Screenwriting : New to screenwriting, How to find an agent by Craig Lofton

Before you get raked over the coals, congrats on taking the plunge. That being said, almost all of us want some form of industry representation and struggle to acquire it. The best advice is to write something so well an agent can’t say no to it or you. Outside of that, you are just one among the throng.

Thanks Stephen I have a thick skin so here goes nothing

You have to look hard but there are agents that take unsolicited screenplays. When you find them follow their requirements and wait and see. If your in the US then a lawyer is needed too. Hollywood might be a hard nut to crack but there are agents all over the world, so broaden your search and you can find them. They may not be big names but you have to start somewhere right? Get your logline and summary or synopsis polished before you send out. Oh and of course make sure your work is the best it can be. You don't need to copy right but if you want piece of mind upload it to the WGA. You can also load up to Blacklist and other screenplay viewing websites that might get you a hit. The more people who see it the better your chances of success are as long as it's good enough.

Thanks for the caps Kay, how would any of us know you knew what you were talking about without them.

Calm down kids before yous guys blow a gasket. Remember, I suggested a FAQ fixed thread that includes this 'Weekly question about how do I get an Agent?" I rest my case.

Hi Craig,

There' are proven ways for an unrepped writer to get an agent. But first, you better really have some great scripts. You're competing against the pro's, don't forget, and that's the baseline of comparison that an agent utilizes when they consider taking on a new client. Makes sense, right? Are your scripts great - like "pro-quality" great and marketable?

One way is to pitch your stories to agents, or to managers. You can see right now that six reputable managers are hearing pitches on Stage32, and getting a great manager interested in signing you can no doubt lead to getting an agent. That has happened over and over again.

Another way is to win or place high in a reputable contest. That can certainly lead to an agent discovering you, and that has also happened time and time again.

Another way is for someone else in the industry to be interested in you - like a reputable producer, director, actor or other industry insider, and who can then open a door for you. That has happened time and time again, too.

Another way is to write something that sells, and gets made - or even doesn't get made. That might pique an agent's interest, and that has happened time and time again, too.

I'll stop there. Also keep in mind, that there is a lot of shuffling going on in Hollywood between agents and writing clients right now, as a result of the recent "Packaging" issue. Over 7,000 WGA writers dropped their top-tier agents. Keep that in mind - there's a lot going on there right now.

Best fortunes to you in your creative endeavors, Craig!

Film is the most important art and it has the power to change the universe.”— Milos Stehlik

REST IN PEACE, MILOS STEHLIK (February 6, 1949 - July 6, 2019)

Guys I have read all your comments thank you for the response and the advice Now my Mission should I chose to accept it is to send an inquiry to agents. GOT IT!

I don’t hold agents with reverence as I work for one in the 80’s. I think of them as contractors that do a job for me.

So fellow Craig. Do you need one at the moment? What specific job are you going to give them? Remember you give them 10% of everything. Even the work you generate yourself. Which according to the WGA is 70% of a writer’s income (is self generated).

Dan Guardino correct Dan. But that would be a specific thing you want them to do. I was implying that an agent not is a goal, they are a tool. I like to jokingly point out Bill Murray has never had an agent.

Agents putting together Packaging is want the WGA writers sacked them over. You will not find a WGA backed agent still involved in packaging.

Kay your behaviour is beyond rude. Sometimes seventh graders can teach us a lot about how to treat others.

Reps don’t all suck. Here are some folks looking for new voices.

http://www.scriptsandscribes.com/category/agentsmanagers/

Dan Guardino I think we are heading in the same direction. I am just saying people think they need one as a thing to have. It is better to know you need one because it will help you in your career.

So when someone starts with “new writer..” I feel it is better to give advice around ‘improve your skill and agents to will find you’. It is heart breaking to chase an agent (or anything) when you are not ready and just get ignored.

Hi Craig, I do agree with you and it seems almost impossible for new writers to vision this because all the negative comments that flood the Internet. I do not have a screenwriting agent but when I was a musician it was amazing giving out film score freebies got me an agent even though I was not looking for one. I think it's great advice that screenwriters are aware that agents will find you, just keep writing, communicating and networking and eventual the impossible will become a reality.

Oh that's maybe you help Craig land an agent, and show him how he can find listings for agents that accepts unsolicited queries.

Craig, I have a good friend that worked at Universal Studios that always says, "You have to keep banging on doors and kicking down doors and banging on doors, until they can't ignore you anymore." BUT, and this is my opinion, the way you do that is to get out and with apologies to Lloyd Kaufman, "Make your own damn movie!" Hook up with an experienced director and producer and make and you write/produce a short film that makes waves on the Festival Circuit and possibly even gets Nominated for an Oscar. People do it all the time. My colleague Shawn actually WON AN OSCAR for BEST LIVE-ACTION SHORT for his film, Curfew, which was then later turned into a feature called, "Before I Disappear." The feature wound up winning SXSW and was released theatrically by IFC Films. In addition, do your best to get one of your low-budget features funded. All the while, send query letters to that list of Reps looking for Fresh Voices that Dan MaxXx provided ... and to others who accept unsolicited queries. Also attend Film Festivals and Networking events. Be a contributor on Stage 32 - without making smarmy comments, because I assure you producers don't like this. Work ALL Social Media. Get out there! Meet People. Build your IMDb page (YES< this is VERY IMPORTANT, regardless of what some others will say). Keep kicking down doors and banging on doors and kicking down doors, until they can't ignore you anymore. Because that's the only way. You have to do it all. AND I mean this VERY RESPECTFULLY towards your DREAM< "I don't live in Hollywood or New York." "There are no Film Festivals in my area." "I don't know what to do." and "It's so hard." are not valid responses. Remember, there ain't nothing to it, but to do it. ;) Break Legs! GOD BLESS and STAY FRESH! <3

