More on agents

Before all of the stuff you read before an agent would take you on and take time to establish you with his contacts at all of the studios and networks (I only had one female agent in the last twenty-three years are male). Then if you have a good spec script, you would get a meeting or two with a studio executive or someone from a networks.

 I arrived in LA at just the right time when TV movies were still king and there was demand for writers. That all-important spec script was essential, if not you would be relegated to mailing your baby to the bottom feeder second level producers who might just as quickly steal your idea as read it

I sold my first script (aka screenplay, same thing) for around $7000 (before I was WGA). You've  read it before, a few blogs back. But it was a credit in Hollywood and credits are everything for writers.

One thing I suggest is to not put your age on any listing or anywhere because IMDB will wipe you out forever. You'll have a bit of time to keep you age to yourself. 

So, what's the best way to get an agent?

1.  Have someone famous recommend you. Even semi-famous works. These are directors       and actors and of course, directors.

2.  Have someone who knows someone famous or semi-famous to recommend you.

3.  Have someone you know that works at an agency or knows someone that works at 
an agency. Anyone.

4. Win an award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Nichols Fellowship? And failing that enter as many screenwriting competitions you can afford.

5. Presuming you have none of the above, write or email every agency in the WGA list. This is the least most likely way to find an agent but you never know.

So, if one out of four aren't in your circle, let's look at Number five, the good old WGA list on www.wga.org. You can also buy a listing of agents at Samuel French's book store on Sunset Boulevard  or the Writer's Store in Burbank. The purchased lists have names and preferences which are a big help.

They will tell you if the agency takes writers and whether they will look at unsolicited screenplays.

All the agencies will ask you to sign a release form that allows them to read yours and for the matter so will production companies. None of them want to be sued when they make a movie that seems very close to what you wrote. It happens.

But it's fair and all the agencies licensed by the State of California are on the level. There's also the internet which can give you good information, especially imdb.com, love or hate it.

I went through six or seven agencies around 1980's till now.