If you don't have any screenplay sales under your belt, you're going to have to approach an agent cold. Without being able to say, "Hey, I've sold a script! Sign me.", you have to entice them some other way. There are two ways to get somebody to read your script. You can network and get to know them on a personal level, then ask them to read your script as a favor. Networking, however, can take years to cultivate the kind of relationship where an agent is willing to do you the personal favor of considering your script without it feeling like you're using him. Your other option is to query. Send a letter to agents, asking them to read your script. Since you don't have any sold or produced screenplays under your belt, your letter has to convince them that your script is worthwhile anyway.

In order to maximize your chances of getting a sale or agent, you should submit to prodCos as well as agents. An option (or better, a sale) to a prodCo can often do wonders when it comes to finding an agent. Almost any agent would be happy to take on a client (and take his 10%) that's already done the legwork and found money for his work. When sending query letters to prodCos, call ahead of time and make sure you know how to spell the name of the person you're sending it to, and what their exact title is. Screenplays are read and considered by the Development (or Creative) department. Just call the prodCo (contact info is listed in the Hollywood Creative Directory) and ask the receptionist if they accept new material... and if they do, to whom you should address the letter, and what their title is.

You should NEVER send your script (or a treatment or anything other than the query letter itself) unless the company first asks for it. Legal reasons prevent companies from accepting or even looking at material submitted without their express permission or a pre-existing working relationship. At best, your script (or treatment or whatever) will be returned to you unopened, or thrown away. At worst, you'll be put on the company's blacklist and never allowed to submit anything again. Just send a query letter... if they want to read your script, they'll ask for it.

The best way to optimize your chances of getting an option or a sale is to send it to as many people as possible. Agents, if they like the script, will send it to the prodCos they have connections with. prodCos, if they like the script, can pay you for your work, or at least give you the clout to get an agent.

But one very important thing to remember is agents only earn money if they sell the script. It's a business and their livelihood. A writer with one script isn't going to be as desirable a client as a writer with several scripts - no matter how good it is. That doesn't mean you shouldn't try to find one now, it means you should understand that if you get a meeting, one of the first things an agent is going to ask is, "What else do you have?" If you have a couple of great ideas, that isn't going to be as impressive as pulling out five, really good finished scripts.

?URL="http://www.wga.org"?The Writer?s Guild?/URL? has a list of agencies. ?URL="http://www.hcdonline.com/"?The Hollywood Representation Directory?/URL? is more expensive (about $60), but lists individual agents at each agency.

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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)

If your looking to get your screen play made in to a film your self? then you need to break your screen play down in to locations to make it easier for you to plan your filming schedule.

If not then I cant really help you too much cause Ive never sold a screen play before, find out if theres a local short film club in your local area. If so attend, and just get in amongst people and see who they are and what there doing. Some of them might be looking for new scripts/screen plays. Cleary.

www.myspace.com/b31_productions not complete

First, make sure to register your script with the WGA. You can do that easily online for a small fee.

http://www.wga.org/

Then you might want to try the following agency who is very open to new talent.

http://www.thescreenplayagency.com/

tomscott, are you represented by them? Do you know from experience that the fees they charge are legit and standard? Have you heard of any writers repped by them getting work. I have only heard terrible things about them and their affiliated companies.

?URL="http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20359"?Absolute Write?/URL? is a respected on line source for writers. As is ?URL="http://www.sfwa.org/beware/twentyworst.html"?SFWA?/URL? and they both call The Screenplay Agency a scam. Since you advise writers to try them then you must have actual experience with them. Are they incorrect?

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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)

CI, you have opened up a very interesting topic worthy of a category of it's own. Who stands by what companies/agents and what are their reputations.

RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA

quote:

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Originally posted by certified instigator

tomscott, are you represented by them? Do you know from experience that the fees they charge are legit and standard? Have you heard of any writers repped by them getting work. I have only heard terrible things about them and their affiliated companies.

?URL="http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20359"?Absolute Write?/URL? is a respected on line source for writers. As is ?URL="http://www.sfwa.org/beware/twentyworst.html"?SFWA?/URL? and they both call The Screenplay Agency a scam. Since you advise writers to try them then you must have actual experience with them. Are they incorrect?

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I didn't actually recommend them. I just said to give them a try because they are open to new writers. I have no idea what their reputation is, but was considering submitting something at some point in the future. I myself don't have any representation as of yet. I don't know what kind of scam they could be running. If you have a script registered with WGA then I don't see that there is anything they can do to scam you. Then again, I'm not experienced with agents so who knows.

quote:

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Originally posted by tomjscott
I don't know what kind of scam they could be running. If you have a script registered with WGA then I don't see that there is anything they can do to scam you.

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It has nothing to do with copyright or registering a script. Any "agent" that charges up front fees is a scam. Any agent the charges to have your script "covered" is a scam. Any agent that doesn't have one, single verified sale of a script is a scam.

The Screenplay Agency isn't open to new writers in the traditional sense - they charge new writers a fee (often several fees) and have never brokered a script sale. A legit agent makes money only when they sell a script for their client. If the "agent" has already made $1,500 to $3,000 off of the writer, they don't need to sell the script.

My advice is before any writer pays an agency, they check out its reputation first.

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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)

Interesting. Are you sure about your information? Their site clearly states the following:

"We do not charge reading fees or any other type of fee. We get paid when you get paid. Our clients are very satisfied with our relationship."

Not only am I sure of my information, I sent them a script. Less than a week later they contacted me raving about how excellent and marketable it was. I was sent a contract for representation. They needed $90 to cover "administrative and processing" costs and $180 for detailed "coverage". They also recommend I use their "editor" who charges $250. I find it interesting that they say on their website that they don't charge any fees.

It's also interesting to me that all the unsolicited testimonials are essentially anonymous (first names only) and not one of them mentions actually selling a script. And they don't list a single sale or produced script on their website. I would think that an agency with working clients and plenty of sales would be proud to list them.

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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)

Thanks for the information. What a shame that we have to worry about disreputable companies like that.

The bulk of the folks that got rich in the California Gold Rush were not the miners, but the guys that sold pans, and mining supplies, and Levis 501s, and the hookers and bars that entertained the miners when they came down from the hills.

The film industries is not much different (or the publishing or music industry for that matter). Not only "agents" that charge fees as mentioned by Certified. Take a look at the courses you can take at the local community college. Usually taught by someone with no real credits to their name. Take a look at the film section in the local bookstore. Most of the books are written by someone with no real credits to their name. There are exceptions of course, and many of these people may have some really good insight, but many have little more experience than you do.

It is worth looking around with an unbiased eye because that's the reality.

RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA