Screenwriting : New Screenplay - Need Agent by Alan B. Cox

Alan, respectfully you're nowhere near ready for an agent yet and they wont sign you if all you have is one script. And, unless you live in LA, what local talent says about your script is pretty meaningless. Enter contests, get professional notes and feedback, make sure it's ready, start developing and writing other ideas, and then start pitching and querying managers and production companies.

I remember seeing a website that sends your query letter to agents. I don't know if you're allowed to post its name here, though...:(

Alan, completing your first script is such an amazing accomplishment and something to be very proud of. I would consider shopping your script to some of the major contests like The Nicholl, Page, Big Break, etc... and see if it places. I would also consider doing some peer reviews for feedback.

But, most importantly, my advice is keep writing. If someone likes your script, but it isn't right for them, they might ask, "What else you got?". The wrong answer to that question is, "Nothing."

Keep writing and then do some more writing, oh and plenty of reading! Oh and kudos to being from SC! My parents live out there, Charleston is the most beautiful city I have ever seen in my life.

Alan, ignore Danny. Get the writers yearbook, search the internet and scour for agents and ask if they'd be interested. You don't have to have a million scripts under your belt to get an agent (several screenwriters hit the big time with their very first scripts). If you do have talent and they recognise it, they'll be fighting over each other to sign you up.

HI Alan, we're looking for romcoms. Please view our website and contacts us. We're a new agency and although we're based in South Africa, we sell screenplays internationally. https://uponaquest.wordpress.com/

David, youre giving false hope to someone who finished the first draft of a first script. it isnt time for an agent yet, and he may end up ruining chances he may have later on when he IS ready. i said he should look for producers or managers...just not agents yet.

With one script maybe don't bother searching for anyone yet. I remember when I finished my first script. I now have 6 features and a TV pilot under my belt with a bunch of horror shorts. Only one of those shorts is now in possible production. I'm at a loss at what to do sometimes but I'll tell you now if someone reads your script and likes it they're no doubt going to ask, what else do you have? The answer can't be nothing. Keep hard at it and pump out a few more but get as much feedback as you can on them.

>David, youre giving false hope to someone who finished the first draft of a first script.

Not at all. For a start, they don't detail it's the first draft. They say it's a completed script. They've also had feedback from "local professionals". We don't know who they are. What if one of those was an established director/scriptwriter and they said, "get yourself an agent" following the feedback they gave? Sure, the agent or others might ask, "What else do you have?" and I'm sure Alan has other ideas and can say "I'm working on x and y." but there's absolutely no reason why he can't give it a go with what he's got already. Several have and it's worked out for them fine.

Yolanda Lorato, question: why does your agency charge a reading fee when the industry standard is that an agency doesn't ask the writer for any fees? Unless you're offering professional coverage, which isn't clear on your website.

One screenplay won't cut it as Matthew Corry said. Keep working and create a body of work.

That's nonsense. If it's a good screenplay, of course it will cut it. You don't see authors waiting until they've got half-a-dozen novels written before they publish.

David E. Gates I've worked as a script consultant and in other capacities for over a decade. I've never seen a screenwriter with one script "make it". Any manager will ask "What else do you have?". Always. A producer may take a chance, maybe. The OP asked how to get an agent. He needs a manager, not an agent. And a manager will want a body of work.

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/his-first-script-his-first-million-this-is-the-story-of-miles-millar-a-cambridge-graduate-who-went-1395723.html

And, as it says here, it does happen. It may be rare, but then so is getting your tenth script made!

https://www.quora.com/Has-anyone-ever-sold-their-first-script

Alan, congratulations on finishing a script. That's great! However... regardless of what you do next with your first and only script you do need to keep writing. You will need several well-written, market-ready screenplays in your arsenal if you wish to have an agent or if you wish to pursue screenwriting professionally as a career. Agents want clients who can produce consistent work; that's how they make money. Sure, one hit wonders do happen, but realistically they are incredibly rare. Best of luck and keep writing! ;)

Yolanda. If you have someone looking for a a romantic comedy and would be willing to co-produce let me know. I have one tjhat Judy Norton wrote and is attached as the director and staring in it. Judy is best known for her role as Mary Ellen from the iconic television series. If interested Private message me.

Good gawd.. bad advice over common sense. If your local professionals say your script "you have what it takes", "great perfect", ask the local pros for a Rep/referral/ a name.

