Screenwriting : Manager/agents by Karlton Ruffin

Ditto on what Kay said.

There are management companies that take submissions, you just need to do a bit of legwork and check out their websites - but a manager is different than an agent. A lot of agencies don't take outside solicitation, you need an introduction, but there are some that do. Whatever you do, just make sure it's someone you trust and get good vibes from and will hustle for you!

I would do the opposite and win writing peers. Go on twitter and lookup hashtag #WGAStaffingBoost. They are writers helping writers. Nobody starts off in a union. They write their way in. Do you really want to pay agent, manager and lawyer fees starting out? That’s about 25% commission fees off your paychecks before income tax.

I don’t know why they would say that, as you certainly don’t need an agent. Doesn’t make sense. Especially if they’ve read your scripts and say they are “good to go”. If they don’t take unsolicited material, then why did they read your scripts?

Well, I was fortunate enough to get my script into producers hands by word of mouth because I know someone in the industry who referred my work. So, I did some follow up calls. I do not know if it was only to gas me up, but I was told the story and pitch were great, and to have my agent to call them. Being that I have fired my previous agent for his lack of honesty, I am stuck without one just as the doors of opportunity are opening.

And i must admit...it is SO frustrating doing all of the research on these hundreds of companies trying to find the perfect agency for me.A lot of work? YES!!! And even more so now, because I am feeling the crunch of time of having producers to wait, knowing that they can and will move on before I can blink my eye!

Looking at this from a slightly different, more optimistic angle - agents primarily negotiate deals these days. Maybe that's what they want to do (a deal) and they're used to doing it through agents...? If that's the case, and you're not a WGA member, all you need is an entertainment lawyer to help you negotiate terms. I think this is right. Let's see what others have to say.

I hear this all the time; "why is it so hard to find an agent/manager?" The answer is very simple; YOU'RE LOOKING IN THE WRONG PLACES. Agents/Managers earn a living off of your products (scripts) so they NEED YOU. They are diligently looking for anyone with a worthy script. They hunt at screenwriting seminars, retreats, festivals... Put yourself in their hunting grounds with your fine script. Learn the fine art of social schmoozing; eyeball to eyeball is the proven method and somewhere when you least expect it some Agent Manager will quietly approach you, hand you their business card and say something like 'I'd love to read some of your work, would you send some to my office?' It's as simple as that.

Find out who the people who liked your screenplay work with. What projects they took on over the years and which projects align with yours. Then search out who wrote those scripts and who represents them. Then email them and say that so and so read your work and really liked it but asked you to get representation to move it along.

All of the comments are great points and advice. Thank you! Derek, I actually tried to get a ballpark figure from one of the companies to give me some sort of ground to work with when I do find a new agent, but only led to Phil's theory...they wanted to talk to my agent, and it got no further than, "Have your agent to call us." Doug and Karen, both of your comments are enlightening. It seems as though that is a very simple solution which I will seriously do my research and consider that avenue. Thanks you all!!!!