Screenwriting : Need an Agent by Steven Gibson

Yeah sure, you bettcha.

Hi Steven. To temper the cynicism you are no doubt going to receive. Let’s move this to another industry to give clarity.

“I have learnt how to play Basketball. Does anyone have the contact details for the Chicago Bulls head coach?”. You are like the rest of us. Unproven and no one (from a film POV). You will have to prove yourself. Yes you have a world altering script (Ask around everyone does). But you will still have to prove yourself worthy or standing out.

You could get an IMDBPro account and do some detective work and hunt down some contact details. But that is a bit like yelling into the void. The first question they will ask “what have you done?”. You have to have a good answer. So your starting place is with people that don’t care what you have previously done. Get a body of work and work your way up the ladder.

Something no one wants to hear.

So do you know anyone who is an agent?

I guess what they mean to say is. Someone helping you (just out of the goodness of their heart) is highly unlikely. Usually the way people in the industry work... you offer something before asking something of someone.

Yes Steven Gibson. I know people. But you have just proven that you are the kind of person that would ruin my relationship by referring you to them. I gave you some advice. But in a nutshell, you have nothing to offer. No have no commercial value. No will take your call because there are a million people just like you.

So no I will not be embarrassing myself by giving you an intro.

Steven Gibson you only need an agent if you have a deal on the table. Agents don’t do development work. You need to network with producers and get them to read your work. Of course, they won’t do that without an agent. So, your best bet would be to enter your scripts into contests. You can also generally network with smaller independent producers at film festivals when your work does well in the contests..

What about Managers?

Zero Gravity accepts queries Steven:

Read their submission rules, and pray they are looking for something like you got,

And if they’re — they’ll contact you in less than 3 business days

We must remain gentle with those new to the industry who are used to neighborly workforces and communities where persons often do chip in to help, or, from the corporate world where execs return a limited amount of phone calls or emails in fielding industry queries from juniors if politely asked or professionally submitted. At the same time, Craig has been generous, if not hard-knocks caring, in delivering the first reality blow bolus for swallowing. Sometimes I wish I might be more foolhardy to chastise the industry than harshly/suitably awaken a newcomer.

You're heart's in the right place, but, I'm afraid, you need to learn a lot about how things work.

Steven Gibson managers do development, but most only have a handful for clients since they have to more hands on with the material. They are a little more open to queries. Placing well in a contest or getting a recommendation from someone they know helps.

@pidge this forum is normally very helpful and respectful. I think the sense of entitlement has garnered the appropriate responses.

Here is a little wager. I will read one of your screenplays and give you notes or make a $100 donation to a children’s charity of your choice if this person is still active in his attempts to learn and grow as a writer. My bet is that he will join the long list of people that come here with “the next big thing, they need to get hold of a major studio right now”. People here for a few weeks never to be heard from again.

Craig, your dose of rhino skin serum was necessary. You do know you are asking me to bet on someone's failure. It was just painful to watch, like lions in christian colosseums. I do enjoy your posts. Steven, agents normally only work for working clients. Receiving literary representation from a manager is also very coveted and reserved for exceptional screenwriters. Thus, a better and more palatable approach on this forum is not asking how do I get a free manager? But rather, how do I earn notice by writing a more exceptional screenplay?

Not someone’s failure. Their lack of commitment to the art. If it is not handed to them they look for another thing they think is simple. If the question was one of a hundred we see all the time. How do I know that my script is ready? How do I sell it? These are people with a chance.

But connect me to a studio Stat. Not failure. Failure indicate effort. I will say withdrawal.

Agents negotiate deals. Do you have a deal in place already?

If not, you don't need an agent, you need to get off your butt and sell a script. The person who can do that is looking at you from the mirror when you brush your teeth every morning.

Your career is in your hands.

Steven Gibson, don't buy into the Cinderella Narrative that's spread around the break-in world within all sectors of the creative arts. This notion that someone is going to spot your talent and guild you into Hollywood is a myth too many writers push onto others.

Also, kudos to you for trying to battle your way in as an autistic. I say concentrate on developing your voice and network your way upwards. Many of us started by doing things like giving away short scripts for free to students and aspiring directors. You have to start somewhere and build while being incredibly patient.

This is one of the best round-ups of the reality behind agents and reflects the views I've seen from most people working in the industry.

If you're lucky, you'll sell your first script for peanuts, but in reality you'll do a deferred payment with a producer and/or director just starting out like you. From there, you'll most likely do the same with your second script. Along the way, you will be networking, clawing your way through the muck and mire of filmmaking. Eventually, you'll decide you should produce or direct your own shit. Then you take on a whole new set of anxieties. Finally, one day, you'll make the right connections, have a possible deal with a major network or studio. You'll think that this is it! You reach out to agents, but no one cares about possible deals. You'll bang your head on the dashboard of your car in frustration, wondering what it takes to break through. The answer is patience and persistence. There is no other way. Keep hammering that nail. If you're any good, someone will notice, one day. And then you'll look back on all the nail biting you did and laugh with a tear stained face. But it's worth it if you truly love to write.

I was browsing imdb not long ago, and there is literary agents who help autistics,

I remember her website it was a .org

Just stop & think about what you're asking. After many, many years I've gotten to know several Agents, Managers, Showrunners, Directors, A-list talent...on & on. It's taken many years of hard wrought struggle and effort to build my 'base'. What makes you think that I would risk any of my relationships by introducing an unknown new-comer whom I've never even met. (I do that for people I've worked with & know.) My advice is go make your own connections by actively engaging with folk in your desired world. It ain't easy and it takes time and effort!