Screenwriting : "Advice for Actors" which also applies to writers, directors, producers, other talent and crew, from Backstage.com by Regina Lee

A particularly well-articulated point. Just substitute "casting room" for "studio meeting" or similar: "An agent can't change who you are. If you can't talk/charm/impress your way into a casting room, then how do you think an agent is going to? They can't and certainly won't try to change the facts. They can't fabricate credits, relationships, skills they don't already know about... It's up to an actor to create some kind of story for an agent to tell."

For writers, directors, etc., your narrative includes relationships, contests you've placed in, internships, assistant jobs, reels/YouTube videos, a review of a play you directed, etc. You could talk about a time you volunteered your time doing research for a producer/writer or helping kids in a program like Young Storytellers. Maybe you volunteered as a social media blogger or a PowerPoint deck designer for a production company. Maybe you used your college alumni network to land a great internship, either physically in-person at a brick-and-mortar or a "virtual" internship if you're not in LA or NY. And one of those things created a few great relationships that you've nurtured. Be someone who is outworking the rest, has done all the legwork, taken advantage of all the great resources (from John August's blog to S32 to free screenwriting podcasts), and has risen to the top of the "newbie" pack. Who did it with a big smile, a sunny attitude, tirelessness, commitment, confidence, grace, and humility. It's competitive out there for everyone (in entertainment and in other industries!), and I know people disagree, but I believe the cream does often rise to the top. I have to believe that.

This title really should be "5 reasons why you won't get an agent"

Hey Marvin, I'd appreciate your keeping comments constructive and pragmatic on this thread. As you know, there are plenty of ire-filled threads in the Lounge already. This one should be empowering and "real world." Let's try to empower a few people on a Monday. Thank you for your help!!

Wow, so very very true. When I first started into publishing, I was like all new authors, thought an agent would solve all my problems so that I could just write. I even got an agent fast. She was great, but she worked for a crook. Next agent was great, but...not right for me. When people say no agent is better than wrong one, they are right. So right. The reality is, that YOU are the best manager of your career, even with an agent. You have to stay on top of things and work, etc. It's YOUR name, your career, your business.

@Regina - My comment is filled with nothing but good-intentioned honesty. As with many blog and articles on the web, the title is misleading to attract readers. My response is neither ire-filled or directed towards you in any shape or form. Happy Monday.

Marvin, how about a more positive, constructive slant, "5 reasons why you might not be ready to land an agent yet, and how you can get yourself ready."

Regina, that is awesome. You got the job. When can you start?

Kumbaya.

How do you land an agent when they are so far away. You can only communicate with them by phone or email.I live in a small town called Waukesha Wisconsin. I've written fifteen books on the market today and nine screenplays based on my books that I'm trying to option off. I am looking for representation because I'm so busy writing,working on an eight hour job in the mental health field and raising a family. My plate is so full.

Hi Kevin, my thoughts for your specific situation: You live in Wisconsin. You're not moving to LA. If we accept that you're not moving to LA, you have to mitigate that. Let's assume your writing is at the level of a rising professional. You have to find a way for your query letter to stand out among all the others, or you have to perfect your pitch technique so that you can pitch from afar and get attention (via Stage 32, Virtual Pitchfest, InkTip, etc.). How will your query letter stand out? You can list prestigious screenwriting contests you've won or other such recognition. If you query a manager, and he sees that you're a Finalist in a prestigious competition, he may request your script. Then the proof is in the pages. Or you have to pitch on a platform, and convince the person on the other end to request your script. Or you can dig through your personal network (friends, family, college alumni network, former colleagues, etc.) and get an intro to someone in the business. Or maybe take an online class through UCLA; if your instructor is in the Hollywood community, he may help make some intros for you. Once you accept that you're outside of LA, you can focus on all the ways an out-of-towner can penetrate the system. It can be done!! There are many minor screenwriting contests that I wouldn't pay attention to, but there are some that I, and many others, trust. https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/Screenwriting-Contests-that...

Whether you're "inside" the system, or "outside," you still have to be your own best advocate. Landing an agent won't solve all your problems.

Thank you Ragina. I've sent over 300 query letters from America to the UK, China and Japan. All over the world. No one ever said that my letters were bad.They just said that either my story was not what they were looking for or they have their own writers, but just because they weren't looking for my story, there's always someone out there that would love it.Keep sending out the letters. They would even say that it was a good story, but they are already in production.I looked up the best sample query letters on the internet and downloaded them. I practiced and it works.I've received responses back and they were good.It's just that their plate was full also.I'm not giving up. I found Stage32 and I see a lot of prospects here.I've never seen so many actors, writers,producers,directors,ext,all in the same spot. My network here has over 167 people in it. Hopefully my luck will change.Thank God for STAGE 32.

