Question about contacting agents/agencies

KevinG

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I'm about to contact several agents and agencies this week. However I realized when I went on their websites, they don't have an e-mail address. I have done my research and a lot of articles say that you shouldn't call an agent or agency and that a lot of them only accept queries electronically. But, if they don't have an e-mail address does that mean you have to mail them your query ? A lot of the agencies and agents listed on Writers Guild of America East don't have e-mail addresses but just addresses and phone numbers. I even went on their sites, which don't tell you if you should e-mail or mail your query to them.
Would anyone advise that I can call them just find out where I can submit my query ? And if they only accept queries by mail, should I send them my screenplay or ask them in my query if they would like a copy of my script ?

I want to apologize for constantly asking questions that some may deem naive or already asked. I am fairly new here on Absolute Write Water Cooler and I am just starting out so I could use all the help I can get. We all have to start some where.
 

clockwork

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Yeah, you could ring them up and ask for their policy. It's likely to be only by mail more often than not. And it's also usually just a query. A lot of companies can't read unsolicited work without a release form, and a lot won't read unsolicited work at all.
 

KevinG

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@clockwork thank you so much :)
A lot of the articles I read didn't say that. I just hope they don't get rude when I ask them what is their policy on submitting a query for representation. I guess I got to stock up on some ink.
If they are interested do they call you or write back to you that they want you to send them your script ?
 

clockwork

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Hopefully not rude, but probably brisk. They get a lot of such phone calls and queries and they can eat up a lot of their time. Hard to predict how they'll contact you if they want to read your script, depends on how enthusiastic they are I suppose, but I would commonly expect a returned letter/email.
 

brianjanuary

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Many agents don't provide contact information because they're not open to new submissions. If you do, for example, have an address for them, many immediately delete unsolicited queries. Same with snail mail queries--either they just toss them, or send a form letter saying they don't read unsolicited material. Calling can work, if you're good at cold calls and can get the right person on the line (not the secretary who screens out hopeful screenwriters). Try to find the e-mail address of a junior agent who's hungry to build his/her name. The key to all this is persistence and a very thick skin.

Do not send the screenplay--send a query only with a killer hook that will make them salivate (meaning, see money to be made).

It used to be you could subscribe to the HCD (Hollywood Creative Directory), which has all agent/producer contacts, but they seem to to have gone out of business. Here are a couple of links that might help: http://contour-at-the-movies.com/agents/ (haven't used it myself, so I have no recommendations either way); WGA (Writer's Guild of America), both East and West, publishes a list of Guild-signatory agents--http://www.wga.org/agency/agencylist.aspx; Talent Mailer will mail your query to @400 agents or producers (including the big houses) for a reasonable fee--http://www.talentmailer.com/screenwriters.html--I've never used them, so I have no idea if they're good or not; Backstage West lists some (you have to join to get access)--http://www.backstage.com/resources/search/agent/ ; I believe also that IMDB Pro has information.

Another way is to get the names of producers--especially independent ones--and contact them directly without an agent. Always be careful to copyright your screenplay first.
 

KevinG

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Thank you very much brianjanuary :)

I called a good handful agents this morning that The Writer's Guild of America provided and apparently I got the old list. A lot of the people I called don't accept screenplays anymore and some even retired. I called the WGA and she gave me a new list but again, a lot of them are not accepting screenplays anymore. Would it be advisable to contact agents in LA ? I am starting to think these so called New York screenwriting agents honestly don't exist.
I am going to try the Backstage, thanks brianjanuary
 

brianjanuary

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I would aim for the Hollywood agents or producers. But bear in mind, the big agencies won't even read an e-mail from you unless you know somebody. But the independents are always on the lookout for talent (you should try managers, too). If you have a killer logline, someone will request your script.
 

Melville

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Kevin,
Are you sure your script(s) are ready for submission? Have you read enough of them, written enough of them to be sure you're not making beginner's mistakes? Have you written a rockin' query letter?

If so, I think I would recommend one of the query blasting services if you are this determined to get your script out there.

Otherwise, there are contests you can enter, too.
 

KevinG

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@Melville: I am very passionate about getting my script out there. I have put my heart, soul and tears into this screenplay, needless to say I did worked hard on my other scripts but I feel this my strongest and I want to do whatever it takes to see it green-light. It may not be Oscar worthy but it's funny, different and original. I am not sure how much detailed we are suppose to give about our scripts when it's not posted in the section where everyone gives opinions on others stuff. Everyone as a story to tell, the old Hollywood saying to screenwriters, so what makes mine so different ?, well I am not a cocky guy so that would depend on the reader. As I mentioned before in one of my other thread's, I wrote this script at a time where everything wasn't going right in my life so it has a special meaning.

Have I wrote a rockin' query letter ? I have no idea. I have done research and looked at models of other query letters and at the same time I added my originality. Some sites tell you to writer a query letter as if your taking to your friend. I read one article where this female author wrote a query letter to someone to get her book published and added sarcastic humor to it the moment after she typed Dear. Oh and I hate the Lakers (the basketball team) was the ending to her letter. Just to give it an example. Others say it is imperative you keep it professional.

Can you please send me a link or some info, whether it be here on this thread or in a PM the query blasting services ? I can't find anything in regards to that on the web.

I never did something like this before which is why I keep asking these questions. I can read a lot of articles online but everyone of them may seem the same but all have a different approach. Do this but don't do that, do that but don't ever do this.

