Follow This Checklist Before You Query With Your Script

Tell me if you've been there before, but I just typed what I thought was a great email to send a screenplay to producers. The moment I sent it off, I noticed a typo in the script and some weird spacing in the email, and I sent myself into a catatonic state. That's why I created a checklist that I try to follow before I share my screenplay with anyone. It's just a way to center myself, take one last look at my work and the email, and tick all the necessary boxes before I press send. Today, I'm going to show that list to you, so hopefully, you can avoid going catatonic like I did. The list is split into various sections so you can focus on the topics one by one. Let's dive in. Content Your script is everything. Even a dumb email you send to someone will be overlooked if the script is solid. So before I do anything, I go through my screenplay. The Story: Does your story grab the reader from page one and hold their attention until the end? Is it original and engaging? Strong Characters: Are your characters well-developed, believable, and relatable (even the villains)? Do they have clear motivations, goals, and flaws? Do they undergo meaningful arcs?Theme: Is there a central theme or message throughout your script? Pacing: Is the pacing appropriate for the genre? Does the story move? Show, Don't Tell: Do you show the story through action and dialogue rather than telling the reader what's happening? Are your descriptions vivid and concise? How Does It Look On the Page? After a thorough proofing, I like to scroll through my script and make sure it looks pretty on the page. No weird spacing, nothing obviously looking bad or like the format is off. Industry Standard: Is your script formatted correctly according to industry standards? This includes font (Courier New, 12pt), margins, spacing, and page breaks. Use a screenwriting software like Final Draft, Celtx, or WriterDuet.Title Page: Is your title page correctly formatted with the title, your name, and contact information?No Typos: Have you thoroughly proofread your script for typos, grammatical errors, and spelling mistakes? Action Lines: Are your action lines clear, concise, and easy to visualize? Avoid overly descriptive or cinematic language.Clear Transitions: Are the transitions between scenes clear and logical?White Space: Is there enough white space on the page to make it easy to read? Avoid dense blocks of text. Personalization After the screenplay is done, I focus on the email I'm sending. I want it to be personal and concise. I always include the logline of the project as well. Personal Email: Tell them why you're messaging them. Have you met before, is someone introducing you to them, did you get their email from a family member? Personalize it and remind them who you are. Query Letter: If you're sending a blind query letter, is it concise, engaging, and professional? Does it highlight the key elements of your script as well as who you are as a writer? Targeted Submission: Are you submitting your script to the right people or companies? Does the project fit the tone or genre they've worked on in the past? Summing Up The Screenplay Query ChecklistThere you have it. I hope this helps you on your screenwriting journey and gets you to take a breath and check your work before pressing send. Let me know what you think in the comments.

Feb 21, 2025 - 19:21

Follow This Checklist Before You Query With Your Script

Tell me if you've been there before, but I just typed what I thought was a great email to send a screenplay to producers. The moment I sent it off, I noticed a typo in the script and some weird spacing in the email, and I sent myself into a catatonic state.

That's why I created a checklist that I try to follow before I share my screenplay with anyone. It's just a way to center myself, take one last look at my work and the email, and tick all the necessary boxes before I press send.

Today, I'm going to show that list to you, so hopefully, you can avoid going catatonic like I did. The list is split into various sections so you can focus on the topics one by one.

Let's dive in.

Content

Your script is everything. Even a dumb email you send to someone will be overlooked if the script is solid.

So before I do anything, I go through my screenplay.

The Story: Does your story grab the reader from page one and hold their attention until the end? Is it original and engaging?
Strong Characters: Are your characters well-developed, believable, and relatable (even the villains)? Do they have clear motivations, goals, and flaws? Do they undergo meaningful arcs?
Theme: Is there a central theme or message throughout your script?
Pacing: Is the pacing appropriate for the genre? Does the story move?
Show, Don't Tell: Do you show the story through action and dialogue rather than telling the reader what's happening? Are your descriptions vivid and concise?

How Does It Look On the Page?

After a thorough proofing, I like to scroll through my script and make sure it looks pretty on the page. No weird spacing, nothing obviously looking bad or like the format is off.

Industry Standard: Is your script formatted correctly according to industry standards? This includes font (Courier New, 12pt), margins, spacing, and page breaks. Use a screenwriting software like Final Draft, Celtx, or WriterDuet.
Title Page: Is your title page correctly formatted with the title, your name, and contact information?
No Typos: Have you thoroughly proofread your script for typos, grammatical errors, and spelling mistakes?
Action Lines: Are your action lines clear, concise, and easy to visualize? Avoid overly descriptive or cinematic language.
Clear Transitions: Are the transitions between scenes clear and logical?
White Space: Is there enough white space on the page to make it easy to read? Avoid dense blocks of text.

Personalization

After the screenplay is done, I focus on the email I'm sending. I want it to be personal and concise.

I always include the logline of the project as well.

Personal Email: Tell them why you're messaging them. Have you met before, is someone introducing you to them, did you get their email from a family member? Personalize it and remind them who you are.
Query Letter: If you're sending a blind query letter, is it concise, engaging, and professional? Does it highlight the key elements of your script as well as who you are as a writer?
Targeted Submission: Are you submitting your script to the right people or companies? Does the project fit the tone or genre they've worked on in the past?

Summing Up The Screenplay Query Checklist

There you have it. I hope this helps you on your screenwriting journey and gets you to take a breath and check your work before pressing send.

Let me know what you think in the comments.