Screenwriters: How To Get An Agent in the U.K.

Become An Attractive Client To A Screenwriting Agent!
Hosted by Nish Panchal

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Nish Panchal

Webinar hosted by: Nish Panchal

Agent at Curtis Brown Group

In 2007, shortly after completing a BA in English Literature and Film Nish joined BBC Films where he worked as Development Assistant across a slate of award-winning feature films and BBC Four single dramas, including An Education, Brighton Rock and Toast. He moved to Curtis Brown in 2011 to work with Joe Phillips and his list of brilliant directors and writers in theater, film and television. During this time he also covered a unique list of contemporary novelists and estates including Samuel Beckett and Daphne du Maurier. In 2013, in an effort to separate themselves from the numerous young agents in Soho, Nish joined forces with Sam Greenwood to begin to work as a team and build their own list of writers, directors and filmmakers from the ground up. Their mission was, and still is, “to find unique filmmaking talent who we’re passionate about and enable them to build careers in the UK film and television industry, and beyond. We pride ourselves on our hands-on support and promotion of clients and their work, as well as utilising the wide-ranging resources in-house at Curtis Brown including a wealth of literary material and casting and production expertise.” Nish also works closely with book agents from Conville & Walsh and handles literary rights for a number of their contemporary, prize-winning authors and journalists. Full Bio »

Webinar Summary

Learn directly from Nish Panchal, Talent Agent for Curtis Brown Literary and Talent Agency!

In this Stage 32 Next Level Webinar, Nish Panchal will identify the various ways you can get your script into the right hands and hopefully secure an agent. With nearly a decade of experience in the U.K. Film/TV industry, Nish aims to arm you with the top tips to make you an attractive client to a screenwriting agent. Whether you’re writing your first screenplay or have 10 under your belt, you will learn the best ways to approach an agent and the dos and don’ts when meeting with agents for the first time. Better still, Nish will explore ways in which you can make the agents come to you!

Nish Panchal is a Talent Agent for the Curtis Brown Literary and Talent Agency in the U.K. who represents writers, authors, directors and filmmakers. Before Curtis Brown, Nish worked at BBC Films as a Development Assistant across a slate of award-winning feature films and BBC Four single dramas, including An Education, Brighton Rock and Toast. Nish is here exclusively for Stage 32 to give you an in-depth insight into how the film business operates in the U.K. and an insider’s view of how to speak directly to the key gatekeepers.

What You'll Learn

  • The role of a literary agent in the U.K. vs. The U.S. Agent.
    • What are key differences in separate markets?
    • Operating in a smaller industry.
  • What type of material sells in the UK?
    • Overview of the UK marketplace.
    • The Hollywood influence.
  • Identifying the top agencies in the UK.
  • Identifying the key buyers in the UK industry.
  • How to build heat as a writer.
    • Ways of utilizing social media.
    • Exploring methods of self-promotion.
  • What you should know before approaching an agent.
    • How to find the right agent.
    • What makes a good agent?
  • The best ways to attract the attention of an agent.
  • How to successfully engage with an agent on email and in person.
    • Dos and Don’ts of engaging with agents.
  • Alternatives to approaching an agent.
    • How to make it without an agent.
    • Identifying useful schemes and networks.
  • Recorded, in-depth Q&A with Nish!

About Your Instructor

In 2007, shortly after completing a BA in English Literature and Film Nish joined BBC Films where he worked as Development Assistant across a slate of award-winning feature films and BBC Four single dramas, including An Education, Brighton Rock and Toast.

He moved to Curtis Brown in 2011 to work with Joe Phillips and his list of brilliant directors and writers in theater, film and television. During this time he also covered a unique list of contemporary novelists and estates including Samuel Beckett and Daphne du Maurier.

In 2013, in an effort to separate themselves from the numerous young agents in Soho, Nish joined forces with Sam Greenwood to begin to work as a team and build their own list of writers, directors and filmmakers from the ground up. Their mission was, and still is, “to find unique filmmaking talent who we’re passionate about and enable them to build careers in the UK film and television industry, and beyond. We pride ourselves on our hands-on support and promotion of clients and their work, as well as utilising the wide-ranging resources in-house at Curtis Brown including a wealth of literary material and casting and production expertise.”

Nish also works closely with book agents from Conville & Walsh and handles literary rights for a number of their contemporary, prize-winning authors and journalists.

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Reviews Average Rating: 4.5 out of 5

  • Incredible amount of information, without being overwhelming or creating false expectations. Everything I'd hoped for in a webinar.

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