I figured maybe there is someone on here who can explain the do's and dont's as simple as possible to me. I wouldn't be humbugging everyone if I wasn't serious. Have this be something I wrote in my free time or something I wrote that I say "yeah, eventually I would like to see it get made" then I wouldn't be making it my goal to find a producer or an agent.

I am taking contests into consideration but that's a later approach. Only because I want to find one that fits the genre of my script. However those are risky considering you giving your hard earn money and it's a 0-100 chance you win. But at this point I'll do anything as long as I don't get scammed.
 

brianjanuary

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Melville makes a good point--Hollywood is awash in screenplays and yours has to stand out from all others. This means that you have to have a high concept premise and a logline that makes agents and producers run to get a contract. Without these two in place, they won't even bother to ask for your script. If they do ask you to submit, you have to have all your plot points firmly in place and the first ten pages had better be impressive (especially the first five--which needs to contain a powerful story hook--Hollywood types are ntorious for reading the first five pages and then flipping to the second plot point to see if you've nailed that).
 

KevinG

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I totally agree with Melville. But that's why I feel that this particular script is my strongest. I have read a lot books from Story to Screenplay (Syd Field) to Gotham Writing Workshop and have taken several classes etc. I am very familiar with plot points :)
 

ComicBent

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Don't be hasty

In short ...

Get some feedback on your script before you even think about sending it out.
 

D-N-K

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Has anyone on here had any success from contacting an agent via email they found on the web?
 

BruinScribe

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I got a read request from ICM based off an email query. If the logline is interesting, they'll request it.

FYI: You'll also have better luck querying junior agents, agent trainees, or lit coordinators at the major agencies. They get promoted by discovering hot scripts, so they are FAR more open to reading new writers.
 

Saul Rothman

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So, you would suggest researching the agencies, getting employee lists and targeting, as you said, the junior employees?

I'm very green -- how would you go about getting employee names and positions?

Thanks.


Saulisa
 

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Absolutely. You have to do your homework. At the big agencies, each agent reps a specific area (ex. TV lit, feature lit, etc.). Look into who they currently rep and what scripts they've sold, so that you know whether or not you write the type of script they're looking for. Targeting your queries to agents/managers who rep writers that write in the genre you do will exponentially increase your chances of getting a read request.

And again, junior agents, agent trainees and lit coordinators are FAR more likely to read your work because they get promoted by discovering new hot scripts. Also, it takes agents a LOT more legwork for an agent to break a new writer (sending you on meet and greets, etc.) so new agents are far more likely to do that than a veteran agent at the big 5.

StudioSystem or IMDBpro both list people's roles and contact information. StudioSystem is REALLY expensive--unless you can get a student membership. IMDBpro is far less expensive.
 

Saul Rothman

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StudioSystem or IMDBpro both list people's roles and contact information. StudioSystem is REALLY expensive--unless you can get a student membership. IMDBpro is far less expensive.

I got IMDbPro last week (2 weeks free!), but I'm not sure I understand how to navigate it correctly. (Btw, as stupid as I initially can be with new things -- I am a quick learner, so your advice does not land on deaf ears).

Could you walk with me through the process:

For instance, my script's a rom-com, so I clicked on Sleepless in Seattle then clicked on Company Credits and found it was made by TriStar.

I clicked on TriStar Pictures but found that the tabs for Clients, Staff, and Staff Connections were unclickable.

I went through the same process with When Harry Met Sally and found that for Castle Rock Entertainment, the Staff tab worked and I got a list of five bigwigs.

My questions:

Am I on the right track for using IMDbPro correctly? What should I do after I get the names of the bigwigs?

I really appreciate your guidance.


Saulisa
 

BruinScribe

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Personally, I wouldn't bother with studios or production companies like TriStar. I'd look up the writer of a film or TV show in the same genre and then see who reps them. Then, query the agent or manager that reps the writer.

However, you're unlikely to get read by the agent for someone as big as Nora Ephron or David Ward. You want to look up more recent romcoms or romcom sales and then contact their reps.
 
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Saul Rothman

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Ah ha! Gotcha. But do not be surprised if more questions follow.

(Btw, I'm super jazzed right now because I finally put my logline up in SYW -- waiting for the storm now! Yipes!).


Saulisa
 

hunnypot

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Can I hijack this thread for a moment to ask...
is there any point in sending unsolicited scripts to agents when I don't think I'll ever be able to move to LA (or anywhere else the agent, studio etc. is)? I don't want to be wasting my time or anyone elses.
 

Saul Rothman

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To the best of my knowledge, it's not a complete deal breaker to live out of LA, but I think you have to be able/open to moving there, at least for significant stretches at a time.


Saulisa
 

creativexec

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Can I hijack this thread for a moment to ask...
is there any point in sending unsolicited scripts to agents when I don't think I'll ever be able to move to LA (or anywhere else the agent, studio etc. is)? I don't want to be wasting my time or anyone elses.

If it's a waste of time, why even bother writing screenplays?
 

screenscope

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Can I hijack this thread for a moment to ask...
is there any point in sending unsolicited scripts to agents when I don't think I'll ever be able to move to LA (or anywhere else the agent, studio etc. is)? I don't want to be wasting my time or anyone elses.

I've had lots of contacts with HW producers & managers over the last few years, and even went out to LA for a number of meetings. No one has ever expressed concern about me living in Australia.

I also personally know a local writer who signed with major HW agent after sending them a spec script and made a couple of high profile sales recently.

There are no geographical boundaries these days and if your script is good enough, your location is irrelevent.