Scott, how common would you say that these "spec trailers" work? It seems like these trailers could be the unrepped director's equivalent to a logline. (That, and it's interesting to see a more available way that the studios can find more visual talent).

I'd say if they're good and they work 1000 times better than even the best screenplay. There's a bunch of reasons for it. 1) Sometimes it's hard for agents / managers / producers to imagine what's on the page, even when it's well written. A trailer will help nail tone as well. 2) In the above trailer, there's some corny dialogue. But it doesn't weigh as heavy as it would on the page. 3) There's just some straight up cool ideas. Saying, hey yeah this guy has a cybernetic limb on the page is one thing. See it getting attached, I don't know about you, but seeing it gets my this is gonna be AWESOME subconscious going. I'm speaking from experience. My writing partner had a spec script go out that was really close to his heart. People didn't really understand it. Didn't get the concept. Or tone. (It was a genre thing, but also a comedy -- and that mix doesn't always read on the page. Especially when the humor is dry. Hollywood loves sitcom humor on the page - UGH! At least, that's the only conceivable way I can explain Whitney). We went out and shot a trailer for it and immediately had a response from producers and agents BEFORE we even had a final cut. A few friends of ours had been talking it up and passing around a link to a rough cut just in casual everyday conversation. I'd say, if nothing else, it's something that shows you're actually planning on making something. There's also a bit of a bandwagon effect. A trailer says, your making this with our without help from outside sources. It's really easy to get people onboard a project that is happening. Sadly, a screenplay isn't perceived in the same way.

Thanks for the reply, James. I ask as an aspirant who wants to get into directing, but have discovered that the only ways to do so is either to go to film school where you can make some shorts, or to flat out make a feature yourself. (I don't have the luxury of the former, or the money for the latter). But the whole trailer-pitch thing--especially if it goes viral for the right audience--seems to be a neat inroad. For someone like me. Very cool that it's brought you some success! (I'm actually curious to see it). Until you mentioned the circumstances of you and your partner's trailer-pitch, it seemed like it would be better suited for inherently high-concept ideas. (Because of the easy--and presumably visually and brief--delivery of ideas), but I good trailer is a good trailer.