I have a question concerning representations

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JustinoXV

A literary manager wants to rep me. He mentioned one of his contacts (big). He's kind of new though. I did give him permission to send my stuff out to one place.

An agent at a decently big agency, after reading my synopsis, asked me to send him that very same screenplay. I did so a couple of weeks ago.

So yesterday, I emailed the agent telling him that someone wants to rep me on that script, and I would like to know what he thought of it, before I made actual decisions on representations.

How long should I give him to decide? If the agency will have me, I'd prefer them.
 

joecalabre

Double dipping. Ah, the joy's of juggling multiple submissions.

I would give either party 30 days (not counting mailing time) from submission to make a decision. It usualy takes that long for them to find available time for a weekend read.

The manager, since he's new, I would start bugging after two weeks.
 

JustinoXV

Thanks a lot, Joe. That basically means I should be calling both of them the week after Thanksgiving (the agent will have had it for 1 month by then, and the people who the new manager sent it to would have for two weeks). But everyone will probably be on holiday, so I should call them the following week.
 

SimonSays

Justino - do you want to have both a manager and an agent?

If not, which would you rather have? A manager or an agent or do you have no preference?
 

JustinoXV

agent

I'd rather have an agent. I'm dealing with this manager because he said he had a contact with a specific studio, and I don't see any harm in letting him submit (perhaps it will lead to a deal)

I do have another script at a prodco that has been evaluated by one reader, and going up to the next stage. I'll hear from the development exec when he reads it.

If I got an offer there, I'd be able to go an agency to get them to negotiate it.
 

Writing Again

Re: agent

I understand why a writer would want an agent. The need to have someone else to negotiate for you, even if you could do it yourself, is clear. The time, effort, and knowlege required would be better spent writing.

I'm not sure I understand why a writer would want a manager.
 

joecalabre

Re: agent

Speaking from one who has a manager, I can answer this based on my experience. Good and Bad points.

GOOD. My manager interest is in selling me and getting me any assigments, where as an agent usualy is only interested in repping a particular project from a new writer. An established writer's agent will of course, but that's because they developed a relationship over a long period of time.

GOOD. My manager has less clients than an agent and will work harder to sell my work, especially since he can attach himself as producer on a project.

BAD. He wants to attach as producer, which may turn off interested parties. But if he does get prod credit, than I get my 10% back. He says he will work on my deal before trying to get on as producer but many may not.

GOOD. My manager gives me advice on works in progress and on career goals. An agent is usualy only cares about completed scripts and offers little guidance.

GOOD. A manger tends to have a wider range of contacts, whereas an agency tends to deal with the same people over and over.

GOOD. My manager is trying hard to get me an agency for co-repping. Easier than me trying on my own.

BAD. A manager can't negotiate deals, but many get around that. They go for co-repping with an agency but that adds up the percentage you have to give (10-15 for a manager 15-20% for an agent.)

There may be more that others will chime in on.

Of course there's good and bad in every rep, whether it's an agent or manager. The important thing is you feel comfortable with who you deal with.
 

joecalabre

Re: agent

Justino,
I would probably wait until the begining of the 1st week in December.

Most of these guys take very long weekends for Thanksgiving and other holidays, would need the entire following week to get caught up and dealing with a new writer/script is not gonna be high on thier list.
 

JustinoXV

Re: agent

Joe,

Thanksgiving is on the 25th. Six days from that date is Dec. 1st. Which is what I said I would do, call them the following week.

I'm well aware that in the film industry, (actually, other industries as well), people often take decent sized breaks before or maybe after thanksgiving. Not too much is going to get done that week, and definitely not for the first few days of the following week.
 

joecalabre

Re: agent

I was thinking you meant the 29th, the following Monday.
Just thought I'd mention it, in case you forgot or didn't realize.
 

JustinoXV

Re: agent

I'm not telling people whether they should or shouldn't get a manager by making the following comments.

In California, agents are licensed by the state of California (it's the same in New York too).

Anyone could legally call himself a manager.

Also, agents can not be producers.

Managers can produce scripts or attach themselves as producers. Technically, a producer takes a script to a studio to get a deal. Instead of the manager/producer buying the scripts they interested in, they submit them to producers or studios. Think of a manager as being someone in between a producer and an agent. Managers don't always attach themselves to scripts. It all depends.
 

A Pathetic Writer

Re: agent

Joe and Justin talking agent strategy is much like ashley and mary-kate discussing buffets.
 

joecalabre

Re: agent

I prefer to think that Justin and I are two people looking at different sides of the same coin.

Regardeless of which side you prefer, a Nickel is still worth 5 cents.

(which is about what our opinions are worth.);)
 

A Pathetic Writer

Re: agent

I prefer the side that spells regardless correctly.

Also, you don't capitalize coin denominations.

And when you write a full sentence in a parenthetical, capitalize the first word.

Keep up the writing effort! It's going to pay off some day, I just know it! :party
 

joecalabre

Re: agent

I type fasta' dan mah' brain sometimes.

If ah' knowed ah' wuz goin' t'get graded fo' mah' wo'k posted on some message bo'd, ah' would gots mah' edito' on some long term retaina' and real, real busy ah' might add.

Some good websites for translating any text into a variety of dialects, including moron, jive, redneck and others.

www.degraeve.com/translator.php
rinkworks.com/dialect/
 

joecalabre

Re: agent

Joe and Justin talking agent strategy is much like ashley and mary-kate discussing buffets.

