Agencies for Screenwriters?

Unfortunately, none of the agencies that really matter accept unsolicited material. That doesn't mean you can't try. They'll read your query (logline) and if they like it, they ask for the script. If they don't like it, they'll tell you they don't accept unsolicited material.

Instead of getting random leads from an Internet message board, do some research and find the titles of recent screenplays that have sold on spec. Look for the people involved - agents, managers - and find their contact information. Query them.

Realistically, you're better off querying managers than agents. If you don't have a deal pending or are a writer without some buzz, most agencies will ignore you. Managers, on the other hand, are more than willing to work with talented new writers and can make introductions to agents when the time is right.

Yes, there are MANY agents and agencies that accept unsolicited screenplays, but most of them will never be able to jump start your career. Unfortunately, there are less than a dozen - out of hundreds of agencies - that can really make any kind of difference for a budding screenwriting career.

Quary said:

The responses coming from agents are more than a thousand.

Click to expand...

Then they're probably not legit screenplay agents. 99% of "real" agents seek out clients who: a) have won a major contest, b) have a major deal on the table, c) placed highly on the Black List. Sometimes they'll take a look at a script as a referral from someone they trust. Often a manager, sometimes a producer, client or story analyst who's done the coverage. Powerhouse agents these days focus on assignment work for existing clients. When they add to their roster, it's because they're betting on what looks like a sure thing.

Can you name one of the thousand? CAA? WME?

Let me say, at the expense of sounding like an ass yet with an unquestionable degree of certainty, that if you've heard back from over a thousand agencies and still haven't landed an agent, your screenplays are in POOR shape.

Red Writing Hood Ink may be legit, but Sheri's a poor agent to work with. All her books are places the author can submit to themselves. She has never had any deal with a major publisher. Make sure you check your referrences when looking at any agent or manager.

Quary said:

Gallagher Literary, CAA (unsolicited policy), Swetky Agency, Wilson Literary, Trident, Red Writing Hood Ink...

These are some of the ones I remember to be legit but rejected my scripts.

As for managers I've tried Authentic Talent, Fine Print, Andrea Hurst, Zero Gravity, Ink Well and more.

Click to expand...

Okay, I see the problem. The bulk (if not all) of the material these represent are literary, not screen material. EVERY LEGITMATE SCREENPLAY AGENT IS BASED IN L.A. True, a number have offices in NY but the business is West Coast. And, sure, a number of literary agents rep the adapted screenplays for their novelists... but MOST IF NOT ALL have to hand off the deal to a screenplay literary agent.

Too violent? Really? You write x-rated torture porn that makes the SAW franchise look tame?

Why don't you enter your screenplay in a reputable contest (horror maybe?) that provides coverage along with the entry fee? Then you might discover where you stand.

creativexec said:

Let me say, at the expense of sounding like an ass yet with an unquestionable degree of certainty, that if you've heard back from over a thousand agencies and still haven't landed an agent, your screenplays are in POOR shape.

Click to expand...

You may be right but the poster will never know since the queries didn't seem to go to screen agents.

Quary said:

Their shape couldn't be more perfect (according to the rejection letters I've received). It's just that they are both too violent so everyone told me, "Try an agency specializing in your genre."

Click to expand...

With due respect, there's a disconnect between "their shape couldn't be more perfect" and "rejection letters I've received."

People will always be polite in rejection letters. The only take away from a rejection letter that you can bet your life on is the rejection itself.

If your script were perfect, it would be connecting. It would be hitting its mark and getting you reps and meetings and maybe jobs.

If someone is telling you to try a specialty agency, it's a polite blow off, because there is no such thing. Agencies don't specialize in genre when it comes to screenplays. That's absolutely ludicrous.

Having produced two fairly violent horror movies, I can tell you that any agency in town will rep that kind of script, if they think they can sell it.

Quary said:

I know. They've told me this. But, as far as I remember, the agencies I mentioned sent me a personal response explaining why they don't want my script and never mentioned that they don't accept original screenplays anyway - many have told me this as well and I just asked them why they don't mention it in their website.

Yes, it's pretty much like Saw, but a completely new idea.

I don't know. I think I've worked really hard with these screenplays to participate in a contest with them. I can write a screenplay within ten days and maybe they will like it more than the ones I sent but I can't bring myself to write something I don't believe it's better than most of the scripts around. If I can cut a scene and yet the story makes sense, I don't believe it's perfect. If it's not really a completely new idea I won't like it either. Most of the agents who read my scripts commented on the fact that that there are no mistakes at all.

