Comments on: Which agent should I choose?

By: Film Zu » Blog Profile: John August

Film Zu » Blog Profile: John August — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 16:48:52 +0000

[...] This blog relates to my mine because a chunk of it has to deal with questions concerning the film industry and budding filmmakers hungry for knowledge on how to be successful and break in. Some of his blog topics are Starting Out in Hollywood, How do you become successful?, and Which agent should I choose? [...]

By: Peter Melegarii

Peter Melegarii — Thu, 08 Sep 2005 03:31:31 +0000

I’m a native NYer, writer, actor, blah, blah, blah. I haven’t found an honest agent yet. All wannabees! I’ve sold stuff on my own to major late night shows, History and Discovery Chanels, and never really made any big money. Sold 2 scripts to people who have cashed in mega times more than I could ever dream about. Sold them outright. And gave up all copyrights. I have several great scripts that have been read by at least 10 A list actors. They all want to do it…but I can’t afford them or can’t find the money to afford them. I’ve been offered drug money and mob money, but I can’t do it that way. So anyhow, I enjoyed and learned some things from the comments made and would say don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions. It’s your work.

By: Stephen Gallagher

Stephen Gallagher — Wed, 07 Sep 2005 19:22:00 +0000

I went with my first agent because she'd been my book editor on my debut novel and she was moving into representation. I had no agent and she was keen to have me. She wasn't by any means a disaster but she was a modest performer and when the world looked at me, she was the filter through which they saw my potential.

When we finally parted company it was because it looked as if my shot at the business had played itself out and nobody out there wanted to take a serious look at my stuff.

But because at the core of every writer there's a nugget of ego denser than a white dwarf star I tried my luck with one of the big agencies. There I was looked upon as 'relaunch material' but, luckily, the relaunch worked and at last I got a career. Material that previously would have been handed off to a reader or, worse, returned unread, now got read by the players themselves.

My point is that my first agent wasn't a stepping stone.

By: TEV

TEV — Thu, 01 Sep 2005 19:45:41 +0000

I’m with Trey. Rather than signing with agents, writer in question should sign on for some grammar lessons.

By: Paolo

Paolo — Thu, 01 Sep 2005 16:30:49 +0000

DRIVER Where you headed?

PASSENGER Airport. Take the 44 West -- it's faster.

DRIVER Might be better to take East Parkway. It's supposively faster. Less traffic.

DRIVER suddenly turns around to look the PASSENGER full in the face.

DRIVER Hey, aint you that famous screenwriter guy? I'm writing a movie too y'know.

PASSENGER No kidding. Suppove you just get me to the airport, genius.

By: Trey Hill

Trey Hill — Thu, 01 Sep 2005 15:36:25 +0000

I’m sorry, but is no one taking issue with Brad’s use of the word “supposively,” which DOES NOT EXIST!

By: RDane

RDane — Wed, 31 Aug 2005 02:43:28 +0000

Sheesh, I only wish I had this dilemma.

By: Ben

Ben — Tue, 30 Aug 2005 21:14:55 +0000

John,

Derek thinks Brad should settle on one of these two agents who aren't in LA or NY because a bird in hand is worth two in the bush. I think Brad should spend more time shopping (especially if he hasn't already), since there are so many hungry, eager managers in LA now, whose core business is finding and breaking new writers.

What do you think?

Ben

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 30 Aug 2005 20:45:17 +0000

Enthusiasm goes a long way, but information is key.

By: Joseph

Joseph — Tue, 30 Aug 2005 19:49:03 +0000

If you do sign with either of these two agents and are worried about getting tied down for a long time with a crappy agent when you might find someone better down the line all you have to do is add a clause to the contract. Just have something state that if the agent doesn’t find you work within a set period of time (like 4 months) then either the agent or yourself can end the contract by sending a certified letter stating that you wish to end the relationship. In your letter request that the agent sends you a list of all the places (if any) that they took your script. That way you can at least see what the agent is capable of.

By: Derek

Derek — Tue, 30 Aug 2005 19:04:53 +0000

Still sounds like a load of bullshit to me. Wait a year for a might or try for a sure thing now... hmmmm... gee tough. The only downside to signing now is if you're stuck in a contract you couldn't get out of if something better HAPPENS to come along. That's it. No other crap about meetings and packaging and shit because that's not a choice you have now anyway (if you're not in LA, what difference does it make if your LA agent gets you a meeting?) Maybe these guys can do it, maybe not, but they've got a better shot than you AT THE MOMENT and you should take advantage of it.

I believe it was "playing the percentages"? What's the percent chance of getting something happening from a) the manager you have or b) the manager you want to have, but don't?

Bottomline you want a sale or an assignment, right? Well if you're wasting a year contacting these mysterious managers eager to represent you (like the other 2 million writers are), then you're not working as hard on getting what you ultimately want. If this break gets you a step closer or frees you up some to do it, why the hell wouldn't you?

The ONLY good advice there is move to LA. Til we sell something (by our hard work or another's) we're beggars, not choosers. Stop listening to nay-sayers who for some reason are trying to blow your opportunity.