Craig, FYI - Check out Nicole Van Voorhis' BLOG called, "The Long and Short of It," from a week ago in the BLOG section. In it, she talks about how she wrote a Short Film called, "Crybaby," that played in some Festivals and made some waves. I know about it, because THAT'S how I met her. I am now producing a feature horror anthology, "The Pich-Fork," with her and her brother. She began taking my twice-monthly workshop, where she was cast out of as the lead in another short, "Cameo," which they have hopes to make into a feature. I cast her in my feature that I am directing with a 2-time Oscar-Nominated actor, "Stay Fresh." ALL because she wrote, co-directed and starred in a short called, "Crybaby." Check it out. It's addresses the things you are speaking about. And, yes, she is now considering some representation.

My point ultimately is that you have to, "Get out there and DO!" ;) GOD BLESS and STAY FRESH! ;)

This is great info and I think can be used and is greatly needed for those looking to get an agent or representation and thanks Sam and Dan. Its comments like these that shows how efforts produce results.

Craig, message me and I'll send you a list of producers that will accept unsolicited queries, good luck. Accept my request and then send me a message via Stage32 and I'll forward it.

Go out in the woods with a flashlight on a dark moonless night - leave a trail of stunning quality script pages. Be very still, quietly wait until one shows up: Remember to take a rope with you - they're real skittish buggers. Happy hunting.

Fellow creative people and true believers thank you for the large amounts of input i have received from seasoned professionals such as yourselves. I will read all comments and apply the advice some have sent me to where it will apply.

Damian; a little harsh there, eh? I've been in/out of the film industry over 40 years now. I've never 'made' a movie either, I have been a Line Producer,, Field Producer, staff writer, screenwriter, boom pole handler, Showrunner and lots & lots of over things over the decades. Except for a handful of shorts I've never 'made' a movie. I've garnered a bit of experience and knowledge (some obsolete) that I genuinely willing to freely share. But every now and again I bump into folks who would rather dominate that listen & learn.

Damin - I think I know how the business used to work. But as the young 'uns like to continually remind me; I don't know nothin' no more - which is fine by me. It's just best to leave 'em to their own.

Oh Damian look at you searching through old posts, looking for a reason to cause yet more abuse towards ST32 members. Well done you. At least your abusing me and not others, I can take it all day long and regardless sleep very well at night. As to my credentials regarding my "name" ? Sticks and stones baby. Who and what I am is none of your business. However I will say this. I stated honestly I had only been writing "screenplays" for one year. Bad me for not bullshitting my Bio right? I'm sorry you feel the need to abuse and attack members, but feel free to aim it in it's entirety at me, as I can handle bullies like you all day long. It's a mad mad world and a small one at that.

Dan, Ha ; - )

Dan G - I have to disagree on that. From what I see nowadays, the film business a has changed a whole lot since the 'old' Hollywood days. I'm not sure the changes have all been for the better but it indeed has changed. I'm just an antique with very little to offer the up-n-coming young'uns - I know this because they've told me so.

Karen - I'd be glad to abuse if you'd like.

Dan Guardino Damn. I've been "up-n-coming" for a long time then.

Damian Lloyd interesting comment.

There are many that talk of the what they have done rather than what they are/can do.

BURN! again .. Dan you might need to call the fire department cause he just got roasted .. again and again .. Damian yet again abusing new guys and acting like he has a blockbuster under his belt .. um guy you got very little on your imdb and not one Hollywood made film .. so blow that "knowledge" out your backside .. you are no help to anyone on here at least everyone else I met here are genuinely trying to give good advice .. why are you here ? just to troll ? good job you have a camera and shoot home movies I got them little xxx rates but shit just as famous as your films .. I got 2 viewers on mine what you got one .. you..

to the original question. . to get an agent .. do a pitch on here .. or contact one at a agency and ask them if you can send a script to them .. they will reply and then it is ok to send. I would do the pitch Skype or phone ..

Welcome to the biz, Craig! Yes, as soon as a spec script is truly finished and you plan to share it with other professionals, you should get it copyrigted with the US copyright office. But don't put the number on your title page, that marks you as a newbie. If you can afford it, also register with the WGA. I've been doing this for 12 years, and I honestly believe the pitching services and educational tutorials available on Stage32 are all you ever need. However, if you are willing to keep it indie, you could network on the ISA and Jerrol Lebaron's Inktip. If you're new, my advice would be to stay away from the Blacklist and Competitions in general. If you can get some friends together to do a table read, you'll learn so much. HAVE FUN WITH THIS. Most importantly, Just Keep Writing.

yeah but a manager can help the process and find you an agent .. and yeah Dan we all know the troll is out here looking to tear down any mistakes in social midea platforms to say that's who you always will be .. can't take time all the time to perfect what we all write on blogs .. Mr perfect .. look out forgot a period .. oh noooooo... haha killing me smalls. . you're killing me .. but I would get a manager and have them advise on the agent .. and then and then and then .. stepping stones .. shoot some shirts aswell and throw them on YouTube .. send out link on all platforms and let the people see the work you can do on no budget or low budget .. then pitch as much as you can and do like Dan send out request for permission to send a script .. or 2 .. to every door you can .. knock on them all like you really need it and want it .. hustle hard .. make it or fail and then keep pushing till you get a toe in the door ..