3 QUESTIONS ABOUT QUERY LETTERS

by David Trottier

FORMATTING QUERY LETTERS

QUESTION

I know that you recommend 12-point Courier for screenplays, but what about query letters?  Is Times New Roman or Arial cool, or should I stick to Courier?  Any other formatting rules I should know?  Also, what should be the word count for a query letter?

ANSWER

You have more latitude in a query letter, but keep in mind that your query letter should be formatted like a business letter, although the actual content will reveal you as a superb, creative writer.  Using your own letterhead is fine.

You may use Times New Roman or Arial, but don't use a script typeface or any typeface that might, in any way, be difficult to read.  I favor a 12-point font.  I also recommend standard block format, which means everything is brought to the left margin.  Double space between paragraphs and don't indent.  (Other business letter formats are fine.)  

Fancy graphics are not necessary; after all, you are selling yourself as a writer, not as a graphic artist, but feel free to use bold or centering to highlight.  

As to word count, I don't count words.  I shoot for three "brief" paragraphs.  However, the letter needs to be long enough to convince the reader to call you, but short enough to lure someone into reading it.  Big blocks of black ink won't do that.

HOW HIGH IS HIGH?

QUESTION

Does the notion of "high concept" apply to family movies as well?  When I think of Otis and Milo and Homeward Bound, I see similar concepts of animals trying to get home.  If these films were still in the scripting stage, I wouldn't think they were high concept.  Do you think they are?

ANSWER

Both of these movies have a concept--in other words, they can be easily conceptualized.  Whether that concept is "high" or not is in the mind of the producer.  One person might say "yes" for his or her particular market, while another may say "no" for his or her market.  

The point is you need to be able to conceptualize your story.  What is the concept?  What is the story in 25 words or less?  What is it about your story that will make your reader say "Now that's a movie"?  A particularly strong rendition of the concept is called "high concept" because it makes the reader/listener feel "high"—“ Ah, this is a movie I can sell to my market."

LOG LINES

QUESTION

What makes a good log line?

ANSWER

First of all, the above explanation on "high concept" should be of some value to you.  Here are a couple of additional ideas.  A good logline is about a character with a problem that grabs the reader and says, "I am a movie."  Here’s the logline for Sixth Sense: When a child psychiatrist is shot by a patient, he redeems himself by helping a child who sees ghosts overcome  his fear of them.

A good logline is just that—one line, one sentence that essentially summarizes the story.   As an alternative, use a premise question (What if the president were kidnapped?) or a concept statement around a big event (Terrorists hijack Air Force One.)

In virtually all cases, a logline cannot sell a script, but a good logline can position the movie in the reader's mind and make him or her want to read more.  

About Dave Trottier

As an award-winning teacher and in-demand script consultant, Dave loves working with writers.

He has helped hundreds of writers break into the writing biz, and has sold or optioned ten screenplays (three produced). He is also the author of eight books, including The Screenwriter’s Bible (now in its 7th edition).

Additionally, he writes a column as Dr. Format for Script Magazine and hosts the helpful web site keepwriting.com.