How to find a good agent in L.A., and sell a screen play?
Question by pachl@sbcglobal.net: How to find a good agent in L.A., and sell a screen play?
I finished writing a screen play which I believe could be a very successful movie. I am absolutely thrilled with my script, and my friends all agree it is hilarious. Although I am from Chicago, I currently reside in Europe. However, I plan to fly out to L.A. as soon as possible in order to discuss this project with different agents.
I have no illusions about the difficulty before me. I read this YA answer from one year ago: “There are literally thousands of people who are positive they have “an excellent script which any producer would love to buy”. The major players in Hollywood are not about to waste their time looking at unsolicited scripts. It just isn’t going to happen. You need an agent to shop it around for you and it will still have to move up the ladder before the power people even hear about it.”
I’ve found lists of agents from the Writers Guild of America and other sources. However, I don’t know how to screen out the bad ones from the good ones. I heard the The Hollywood Agents and Managers directory is a good start, but that brings me back to my initial problem: how to sort the good agents from the ones who will just waste my time.
One idea I had is to contact either the manager or the talent agency of a certain actress whom I believe would be perfect for the starring role in the movie. This role is so “juicy” I think she would be very interested. The problem is getting the initial meeting. I have the contact information; that is no problem. However, I would want to meet jointly with the actress and her manager (because if the actress has the chance to hear first hand about the part, and see the illustrations I prepared, she will very likely want to pursue the role.)
Would it be better to contact the manager or the talent agent? How can I set myself apart from the numerous nut jobs who probably contact such actors with bogus ideas and offers?
Stephen Colbert of Comedy Central once gave a commencement speech at Knox College in which he made the following observation, to which the first two respondants should pay close attention:
“Remember, you cannot be both young and wise. Young people who pretend to be wise to the ways of the world are mostly just cynics. Cynicism masquerades as wisdom, but it is the farthest thing from it. Because cynics don’t learn anything. Because cynicism is a self-imposed blindness, a rejection of the world because we are afraid it will hurt us or disappoint us. Cynics always say no. But saying “yes” begins things. Saying “yes” is how things grow. Saying “yes” leads to knowledge. “Yes” is for young people. So, for as long as you have the strength to, say ‘yes’.”
Seriously people. You will never get ANYWHERE with cynicism.
Did you know that Sylvester Stallone WROTE “Rocky”? What are the odds that he’d be successful pitching a movie he wrote when he was absolutely unknown?
If you are going to engage in these oh-so-witty pieces of pessimism, save it for someone who (doesn’t) care.
Best answer:
Answer by xboarder844
Ok, here’s what you do: Make a bunch of copies of your script and strategically place them in trash cans around the city. Most talent agents work nights as garbage men so one of them is bound to see it. Then go join the millions of others waiting for their “sure fire” movie to be picked up by getting a job as a waiter. In about 10 years you’ll have forgotten entirely why you moved to LA and can then retire on welfare and social security.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