Click to expand...

If you think you have not just A completely new idea but several, and try to sell things that way, I'd wager that's one of your problems. There are no completely new ideas. There are fresh takes on old ideas, new ways of looking at things, but I'll bet a bundle your screenplay isn't a completely new idea.

Quary said:

Creativexec,

That's what I thought: "It was just a polite rejection."

I changed my mind when agents started writing responses of one or two pages explaining to me why my scripts are so violent.

With all due respect, could you please stop the rambling talk now (absolutely no offense. I read pretty much in order to write what I write so I'm just bored of theories) and tell me where would you suggest me to send a query letter for a "perfectly written" but extremely violent script? I believe we'll find out the truth that way. What do you say?

Click to expand...

Please demonstrate how perfectly your script is written by building up to 50 posts and then posting the first few pages in the Share Your Work program. Then folks can better help you.

Also, if your script is "perfectly written" you might be better served by hosting it on The Black List. A perfect 10 script will garner the interest of agents immediately and then you can skip the whole query process.

Also, it would help if you posted the one or two pages of your replies which explained in what way your scripts are so violent. For someone to take that amount of time to reject something... is unusual. Don't list their name or any identifying information.

Besides, all the information your seeking is out there, you just have to do your research.

Quary said:

Creativexec,

That's what I thought: "It was just a polite rejection."

I changed my mind when agents started writing responses of one or two pages explaining to me why my scripts are so violent.

With all due respect, could you please stop the rambling talk now (absolutely no offense. I read pretty much in order to write what I write so I'm just bored of theories) and tell me where would you suggest me to send a query letter for a "perfectly written" but extremely violent script? I believe we'll find out the truth that way. What do you say?

Click to expand...

I don't get this - the agents were explaining to you why your scripts are so violent? That doesn't make sense.

Quary said:

Creativexec,

That's what I thought: "It was just a polite rejection."

I changed my mind when agents started writing responses of one or two pages explaining to me why my scripts are so violent.

With all due respect, could you please stop the rambling talk now (absolutely no offense. I read pretty much in order to write what I write so I'm just bored of theories) and tell me where would you suggest me to send a query letter for a "perfectly written" but extremely violent script? I believe we'll find out the truth that way. What do you say?

Click to expand...

If agents have the time to write one or two pages on scripts they have no desire to represent, they're not very successful agents.

It seems to me like you sent your query letter everywhere already. 1000 agencies is 10 times more than I could ever list.

The way it works is simple - as I said up top - send your query to everyone, whether or not they accept unsolicited scripts. Just send the query. If they respond positively to the query, they'll beg, borrow, steal and climb mountains to read your script - regardless of their rules. If they're not interested, they'll say so or tell you they don't accept unsolicited material.

If they read your script and it doesn't result in representation then they weren't interested. No matter how much smoke they blow up your ass.

There is no agency that does or doesn't represent violent scripts. So get that out of your head. Agents represent scripts they think they can sell and avoid scripts they think they cannot sell. So far, a thousand agents think they can't sell your script. While you should continue your efforts, you might want to start writing your next script.

Good luck.

Let me add a link to the list of WGA signatory agents and agencies - although I'm sure you've already hit up these places. Keep in mind that many agencies have more than one lit agent. And you should do your research and get the names of agents at these agencies. Just because one lit agent at CAA passes on your script, doesn't mean that another CAA agent will not take a shine to it. Always be sure to send your query to a specific person. And spell his name correctly.

I'd say those were people giving you pretty standard polite brush offs.

Why send screenplays to people who don't have anything to do with screenplays?

Quary said:

Then they all have the same politeness for some reason, or else they would find other excuses too except of the violence.

Only if I don't know it.

Click to expand...

Check out a lot of rejection threads in the literary sections - yes, most people use the same sort of polite brush offs.

This is well-written, it just doesn't fit in with.../isn't something I can sell/rep...

I really like your voice/writing/story, but I don't feel I can give this the attention it deserves because...

I'm/We're not the right agent/cy for you but you should query more widely/narrowly...etc., etc., etc.

A professional agent doesn't generally say 'wow, this was really bad; not a chance!' Why would they? What's the upside? The downside can be crazy people writing back threatening letters; check some agent blogs.

As ce said above, 1,000 rejections isn't a small sample and the thing they have in common is they're all rejections. As Cyrano said, build up to 50 posts and put excerpts of something up in SYW - some pages of a screenplay or what you're sending out or whatever and see what people here think. As you see, there are plenty of professionals in a number of related fields about who give free advice.