Screenwriting : Seeking Agent/Manager by Krystol Diggs

Hey Krystol, The biggest complaint from agents and managers is that people who call themselves writers most often don't have a body of work to back up it up. Three scripts is a start, but five is better than three and eight is better than five. Compare writing to auto mechanics. Would you feel safer, with the one who had a years experience or the guy who'd been doing it for ten years? That's how Agents/Managers have to look at the marketplace. They WILL read your material, so make sure your scripts are the best they can be, if not, you won't get a second chance. The more you write, the better you become, so keep writing.

Thanks!

Hi Krystol, Please don't take this the wrong way but I took a peek at your script and I don't think you're quite ready for an agent/manager. I was in your position too, so it's not a knock on your potential as a screenwriter. I started worrying about getting an agent/manager before I was remotely ready and learned this the hard way. On average, a writer will write 5-7 screenplays before they "get it". Your script is the first impression an agent/manager has of you so it has to be professional caliber. Like Marvin said, most times, you won't get a second chance. Write a lot, read a lot of screenplays, write some more, read more screenplays, rinse & repeat.

Krystol, I agree with Monique, your screenplay isn't ready...yet. Study subtext, you don't seem to have any. Natural dialogue as well. Give your characters personality - quirks or habits. Remove the 'ing' words from your actions. Do you have a copy of David Trottier's "Screenwriter's Bible"? Well worth the investment. There are also a lot of free webinars and teleseminars that teach screenwriting skills. I've also heard that it takes 5-7 scripts before getting an agent, but I got one on my first screenplay. I studied everything I could find and improved my skills, re-wrote my screenplay dozens of times until it was 'ready'. Good luck to you and if you'd like me send you some links to free re-sources, just let me know.

The one posted isn't my final copy. I need to take that down. It's been edited and revised. There are no "ing" words in the finished product. I just got my MFA in Creative Writing and a lot of things that you guys have said has been told to me. When my professors looked at the copy that you guys did even though it wasn't the final, they quickly saw the inciting incident and saw where the script matched the long line. Either the teachers at Full Sail University don't know what they are doing or I'm missing something. But, it's been fixed and it's ready to go. I pitched this film today actually and it was a success. Fingers crossed. I'm always willing to learn from my errors and mistakes when it comes to screenwriting. Thanks everyone for your input. I have The Hollywood Standard as well. Thanks.

To Marvin: in my experience, a lot of agents and managers this day are more interested in the specific material rather than in prolific writer (e.g. they will represent you if you have what they consider one really commercial screenplay and they won't represent you even if you've written a dozen of great but not really commercial ones).