I wrote a couple movie scripts. Does anyone have worthwhile advice on how to get them into the right hands? I expect to just get flamed in this thread, but every once in a while someone gives a point that I haven't considered. I looked into script contests, but I assume they're all rigged money-grabs since they have high entry fees and often offer critiques. Both movies I wrote would be fairly low-budget (low six figures).

Does it involve the following scenario? If so, it's been done a thousand times.
Doorbell rings
Man: I'm the fed ex man here to deliver a large package.
Woman: come right in my husband won't be back for an hour. I've never had a large package delivered to me before.

Baw chicka bow wow

Lounge people are pretty nice, and some of them have even dabbled in the movie business. I bet you get some good advice in here.

Too much dialogue. Clean that up and you might have a winner.

Do any scenes lend themselves to a short that works in a standalone way?

If you maybe get that made - I dunno, network with film students - you have a calling card of sorts?

I've wondered this too. I wrote one a few years ago and submitted it in a couple of contests. I didn't think it was all that expensive. One of them had someone review it and I feel like I got pretty good feedback. I would think that if you won one of these at least someone would take a look? I don't know.

5 replies and no mention of Vegas Knights? The lounge people ARE nice.

Just read a little about the Academy Nicholl and Austin competitions. 7511 and 6764 entries respectively in 2014. 10 and 5 winners.

Each entry paying about $40-50 to enter.

I knew screenwriting was brutal, but wow. What % of the entries are serious contenders? What % are hopeless?

There are "good" scripts floating around Hollywood for years. Then on the flip side they can green light a movie like Twister with basically no script, just a special effects rendering. It's got to be next to impossible to ever get anything made especially if you aren't Jewish and/or related to a bunch of power players. I suppose just getting a script sold would be worthwhile enough though.

99% percent of screenwriting contests are scams. The ones mentioned like the Nicholl are the exception. I'd avoid them all anyways and instead I'd show your script to friends and family and try and get some feedback.

My advice would be to take a look at: https://blcklst.com/ . It's probably the only reputable screenwriting website where your money is actually well spent. I think it costs around $50 to post your screenplay on that website and you're guaranteed a read from someone who works in the industry. Along with reading your script the reader will also provide a review and some brief notes on your work. Feedback on your work from professionals is valuable and will be a good way for you to get an idea of where your writing talent is compared to other dreamers. On the off chance that your script is indeed exceptional posting a script to the website above gives you the greatest chance of breaking into the industry without any real connections to leverage.

Get as many eyeballs on your work as possible and then put a lot of effort into knocking out another draft or two of your current script. Then I would look to post it to the Blacklist website and see what happens.

There are many predatory businesses that prey on aspiring writers. Be careful to not throw away money trying to pursue your dream of screenwriting.

My one friend who works in film told me that no one takes unsolicited scripts. Who, for example, would you suggest I send the scripts to? Go to the Warner Bros website or Lion's Gate website and email a PDF to their "contact us" address (if they even have one)?