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(Article #4)
Where Agents Hide Out
(Screenwriter's Web Series)
by Lenore Wright

  Can't find an agent? They're hiding in plain sight on the Web - if you know where to look.

AGENTS THE PROS USE

The best list of agents for the American film market resides on the Writer's Guild of America website (http://www.wga.org/agency.html). DON'T CLICK on that hotlink just yet! To derive the most benefit from the Guild's list, you have to know why their list is the best. Because

----> They target agents who specialize in film and television writers.

----> They list agents geographically.

----> The WGA staff vetted each agency for these two criteria vital to aspiring screenwriters:

1) Is the agency a Guild signatory?

As members of the Society of Authors Representatives, Guild Signatories have agreed to abide by the Guild's regulations and uphold the WGA's Minimum Basic Agreement. This is IMPORTANT. These agents cannot charge a fee for reading your script; nor can they encourage you to accept a non-Guild contract.

2) Will the agency consider new writers?

he WGA list puts an asterisk ( * ) by those agencies that will consider new writers and an ( L ) by those agencies that require query letters from writers BEFORE submitting a script.

Agencies marked with two asterisks ( * * ) will ONLY consider writers with endorsements from film industry professionals they know personally. Unless this applies to you (Lucky you!), do not waste your time pursuing the ( * * ) agencies.

Pay attention to these vital details and you will save yourself work and heartache. More importantly, you will give yourself the best chance of finding a reputable agent who can help you achieve your Hollywood dreams.

Final Draft 5.0
Program for Screenwriters! So you've got a blockbuster movie idea floating in your head and you want to break into show business? Final Draft won't put dialogue on the pages of your screenplay for you, but it'll do almost everything else. With plugs on the back cover from such notables as Tom Hanks and Oliver Stone, it's obvious that at least some folks in Hollywood actually use Final Draft for their final drafts.

OUTSIDE THE HOLLYWOOD LOOP

Should you consider pursuing agents beyond the Hollywood loop? Yes, however, most agents representing screenwriters working in the American market reside in California or New York.

The Writer's Guild of Great Britain, the Australian Writer's Guild and the Writer's Guild of Canada share many of the same ideals and goals for writers as the WGA; however these sites do not post local agency lists. Don't worry, I found some helpful lists elsewhere.

If you live in the UK, Author-Network.com offers several helpful pages:

~ http://www.author-network.com/agents.html (list of agents)

~ http://www.author-network.com/litagent.html (what an agent can do for you)

Another UK site - Readmywriting.com - publishes an extensive list of agents with details on their special interests and areas of expertise. Here's the link: http://www.writersworld.tv/authors/ukireliteraryagents.htm

If you reside in Australia or New Zealand you can try this option: http://home.vicnet.net.au/~ozlit/agents.html

In Canada: The Canadian Authors Association suggests aspiring writers use this publication to research agents - The Canadian Writer's Guide - available from http://www.canauthors.org/pubs.html

elling a new writer's work is difficult. Only a small percentage of agencies want to hear from new writers - 10% of the agencies on the WGA list. Don't be discouraged, some agents hide out under other names like Manager or Entertainment Lawyer.

MANAGERS and ENTERTAINMENT LAWYERS

Managers and Entertainment Lawyers often submit scripts to film industry pros on the behalf of screenwriters. Established managers or lawyers with active film clients - directors, stars, producers, and studio contacts - will have access to the talent you need to get your script read by the right people.

Script Rep offers an extensive list of Managers and Entertainment Lawyers (http://www.scriptrep.com). Click on the Industry Info tab to get a menu listing separate pages for Managers and Entertainment Attorneys.

The Script Sales Agency List (compiled from the Hollywood Creative Directory) includes many managers (http://www.scriptsales.com). They offer a separate list of Los Angeles Law Firms that specialize in Entertainment Law.

DEEP AGENTING

Once you've found an appropriate agency to target, you'll want to pursue a specific agent for particular projects or if your career needs special handling. Finding detailed information on individual agents will help you choose the best ones to query. These sites offer the relevant details you need.

~ Author Link (http://www.authorlink.com) offers an agency list that targets book agents primarily, but many indicate they handle screenwriters as well. On their homepage, look under Writers Resources and click on Agency Directory. Some listings reveal helpful details: the writers or books they've represented, what they've sold recently, what they like and what makes them cranky.

~ Movie Bytes (http://www.moviebytes.com) has introduced a service called WHO'S BUYING WHAT. For a modest subscription fee, you can access a database that pairs up agents with the deals they've brokered. You can search for information about a particular agent or a particular script sale.

DON'T SPIN YOUR WHEELS

Some aspiring screenwriters attract an agent who helps open doors for them; others attract buyers for their scripts without using an agent; then they employ an agent or lawyer to negotiate the contract. Most ambitious screenwriters try both these tactics, especially when they're starting out.

If you decide to pursue agents, don't spin your wheels, get where you're going!

FEEDBACK: screenwriter@breakingin.net

Copyright © 2001 Lenore Wright

Lenore Wright has 15 years experience selling spec scripts and movie pitches to major production houses. This column is part of her ongoing series - The Screenwriter's Web. For more insider information on marketing screenplays log onto her site: http://breakingin.net/ or subscribe to her FREE newsletter SCRIPT MARKET NEWS by sending an email to newsletter@breakingin.net