Pros = working, writing for Entertainment, steady paychecks.

Non-Pros = no Rep, no job, 0 track record.

Who knows if you're a natural. But it ain't happening by hanging out with folks with 0 entertainment track record or referrals.

John Ellis, I was wondering when someone was going to ask that and I'm glad you did because in America you shouldn't trust an agent who asks a fee. In South Africa we do things a bit differently for various reasons, but for our fee, which is $12 for short films and $15 for feature films, we do send feedback to every screenwriter, whether we offer representation or not, although not in-depth coverage as one would receive for a higher fee paid to a script doctor for instance.

ahahahahaha South africa based website? AHAHAHAHAHA.

Victor, of course you may mention other websites and/or resources. ;) However self-promotion is preferred to be posted in Your Stage. If you are referring to those query-blast sites, I would be wary. Many are scams. Or are not effective. A more selective and personal approach is much better. Likewise be wary of suspicious, upfront fees. Always do your due diligence about any company or service.

The odds of landing an agent with a first script are probably about the same as getting struck by lightning.

Thanks Dan Guardino

The dude who wrote "Miss Sloan" claims that is his 1st script. Yes, there are unicorns in Hollywood. David Sandberg directed a 2-min horror film from Sweden with his Wife and he's now the King of Horror, "lights out" and "Annabelle" features.

The odds of landing an agent with any script are probably about the same as getting struck by lightning. :-)

If I may add to what Beth suggested: enter your screenplay into competitions too. Once your screenplay has been a finalist or won an award agents start to pay attention to it. Just be careful of scams there too. Here is a great link for the best screenwriting contests out there at the moment:

https://www.moviebytes.com/best-screenwriting-contests.cfm

Indeed, nothing wrong with getting the script out there. But just sitting on it until you have several when it could potentially be opening doors for you is very likely a mistake is what I'm saying, albeit not too succinctly.

Alan: If you want to pitch your first script to producers or possible agents, nothing is stopping you. If someone asks you if you have another script, just lie your ass off and write it in a few weeks. If your script is great and passes muster with industry folks, you may get lucky. Just like Outback, there are no rules. Success is the rule breaker.

Thank you all for your truthful comments. And thanks for keeping this post on subject. I know I need more screenplays, but it's hard to finish my second screenplay before I finish my first one. Right? To finish more before you start inquiring about marketing it or yourself is a waste of time. Now I'll tell you a little more about me. The truth is I have never written anything in my life. I have had ideas about movies for many years. So I decided to start writing a screenplay. I also decided NOT to write about the stories that I had been thinking of for years. I didn't want to fail with my best stories. I read books, the Internet and purchased Final Draft. I wanted to write a practice script. So I sat down with my newly purchased software and created a story right then and there. The product was "At Whit's Inn". "At Whit's Inn" has gone through many revisions. Every readers' comments were taken into consideration for changes. This is not a first draft. First time writer, yes. Watching a comedy and not laughing, many times. I made all my friends and family laugh by telling them I had actually written a screenplay. They laughed even more when they read it. The odds of me selling it may be the same as me being struck by lightning, but at least I'm standing in the storm. P.S. Within the past 10 seconds, I received a text from an actress and producer (IMDB). "I've just started reading your screenplay. So far I love it...". She's getting on a plane and will finish it on her flight back to LA. I hear thunder!

The odds of me selling it may be the same as me being struck by lightning, but at least I'm standing in the storm. - I LOVE THIS!!!! Absolutely sums up what I was trying to say. :-)

Danny, Meaningless? Really? What if they said it sucked, lack structure, characters were not developed, etc. And didn't want me to shorten it for a TV version. Would that be meaningless too? Please give us a rewrite on your comment. Thanks.

Alan: good luck! I hope your first script sells!

Yolanda Lorato, ah, so! Good answer - straightforward, no apologies - that in itself garners my respect and interest. I'll be messaging you!

Thanks again for all your comments. I will continue to write. Now that I have copyrighted and registered my screenplay, I can continue with my others. Please keep your comments and suggestions coming. I promise, I can handle it.

You might want to consider entering your script into the Tracking Board's Launch Pad Feature Competition. It's open now, and has a lot of success stories in the few years that it has been up and running.

Respectfully, I agree exactly with what Danny first said.

