The media and entertainment world is no stranger to existential crises. So, while the recent shutdown of Industry Arts’ Coverfly and sibling platforms ScreenCraft, The Script Lab, WeScreenplay, and The Tracking Board was unfortunate, it wasn’t exactly a huge disruption. Each site offered distinct services, from highlighting talent and hosting events to tracking screenplay sales. But let’s be real: Hollywood never depended on them to function.
These groups were a nicety. Relatively beneficial to LA screenwriters who like to keep up with the latest sales and trends, as well as many far outside industry towns looking for a way to get noticed. Many found representation through these services; some saw their projects get made. They were also more accessible than groups like The Black List, which now handles screening services for the Academy’s Nicholl Fellowship — further evidence of consolidation within the screenwriting competition industry.
Coverfly and The Tracking Board will officially shut down in August and September, respectively. IA is rumored to be working on a new all-in-one platform that merges these brands’ efforts. Maybe that will streamline the process and offer more to screenwriters. Maybe not.
But if you’re a screenwriter waiting for the next platform to save you — don’t. Seriously. Hell, no.
The Harsh Truth: Screenwriting Is in Trouble
The pipeline for getting your script made has dried up. Blame COVID. Blame the strikes. Blame studios that refuse to greenlight new projects. Whatever the reason, the path to becoming a working screenwriter is harder.
Coverfly’s gone. But maybe throwing your script into a pit of other scripts in the hopes of earning someone’s attention was never a foolproof strategy. Especially when there are so many other ways that may be more effective.
Let’s break them down.
Build Your Own Website
We live on screens now — phones, TVs, laptops — and your personal platform is your new resume. With tools like Wix, Squarespace, and Canva, it’s easier than ever to build a site to showcase your scripts, short films, or creative process. If there’s a learning curve, ride it: The skill set is common enough that you risk being at a disadvantage without it, and building a site forces you to refine the essential element of how you pitch yourself.
Grow Your Audience
You can’t just write a great script and expect a deal anymore. Today, screenwriters need to be their own brand. That means staying visible. Start a Substack. Post videos on TikTok or YouTube about your creative journey. Share advice, updates, behind-the-scenes content. Build a following — not for vanity, but to show you’re serious and consistent. Demonstrating yourself as a professional will go far in earning that title from others.
Find Your Community
Success in screenwriting often comes from finding community. You need collaborators who balance your weaknesses. Are you a writer who wants to direct? Find a producer or cinematographer who shares your vision. Your ideal team might not be experienced; maybe it’s just a friend who takes great photos and is crazy organized. When you’re starting out, trust is more important than credits.
Make Something — Anything
If you’re a writer who wants to see your work on screen, stop waiting for permission. Even if writing is truly the only thing for you, find a collaborator interested in directing and producing and make something. Work on a microbudget or no budget at all. The final product — short film, pilot, a proof-of-concept reel — speaks louder than a logline. Finished work gets noticed. Spec scripts get buried.
Embrace Persistence
No one wants to DM strangers on LinkedIn or ask friends for introductions. You probably don’t even want to bother your own family. We get it — but to do this, you must risk annoyance. Becoming a genuine pain in the ass is usually not the way, but you have to balance your innate emotional intelligence with following up and putting yourself out there. Success is not a waiting game; the difference between those who make it and those who don’t often comes down to sheer persistence. If you’re not connected, find someone who is — and then another. Keep going.
Or, Become an Investment Banker
Living in L.A. or NYC, funding your own projects, networking — draining your funds can end a screenwriting career before it begins. It can feel like only rich kids or nepo babies can afford to play the game. If that discourages you enough to quit, there are other careers built around financial stability. But if the thought of selling out is worse than grinding through, remember: Getting rich is just as hard as getting produced. Might as well chase the dream.
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