If you’re an aspiring screenwriter looking to get your script sold or made into a movie, writing a compelling query letter is one of the most critical steps in the process.
But what exactly is a screenwriting query letter, what should you include, and why does it matter so much anyway?
Let me explain!
A query letter for screenplays is a one-page “sales pitch” letter that screenwriters use to introduce production companies, agents, and managers to their story concept with the goal of getting requested to send over the full script to review.
This succinct letter highlighting your script and screenwriting abilities aims to capture an influential reader’s attention FAST and compel them to want to dive deeper into the full screenplay you’ve carefully crafted behind the scenes.
With countless aspiring screenwriters and scripts out there looking to get noticed, standing out with a killer logline, charismatic protagonist description, and smoothly written letter is critical for rising above the fierce competition.
While each recipient’s exact preferences may slightly differ, in this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through the key ingredients of formatting and writing a killer script query letter that makes Hollywood executives eager to read your full screenplay.
Let’s dive in!
What Exactly is a Query Letter For Screenwriting?
A query letter is a crucial tool for screenwriters to secure read requests BEFORE sending over their full-length scripts to managers, agents, production companies, or contest judges.
With most recipients getting overwhelmed by hundreds of submissions, a strong query letter plays the role of that 30-second elevator pitch to showcase your story and writing abilities aimed to hook them in and stand out from the crowd.
Instead of leading off with a dry synopsis of your script’s plot and full character list, the goal of a sharp query letter is to zero in on the CORE HOOK of your protagonist and main story conflict that makes the reader instantly engaged and want to learn more.
Think of it like a movie trailer – setting up the story premise, and tone, showing the hero overcoming odds, and ending with enough intrigue that the viewer can’t wait to watch the full movie.
A query letter done right plants these story seeds effectively in a few short paragraphs.
Before we get into optimizing format and writing style, let’s walk through exactly what elements need to be included…
Key Components of a Screenwriting Query Letter
The exact length, style, and preferred content focus tend to vary a bit depending on who you’re querying and their preferences. That said, the most effective script query letters often include these core components:
- Your Personal Details & Hook – Start off by introducing who you are as the screenwriter behind this project, along with an exciting hook on why you’re passionate about this story and ideally situated to write it. Share a brief teaser of your protagonist and central conflict – Pose a compelling story question to instantly hook them!
- Logline – Next, include an intriguing one-sentence logline. This sums up in a tight package who the story follows, what they want, the central conflict standing in their way, and what’s at stake if they fail. Have them clamoring for more…
- Protagonist Breakdown – Give a vivid but concise description of who the key hero character is along with their flaws, desires, and what core internal battle they face within the script. Outline their crucial character arc and how they’ll transform by the climax for a satisfying resolution.
- Supporting Characters – Provide brief descriptions of no more than 1-3 key secondary supporting characters or antagonists and their roles.
- Primary Antagonist – Describe who or what force serves as the main external conflict the hero must overcome. Set up the initial stakes and almost impossible odds stacked against the protagonist.
- Setting Descriptions – Next, ground the reader in the primary setting, world, and time period your story occurs within over the course of the script. Use colorful details on locations.
- Genre Notes – Provide the genre category and subgenres your script falls into. Give comps to other produced films in a similar storytelling sphere to give the reader a marriage of tone, scope, and content breadth.
- Possible Attachment Options – If possible, mention noteworthy directors, actors, or producers who you think could be a great fit to champion this project. Big names attaching early along with fans gets buyers noticing…
- Future Potential Notes – Where applicable, mention possible franchise potential, merchandising opportunities, or sequels/prequel plans if the first film proves successful and resonates with audiences.
- Thank You & Call To Action – Wrap up warmly by thanking them for their consideration and inviting them to request the full script to continue finding out what happens next! Provide contact info.
That covers the core components you’ll want to have in some form within any feature film or television query letter.
Next, I’ll provide some crucial advice on perfecting format, writing style word choices, and best pitching tactics to make your query stand out.
Format, Length & Writing Tips For Crafting A Killer Script Query Letter
In terms of length, query letters tend to be fairly short since you want them to fit on a single page.
Television query letters often range from about 3/4 of a page up to 1 page maximum. Feature film queries hit that sweet spot right around 1 full page in 12-point standard screenplay font.
Of course, the exact spacing and length often depend a bit on how long your actual script title is along with including all the core story details highlighted above without dragging on too long. Still, shoot for that standard one page as the target.
Along with a clear, readable font and sharp line spacing, here are some key writing tips to also keep in mind:
Be Concise & Punchy
Write using brief, tight sentences and be extremely selective about every single word choice – no room for fluff here. You want your query exciting and easily digestible but also smooth and professional.
Ask Engaging Story Questions
Open your letter with an intriguing thematic question or fascinating “What if..” fictional scenario related to your protagonist or story world that instantly hooks interest.
Highlight Internal Conflict
While external plot details help ground the basics, emphasize internal character flaws, desires, and personal struggles that connect on a deeper emotional resonance with readers.
Killer Opening Hook
Grab attention hard with your opening paragraph centered on the hero. Describe a compelling snapshot moment that kicks off the script and instantly poses an urgent dramatic question begging to get answered over the full story.
External & Internal Stakes
Outline not just general external genre-related stakes but also more personal emotional stakes tying specifically into your protagonist’s deepest fears, wounds, and personal demons they’re battling connected to relationships in the script that readers identify with.
Evocative Imagery
Use vivid, colorful descriptors especially when describing locations, your compelling lead, quirky supporting players, and the primary antagonist force or threat they’re up against. Help plant crystal clear visuals in the reader’s mind with memorable metaphorical flair.