It's cool Alan you got your script done. However, one script is not going to get you that agent I hate to tell you. And honestly, I would not worry about an agent quite yet. Keep writing and learn the craft. Then worry about the agent. Who knows, maybe you feel after writing a few you may not need an agent. I see some writers here that do not have agents and they aren't doing too bad for themselves. So my piece of advice is just worry about the writing right now. Once you get more under your belt, go for the agent then. Kind of like football. You are worried about the touchdown right away is when the reality is worry about getting a first down. My thoughts here. Best of luck to you Alan.

I know Danny is right. I'm glad he took the time to comment on my post. I just wanted to spark the "meaningless" comment. Thanks Danny, I really do appreciate your input.

Bill C: Good suggestion. Tracking Board appears to be a good contest that can get finalists some attention from folks looking for spec scripts.

Why must one say "Ignore..." rather than simply offering different advice? Alan, I'm glad you didn't choose to ignore Danny as David suggested. They both offer good insights to someone who has just finished their first screenplay.

Alan, another great avenue is to get agent referrals from the local professionals who like your script. They are already pros, they know you and they have read (and liked) your script. I can't think of a better way to get to an agent than a referral from a local professional.

D. Marcus:

You make a good point. Knowing Danny a little bit and that he does a good job for his clients, I would definitely says his points have merit. Unfortunately, we live in a world where human interaction is replaced by online communication, with a lot of folks spouting "all or nothing" or "I'm right and they're wrong" opinions. Of course, nobody in this thread is doing that. We're all right. And alright too.

David. Selling a screenplay and using one to getting a WGA Agent to rep you are two different things. If a producer likes the story they can overlook flaws and hire and experienced screenwriter to rewrite it. An Agent wants to rep screenwriters that can write well-written screenplays on a regular basis. That is hard to prove if you only have one screenplay under your belt.

Alan. About Danny’s comment, “unless you live in LA, what local talent says about your script is pretty meaningless.” I don’t it matters where anyone lives. If the local talent has a working relationship with the agency that might open a door for you to submit your screenplay. If they don’t have a relationship with the agency it probably would be meaningless to an agent. It is who you know or who they know that counts. I got my agent by picking up the phone and calling them after I finished each screenplay. However have a professional screenwriter or a legitimate script consultant review your script to make sure it really is ready for professionals in the business to read. You can have a script that is funny, great, perfect" and the local talent thinks "you have a talent for dialogue" which may be true but that doesn't mean the script is up to industry standards. I congratulate you on finish your first screenplay and strongly recommend starting a second one asap and keep learning because this stuff doesn't happen overnight. Good luck!

You're right, Uncle Phil. It's too bad that Mr. Gates fell into that method of communication.

I appreciate it, Alan, and we are all wishing you luck and success. in terms of my "meaningless" comment, a lot of writers outside of LA are in local screenwriting groups or they get feedback from people who may have some experience producing shorts or local productions but theyve never worked in hollywood and have never dealt with agents, managers, or hwood producers. And so, often their feedback is nice but ultimately meaningless. Not that they can't offer some good suggestions. but you want to be careful that the people giving you feedback arent all in the same spot you are in. It's like when a writer tells me that a local film professor in oklahoma said their script is good...it just isnt a source thats going to carry weight in hollywood.

Thanks again Danny. I knew where you were coming from with your comment. Please continue to comment on any other post of mine. And by the way, I wrote 10 more pages today one of my other screenplays. The story is complete. Now the easy part.

Alan, I hope you don't mind but I'm going to quote you on "The odds of me selling it may be the same as me being struck by lightning, but at least I'm standing in the storm," to encourage first time screenplay writers. Hope you don't mind.

Well, it seems my use of language in suggesting someone ignore someone else's comments - in other words, supporting them and suggesting they go for it when others are stating ludicrous things such as anyone outside of LA with an opinion has a meaningless contribution (which is absolute nonsense - there's plenty of screenwriters/professionals which can - and do - give valid feedback outside of LA) and that you cannot be successful on the back of your first, and only, screenplay - has upset some people. Not my intention, just stating a different view and using the language at my disposal to do so. Which I expanded upon in my follow-up posts. Anyway, good luck Alan. Don't listen to the doom-merchants. I'm sure someone here will suggest until you've written a hundred screenplays, been to every webinar on Stage 32, paid entry of thousands of dollars to enter hundreds of competitions, moved house, that you're not worthy or have no talent or don't live in the right city. But, I say screw them. Believe in yourself. Go for it. And jolly good luck to you. Lightning does strike. And, who knows, it could be you it does.