Aren't proper names supposed to be capitalized? Did I miss a memo?
 

JustinoXV

Re: agent

I'm sure Mary Kate and Ashley have been to enough events that have buffets to discuss them.

Your point being?
 

SimonSays

Re: agent

Joe:

"A manger tends to have a wider range of contacts, whereas an agency tends to deal with the same people over and over."

What do you base this statement on? The agents I know have mutliple contacts at every studio and hundreds of production cos. My agent targets each individual script of mine towards those producers he feels will be most interested in the project. He does submit every spec of mine to certain producers regardless of genre - but that's because those producers love my writing and have requested to see everything I write.

In addition - every manager I know started their career in the business as...... agents! So they are essentially using the contacts they made as agents.

Joe:

"My manager gives me advice on works in progress and on career goals. An agent is usualy only cares about completed scripts and offers little guidance".

That depends on the agent. There are agents who do what your manager does.

Joe:

"BAD. A manager can't negotiate deals, but many get around that. They go for co-repping with an agency but that adds up the percentage you have to give (10-15 for a manager 15-20% for an agent.)"

This is more than just bad - this is huge. More than anything else writers need someone to negotiate their deals. If you have a manager and only a manager I strongly recommend you hire a good entertainment lawyer to negotiate the deal. If the deal is large enough this is often a cheaper way to go than manager and an agent.

No matter how good your manager is, you will still need an agent or attorney

If you have a good agent - you will not need a manager.
 

joecalabre

Re: agent

Simon,
What I meant is that a manger's contacts include, among others, indie director's and producers, small production companies (as well as large) and agencies. That would mean they tend to (not guaranteed) have a larger base of clients to show your work. Of course, some managers may not and some agencies may, but traditionally, managers have a greater access to a wider mix of people. This is what I have seen with my own experiences as well as what I read in various books, including "Breakfast with Sharks" (a good book on the business end of screenwriting.)

As for advice, yes many agents do, but it depends on the individual agents. I found, (again with experience and reading) that a lot of agents tend not to with new writers.

And lastly, in regards to negotiating a deal. Yup that's a bad one. That is why most managers with try to get an agent for you. I pointed out that they can get you an agent (in some cases) easier than you can alone. In either case, ALWAYS get a lawyer or agent to negotiate for you and look over all contracts presented.

As I said earlier, each writer needs to be comfortable with who ever represents them. Sure an agent would be best in many cases, but most new writers have difficulty getting one. A manager may be easier to obtain and eventually lead to bigger things.

I am not advocating one over the other.

I wish I had an agent, but alas, not in the cards yet. I can say that a manager, so far, has been good for me. He has gotten me a dozen meetings, two paid jobs and an option in the past year.

Managers, agents and lawyers all have their place in the world and what ever the writer decides, must give off a warm fuzzy feeling.
 

JustinoXV

Re: agent

"What I meant is that a manger's contacts include, among others, indie director's and producers, small production companies (as well as large) and agencies. That would mean they tend to (not guaranteed) have a larger base of clients to show your work."

How good this is or isn't depends on where you are in your career. If you've gotten a decent sized sale, then you certainly don't a rep with contacts with unattached small prodos. To tell the truth, if the prodco is small, or if you're dealing with indie people you can submit to them yourself. There are some larger companies that accept submissions from writers directly. And if you've done anything like internships or have otherwise made personal contacts, that helps as well.

If you've submitted to someone who then gives you a decent sized offer, you can call any good sized agent and get representation that way.

Of course, I'm not telling anyone not to get a manager if you think that's the best option for you. In my personal case, that particular manager is submitting one script to one particular place. If I do not get a solid offer, he and I are finished (in part because I think he is too inexperienced, and in part because I personally prefer an agent).
 

BROUGHCUT

Re: agent

It's good managers can't negotiate deals. Otherwise, you would have a situation whereby the manager would be negotiating your deal as writer alongside their own deal as producer -- on the same project. Huge conflict of interest, who's most likely to end up playing second fiddle in that scenario?
 

BROUGHCUT

Re: agent

If you only had a manager you would have no choice but to retain an attorney or find an agent, becuase business affairs execs would not negotiate with a manager, full stop.
 

HarmonyWriter

I recently moved to LA in hopes of finding a literary agent who would be interested in my spec scripts. I can't find anyone who will read them. I have sent query letters; I have asked for introductions; I've sent scripts cold. Those who have talked to me have said they aren't accepting new clients... but it seems to me that EVERYBODY out here as an agent but me. The jewelry clerk at Walmart, the pool guy, the local personal trainer -- they all have agents AND managers. I truly believe that EVERYONE has a good story to tell but does everyone also have a good script?? I was thinking of attending one of those classes where literary agents come to speak... can anyone recommend one? And should I join a writer's group? I don't know many other writers and maybe it would be insightful to hear their experiences... Anyway, I can use some advice. Anyone? :head
 

Writing Again

I've poked around Zoetrope and other places...Judging by the quality of the average script...If everyone in L.A. has an agent and a manager: There are either a lot of managers out there who are either idiots and can't tell a good script from a bad script, or there are a lot out there who are on the scam.

Sorry, but that statement makes me very leery of getting either one until they prove themselves to me.

Does that sound egotistical?

Maybe, but I don't want a Representative who will take me or anyone else on before they are ready: I do want a rep who can and will get things done.

Or I don't want one at all.
 
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