Now, I’ve to ask you the query, although, the place the place are you able to go flawed with question letters? Because I, there appears to be it tends to be sort of like a crutch for lots of screenwriters. So what do Yeah.
Geoffrey Calhoun 14:39
Well, I imply, having been, I achieved slightly little bit of success with with the question letters, I’m beginning to perceive that. That’s just like the 1% with question letters. There’s, there’s simply completely I do not personally I do not imagine in them. There. I feel that is one thing you are able to do, however I feel it is one thing you must do in there. and stroll away from and have actually no expectation with it. Because what I discovered with question letters is that individuals will turn into sort of hooked on them and have this slot machine like mentality the place they’ve written the script. And if they simply pull that arm sufficient occasions, ultimately they’re gonna stroll away with a win. And it simply would not work that method. I feel the easiest way to get your screenplay made is thru networking. But I might even argue previous that, as a result of what I discover with screenwriters is that they write the screenplay, they get actually enthusiastic about it, which is fantastic. But they count on, you already know, fame, fortune, you already know, making it in Hollywood. And I feel the mentality is the problem, as a result of there is a distinction between writing a screenplay and anticipating it to be enormous. And then being a paid author. Because when you simply wish to be a paid author, then it is about utilizing that screenplay you wrote as a resume, to supply what you are able to do as a author, and never anticipating that ticket offered. When that considered one of my scripts I did an enormous circuit across the nation properly, and even the world with my script, going to festivals, and assembly folks and, and attending to know them, and sure, they’d learn my work, however I might get employed due to my work to work on their challenge. And that is how I turned a paid author, I might suggest branding your self round your writing and fewer about holding on to that script as a golden ticket.
Alex Ferrari 16:38
So that is a extremely good level right here as a result of a whole lot of screenwriters Well, there’s two issues one, a whole lot of screenwriters suppose it as a result of I do know that the screenwriters thoughts I do know the filmmakers thoughts, as a result of I’ve that in thoughts myself is that the question letter is like, Okay, I’ve despatched out 10 question letters right this moment. I haven’t got to work on my craft right this moment. Like, I’m good now. And they and so they use that because the excuse of like, I’m working in the direction of it. But actually, it isn’t. It’s simply it must be if you are going to do it, you already know, ship it out and do not shotgun it, please be strategic with it, not shotgun it as a result of you’ll get you folks will burn you are gonna get burned. Don’t do this. Just be strategic about who do the analysis about who you wish to ship it to. And there was profitable profession ladders, after all there has. But it should not be the one technique in attempting to get your work on the market. But branding your self extra as the author than the screenplay is a lot extra vital. Like, I imply, when you take a look at Shane Black, he did not simply He wasn’t simply the deadly weapon script. Right? That wasn’t the one factor he had, you already know, Aaron Sorkin wasn’t simply the one script. It wasn’t only for just a few good males. That’s not the script. You know, Tarantino undoubtedly simply wasn’t Reservoir Dogs. You know, there’s they they set themselves up as writers within the house after which received like, even when Tarantino began out, he began getting a whole lot of rewriting. He did a whole lot of rewrites of script. doctoring, uncredited, credited. All that sort of stuff due to that mentality what you simply mentioned, proper?
Geoffrey Calhoun 18:11
Yeah, I imply, it is, it is, it is what you need, I might not take a look at your script because the golden ticket. And as a substitute, try to determine how do I wish to turn into this paid author. And then you definately begin branding, discovering the area of interest that you may fill discovering your strengths as a author, after which constructing in the direction of that, I imply, that that is the trail that I’ve executed. And that is how I discovered my success.
Alex Ferrari 18:31
Well, my good friend, I recognize you taking the day trip to speak about question letters. It is one thing that the tribe was asking me for, and I feel now we have coated it and informed you the way to do it, how to not do it. Maybe you should not do it. And additionally, even additionally play the little bit within the philosophy and the philosophy however the psychology of screenwriting, and yeah, getting in your personal method. Because belief me, like I keep in mind once I was, you already know, like, Oh, I simply despatched out, you already know, I faxed out. I fax out 20 resumes, guys. I faxed out 20 resumes right this moment. I’m good. Let me go sit down and watch the most recent actuality present notes
Geoffrey Calhoun 19:09
again. I feel I feel at one level once I first began, I feel I queried each supervisor, an agent in LA. And how that labored out for you. Yeah, I imply, I realized a lesson. Let’s put it that method
Alex Ferrari 19:24
was that I’m assuming that was I’m assuming that is a two could concern. Because you did not do it? Yeah,
Geoffrey Calhoun 19:28
it was just like the worst question letter you get pretend out. I used to be like this simply inexperienced and determined. And I simply went by lots of. I imply, it was lots of and and I simply did not know what I used to be doing. And after that, I noticed Yeah, that is this isn’t the way in which to do it. And then I simply I matured and over time mentioned okay, this, that is how I begin
Alex Ferrari 19:47
to receives a commission. And I simply wish to put another factor earlier than we go. The desperation we have joked slightly bit concerning the desperation. If the desperation spills over into a question letter, or right into a telephone name or in to that stuff. People don’t wish to work with determined screenwriter or determined filmmakers. They do not as a result of belief me, I was doused in Jakarta spa. I imply, I used to have a lot desperation you possibly can simply and professionals within the enterprise they see it coming from a mile away. And within the factor is that you want to not come at it from some extent of desperation, however have to return at it from some extent of service. How can I allow you to get to the place you wish to go? Is {that a} rewrite of the script? Is is making a script that is going that can assist you earn cash? How can I present worth to you? It’s so it is a lot extra vital than I would like you to learn my script to make my goals come true. You’re executed?
Geoffrey Calhoun 20:48
Yeah, no, I imply, that is completely proper. And we have all been there. I imply, I feel that is why you and I do do issues like it is because now we have now we have dripped and sweated and, you already know, if it wasn’t for e mail, they’d see my dried tears on my question letters, you already know, I imply, it is simply, we have been there and we all know it, and we do not need folks to undergo it. The downside is when you find yourself in that that desperation, you sort of do not realize it, it’s important to have that aha second the place you go, okay, yeah, I have to I have to refocus, I would like to alter. And you will know that if you’re these question letters as your solely hope, then you’re in that mentality of being determined, however there’s methods to get round it. You simply should sort of retake management of your path, and begin strategizing and planning your option to success. Because the one massive concern I’ve about querying is when you’re not strategizing, you are not planning, then you definately’re simply being blind religion in blind religion about it and hoping and praying. And I simply suppose you want to take extra management of that path and be extra lively. If we will use screenwriting phrases, be extra lively in your personal story and rather less passive,
Alex Ferrari 21:59
proper, with out query, however I hear, thanks once more for being on the present, speaking about letters. And hopefully this has helped out just a few folks and possibly simply possibly a few automobiles are ringing out on this planet right this moment as they hearken to this episode. So thanks once more by that. Thanks once more.
Geoffrey Calhoun 22:14
My pleasure.
