How to get your Script Optioned with writer/director Pat Higgins

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On this episode I’m joined by writer director and film lecturer Pat Higgins.

Pat has directed a whopping 9 films, both features and anthology pics. His last film was the number one project on kickstarter and closed out the 2022 Fright Fest Film Festival. Pat has also written a number of scripts, some of which have been optioned.

GETTING YOUR SCRIPT OPTIONED – HOW IT WORKS
I spoke to Pat about scriptwriting, the logistics of getting a script optioned, getting an agent, crowd funding your films and practical tips for directing on set.
Pat is an Essex based writer and director, known for Hellbride (2007), The Devil’s Music (2008) and Powertool Cheerleaders vs the Boyband of the Screeching Dead (2022). Described by Fangoria as “one of the most promising British Horror directors”.

His horror-musical Powertool Cheerleaders vs the Boyband of the Screeching Dead was the number one project on crowd funding platform kickstarter and went on to premiere at the Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square, London, on the closing night of the Fright Fest Film Festival.
Pat’s also known for his sell out shows about the ups and downs of filmmaking “Werewolves, Cheerleaders & Chainsaws” and “How Not to Make a Horror Movie”. He has had scripts optioned in the UK and US and regularly presents his “How to write a feature script in 30 days” writers workshops.
Find out more about Pat here https://jinx.co.uk

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Hoofdstukken

1. Introduction (00:00:00)

2. How Pat approaches screenwriting (00:00:59)

3. Listening to what's selling (00:02:10)

4. Writing a screenplay in 30 days (00:05:28)

5. How do you feel about writing? Do you enjoy it? (00:08:37)

6. How getting your script optioned works (00:10:02)

7. How do you sort out the contract? (00:11:43)

8. How do you get an agent? (00:13:32)

9. Going through the production process strengthens your writing (00:15:41)

10. Pitching your film to people (00:16:37)

11. Power tool cheerleaders Vs the boyband of the screeching dead (00:17:44)

12. Directing advice (00:18:42)

13. What don't students learn at Uni? (00:22:27)