Turn your idea into a script. Unless you have full trust and confidence to the movie director you are sharing your idea with, for your protection, it is best to copyright your script at the U.S. Copyright Office before exposing your film idea to any person. A mere few sentences describing your intended story or a concept for the movie cannot be copyrighted, and therefore can be appropriated by someone else without your legal protection. Only material that directly expresses a particular idea, such as a script, can be considered for copyright protection. You can apply for copyright for your script through the U.S. Copyright Office website. As of July 2011, the processing fee is $35.
Look for possible movie directors who may find interest in your idea. Generally, independent filmmakers are more accessible for discussions about new story material. Personal relationships with renowned directors may provide considerable advantages if you are able to work important contacts through a friend, colleague, classmate, teacher or relative. Mainstream movie directors have their own agents, which means you must first get in touch with these agents instead of directly setting an appointment with the directors themselves.
Make a shortlist of the names and contact numbers of the directors you intend to get in touch with. Some may require you to get in touch with their agents instead. Since many directors both in the mainstream and independent film industries have niche works, prioritize getting in touch with directors who may be more interested in the genre of your movie material. For instance, if your idea is meant for a horror movie, find directors whose works are mostly in line with the horror movie genre.
Call or send a mail or email to the directors or their agents based on your list. Inform them about the movie idea you want to pitch to them, then request for an appointment.
Bring your script during the meeting so you can discuss the possible collaboration for a movie project.
Set a follow-up meeting with the director or the agent. It is often the case that the first meeting wouldn't exactly confirm the director's interest in the material. Give the director time to read your script first. If he likes your script, you will have his support to pitch your work to the movie studio that can produce the movie. However, the final decision of whether the material will or will not get produced still depends on the movie studio.
Search for contact details of script agents or agencies online, then make a list of those you will get in touch with. A script agent becomes a middleman between you and the director, their agent or a movie studio. If a script agent is interested in your work, he will use his networks and linkages in the industry to find a director or movie studio that might be interested in your movie idea.
Make a query letter for each script agent or agency in your list, then mail each letter accordingly. Take note that the letter should include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a checkbox stating texts like "Yes, I'm interested in reading your script," or "No, we are not currently accepting new works."
Wait for the responses from the script agents and agencies. Those who send positive feedback may be open to setting up an appointment, or may simply request a copy of your script. If they are interested in your work, they will help you get in touch with directors and movie studios for possible funding for your script.