So, there was a very lively thread a few weeks ago about a screenwriter who had completed his first screenplay and wanted to start looking for an agent. I wanted to know, if you are being totally honest and self critical, if you are ready for an agent?
I am at the 5 year mark in learning this craft, while having a full time job, I have 8 finished screenplays, two of which were collaborations, am almost done with a first draft of my ninth, I have won Best Screenplay at a smaller film festival (got cash and a cool trophy!), I have a couple semi-final placements in the big contests, and a bunch of quarter-final placements. I have read and reviewed about 200 screenplays...
None of that is to toot my own horn, but to give a sense of where I am at. The more time I spend working on this craft, the more I realize I don't know and that I still need to learn. I am just getting to the point where I feel like I have a portfolio I would be proud to show an agent and a working knowledge of the craft where I wouldn't seem totally incompetent in a conversation....
But, I still have lingering doubts about querying. I guess I am asking for both advice specific to me, but also in general, as to how do you know you are ready to put yourself out there and be seen as talented and qualified enough to garner interest?
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You're much more ready than the other person who asked that question. They had finished 1 screenplay whereas you have 8, are working on your 9th, have placed in contests and seem to have spent a fair bit of time on the craft. From what I've read a manager may be a better shot if you're not represented as agents usually look for produced or recommended writers but hey, I don't have either so I might be blowing a strong gust out of my rear.
Hey Matt, a manager is also a way to go. I have friends who have both and each have their advantages.
Owen, I think it is a respect for the profession, fear of rejection, and the fact that it's so much easier to just write than query. I am really curious when others felt they were truly ready or consider a writer ready in general so I can honestly judge if I am, or if I need to grind away a bit more before taking that step.
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Hey John, we're about at the same place in the process. Contests, body of work, learning the craft, all that. My feelings are that when I write something good enough to place in one of the top 10 contests, then it will be time to start seeking an agent and/or manager. I don't fear rejection, I fear succeeding beyond my scope. Luck can get you there but only skill will keep you there.
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I worked in the post-production side for over 15+ years, been blessed to work on Emmy shows and for Oscar winning Filmmakers. Lemme tell you - they all have the same fears as us. Everybody is nervous, fear of failure. What they rely on is their own gut instincts and craft from failing. Nobody really knows what you write on the page will transfer on the production shoot with Cast & Crew, and at final edit stage with music & effects added.
You are ready when you put in the work, meaning doing it than talking, put in Time making movies physically with labor & sweat. Not sitting by a computer or phone waiting for a free ride.
Thanks Owen, Matt, John H, Anthony, and Dan. Everything you guys said was really great to hear.
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John Bradley: out of curiosity....what do you think that you "don't know" after writing eight scripts in five years? Kudos to you for continuing to advance your writing on that long Writer's Road!
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You could wait forever to feel "ready," but you've clearly done your homework and put in the sweat equity. Writers who think they're ready after reading a dozen scripts and writing 1 or 2 probably aren't ready. It sounds like you're at a stage where it's time to dip your toe in the waters and nudge a spec out of the nest. After all, you will NEVER reach a place where you know everything and stop learning, to think otherwise would be hubris. So have some confidence in your best script and get it some exposure. Good luck!!!
Hey Bill, there is a ton I don't know! I am plotting out my first pilot and a lot of the structure and terminology is a lot different. The script I am working on now, I have been debating about making it a "found footage" style script and that is a style I'm just starting to learn. Those are just a couple small examples, but there is a lot of nuance and little tricks with things like style, character, etc... that I see and am just amazed with.
Hey Screenplay Mechanic, thanks for the encouraging words. I agree if I wait till I'm ready, I might just be waiting forever.
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I started sending out screenplays after I finished my first screenplay. I liked writing screenplays but I was more interested in seeing if I could be the odds. I would call ten agents one day and ten producer the next before I started writing that day. I would keep a list of everyone that requested one of my screenplays and made sure they were the first ones I would contact when I finished my next screenplay. After I got an agent I attached a couple of well-known directors to some of my screenplays to make them more marketable. My advice is use your scripts to meet people in the business and quit worrying about getting rejections. They are part of the business and just because someone passes on your screenplay doesn’t mean they are rejecting you as a writer. Good luck!!!!
Hey Greg and Dan, those are both great pieces of advice. I'm going to start querying both producers and agents. Ten a day is very ambitious! But I will start soon.
Hey Dan, thanks never really looked at it that way as i'm also struggling to lend a agent. Will surely do from now on.