Top Ten Rules for Finding a Screenplay Agent

Rule number one for finding a screenplay agent.

If you are serious about selling your screenplay you will want to enlist the services of a respected screenplay agent.  A screenplay agent will approach potential producers on your behalf. Large production companies will most likely only consider purchase of your works when it is represented by an agent. It is true that you would not necessarily need a screenplay agent to approach smaller producers.  If you decide to use a screenplay agent it is a good idea to have your manuscript completed and make the production length your screenplay clear to any agent you contact. A polished manuscript is very helpful in acquiring a screenplay agent. Any qualified agents will appreciate not being delayed while you to complete your script.

Rule number two for finding a screenplay agent…

You should put significant thought into who your projected audience will be during development of your screenplay, well before you begin contacting agents.  A reputable agent will be more impressed if it is apparent you researched basic information your screenplay is built on as well as your perspective buyers by giving a lot of thought to age/gender/education of your target audience.  Your screenplay agent will also want be informed if your work has already received ‘coverage’ by having been submitted to other agents, studios, or production companies.

Rule number three for finding a screenplay agent…

Contacting the screenplay agent who meets your personal needs is a large part of the sales battle.  Writers today have a variety of available resources through books, websites, writers’ conferences, as well as print  publications. One of your early goals will be to find a screenplay agent who can best market your particular genre.  You might consider watching ‘credits’ roll as you review productions similar to your script. Chances are screenplay agents who successfully sold that work prefer to deal with that type of material Some agents are extraordinarily versatile. If there is one you know or can get yourself recommend to, don’t be afraid to submit. Just don’t let yourself be too let down if your screenplay is returned. It happens.

Rule number four for finding a screenplay agent…

Internet can be a powerful tool for locating a good screenplay agent.  Granted it might be preferable to meet with potential agents in person.  The trade off is that the net gives you power to reach thousands of potential agents with a click of your mouse as you relax in comfort at home.  All things being equal Internet serves you with your unique needs as an artist and writer, very well.

Rule number five for finding a screenplay agent…

Connections can sometimes be a crucial element in finding the right screenplay agent so your work is marketed as well as possible. Those connections are often acquired by attending conferences, conventions, seminars, and sometimes as they say in Hollywood, being seen, “Doing lunch”. The more time you can spend where writers and agents congregate the more beneficial to you. Ask for recommendations, if you meet someone as you exit a restaurant that you can have a conversation with while waiting for a valet parking attendant, ask. Ask as many people as you can, especially if you are new to the industry. One of them may well lead you to a phone number or land you in the office of your dream screenplay agent.

Rule number six for finding a screenplay agent…

Once you have found the screenplay agent you feel will best suit your needs its time to begin writing that pitch letter designed to capture the screenplay agent’s interest.  It is extremely important to be professional in tone, then pay close attention to cleaning up typos, spelling or grammatical errors.  Try to keep length of your first contact to two pages, agents are busy people. It is often considered a courtesy to telephone the office first, make certain your chosen candidate isn’t so loaded down that he or she can consider new clients. Then begin a clever one-paragraph description of your project, your “What’s this script about.” This first sentence is often referred to as a Slug Line, or that single sentence placed at the top of a page to keep the writer on track as storyline and characters develop gets underway. Minor expansion of it is sometimes referred to as the elevator pitch, a sentence, even if a long, grammatically-incorrect ‘run-on’ sentence like the one you’re reading now, that explains your script in the best possible light making it so wonderful, who could say, “No”? You may then close your pitch with reasons why you are qualified to write a great screenplay and list ability to markets for it if you know of such.

Rule number seven for finding a screenplay agent…

Attracting a screenplay agent with a proposal is iffy unless you have a track record for being a skilled story-teller. Should you decide to rely on your skills, use them to take the screenplay agent deeper into your ideas. Give that person a better understanding of your storyline, including who you deem future viewers to be. It would be a good idea to research before writing and submitting your proposal to a potential screenplay agent.  As with the pitch letter, make sure the proposal is professional quality, free of academic mistakes, before you send it to the screenplay agent.

Rule number eight for finding a screenplay agent…

Now that you understand need for a screenplay agent in order to get your project read then sold that it may be the next great production, you will hopefully have made lasting connections in the business that have brought the two of you together. Your pitch, proposal, and screenplay will be sent to potential producers by your new screenplay agent(s).  In the event you want to do multiple submissions, you should first clear it with whom ever you contact to represent your work. Some agents will not accept multiple submission clients. Even when yours will it is best to inform your screenplay agent that your scripts) are being read other places. This is the point when you and your screenplay agent have a meeting of the minds. Here your agent offers you a contract with terms you mutually agree on.

Rule number nine for finding a screenplay agent…

Once a screenplay agent has offered to represent you it is appropriate for you to ask any questions you may have about the screenplay agency.  For example, you may want to know how long they have been in the business.  It would not be out of line to ask names of other clients represented there nor to contact them if you so desire. Before signing your contract it is also time to make certain you are very clear about what your new screenplay agent’s commission is set at and exactly what agent expenses will be deduced from any sales or options monies your work eventually sells for.

Rule number ten for finding a screenplay agent…

When you have finally found the screenplay agent you feel is suited to your needs, time to sign on the dotted line(s). Many agency contacts are somewhat standard but standard or not, read every line. You want you and your agent to develop an ideally long, trusting relationship. That means everybody knows the rules, and agrees to them. There is still a lot of work to be done, together, in your new partnership with your new screenplay agent. It isn’t uncommon for an agent to ask that you allow the agency to have your work critiqued. You will most likely have editing to do yourself, both before and after sale. You will likely need to agree to allow a third party, the producer or production company to reformat your creation. Often they must in order for your screenplay to fit into time schedules. A producer has to keep production schedules, camera people, actors working days, later even satellite downlink minutes for advertisers, maybe seconds for commercial breaks. You will hopefully have found a screenplay person with whom you both can work as one.

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