Screenwriting : Screenwriting Agent by Courtney Smith Kramer

Shuffle up & down Sunset Blvd with a sign that reads "screenwriter" and a few $100 bills sticking out of your shirt pocket. I that doesn't work, hang out where agents hang out. I know some that hold seminars at various film festivals and a few teach at local C Collages. Win a few screenwriting contests - even the little ones...that gives you a conversation starter. The absolute way is the personal meet & greet - be social. That e-mail junk just don't cut it! A good agent in your eyes may be someone else in mine. A writer/agent relationship is like any other relationship, it takes time and nurturing.

There are several in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Get a manager first.

You a need producer interested in your project. Agents are lawyers who oversee a sale, they're not like a real estate agent, 'here's my property, please sell it'.

You have to find the sale yourself, then they'll help you get a writing job based on your work.

Robert. It may be different in Australia but here in the US Agents aren't lawyers. They rep the screenwriter so they sell screenplays as well as finding writing gigs if that is what the screenwriter wants. As a screenwriter you can try to sell your screenplay but your agent represents you so they will still get their 10 percent commission.

Courtney. I got my agent by calling the different WGA Agents off a list every time I finished a screenplay. Obviously the more screenplays you have the better your chances of landing one. However you say you do other things besides writing screenplays so maybe that will help. My agent reps me as both a producer and a screenwriter. Good luck!

Courtney, the BEST way is to let them find you. the 2nd best way is thru a direct referral by someone they know and trust. 3rd best way, nepotism. 4th Best way, win a major contest or something that gives your project buzz and then maximize that and cold call. 5th way, pitch them online. 6th way...any way that works.

Hello and welcome to Stage 32 and my network! Happy networking for an agent right here! You've come to the right place! Make your posts in the right spots and promote your works. Many great seminars on screenwriting as well as pitch seminars once you are ready to present it to film makers, agents, publicists et all. Good luck!

Remember; Agents gotta earn a living too. They're turning over every stone looking for MARKETABLE product from new talent they can develop a long term relationship with for future sales. The operative word here is MARKETABLE - if no one wants your stuff, is it MARKETABLE? (Be honest; odds are not.))

Thanks everyone for the input! I have a screenplay finished and it's been read by some high ups at Netflix – but not in the content department. Their process is so rigorous, you have to have an agent to submit, it doesn't matter who you know at the company, they have so much content coming at them there are no exceptions. So I need an agent to submit it for me :) Sounds like I need to pound the pavement!

Hi Courtney. What you're asking is a pretty broad question and there really is no best way. Agents are tricky to find as they typically only take on a client if they already have credits or a deal with a production company on the table. As well, few agents accept unsolicited material. However, with your background in marketing, that should give you a leg up. There are several websites and directories available providing contact information for agencies. Done Deal Pro, Scripts & Scribes and the Hollywood Screenwriting Directory are some examples. From there, you need to confirm if they accept unsolicited material and what their submission requirements/format are. Most often, they would be looking for a logline with one-pager. If they are interested, they will get in touch. Hope this helps.

Hi Courtney. If all you're trying to do is get a read by Netflix, you may not need an agent. Instead, you could try VirtualPitchfest.com. Netflix is one of the participating pros. Send them your best query and, if they like it, they'll request your script. At the very least, you're guaranteed they'll respond to your query. Hope this helps.

Write a great script and put it out there. An agent will find you.

Since you have an open door at Netflix it should be fairly easy to get an agent to rep you. Use the high ups at Netflix as an introduction.

"You need an agent to submit" is the greatest hollywood lie. You only need an agent if they dont know you or theyre trying to let you down easy. You may need a good referral, but you dont need an agent.

Dear Courtney Smith Karmer

Title:Noise　Electron　attacks

logline:A family was subject of human rights violation over a 40-year period, exposed to attacks using electrons and sounds.

Let me introduce myself. I am Fujio Torikai, a Japanese citizen. Ths script is the screenplay which has taken numerous awards. The accolades received are as follows:

Rohip　International Film　Festival(India)Aｗａｒｄ　Winner

Sittannavasal　International Film　Festival(India)Aｗａｒｄ　Winner

Indo　Singapore　International Film　Festival(India)Aｗａｒｄ　Winner

The　Crime　list　International Film　Festival(USA))Official　Selection

Please give it a read.

That's about it.

Please let me know if I can send you the script, and thanks for your time and consideration.

Best regards,

Fujio　Torikai

After developing a portfolio of 30 scripts, a literary manager found me on Stage 32. Keep writing and good things will happen.

The way to get an agent is to establish your career by making films until someone wants to sign you. In the interim, submit the hell out of your work. I've made five deals this year and had multiple scripts requested. My agent's name is me, and he works cheaply.