Screenwriting : Send my script to an agent or to a producer? by Steven Gibson

Obviously if you want and agent you are going to have to sending query letters or call them up to get permission to send them your screenplay. If you do it by phone be prepared to pitch them over the phone. Until you have an agent you have no choice but to send query letter or call producers yourself and see if they will want to read your screenplay. Both are like pushing a rope up a hill so don’t be discouraged. If you call producer every time you finish a screenplay you’ll probably get better at pitching.

Okay Steven here is something to consider.

You pay for contests and pitches and you still failed to get traction. These are the tamest people on earth. You are paying them to be nice.

Agents/producers etc will be paying you. They are super tough. Perhaps you need to do more work. Get yourself a bullet proof script. If it was great, people (no matter how low powered) would be trying to get a piece of your work.

I give up.

You might want to look into Roadmap Writers. They have some great feedback sessions with producers and agents that could offer you feedback on your work and possibly lead to a sale. My writing partner and I have been working with them for about a year, and they have been SUPER helpful! Good luck on it :)

Easy answer here; you put the energy into targeting producers.

The answer is likely neither at this point. If youve done a bunch of contests and havent even made quarterfinals AND youve done pay pitch sessions and no one has asked for the script, theres a good chance the script needs more work. If you only have ONE script, definitely dont look for an agent - youre not ready yet. Id target producers instead BUT you should get real feedback to make sure your script is ready.

IMO - Whether you are seeking a manager, agent, or producer, the ammunition needed is probably similar. First, why does any writer pursue an Agent? The most likely answer is that they do not possess the skillset and/or energy to sell their script (PS - this is me). I like to write. I hate to market, pitch, network, etc and I just want somehow magically get my script into the right hands. Now, if you possess the skills of an agent - go straight to the producers instead. IMHO, you are paying an agent to do things that you personally don't have an optimal ability to do.

But, the question really isn't should I get an agent. It is how do I get an agent? I have failed in the endeavor (although I have struck deals directly with producers). But I think the steps are this (at least they can't hurt you).

1. Have several quality scripts in the quiver. Agents typically do not want to mess with a wannabe writer that has one arrow in the quiver. They want to know that when they run across opportunities to sell, you have more than one product available for them.

2. Write killer loglines, pitches and synopsis for those scripts. That should already be in the bag before you start the search.

3. Query agents that you have a chance at and represent writers that write in the genre you do. Look it - you are not going to land that CAA agent out of the shoot. Look for those boutique agencies that have a stable track record and specialize in the type of stuff your write. IMBD is a great research tool in that regard.

I’m going to search IMDb again for the autistic literary agent. And if I find her .org I’ll link her website for ya

Yeah there’s to many companies on there, I’m on my phone and I’m lazier than crap.

But I’m not lying there is one on there,

A special needs literary agent

If your scripts didn't win any of the contests that you entered and nobody was interested in the pitches for them?

You need to put those scripts aside and write some more scripts. Though the average professional screenwriter wrote 9 screenplays before selling one (or being hired to write a screenplay), even if you have already written 10 screenplays, averages are just averages. It might take you a dozen or more screenplays before you have one that sells (or gets you a writing job).

If no one is biting on your pitches, you need to begin with better ideas. So come up with 100 great ideas, then use criteria to select the best one.

Also, you want to think about budget. Write something that can be made on a limited budget. A well written script with an amazing idea that can be made on a budget will work on a larger budget because they can add a big star.

Getting your script to a manager or Production Company is the same as pitching it: it's all about the core concept, the amazing idea of your story.

Budget is where the rubber hits the road for screenwriters. A competent writer should be able to write an engaging script with nothing but a person in an empty room. That's what most producers are looking for; scripts that punch way above their weight.

It's okay to write writing samples. Go wild with imagination, budget, whatever. My circle of writing friends have used samples to get repped, get meetings. The spec selling part is a small way to make income. The big income are writing assignments.

CJ Walley you ever seen "The Man from Earth?" It's about a professor who is actually the oldest man in the world, he doesn't age. He tells his life story sitting on his couch, in front of all his work colleagues, amazing low budget movie. The best I've seen.

I've not seen that, Brett. Sounds interesting. I'll look out for it.

Claude Gagne I think it was Lord and Miller that wrote the insane sex robot film. Never seen it. But it started with friends, went to assistance and end up with executives. Could never be made. But was world class funny.

I start all my scripts with the smallest possible idea, like a question and go from there.

Craig D Griffiths I'm doing the same thing Craig. my question is "How did you get so famous?" And I'm filling in the sequences on a beat sheet/treatment. That works for me.

Brett Osaka thanks for the compliment. I am not sure I am famous. The only advice I give people. Is don’t use any name except your own. Here or anywhere. If you google me Craig D Griffiths you’ll find me, because I am consistent in using my brand my name.

Plus I write a lot. I don’t have a favourite script. I don’t finish one and try to sell it. I am building a library so I have fuel for any momentum.

I also reach out constantly. Especially to podcasters. I have a few opportunities to promote my films on them. Plus I have put up a few Youtube video under the name of my website griffithscreative.com.au. I try to keep messaging as much as possible.

Craig D Griffiths hahaha, after reading what I wrote — I understand your response.

I was referencing a project I’m working on... in the beginning of the project I ask a character — how did you get so famous? — and then I fill in everything about that question on a beat sheet — sequence by sequence — and woohla— a month or so later I have a finished project.

I was intending to say.. I start out with a question myself a lot of the times

Brett Osaka I use a empathy matrix. I answer (make dot points) under these four topics.

What has she heard?

What does she hear from her people, news, tv, radio. What messages is she exposed to in her life.

What has she said?

What has she articulated when talking to people. What views has she expressed in her life.

What has she done?

What actions has she done previously, did she marry young etc. People tend to have patterns and repeat behaviour.

What is her environment?

Where does she live, what is her economic state, etc.

Answering these enables me to build up empathy and an outstanding understanding of the character. Once I have that I can write them with confidence.

Steven, just keep honing your craft. The more you write, the better you get. Never stop learning (see the Stage32 webinars) and get feedback from friends and colleagues. Rewrite, edit, do a page one, build promo materials (one-sheets, pitch decks, look books) for your projects. The more projects the better. If, after all that, you still aren't getting picked up, then go make the movies yourself! You can and should be pitching to managers and producers (not agents). Do your research first and make sure you're pitching to a company that wants your genre. Goood Luck! Keep wriitng!

Remember...NO stands for Next Opportunity.

But yeah, keep working on your pitch and your craft.