Get an agent to help you market your screenplay. Most agents take an average of 10 percent of the proceeds from the sales of scripts. In exchange, your screenplay gets a marketing boost from professional insider networking.
Explore the movie market first and the television market second. Although many television actors aspire to work in movies, for writers the opposite is true. The television market is very tight and television producers want writers with substantial experience.
Write a query letter to a studio that produces material in your genre. Agents and producers usually discard unsolicited manuscripts, so a query letter must precede your screenplay to determine the interest level in your material.
Mail a spec script in response to a query letter. If you convinced the producer you have a tantalizing story line for their series, mail an example script that highlights your writing talents.
Gain the attention of producers by winning a contest or award. Writer's Market lists dozens of competitions open to scriptwriters. Winners may meet with industry professionals or see their work optioned or produced.
Attend a conference such as the American Screenwriter's Association which hosts one of the longest screen-writing conferences. At the event, you can access Hollywood's decision makers.