Don’t pursue agents. Have them pursue you.
That’s your sage advice, Peditto? Have them pursue me? Great, terrific. How exactly do I, the Unknown Screenwriter, make that happen?
This won’t be a debate on the necessity of an agent. Any rational person would say life would be easier with someone in power helping your career. There are a multitude of articles out there already on how to find an agent. Let me guess: You’ve read them all and they haven’t helped. Not one damn bit. You mailed out the freakin’ query letters and didn’t hear back. You sent online queries to LA agencies and management companies and you got back ugatz–meaning bullshit, zippo.
Common sense would indicate another course of action: Maybe it’s time to stop stalking agents, and get them to stalk you.
How the hell do you do that? Let me remind you of some previous examples that I’ve mentioned in this blog:
- How about winning a horror film contest with your $15,000 dollar movie that turns out to be Paranormal Activity…
- Maybe make the $5,000 dollar short film that gets into Sundance…
- Maybe get your script to a friend who has a friend who knows an assistant’s assistant at William Morris…
- Maybe make semis at the Nicholl Fellowship and have 25 production companies, agents, and managers email you. These, the same people who didn’t know of your existence the week before.
- Maybe produce a Web Series that rings up Lonely Girl 15-style numbers, attracting attention from Hollywood types. You end up, like the creators of that series, at CAA.
FIND THE RIGHT AGENT
You get a bite from an agent. You meet him. He tells you he loves your writing and wants to represent you. You will have a career. He FedEx’s you the contract, wants you to sign. You pick up the pen and…
Whoa whoa! Careful with that axe, Eugene!
Be careful who you get into bed with. Look at this guy again:
Heresy that it might be, I want you to take a moment. Consider this: You don’t want just any agent. There will be very few choices for your career larger than the one you’re about the make.
What do you know about this person? Would there ever be a situation where you would tell the agent thanks but no thanks?
Proceed with caution. Exclusive representation agreements will typically be for two years. You’re signing a contract for two years. When you meet with the agent, ask him questions, like: What’s he sold? Who does he currently represent? How long has he been with the agency? What is his plan for you? On what assignments will you be sent out? Where will he submit your writing?
There are important basics you should know. Coming to an understanding on how often you should check in, or how often he’ll provide an update list of prodcos and producers where the script has been sent.
Do your homework up front and you’ll avoid grief on the back end. Two years is a long time to be in bed with someone.
DO…SOMETHING!
How do you get an agent?
Answering the mysteries of Stonehenge, Bigfoot, or the pyramids of Giza would be easier.
You’ve decided: You’re going to make it happen. Only…guess who else is looking for an agent? Every busboy in Encino…
You’ve got a fantastic Jennifer Lawrence vehicle. You just need the agent to get it to her, to get it out there. Only… guess who else has a Jennifer Lawrence vehicle? Every valet parker in Santa Monica…
You’ve got to find an angle. You’re fighting a fixed system. Hollywood Darwinism is in play for the Unknown Screenwriter. Every guru at Screenwriting Expo makes the odds against you clear. Only a miniscule few will get their movie made. Distributors are vanishing, angel financing drying up...Yes, yes, yes! You get it. Aren’t you sick of the negativity?! It’s time to do…something.
Let me ask you: Why do you write? Is writing a hobby? Or is it that you have something you passionately, desperately, need to say? I remember the story of Bobby Moresco, co-writer of Crash. At the start he, too, heard nothing but NO. He didn’t let it stop him. He financed his own plays, got professional people in to hear his staged readings and productions. He moved to Los Angeles–the man sold his house!–to move to LA. and pursue a career in film. Absolutely inspiring.
Don’t let the bastards tell you no.
Don’t pursue agents. Have them pursue you.
Do…something!
