Hello Writers,
I wanted to share a thought that crossed my mind about a professional manager’s priorities after my script was requested and I didn’t hear back in a long time.
So, here’s what happened:
I submitted a written pitch to a manager using a standard Stage 32 pitching session. The manager requested the script and I was happy. However, after three months, I still didn’t hear back from him. I sent an email, then another one, didn’t hear back, business as usual…Then I noticed this manager was also available for coverage calls, so I booked the call and sent him a different script. It was a little risky because this one was a first draft, but I just wanted to speak to him. Well, he read the second script immediately, we met online about 10 days later to discuss and had a very nice conversation about both projects.
During the call, he told me that he still hadn’t read the script he requested which is “on his pile”, and that gave me the following thought. When we’re submitting a script to a manager we all hope to get signed, optioned, shopped, produced… And it can happen!
However, when we’re paying the manager for a service, he/she may not read a script on the side-hustle pile with the same mindset as a script on the bread-and-butter pile. To put it bluntly, the manager is forced to read the side-hustle script (and has a deadline), but he/she is interested in the script on the bread-and-butter pile.So, if you submit your script for feedback and notes, it’s wise to do so for well… the feedback and the notes - and be happy about receiving those rather than be sad about not getting signed, optioned, shopped, produced, you name it. The chance for that to happen I think will be higher when you pitch your two pages for $35 and your script gets requested rather than spending $150-$300 for a service you may not even be fully interested in because you may think: My script is awesome, I don’t need notes, I just need an exec to read it and I’ll be signed, optioned, shopped…
Do I have a feeling we had that before?It’s almost 5 months now and I still haven’t heard back for the requested script. But I’m honored to be on the bread-and-butter pile of a top-tier management agency’s agent. I know those guys are busy – he even genuinely apologized for being busy – and will send another email by the end of the month.
Happy Halloween ;-) and fingers crossed.
YoursTill
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I don't know. Isn't a producer/ manager/etc obliged to read a script that's send through Stage 32. I think the question is "to what point is that the case?" I realy would like to know that too!! I mean the official rules!!
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Hi Till Olshausen we appreciate your insight and want to assure you that this is not the case with our execs who are looking for new projects and/or clients and that receiving a request is a great big deal and deserves a round of applause in any case! We have had a number of successes with projects and client signing come from services like consultation calls, pitch sessions, and OWA submission!
If they like it, they’ll do it. If they don’t. They’ll give an excuse. Simple as that
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Interesting experience, Till Olshausen ! It’s true—managers seem to have their 'bread-and-butter' pile and 'side-hustle' pile, and our scripts may end up in either depending on how we connect. Sounds like paying for feedback opens doors faster but doesn’t guarantee that career-making read. I think your approach with the follow-up call was smart, even if it was a different script! Fingers crossed for that first script still in his pile, and happy Halloween to you too!
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Chase Cysco Thank you, Chase. Happy Halloween to you!
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Cameron Tendaji Basically, yes... No agent is obliged to sign you. And if you pay for a script-read and notes, that's a contract that has to be fulfilled.
But if you pay for a pitch session and your script gets requested, that seems to be a grey area.
To fulfill the contract of a pitch session, the agent is only obliged to take a look at your pitch, but the request and the money involved make you expect the agent will read what he/she requested and get back to you, even if it's only to say that it's a pass.