West Coast Insider's Hotline:
By Skye Ashly

So you've just written your first screenplay. Congratulations! Only now what? You don't have an agent, don't know any producers, haven't a clue what to do next. Enter InkTip.com InkTip's online website is the new gateway to Producers, Directors, Agents and Managers for new writers, old writers, and writers in-between.

The founder, Jerrol LeBaron says, "We have 2500 registered Producers/Reps and Directors who have access to the scripts on InkTip.com. This is a paradise for writers seeking to option their scripts, or unsigned writers to get agents or managers. We work everyday to get the Professionals to the site reading our writers' works!"

For a fee, writers are given the opportunity to place loglines, synopses, and descriptions for their scripts online. They are also invited to place their treatments or full scripts on the site that is easy to use, and the writers' department of InkTip is always happy to help with any technical questions a writer may have. Though they cannot guarantee a script will be sold/optioned through the site, they promise greater exposure for the writers' script.

Jerrol LeBaron grew up doing construction work and becoming a general contractor. Wanting a change, Jerrol got into sales, became a sales manager and eventually owned a fine jewelry business. However, he became fascinated with the movie business and so wrote his own screenplay only to discover how difficult it was just to get someone to even read the script. Knowing that many a writer experienced this same frustration, Jerrol decided to develop a site on internet to make it easier for both the writer and producer to get together - the genesis of www.inktip.com.
Just like so many others who start their own business with limited capitol, he started working out of his home. As the business grew, he put together a staff and moved into an office in Glendale, California. The staff (6 -including Jerrol, Maia Peters, Chris Cookson, Jared Wynn, Stephanie Maus, and Robert Wood) have weekly meetings to discuss ideas, the status of the company in addition to making short term and long term plans in how to best get exposure for the writers.

Before starting the company Jerrol surveyed and interviewed a number of Producers, Directors and Agents to find out what they wanted and needed in a search engine for scripts. He still gets feedback from the 'Professionals' on an on-going basis.

According to Jerrol the construction of the website began in 1999. The site itself was not user friendly, not very attractive, just kind of a mess. Then they found a great programmer that has made the site what it is today (though they're always thinking about improvements!). They have developed a unique system that gives exposure for writers, a revolutionary new development tool for Entertainment Industry Professionals.

Jerrol says, "We have many security features in place. First and foremost, it is a password-protected site, so only those industry professionals who have qualified (see our faqs for more info) have access to the scripts (no writers can view other writers' work). We also keep records of all activity on the site, so the writer and we can always see who has viewed any part of the work. In order to be placed on the site, all works must be registered/copyrighted".

We have had over 300-scripts optioned, over 100-writers hired to write scripts, and about 200-writers utilize our network. From these, an amazing twenty-six movies have actually been produced!

Here are some of InkTip.com writers' comments: Barbara Kymlicka believes that InkTip is definitely the best and most legitimate resource on the net for screenwriters. She says, "They not only take a personal interest in you and your projects, but they make sure you get the best exposure possible through their vast resource of Producers, Agents and Managers. As someone who has successfully sold and optioned scripts through InkTip, I can honestly say it's the best investment you'll ever make as a screenwriter".

BJ Malone says, "I think their site is an excellent service for new writers. I gained representation through inktip.com, and I now have a writing assignment (on top of the script I optioned) as a result of that. Well worth the money".

Brian Young is ecstatic, "This is the third short I have sold through this site - and two have been produced. It also brings to ten (!) the number of projects I have sold, optioned, or been hired to write through InkTip network. Incredible".

Kraig X Wenman reveals, "I'm getting so many offers for script options from your site, I'm actually having to turn some of them down, I'm making a lot of contacts because of it".

Here are some of the Professionals comments: Tom Cohen, LightStorm Entertainment (Solaris, Titanic, Terminator, Aliens, The Abyss) "InkTip is a great place to unearth new writers and fresh material that might otherwise go undiscovered. Plus, the site's well-formatted search engine makes it easy to find the exact genre or story you're looking for".

Erin Newell, Kopelson Entertainment ('Joe Somebody', 'Don't Say a Word', 'A Perfect Murder', 'U.S. Marshals') "Thank you very much for your help. We have found many interesting scripts along the way, not to mention, talented writers".
Christine Lenig, Cosgrove/Meurer Productions (Unsolved Mysteries, Secret Lives) "I used to search other websites for scripts but quickly realized InkTip has the best writers and the best materials".

Barry Perelman, a successful agent of many years recommends InkTip to all his clients. He has one client who has been very successful. He just optioned his fourth script in the horror/thriller genre.

Jerrol wants to tell writers that in addition to being skilled at writing a screenplay, "The more one knows about the business of screenwriting, the better off he or she will be. For example, knowing how to pitch, write loglines and synopsis', defining who your market is for a particular screenplay are all very important in becoming a successful screenwriter. Don't forget that in order for your screenplay to become a film, that screenplay needs to get read by a lot of people. Marketing is key to getting hired as a writer and selling screenplays".

Jerrol LeBaron says his long-term goal is to continue and increase the exposure our writers receive. To become the number one resource for scripts.