As a bit of extra icing on the cake, some screenwriters also choose to include optional formatting touches like:
● A compelling, keyword-rich title specifically crafted to capture the attention of industry insiders and readers.
● Section title breaks splitting up your query letter into easy-to-digest paragraphs for the key headings like Logline, Story Premise, About The Characters, etc along with enough white space.
● The full script title labeled above your contact details in ALL CAPS + bolded centered on the page just as you would format an actual screenplay title page.
● Your writer’s contact info and details are presented in a screenplay format in the bottom left along with the copyright registration to signal this script is protected intellectual property.
Implementing Options Like These Lends Your Letter Instant Credibility for Savvy Hollywood Readers!
Why Are Query Letters So Important For Aspiring Screenwriters?
Simply put, well-crafted script query letters are essential because they help get your material READ! When attempting to break into the insider Hollywood networks as an unknown writer, that first baby step is absolutely everything.
With top agents and sought-after managers receiving up to 1000 script submissions per month from eager new talent hoping just praying for a chance, standing out from the overflow crowd is IMPERATIVE or you won’t ever make it to their eyes.
Even if you managed to finagle their direct email, the odds could still be stacked heavily against you. But with a killer query letter that wows? Now you have their full, undivided attention, talent scouts!
Beyond requests that lead to script options and deals, here are just a few of the tangible ways mastering script query letters benefits aspiring screenwriters directly:
● Build crucial relationships with literary managers, talent agents, producers, and script analysts.
● Get invited to high-priority pitch meetings, writer workshops, and table reads.
● Establish yourself as an exciting voice with unique, sellable perspectives that demand to get heard in an extremely competitive industry.
● Grow an enticing portfolio demonstrating your varied writing abilities across genres and script formats beyond just specs. Commercial screenwriting pays the bills!
● Gain leverage to get your original passion projects greenlit by executing assignments building your handshake deals and financial commercial screenwriting track record.
Simply put, there are few better calling cards for undeniable screenwriting talent than beautifully crafted query letters for scripts, stage plays, and television pilots that leap off the page and shatter reader expectations.
These tight, professional sales documents become powerful advertisements making Hollywood executives crave diving deeper into your imagination. They build anticipation, and hint at greater possibilities…
And most importantly, great queries evolve you from just another writer begging for validation into a MASTER STORYTELLER worth making lucrative deals over long cocktails on sunset boulevards worldwide.
Yes, even the struggling screenwriter blearily typing away in a dingy apartment begins suddenly seeing their grandest showbiz fantasies manifesting when this document lands flawlessly…
So keep writing, dreaming big, and penning those slick, passion-filled query letters that flip Hollywood on its head! The writer’s floodgates are busting wide open and the industry is never going to know what hit ‘em, baby!
Conclusion: Why Killer Screenwriting Query Letters Matter For Breaking Into Hollywood
I hope this comprehensive guide gave you all the tools, guidelines, motivation and insider examples of the immense importance of query letters for aspiring screenwriters.
Always keep in mind that while strong execution does require diligence to craft, a killer query letter breaks down gates and serves almost like a self-fulfilling prophecy ushering you directly onto the industry fast track when done right!
Dazzle them with the hard character specifics grounded in universal themes we all connect with, Rocky.
Share vivid insight into the strange yet alluring fictional story worlds you’ve meticulously built through years of observation, Blood Simple.
And most importantly, rip their hearts out by posing painful dramatic questions surrounded in urgent moral stakes we must see resolved over your taut 110 pages, Chinatown!
Hollywood thanks you in advance for all the future envelope-pushing cinematic masterpieces and legendary new fictional icons you’re destined to introduce into our shared culture.
So make those query letters explode right off the page, screenwriters – Time to take this town by storm!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a query letter for a screenplay?
A query letter for a screenplay is a one-page letter written by screenwriters to briefly introduce and pitch their story concept to managers, agents, and production companies with the goal of getting requested to send over the full script.
What is an example of a query letter?
An example would be a letter that opens with an exciting protagonist hook and story question, then includes a logline summing up the script’s main conflict, provides vivid character descriptions and stakes, mentions appropriate genre comparisons and comps, and closes by requesting they read the full screenplay.
What is the purpose of a query letter?
The purpose is to capture the attention of industry professionals and get them interested enough in your premise, characters, writing abilities, and story world to request reading your full-length screenplay or manuscript.
What should you include in a query letter?
You should include a compelling protagonist hook, logline, vivid character descriptions, primary conflict summary, genre details and comparisons, the script’s title in caps, your contact info and bio, and a call to action.
What not to say in a query letter?
Don’t get too wordy, mention plots/characters that aren’t crucial, use excessive flattery, get overly personal, make demands, include testimonials, or have typos. Stay confident, concise and professional.
Do you send a manuscript with a query letter?
No, you do not send the full manuscript itself initially. The goal of the stand-alone query letter is to get a request to have your full script read. Then you would submit it to be considered.
What are the 7 steps to write a query letter?
- Hook them with a compelling open
- Logline summing the core conflict
- Vivid hero/ protagonist overview
- Supporting characters/antagonist
- Primary settings/world overview
- Genre category/comparisons
- Thank you and call to action
What is the first sentence of a query letter?
Your first sentence should instantly intrigue the reader with a fascinating protagonist hook and make them care about your hero’s quest or issue being explored. Open with emotional impact.
How do I make my query letter stand out?
Make your query stand out by leading with a bold, fresh story concept/question, prioritizing unexpected protagonist descriptions and internal conflict issues, highlighting cinematic vivid imagery that pops, and conveying genuine passion.