Screenwriting : Where do agents hide? by Rotimi Timi Ogunjobi

Hi Rotimi, here they are https://www.stage32.com/scriptservices/pitch-sessions - Here you'll find agents, managers, producers, directors.

Hi Rotimi, you are going to hear this all the time. You have to be making money and then they turn up and want 10%. They will not help you get your first sale, or help find you work.

There are an endless supply of us. But a small number of them. We are unimportant until we are important.

Yes I know Craig, I have been through a lot of that as an author.

Luciano, it looks like you've got to fork out money to make a pitch, right?

Before the pandemic, agents attended student film festivals and scout for the next big talent to sign. It cost 0 money for agencies to sign talent (maybe internal lawyer fees) but you don't pay. You're the Talent.

However in the internet age and high unemployment and shit salary pay, lots of industry folks solicit the general public for reads in exchange for $. You become their bosses - make them read for you.

It's not likely that you'll find an agent. They are masters of camouflage (of necessity) and hide behind every tree in the forest. When you least expect it - one will jump out to sign you; you don't 'get' an agent, some agent signs you on as a 'client'. What Dan M says is very true. A few years back I hosted Screenwriter Retreats at numerous film festivals. There were always a few Agents and Acquisition Managers lurking about. I know this because that's where an Agent lured me into becoming his client. And I've seen it happen to others.

LOL. I know what you mean Doug Nelson. Just the same way I acquired a literary agent for my books. Only she doesn't handle screenplays. I am a good storyteller with books translated into as many as 18 languages and google citations more than 10 pages deep. I have never had to pay to promote my books and certainly won't fork out money to have my script read by anyone.. Let's see how it progresses. Cheers

Hello Rotimi,

I am attaching the links to two sites for you. ScriptReaderPro provides a list of managers. The list is a couple years old, and they break it down with regards to who accepts unsolicited queries and who doesn't. You have to join their website to get the list, and it's a very helpful website in other ways, too.

The other link is the WGAW Agency List. Keep in mind that there aren't any individual agent names on the list, but at least you will now have a list of the major agencies with agreements with the WGAW. And also keep in mind the old saying, "you don't find a top agent, they find you."

These may or may not be helpful to your current needs, but at least you'll have some type of a starting point. And again, keep in mind that this information was pre-pandemic, and may not be 100% accurate.

And since you live in Georgia....you might want to consider hitting up Tyler Perry's company, I don't know if you watched the Academy Awards last night, but Mr. Perry helps a lot of people. Extra kudos to Tyler Perry for all of the good things he does for humankind, and may the heavens continue to bless him.

Best fortunes in your creative endeavors, Rotimi, and stay safe!

https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/screenwriting-managers/

https://apps.wga.org/agency/agencylist.aspx

Rotimi, if you managed any success get repped as an author, ask that person for a referral. Agents can give you a warm intro, far better than a cold call.

Why, everyone knows, of course, your agent is busy on the phone.

Thank you, Bill Constantini. Best advice so far. I already downloaded the ScriptReader list this morning but I haven't yet looked at it.. I will again look for the WGAW list if it is available to nonmembers. The best tip was Tyler Perry ....

Hi Rotimi,

I'm always glad when I'm able to help out a fellow writer. You should also check out these services:

1. Stage32 Pitch Sessions - It's under the "Script Services" link, and there are currently managers hearing pitches. It has a lot of success stories.

2. Roadmapwriters.com - they provide pitch sessions, too, and almost 200 writers have been signed through them over the last five years.

3. Inktip.com - It's a paid script-listing website, and over 400 films have been made in their 20+ years of service

4. ScriptRevolution.com - it's a free script-listing website. The founder is a member here, and they've had success stories, too.

5. FadeInOnline.com - they run the Hollywood Pitch Fest, and have hundreds of success stories since it was started by Audrey Kelly, a great Friend of Writers. You just missed the last one by a month, but it's helped lots of writers get representation.

There certainly is a lot out there to consider, Rotimi. And that doesn't even include the reputable contests (with emphasis on "reputable") that have helped writers, too.

Best fortunes in your creative endeavors, Rotimi, and stay safe!

Thanks again Bill

Hi Rotimi & Welcome to S32!

Lol, agents don’t hide but they only tend to appear when a deal is in the works because most work on commission. In the Hollywood system, your representation team usually looks like this: Manager then Agent then Lawyer. Some Lawyers are also Agents and Managers.

Managers help develop you and your work so you can start pitching professionally to reputable producers. Once your pitch is successful, your Manager will get in touch with an Agent to work through your contract. At that stage, it will be useful to hire an Entertainment Lawyer to ensure that all of your legal interests are properly represented. Let me backtrack for a second. Managers tend to like clients who have won writing competitions or have recommendations from other writers. I hope this makes sense.

NOW, there are plenty of writers who have never had an agent, manager or lawyer and still make a very good income!

Good luck! You sound like a great person and I’m sure you’ll do fine!

Colette

Thank you for the encouragement Colette ! If you run into any Manager looking for a new storyteller to add to his stable of clients do be kind to send them my picture. Cheers.