3-2-1 Screenwriting Thursday: Queries!: Know Who You're Targeting, It's Not About You, Build A Relationship
August 6, 2026· Kate Gaulke
Happy Thursday!
I debated on actually sharing this, but I think it's important to note the full spectrum of a creative journey -
I'm happy to have had a mini vacation last week (still punctuated by at least 1 near-full workday) but full disclosure: it was either take a break or have a breakdown. I had a few substantial opportunities jerked out from underneath me over the last month and it's been a rough ride. So if you think everyone around you is just skipping through sunshine and rainbows while you're in the muck - don't worry you're not alone. I, too, am going to have to take a shower and do a substantial amount of emotional laundry before returning to the meadow.
That being said, I am deeply and genuinely stoked to be able to say that some of my friends are really making shit happen. I'll be attending two premieres this month of films written by friends: One Night Only opens this weekend (go see it!) and Legend of the White Dragon (releasing August 28th!) PLUS another friend got an 8 on her pilot Ellis that she submitted to The Black List - less than 4.2% of TV submissions reach that level!!!
I'm a big believer that a rising tide lifts all ships. Huge congrats to my pals 🖤
Anyways - several clients have come through over the last week who've been having trouble with queries, so this week's ideas focus on that topic.
If you want to book a session to go over your query materials you can do so here: https://write.kategaulke.com/consulting
3 IDEAS FROM ME: QUERIES
I. Know Who You're Targeting
Spray & Pray is not an effective query strategy. Tailor your queries to specific people and companies. Would you send Blumhouse the same script/query letter as you would to LuckyChap? Would you send the same query note to CAA as you would to a boutique individual manager? I sure hope not.
Put together a well-researched submission list of the companies and people you want to reach out to, and make sure they're relevant to your script and goals. You should be targeting smaller production companies and producers, not Netflix et al.
You still might not get the response you're looking for, but at least you'll have reached the appropriate people.
II. It's Not About You
Queries are not about you or your work, (I mean they are, BUT) queries are about the individual you're sending them to. What do you do with clearly copy/paste form emails with generic salutations?
You delete them.
What do you do with emails where someone clearly took the time to research you (without being creepy), seems to know and care about who you are + addresses you human to human?
You probably at least read them. And if they're relevant, you at least make an effort to reply.
III. Build a Relationship
A query that is ultimately rejected can still result in cracking the door to a positive relationship. Even if your work isn't the right fit for whatever company you've queried that moment, a well written query could endear you to the human on the other end. People like to help other people they like. If your reach-out shows you pay attention, you're kind, considerate, and personable - odds are higher the person will reciprocally care (even just a tiny bit) about you too.
You'll likely interact with people multiple times - this industry is a small town - and the next time you reach out they might remember you.
2 QUOTES FROM OTHERS
I.
Think this one strikes particularly true in our industry. So many people talk about how luck is a factor in any entertainment career - and it is, but luck can be something we have the power to influence. So many 'overnight successes' were really 10 years in the making - Hollywood just prefers the more dramatic story. From the fabulous James Clear:
"What we call luck is often not purely random, but rather the delayed byproduct of consistently putting yourself in good positions."
II.
This is a repeat, but it's a repeat for a reason. At the top of every Show Up & Write session I share a quote and this one has a permanent slot in the first meeting of every month. If you're showing up and making things happen, I don't care if you fall flat on your face. You deserve a huge amount of credit just for going for it. From the great Theodore Roosevelt:
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
1 QUESTION FOR YOU
The years go fast. What have you been dreaming about doing and is there a way you can do it in the next 6 months?
Until next week, Kate Gaulke
p.s. The most exhausting profession - Thanks to Chase Hinton for throwing this one my way