Filmmaking / Directing : Starting to think I need an agent... by Nathan Oliver

With your credit on your last film you should already have enough steam to land an agent. It's probably the marketing on your films is what giving you lackluster results in your profits. Do you even have someone runing that or are you just distributing without a plan?

With my current feature, the marketing move is on-going. We just held the premiere at Fantasia International and have good people guiding it through the world. I just have never faced the question before of whether or not I need an agent. It has never been a real option or consideration. Normally I just sit and type and when I have something worth going for, I shoot. But things are getting bigger, better and I still feel like the guy who has to justify his existence in a larger machine of his own development and production process. I can explain my story, I can justify my characters, I can detail the reasons the vision needs to be followed. I feel that having an agent book/sell/negotiate on my behalf would eliminate the need to explain to the powers that be why getting paid is not up for discussion. The amount, the rights issued and the budget allotted is always up for debate, but deferring salary on a film that takes years to complete is the equivalent in the film world to photographers or musicians being asked to work for exposure. Can't pay rent with that sweet exposure deal.