I'm determined to approach the actor Steven Wright's agent with an offer to see if he'd be interested in doing the voice of my cat Jingles for my TV series.But i need to know what i will be asked and what i will need to tell them and show them.
And I need you people to help me.
I have the pilot already written, and the second episode as well. Plus I have six fully detailed follow-up episodes, and four briefly outlined closing episodes to bring the series to its season finale. Plus I have the series bible as well. So all that is covered.
So basically,I just need someone to tell me, what they will ask to see, and what i will need to show them.What things will the agent likely ask me. I have heard that he may already have a producer he' connected with, in which case they may wish to see what i got.
What should i look out for and be aware of. And what things should i or shouldn't i do? You don't need to answer all these questions,I'll take what i can get.
However, a just a brief idea of what i can expect would be a great help.
I apologize if this is in the wrong lounge, but i do not know where else to turn. So i am asking you my friends to please help me. I've posted something like this before and not a single person bothered replying.
Please do not make me go thru that again. You're my friends, i need your help, this is why we are all here, so please do not disappoint me again.
Thanks everyone.
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Your indecision is due to the fact that you already know all the answers. either write to the agent and expect rejection, or find a free actor at a film school.
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For one, I'd approach his manager or the producer you mentioned. They will want to see your track record, or your partners with a track record. If they show any interest they might wish to see a pitch deck, a treatment (short one), a proof of concept video (if you made one), etc. Not enough info here on what the project is however that would be some of my thoughts in response to your question. Hope that's helpful.
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Dwayne Pagnotto, I generally approach talent through their manager, rather than their agent. Managers tend to be friendlier. You just tell them that you're producing a TV series called, (whatever it's called) and you would love it if Steven Wright would consider being the voice of Jingles the Cat.
"Whatever-it's-Called" is (what's the genre? is it animated? is it comedy, satire) about a (whatever it's about). Give them your logline.
Then tell them what elements you have already. Do you have anyone else attached? Do you have financing or partial financing? Do you know your budget? Whatever you have, let them know. If you don't have anything else, I've actually had luck telling the manager that your script is hot off the press and "you're the first person to see it."
Keep it brief and ask if they'd like to see the script. Sometimes they'll only read the script if you send it with an offer. If that's the case, I would recommend having an entertainment attorney send it for you. They'll have an idea of how much to offer.
BTW, do you have financing? If you don't, you shouldn't be making them an offer because if the actor likes the project and says yes, and you close a deal, you're now pay-or-play and you'll be on the hook to pay him if your project doesn't get off the ground.
Hope that helps.
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Great advice Maureen Mahon & Jack Binder!
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Maureen Mahon is absolutely right! The management company that I worked at for years had a policy of not even continuing the conversation if the financing wasn't in place because we couldn't approach a client with a project that wasn't far enough along to be seriously considered. Especially if they're a client who is constantly working and likely has a number of other projects in consideration that are fully financed and ready to go.
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I also agree with Maureen Mahon & Jack Binder - managers are way better to approach than agents with projects at this phase - if you don't have other elements attached or financing, letting them know they are getting a first-look can be helpful. Also, be open to sharing - agents cannot produce by law but managers can so it may help to let the manager know that you are open to them producing with you if Steven responds to the material. That may give them an extra incentive to take a look and could lead you to a producing partner with relationships that help. Also, I recommend watching Wright's short film, THE APPOINTMENTS OF DENNIS JENNINGS, which he won an Oscar for if you haven't already, and then reference how much you like the film (assuming you do)... any type of personal connection to his work may also strike a cord. Just thoughts to consider, Dwayne Pagnotto.