Inktip and Scriptwriting

I’m not sure how I heard about Inktip. But at some point after Hilary Hemingway and I had written a script for my novel, Ghost Key, we registered it with Writers Guild West, proof that the script is yours. I uploaded the script along with a logline, a synopsis, and a resume. The price is reasonable – $60 for four months on the site and every six weeks, you’re able to bring your script to the top of the viewing.

Their site is easy to use. You’re supposed to select the main genre for your script and the choices range from action and adventure, fantasy and horror to science fiction and thrillers and everything in between. There’s a large selection for sub-genres and elements that your script contains – like aliens, the paranormal – and you check all the ones that apply. Thanks to Blake Snyder’s book on script writing, Save the Cat, I played around with the logline and synopsis until I had something that felt right.

Since that first upload of Ghost Key, I’ve written three more scripts based on my novels that are also on the site. Skin Shifters, Black Water, and Shrouded (based on Out of Sight, which won the Edgar.) With these, I used Snyder’s recommended “beats,” which are incredibly helpful – whether you’re writing a script or a novel. I’m just giving you a taste here, the first several beats of 15. Whether you’re writing a script or a novel,  get both books.

Opening image: who is your character? What’s the opening scene of this person’s life?

Theme: What’s your script/book about? What’s the core idea, the core challenge for your character?

Setup: Introduce everyone who exists within your protagonist’s world. What are the protagonist’s flaws? What in the person’s life needs fixing?

Catalyst: Oops. This is where your character’s life and the plot take an unforeseen tone. They can do longer deny the quest (Campbell).

Debate: The plan. How will your protagonist (characters) get to where she/he wants to be in order to experience act 2, where everything is upside down from act 1.

Once you’ve got your perfect script, upload to Inktip and follow their easy, intuitive guidelines, And every day I assure you, you’ll be logging on to see who has viewed your logline. When an industry professional has viewed your synopsis, resume or script, Inktip notifies you by email. The site also has some other perks.

The weekly newsletter that lets you know what producers/directors are looking for enables you to pitch directly to that company. You pay for this service, but again, the fee is reasonable.

What I love most about Inktip is that it removes the middle man – the agent, manager, whoever – who stands between you, the writer and storyteller, and the producer or director who is looking for a good story. In today’s world, that’s a welcome  new paradigm.

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Here’s another script we have out there…SPINNING OUT.