AboutRoger S. H. Schulman Expertise I can answer questions on the creative aspects of writing for features and television comedy: brainstorming, character development, plotting, story structure, dialog, rewriting, editing, etc. I can also address the business side of show business: pitching, writing and presenting treatments, "taking" meetings, common pitfalls, etc. I'm also well versed in the relationship between screenwriting and computers: software for scriptwriting, brainstorming, presentation, outlining, an d general organization. I'm also a producer, and so can answer questions regarding the ins and outs of television production, specifically the half-hour arena. Visit my scriptwriting blog at http://scriptwriting.blogspot.com.
Experience I have been working in Hollywood as a screenwriter for both TV and features for many years. I'm an Executive Producer and "showrunner" who has run several prime-time and cable comedies. I've written several featurs and contributed to many more for several major studios.
Organizations Writers Guild of America, West
Publications Newsweek, BusinessWeek, GQ, Connoisseur, UPI, New York Daily News, please visit my blog at http://scriptwriting.blogspot.com
Education/Credentials I have a Masters of Science in Journalism from Columbia University.
Awards and Honors Academy Award Nomination, Best Adapted Screenplay
British Academy Award, Best Adapted Screenplay
NAACP "Image" Award, Best Television Comedy
"Annie" Award, Best Animated Film
Question hi, two quick questions:
1) When approaching screenwriting agents with a query letter is it better to use e-mail or actual mail? Do you think it could either help or hurt my chances?
2) If I only made it to the 2nd round of a competition should I mention it in the query letter? 2nd round isn't much is it? Would it be better just to not mention anything (thus the possibility that the script maybe hasn't been sent to any competitions)?
Thank you very much for your time.
Answer 1. Why not use both snail mail and email? If you're able to get to the agent via email, you'll know it's being at least glanced at by the agent him (or her) self. And snail mail provides a hard copy it's a tiny bit harder to toss in the wastebasket -- maybe at least it'll get filed.
My only caveat is if you've gotten the email address through surreptitious means. The agent might take offense and go out of his way to be unhelpful.
2. Don't mention the WORST of what you did. Mentiont the BEST. You didn't "only" make it to the second round. You were "accepted" by the so-and-so scriptwriting assocation, or approved, or something. Find a way to positively state what you DID accomplish, not negatively state what you DIDN'T. Unless there's just no way to do that without obviously torturing the English language.
