Are you waiting for the world to discover you're the next Greta Gerwig or Wes Anderson?
Have you got the goods and nobody's wise to it yet?
Are you waiting for an agent or manager to sign you on the dotted line?
Do you have a successful film already produced or a screenplay creating enough buzz to receive offers from someone who can get your scripts in front of legit buyers?
If you're reading this post, the answer is likely no to my last question.
You're mumbling to yourself, Uncle Phil, what do you know about agents?
Guess what? I've had a deal with a well-known entertainment agency with a first-look deal with Netflix and Universal.
Did they get my work in front of anyone?
Yes, they did.
Did this party buy my script?
No, they didn't. Instead, the company that read my pitch bought a screenplay from Steve Zaillian (Schindler's List, The Irishman & Girl With the Dragon Tattoo)*.
Did I ever have a prayer of competing with Steve Zaillian?
Hell, to the no. However, at least I got up to bat.
Did this deter me from moving forward?
Of course not. It energized me.
Am I answering my own questions?
Yes, I am.
I signed a right-to-shop with the agency above and every other deal I've made because I'm not waiting for someone to discover me. I've signed three options since May and scored an excellent opportunity to adapt a well-known IP because I'm not only Phil, the screenwriter; I'm Phil, the guy who relentlessly promotes himself and leverages every opportunity that crosses his path. Today, I discussed one of my scripts with an established actor, started editing another screenplay, spoke with a director I'm working with, and posted information about a contest placement on Facebook.
Uncle Phil, are you trying to make a point?
Yes, I am. Be your own agent until someone wants to do that job for you. And even when that happens, never fail to manage your goals.
Don't wait for things to happen. Instead, make them happen by selling yourself and your work. Give perspective filmmakers the reasons why they should be working with you rather than someone else.
All the information you need is on the web, and I suggest you spend time researching ways to further your career. That's what I'm doing, and it feels much better than waiting for fortune to smile upon me.
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Manuele: Yes, I'm very happy with how people are responding to my work. The more writing you do...
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Great post and advice, Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique. Don't sit back, everyone!
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Maurice, you're a gentleman and your support for people in this forum is admirable.
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:) Appreciate it, Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique. Same to you. We gotta support each other.
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Hardy, you dont need an agent when you're married to a lawyer :))))
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Phillip, thanks A BUNCH for writing this!
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Jim: You're welcome.
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Dan M: My wife taught me what to look for. For example, in April, some person in California wanted me to rewrite an action script for backend money they wanted to resubmit to Willliam Morris Endeavor. This "producer" wouldn't let me see the script before signing the agreement, which is immediately a red flag. He wanted me to sign an overwritten 11-page agreement completely in his favor that would have obligated me to work on his project in perpetuity. Apparently, he never heard the term Win-Win agreement. I read the contract and didn't even bother my wife with it. I don't work with people that think writers are dogs to be kicked and underfed.
Just a tidbit: I used to sell real estate. I learned, then, that any contract without an end date is unenforceable.
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Carol: I've had a RE license in California and currently hold one in Texas. The contract I was referencing has a ten-week service time but stated he could demand rewrites until he was satisfied. Additionally, for no money upfront, I'd never agree to be bound by all the conditions of this contract.
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That's B. S. He can't have it both ways.
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Philip. I was a licensed real estate broker in California for over 30 years and I still have a contractor’s license in California. The ten weeks would be enforceable but not the rewrites until he was satisfied. That producer sounds like a flake anyway so you made the right decision not to waste your valuable trying to do anything with him. I found it a little strange a producer would want to hire a screenwriter to submit it to a Literary Agency but there is no shortage of weird people in this industry.
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Dan, I suspected a problem with a guy when he wouldn't have a video meeting with me and insisted on a phone call only. I prefer to have a visual confirmation of anybody I'm dealing with. I shy away from anybody who wants me to sign up overwritten contract when there's no money on the table.
Phillip. That guy was a real flake or just one of those producers that like to take advantage of screenwriters. Unfortunately he will find an aspiring screenwriter to fix his script and never see one red cent for their efforts.
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Fantastic advise! With these establishment and legacy folks having every angle covered , it will be one of toughest things to do but allow that to motivate you.
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Thanks for the wonderful advice.
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Manuele:
This passage of dialogue from Woody Allen’s Midnight In Paris illustrates what I generally think about the opinions of other screenwriters:
Gil
Would you do me the biggest favor in the world – I can’t even ask.
Hemingway
What?
Gil
Would you read it?
Hemingway:
Your novel?
Gil:
It’s only about four hundred pages – If you would just give me your opinion.
Hemingway:
My opinion is I hate it.
Gil:
You do?
Hemingway:
If it’s bad, I’ll hate it because I hate bad writing; if it’s good, I’ll be envious and hate it all the more. You don’t want the opinion of another writer.
Gil:
But there’s no one I really trust to evaluate it.
Hemingway:
Writers are competitive.
Gil:
I could never compete with you.
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... Don't know. Just try to make some contacts. Try to stay active. After using Google; researching "micro-budget movies Europe" I found the website of a Scot doing micro- micro-budget movies. Made a new Facebook contact. Did a short written Facebook pitch. He reacted through messenger; said that they are working on their own projects up to 2025. But we chatted. And the next day some more. Now at least I have a new friend. Which is great , mate.
Been trying to be my own agent since college - problem is, I suck at people skills (I seem to trust the wrong people, particularly).
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I love the sentiment behind this. Advocate for yourself, champion yourself, cheerlead yourself!! Very true! Thanks for the boost, Uncle Phil!
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Amy: you are most welcome.
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"I'm Phil, the guy who relentlessly promotes himself and leverages every opportunity that crosses his path. Don't wait for things to happen" Truer words were never spoken, I had almost the same conversation with a fellow author today who "dreams of working with Netflix" it drives me crazy. Don't dream, do!
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Stephanie Munch
"Just Do It!" —Shia LaBeouf
"Just Do It." —Nike
:)
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Exactly Maurice! I don't know why having this conversation over and over again with my friends writers just drives me crazy. Maybe they don't really want to succeed
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Stephanie: The reality of this business is you have to do the work, and things move very slowly. Last year, I wrote four new screenplays and did two rewrites. I also did some polish work on several other older screenplays. I signed five options and one right-to-shop deal and received notice one of the projects wrapped filming on Tuesday. In between, I did a fair amount of pitching, and this week I've reached the halfway point on writing a new film noir screenplay.
We live in instant gratification world where most people have access to technology and are bombarded with images of media, music, and film stars. Any schmoe who fancies themselves a raconteur can buy screenwriting software. Many of these souls think they can set Hollywood ablaze with their first script. As I say nearly every week in this forum, unless one is obsessed with creating content, getting films made, and are in this for the long haul, they're probably destined for failure.
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Exacly so, Uncle Phil! And by the way, I'm new around, so hello!
Welcome to the community, Dragos.
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So true, Phil. It took ten years and five books for me to have readers. I guess it will be the same with my scripts and well, I'm not afraid :)
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Welcome, Drago's!
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Stephanie:
Awesome! Keep plugging!
With all the Stage 32 resources and learning material, it might not take ten years and five scripts, Stephanie Munch. :)
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Thanks for the being everybody's uncle.
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Marcia:
You're welcome.