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Writer's pictureScreenwriting Staffing
Jun 27, 20187 min read

15 Screenwriting Sites Every Screenwriter Should Bookmark

Updated: Jul 17, 2018

The following list came from our older blog. Below, please find some of our favorite screenwriting sites. For a larger list, please click here, TOP TEN LIST, and here: TEN MORE. List was made by Screenwriting Staffing's Founder, Jacob N. Stuart

 

In no specific order.


WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA, WEST.  This is a no-brainer. The WGAW, whether a member or not, is a MUST website for all screenwriters. It’s loaded with all the material that matters to us working screenwriters: contracts, screenwriting credit information, and an outstanding amount of useful writing tools. If you’re not familiar with the site, I’d highly suggest getting familiar with it. Because if you are one of the lucky few who gets called to the plate, you better know your “stuff”…. that means screenwriting terms, rights, and rules.

Register your script: www.wgawregistry.org/webrss

Guild-Signatory Agents: www.wga.org/agency/agencylist.aspx


IMDB PRO. Before Facebook, before Twitter…. there was IMDb. This is OUR online resume. It’s imperative you keep track of you page. Update it and correct it when new developments are underway. Pen out an amazing bio. Upload your PDF resume. Why does this site matter for the novice/student screenwriter? You need to know who’s DOING what, or who DID what. This is a great way to look up your favorite films, see who wrote them, and who represents the writers who wrote them. Take down e-mails, phone numbers, and even their maiden name. Everything matters. For the working screenwriter: this site in invaluable. You MUST know what projects are going into development. Most likely, these will be the projects you are applying for. Regardless of your “stock” in this industry, this site offers contact info to all the big players in Hollywood. It is also packed with industry news… who’s starring in what picture, which studio bought which script, and which films are winning the TOP awards. IMDb is FREE. IMDb Pro cost money – but it’s worth it!

See where you rank: https://pro-labs.imdb.com

GOOD IN A ROOM. There are far too many sites on the web that focus on “how to write a screenplay”, but not nearly enough that teach you how to “pitch” your screenplay to the decision-makers! Everyday in Hollywood, unequipped writers pitch their project (that they spent 5 years on) to an industry pro for a measly 5 minutes, only to blow the entire meeting. You can have the best story in the world, but if you can’t “work a room”, your script will fall on deaf ears, period. That’s where Stephanie Palmer comes in! Stephanie’s a former MGM Pictures executive and best-selling author of Good in a Room, featured by NBC, ABC, CBS, Los Angeles Times, NPR, Variety, and many more. She works one-on-one with writers, offers a screenwriting course on selling your script, and provides a brilliant blog full of useful tips and tricks to shine in a “room”.


KEEP WRITING. Dave Trottier is the mastermind behind one the best-selling screenwriting books of all time, The Screenwriter’s Bible. Keep Writing is a safe, encouraging, and motivating screenwriting community that welcomes writers from all walks of life. Be sure to browse through his plethora of screenwriting books, as well as his articles on formatting, tackling writer’s block, plot structure, and many more. He also has a fantastic service that evaluates query letters and screenplays. This site should be on every writer’s radar!


FILM FREEWAY. This site has blown up over the past few years. I have either operated, judged, or spoke on over 12 different film festivals in the last 3 years. EVERY single festival I’ve facilitated is listed on Film Freeway. Why? Because it’s by far the most user-friendly film/script submission platform on the web. It’s 100% FREE to submit your script. Browse over 4,000 international film festivals, many include screenplay contests, and pick one (or more) that best fit your screenwriting needs. It’s so simple. Just upload your screenplay in PDF, provide a short logline/bio, then submit. Each festival/contest page list in detail their purpose, background, awards, contest directors, terms, and dates! Not EVERY festival/contest is worth submitting to (trust me) but with 33 Academy Award accredited festivals already listed on their site, I’m sure you will have no problem finding the right home for your script! Browse Contests: https://filmfreeway.com

SIMPLY SCRIPTS. This site is riddled with downloadable produced and unproduced scripts, including features, television, radio, and more!  I can’t stress this enough: you have to READ screenplays. You can read all the  “how to” screenwriting books in the world, but if you don’t actually read good script material, you will NEVER know what works! You can download all your favorite screenplays in PDF, word, and google docs. SimplyScripts also offers screenwriting articles and opinions. 100% FREE site.