Yolanda, You have my blessings. Will I get my first credits? ;-)

David, I'm all in and I'm in it to win it.

David E:

I agree. You don't have to live in LA. The key in the equation is build relationships with people with connections that wish to represent your work. With all the internet technology you can take meetings with anyone around the world via Skype. For example, I worked with New Zealand director David Blyth last year entirely by conducting Skype meetings.

It is interesting that writers feel words are important. Telling someone to ignore a previous post has a very different meaning than offering an alternate opinion.

Alan, has anyone answered your question on getting an agent? Can the local professionals who like your script help you get an agent?

D. Marcus. I agree and I would go even further and say telling someone to ignore a previous post is just plain rude. Ironically it came from someone that doesn’t even have an agent and probably never even sold a screenplay.

FWIW I did answers Alan’s question. I said, “If the local talent has a working relationship with the agency that might open a door for you to submit your screenplay. If they don’t have a relationship with the agency it probably would be meaningless to an agent.”

I told him, “I got my agent by picking up the phone and calling them after I finished each screenplay. However, have a professional screenwriter or a legitimate script consultant review your script to make sure it really is ready for professionals in the business to read.”

I believe I am the only one that answered that question and probably the only one that actually got a WGA Signatory Agent.

D Marcus, not really. Most told me the problems with getting an agent and that I wasn't ready for one. I have not pushed the issue with the local professionals yet. It's only been a little over a week since they read it. One has asked me if I could cut it down from 120 pages to about 90. He said he has worked with a producer....See New Post...

Completed Screenplay- Ask to cut to 90 pages for low budget TV movie

David. I agree people outside of LA can offer constructive feedback and their opinion should not be considered meaningless. I don’t agree that people should lie to new screenwriters. I never suggest someone not try to market their screenplays however trying to land an agent with only one screenplay would be like trying to push a rope up a hill. I am not a “doom-merchants” but I don’t believe in lying to aspiring screenwriters. If they don’t know what they are up against they might not prepare for the long haul and give up after receiving a few hundred rejection letters. Unlike getting a book published breaking into the business as a screenwriter usually takes building relationships and that doesn’t happen overnight and one screenplay doesn’t make a career.

im putting Doom Merchant on my new biz cards.

Danny Doom: is it true that the Writer's Store in Burbank closed its doors today? Man....that's sad.

Danny: I like this:

Danny "Doom Merchant" Manus

Dream killer, aspiration abuser and plan puncher.

Reasonable rates available.

DANNY MANUScript killer! Did anyone else see that?

Yes, Writers Store closed today after 35 years. Blame F&W Media. Very sad, but i did get $550 worth of stuff for $56 bucks...so...silver lining i guess. And yes, Alan, Ive been saying "You can't write a Manuscript without Manus" for a little while. still waiting for it to catch on. lol

This was a really cool discussion and I have been thinking about it a bit today at work, and wanted to point out something I have seen in the screenwriter community, and that is, all the best, truely best screenwriters I know have spent years grinding away, going through ups and downs, getting rejected and dejected, being active on peer review websites, reading and analyzing literally hundreds of screenplays, entering contests, spending those years making connections before their big break finally comes. I know a handful of writers with sales and that was what almost all of them went through and these are really, really talented people.

So I think when writers who are in the thick of that journey see someone, and this happens all the time, say they just completed their first screenplay and have only been practicing the craft a short time, say they are ready for an agent and ready to shop their very first script, it can rub some people the wrong way as possibly arrogant. Or like they haven't paid their dues.

I'm totally not criticizing you Alan and am simply telling you how long time screenwriters on a forum are probably thinking as they read your post. No one here has read your script, so no one here truly knows if you are ready or not.

I agree with commenters like David Gates that if you feel you are ready, go and query! You will have to one day and it is a skill worth learning. And as you said with your storm comment, you can't sell a script that you don't advertise.

I also agree with Danny Manus, in that, statistically, even among very talented writers, the odds your very first script will get you a quality agent are extremely low. Whatever my level as a screenwriter could be considered, I am leaps and bounds better now than my first script. That's because I have invested thousands of hours into the craft.

So, the question I would say to ask yourself, is my script better than other talented writers who have put in hundreds, even thousands of hours on this craft? The answer may be yes. But before you query, I would suggest you read a dozen or two dozen scripts and honestly asses how yours stack up to those.