@Kevin, is your query letter as strong as it can be? Do you have contest wins, recommendations, quotes, etc.? Are you sending your 300 queries to the "right" people? Have you researched their taste, their openness to new clients, etc.? Rhetorical. No need to answer me. Your letters may or may not be excellent. Let's assume they are great, and this may not apply to you. That said, few people will be rude, unwise, or short-sighted enough to flat out tell you that your letter is not good. No one wants to burn a bridge. If they don't like your current project, they want to keep the bridge open for a future project that might be awesome. That's why you read blogs about Hollywood's sugary sweet "no's." Burning bridges is unwise. I know that means writers don't get constructive feedback on their letters. You have a great attitude. Keep trying. Get some contest wins to strengthen your letter!!!

I absolutely identify with your question. I've had some success in contests, great feedback from a former director and some people who work in the business (or are family members of well-connected people in the biz) who have directed me to various people who might read the script. The problem is that people in the business are overwhelmingly busy and despite good intentions, cannot find the time. So here I sit with a fine script perfect for mature actresses who desperately want to continue working yet struggle with the lack of good roles. I believe that particularly for writers who live outside of LA, an agent is the best chance we have. But how to get one? That's the mystery!

I believe that it doesn't have to do with winning contests. It's about who you know. There are actors and rap artist and singers who have hit CD's out there that are getting there scripts read and are putting up their money for there kids to be in the movies. It's like trying to win the lottery.The more you play the game the better your chances.I go to the movies and read the credits. I've seen movies done and went back to read their scripts on line and I don't see what some of these expert script consultants are talking about. The dialog in the movies are just like the way people of different cultures are talking on the streets and they make millions of dollars.When you write a script and you are of a different race you are told to practice your grammar but the grammar in the real world is not like the way these script consultants want. This is the new age where black and white's on the streets are talking the same way.Therefore scripts are going to be written a different way.Anyway that is what I believe.

Hi Kevin, I have worked in Hollywood for 15 years, and I have never once witnessed an executive say "practice your grammar" to a writer, no matter what the writer's race or ethnicity. That's not to say that every script manages to capture authentic character voices. But in my personal experience, I have never once witnessed a writer being told to change his/her grammar. If you have had that personal experience with a legitimate Hollywood exec, I'm sorry to hear it.

In fact, many Hollywood studios and networks have Diversity programs. There is a genuine desire to see America's multicultural population in front of and behind the camera. Does this desire always convert into shows getting on the air and movies getting into theaters? No. Is there overhead money being spent to try to reflect Diversity? You'd be hard-pressed to deny it.

Kevin, I cant' list every Diversity resource for you, but check out the Writers Guild's Diversity page as just a start. http://www.wga.org/content/default.aspx?id=1042

No,no,no,Regina.Not Hollywood. I couldn't even get that close.I mean these so called script consultants.They are the one's who are telling different people to practice their grammar.They should look at the Hollywood movies and see for themselves what is on the big screen. Hollywood is what I and a lot of us writers are shooting for but you got to admit. The rappers,singers,governors,athletes are getting their scripts read because it's who you know and how much of your money you are willing to put up front because some of these movies a grammar school kid could have written the script.

Are these legitimate script consultants? That's rhetorical. You don't have to answer. Listen, you are calling them "so-called script consultants," so you're saying you KNOW they're not legit. Why are you wasting your time with someone whom you already know is not legit?? Why are we even talking about them? If you need help, find a legit script consultant who is market-savvy. We had a very long discussion about this in another S32 thread. I do script consulting on the side, and I've never told anyone that. If you have time, read this thread where we get into the question of script consultants. https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/Script-consultant-or-script...

There's no police detective to sniff out the ill-informed script consultants, but if you already know they are not up to par with the market, why are you using their services? Rhetorical.

Thanks Ragina for the WGA Diversity program website but I already knew about them for years.They're great. In fact I'll just take a look at them since all of the patients are sleep now. My beef is with these so called script consultants.

@Kevin, As a script consultant/producer, I have conflicted feelings about your beef! Btw, my name is Regina, not Ragina.

That's excellent advise for anyone really. Relationships and trust are really the paradigm for getting work, service, or products in this day and age. I think it was always that way, but it's certainly magnified now.

100% agree with you, Bruce.