Download today: www.simplyscripts.com


THE TRACKING BOARD. Having access to TTB automatically makes you a Hollywood “insider”. This site tracks all the top spec sales, industry jobs, executive moves, and talent attachments. You need to know what’s “hot” and what’s “not” if you want to succeed in this industry. Impress the socks off your friends the next time you go out for a drink… or, better yet, the executive you are pitching your script to. TTB also runs a script contest, where winners are guaranteed to get their foot in the door. You can get BASIC industry news for FREE, but for the “INSIDER” scoop, you must pay for their information – it’s worth EVERY penny! See if your SPEC made the list! www.tracking-board.com


SLATED. “Slated…like being at a cocktail party with a bunch of investors, and, if they’re interested, they reach out to you.” – New York Times. That sums up Slated perfectly. Slated is where you go if you want to see your movie made. They have OVER 20,000 producers/sales agents/distribution companies on their site alone! Films listed on Slated attracted $560M in production financing last year. Thousands of investors access hundreds of new projects every month. If you are done blindly soliciting your scripts to folks who just don’t have the means to “make things happen”, Slated can help make the right introductions to the right buyers in Hollywood. Post Your Project. www.slated.com


DONE DEAL PRO. In order to work in this business, you have to know what is selling, who is selling, and where it’s being sold. As writers, we should be following the industry trends every day. DDP tracks the daily script options and sales, NOT just in Hollywood, but all over the world. When you sign up, you instantly have access to all the new developments in Hollywood, but most importantly, the players behind them — agents, producers, companies, and law firms. They also have a FREE forum that’s full of handy writing tidbits. Inside Information: http://donedealpro.com

SCRIPTNOTES PODCAST. Scriptotes is run by John August and Craig Mazin. They discuss everything, as writers, that we want and need to know — from craft, to sales, to landing an elusive writing job. It’s a fun and easy-to-follow podcast that every writer should at least check out once. You can also browse John’s blogs, which gives you an inside glimpse into today’s hot topics regarding all things film. Listen Today: 


YOUR SCREENPLAY SUCKS. Your Screenplay Sucks started as a BOOK. If you haven’t read it yet, buy it! William Akers is a produced WGA screenwriter who offers candid and honest critique/feedback. Hollywood is not a friendly town, so why should screenwriting critique be any different? Mr. Akers teaches screenwriting, and frequently tracks his students success, dilemmas, and accomplishments through his blog. He supplies his readers with practical screenwriting knowledge. My favorite is The 7 Deadly Sin of Writing. Check It Out: https://yourscreenplaysucks.wordpress.com—


SCRIPT READER PRO. SRP is one of the most active sites online. They are constantly updating their blogs, helping screenwriters with a limited network get their work in front of agents and producers. Script Reader Pro offers script coverage, an online screenwriting course, and their new book on SCREENPLAY STRUCTURE. What I particularly like about their coverage, and please pardon my language, is they cut through the bullshit. Most coverage services hire amateur writers who spend far too much time referencing their ONE screenwriting class they took in film school. NOT every script is the same. And they treat every script uniquely, understanding the writer’s voice, and the theme to their screenplay. Worth A Look-See:  www.scriptreaderpro.com


SCRIPT MAGAZINE. One of the TOP screenwriting publications on the web. ‘Script’ provides their readers with invaluable screenwriting tips, interviews, and opinions. They tackle topics that are relevant to “today’s” screenwriter, such as how to write a screenplay, how to compose a query letter, and how to sell your script. They also offer links to popular screenwriting podcasts, tutorials, and seminars. I’d also highly suggest paying special attention to Jeanne Veillette Bowerman blog: Balls of Steel: http://www.scriptmag.com/author/jeannevb. This is a personal favorite of mine.

Start reading: www.scriptmag.com


WRITERS STORE. They have been around for 30 years, and still the leading store for screenwriters. The ‘Writers Store’ is a screenwriter’s “Toy Store”. It’s full of wonderful scriptwriting software, books, courses, videos, and more. They also have a customer service department that can help you navigate through all their products. They are always on the cutting-edge of all things screenwriting in terms of technology and knowledge. You can’t write a screenplay without being armed with the correct screenwriting tools.

Fill Your Shopping Cart: www.writersstore.com


Your LOCAL Film Commission. Whether you live in California or Maine, you need to be aware of what films are being shot in your City, State, and even Country. Film Commission pages offer information on tax incentives, film permits, cast/crew notifications, and local film opportunities. Many film commission pages offer a “job section”, too. It’s imperative you list your name, contact info, and skills in your state’s film office database. Yes, they even have a section for screenwriters. Make a splash in your city. Show your spirit and skills. Get discovered. Most film office pages list screenwriting meetup groups, workshops, and festival updates. In a previous post on The Backstory, I mentioned how important it was for a screenwriter to understand the filmmaking process, and that includes casting, budgeting, scouting locations, holding a camera, and editing. Participate, collaborate, and build your network in your community. Screenwriters can NOT afford to be left behind.

Search for your NEAREST Film Commission: www.afci.org/film-commissions


 

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This article was written by Screenwriting Staffing’s Founder, Jacob N. Stuart. Jacob is an award-winning screenwriter with over 20 scripts either optioned or produced to screen, airing in over 15 different countries. He is a graduate of The Los Angeles Film School with a degree in FILM/ENTERTAINMENT. Outside of judging and spear-heading multiple film festivals across the country, he is a regular contributor for FINAL DRAFT and CREATIVE SCREENWRITING MAGAZINE. You can follow him on TWITTER.

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