Published: December 9, 2020 | Last Updated: September 9, 2024
You can become a writer for Netflix by selling a show to Netflix, getting hired to work on an existing show by the showrunner, or acing an open submission by getting commissioned from Netflix directly to develop material for them.
But becoming a writer for Netflix isn’t so easy. You can’t just call Netflix on the phone or hit up their email with your latest script. That would be more straightforward, but unfortunately, that’s not how the film industry works, and Netflix is no exception.
Why you can’t send your script to Netflix directly – and what to do instead.
Netflix, like other Hollywood production companies, does not accept what is called unsolicited material.
That means that unless Netflix asks to see your work directly, they will not accept cold pitch emails, cold phone pitches, or cold spec script PDF submissions unless they come from a trusted source.
Here’s what Netflix says on their website about “unsolicited material” – i.e., material that hasn’t been directly requested by Netflix:
Whether it is an idea that just came to mind or a fully developed script, Netflix does not accept unsolicited materials or ideas.”
– Netflix
Pretty straightforward. But what is “soliciting” material anyway?
How does Netflix “solicit” material? What does that even mean?
Netflix “solicits” material by going through a known relationship with one of their creative executives.
This creative executive will solicit something by asking for the material they heard about or follow up on a pitch they received by asking to read it.
Here’s how Netflix describes it:
If you have an idea, script, screenplay, or production already in development that you’d like to pitch to Netflix, you should work through a licensed literary agent, producer, attorney, manager, or entertainment executive who already has a relationship with Netflix. If you do not have any of these resources available, Netflix will be unable to accept your unsolicited submissions.”
– Netflix
Like other production studios in Hollywood, Netflix has a team of in-house creative development execs and sales reps. Their job is to track down existing intellectual property or hear pitches for new shows and movies from the creators.
These pitches can be from writers, set up through their agents and managers, or heard from producing partners. These partners include production companies, producers, executive producers, and directors.
Read more on the Difference between Agents and Managers.
Netflix’s development execs also track down newly finished material from film festivals or “other established venues” – whatever those may be. I have a few ideas I’ll share below.
Of course, Netflix’s creative development team can always generate their ideas internally and then hire writers to develop them, again working with managers and agents to set up meetings so Netflix can interview prospective hires through a credible source.
While it’s an obnoxious system from the outside looking in, it does make sense for the creative producers.
How do I get my scripts in front of Netflix, then?
If you were paying attention to the list of ways the Netflix team does solicit material, you’d have caught on already, but to reiterate, your options are as follows:
- Go through a manager or agent. When you are signed with a manager or agent, they can set up meetings or recommend your work to potential creative execs at Netflix, who could option your script or hire you through an open pitch submission.
- Get hired by a showrunner. Working with your own connections or through a savvy manager connect, you might be able to get hired to write on an existing Netflix show by interviewing with a showrunner (the “head writer” who hires other writers, like Shonda Rhimes) to join their team. More on this below.
- Impress in another field entirely. Sometimes if you create an impressive feature film, book, or podcast outside of the realm of TV, you might be able to work with your reps or personal contacts to get a meeting to explore the option of developing content for Netflix through a development deal.
Conclusion
Those are the three main ways to become a writer for Netflix, and they also happen to be the main ways to become a screenwriter for TV in general.
But you know what? There is more to TV writing than Netflix. So…
Up Next: How to Become a Screenwriter for TV.