Anyway, sorry for the rambling rant and I'm sure several people on here will let me know why I am completely wrong. But I am genuinely happy for you Alan because your first script is a great accomplishment and I am rooting for you

Well said John.

In an attempt to put this to bed... (not the subject, just the on-going differing of opinion etc.) Danny, Dan, and anyone else: If you were offended/upset by my use of the word "ignore" in my post, then I apologise. Unreservedly. You may think it was rude and given the nature of the written word without any inflection, it could come across as that. If that was the case and you thought I was being rude, I apologise. I don't think it's any ruder than someone saying "you're nowhere near ready for an agent..." and that "what local talent says about your script is pretty meaningless" when they don't have the full picture or even know who that local talent is, but hey ho. I did suggest that upsetting someone wasn't my intention in a subsequent post but that doesn't seem to have taken so I trust this will now settle the matter. We all have opinions and experiences to share and if I upset anyone with mine then I apologise.

You've completed your first screenplay and you need an agent... Are you serious, dog? Trust me. You're not that good. The last thing you need is an agent. Focus on craft and another 5 to 10 scripts. If you doubt me, post a page. You'll find out real quick.

John, Thanks for those comments. I really do understand everyone's comments/feelings about first time screenwriters here. Now to address your point if my screenplay is better than most I've seen or read. I think that's the reason I started writing screenplays. Watching movies and thinking I wasted 2 hours of my life. Asking my wife is she laughed any during the movie (a comedy?). I have many in mine, several being developed and one completed. I truly believe that these are mush better than most. Last night I watched a movie with a budget of $4M, grossed $45M, and was rated a 4.7. The 4.7 was generous as far as I was concerned. I knew the ending in the first 10 minutes of watching. Would my movie be better? Most definetly. Would the others be better? YES. I would like to remind everyone that my first screenplay was for practice using my newly purchased Final Draft. I didn't want to bomb on my good stories. I created the story as I sat at the computer. Is this one my best story? No. Is it good? Yes. P.S. I can't wait to here someone say I'm writing for the wrong reason, like passion.

"O.J. like, he's not black, he's O.J..... Okay."

Shawn, my brother, so f**king gangsta! :) welcome back

My man, Dan! Good to be back, bro. The script took two months longer than I expected because we changed the MMM premise last month. Greed just wasn't working. We changed it to a love story for a richer story. But here's the thing. We had to go back to page one, rewrite everything from internals to description. The hardest writing I've ever done. MMM gets hand-delivered to Hollywood, Aug 12.

Shawn!

What's good, Uncle Phil! Great to see you in the lounge, brother!

Shawn! Word! Sounds like you're doing really well. And, that makes my heart soar, like a hawk!

Hey David, to be clear I wasnt offended at all. People have said MUCH worse to me, and thats just on S32 lol. Takes way more than that to get to me. I understood your point and we're all good. #nothingbutlove

David. I don't think you said anything to offend me and I don't think I said anything that would offend anyone here. I did say it would be almost impossible for a new screenwriter to secure an agent with only one script under their belt. That doesn't mean I think someones script is bad or that they have no talent. It is just that most Agents believe that finding a first script that is marketable would be like finding a needle in a haystack. I am not saying that is true -- I am just saying that is what most Agents think. Also Agents want to rep screenwriters that can write well-written screenplays on a regular basis which is pretty hard to prove if a screenwriter only wrote one screenplay. So they want to rep screenwriter that have a lot of experience and have plenty of inventory. They prefer screenwriters with a track record but some of the smaller ones will sign someone without a track record if they think the screenwriter has some real talent. Until a screenwriter lands an Agent they can always send script to producers so I never suggested they just sit on a screenplay. Obviously not every one here is going to agree with what I say but that is okay because I am just coming at this question from my own persona experience. I did manage to secure a WGA Agent so I had to have done something right or maybe I just proved that even a blind squire can find an acorn once in a while. Anyway David you didn't offend me but I don't think you should have told Alan to ignore something Danny said. He has a ton of experience and the only think I disagreed with was what he said about people living outside of LA. Manley because I live outside LA and I work with a lot of people in the business that live outside LA. I grew up in Pasadena so it is not like I have anything against LA but I prefer living where I live right now but I have 11 cars so I have no problem driving one of them there when I have to be there.

Uncle Phil! Luv u, bro! Thanks for the support.... Coach Manus: Sending MMM ACT 1 to u Aug 1

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