Do you get a manager or an agent?
Source: ScreenwriterWriting
#screenwriting #film #screenplay
“That’s the age-old question for writers who are getting into TV and film. When is it time to get a manager or an agent? We feel the pressure that if we’re a real writer, we must need one of those. People who we tell we’re writers, always ask, do you have an agent? Well, it’s not as important as you think, and not as simple to answer if you need one, just yet.
First, something I’ve said before, is that if you haven’t been writing probably about 10 years, 5 years minimum, with a stack of about 10 scripts under your belt, you’re probably not ready to get either. I hope this doesn’t discourage anyone. It just means the chances of your material being ready for the industry, means it probably isn’t. If you doubt me, then by all means submit to some contests and see how you do. Of course contests aren’t the end-all-be-all answer. But it’s at least a barometer. I mean I placed in Nicholl’s with one of my earlier scripts that I wouldn’t even say was good any more. Yet more recent scripts that are way better, haven’t. So it’s kind of a judgement call on if the contest can predict if you’re ready. If you enter a few different kinds of contests you might get a better idea.
The good thing about entering contests too is you might make contacts that could just help you get an agent or manager any way. But, if that doesn’t happen, then how do you decide? Well, I’ll put it to you this way, if you haven’t sold a script for six figures, you’re not ready for an agent. It’s that simple. They don’t want you, unless you can make them a lot of money right away, because they have enough writers that can. And they have enough writers that aren’t making them money and they don’t need more that won’t…..