How does one submit an idea for a movie to a studio?

Question

I'm not looking to find an agent and go that route. It really is more of just something to try so I can say I did. Though I would like it if someone at least opens the letter and views it. I don't care if they send it to the shredder. I was thinking of writing a letter, signing it, then have a friend sign it as a witness. Such that if something ever did develop, I'd have prior art. Would a letter need to be sent certified mail, return receipt? Would movie studios just return any letter unopened? It is not any sort of A run movie, so something like Lion's Gate might be a target (who else?). Any genuine help would be appreciated. I don't have a script nor do I plan to write one.

Answer 1

Ok, firstly they won't touch anything that doesn't have liability/copyright insurance. The Writer's Guild of America can help you copyright your script.

That brings us to your script. you need one, a finished one. Doesn't have to be perfect, many studios may want it edited anyway but they need a finished draft to work with. In film script format is ideal, on binded A4 although last year at Cannes a guy published his as an A5 booklet and many people took it. But for a pitch you'll want the thing in traditional A4

Then you need a pitch. Phone studios or write or email. Phone an individual. Do your research and find out who is in charge of booking writers/producers for new ideas. They will be public figures and their names should be available, so write to them, address them by name and tell them you would like to be considered with the next group of writers pitching ideas, you can even give a quick idea of the genre, target demogr5aphic etc. Ask for a short interview, push for face to face or over the phone with an exec but don't settle for "drop us an email woith your script ideas" because it leaves you exposed and there's no gaurantee they will read it.

Ok, so get in there and always remember to first say hello and thank them for their time in seeing you. Courtesy gets thrown out of the window in a mad dash for success in film-making and it will give you some class. Then you need a one liner - it's got to be descriptive, use good language but not overly complex and gets the point across. Don't go for a film teaser like "it's not safe in the water anymore" because they have their own people to think those thigns up and it doesn't tell them what it's about. After you're one liner describe the narrative of the principle character, and act passionate about the idea. Don't worry about cramming it in, in 30 seconds. If they like it after 10 they won't worry about you going overtime. But act like you want to get this made, that you have a vision of it and that you would love to make it and then go see it.

Answer 2

Submit Movie Ideas

Answer 3

I think that if you wanted to submit a suggestion they would be expecting a script. Otherwise I wouldn't bother them. Trying to get an agent to do it would require you to be a client of the agent and that would cost a small fortune. I think that without having an actual script, your chances of having your letter read would be somewhere between nil and none. Also, they could take your suggestion and write their own movie if you are not supplying them with a script. Anyone can have an idea at any time. I don't know if simple ideas can claim any kind of exclusivity. I don't think ideas without substance can be copywritten.