Targeting agents

[Totiwos]

Are these reasonable conclusions? If not, why not?

1) A writer should seek a WGA agent.
2) The agent should have a California office.
3) Of the 96 agencies listed for California by WGA, 55 are listed as "references required," meaning that a new writer shouldn't bother with them, leaving 41. Only one is listed as "new writers OK."
4) Done Deal's script sales lists the agents who have actually managed to sell something, so a writer should target those agencies.
5) Therefore, of the 41 agencies that don't require references, it would be best to cross reference the ones that have made sales and target those.

[creativexec]

1) A writer should seek a WGA agent.
2) The agent should have a California office.
3) Of the 96 agencies listed for California by WGA, 55 are listed as "references required," meaning that a new writer shouldn't bother with them, leaving 41. Only one is listed as "new writers OK."
4) Done Deal's ***** sales lists the agents who have actually managed to sell something, so a writer should target those agencies.
5) Therefore, of the 41 agencies that don't require references, it would be best to cross reference the ones that have made sales and target those.



1) Yes. (But there are shady agencies on the list.)

2) Yes. The agent should have a Los Angeles office.

3) No. Query whoever you please - regardless of their policies.

4) Not necessarily. Some new writers may have to team with a new agent. Plus, agents are making all sorts of $$ deals for writers that don't include "sales" (like development work). Also, don't be so easily fooled by script sales listings. Often, the info can be hype. These so-called "sales" are often nothing more than options with big PR spin.

5) Target any and all reasonable agencies. Try to hone in on agents with your taste and sensibilities. But don't put too much thought into it at first. Your job should be to get your script all over town and then sort through all the offers (of representation) afterward.

Only exclude opportunities after they have made themselves available to you, and you have all the info to weigh the pros and cons.


:)

[CLB44]

Although, I am not the originator of this message...I just wanted to say "thanks" for the feedback/insight...it is very helpful. ;)

[elephant1978]

CE, thanks man! I was trying to get this kind of info a month or two ago and didn't find it. Thanks for laying it out nice and simple.

But a follow up question - What's your best advice on narrowing down which agent is most suitable for your material? Is there a real method to this? Or can you just randomly pick a name out of the HCD to query? I know that book separates TV and Film agents, but is there any way to better direct your query?

Anybody's take on this would be appreciated.

Ele...

[creativexec]

Some agents tend to deal with more commercial
material while others may deal with indie quality.

You can certainly learn what agents reps what
clients and cater your search like that.

But the truth is you can never second guess.

For instance, you may have a Farrelly Brothers
type comedy and decide to send it to their
agent. But he already reps the Farrelly Bros -
and may not be interested in working with
similar writers.

On the other hand, maybe he will be interested.

Maybe you decide against sending your script
to an agent who deals with indies because
you have a comic book movie.

But unbeknownst to you, he wants to break
out of the indie mold and find a summer
tent pole project.

Or maybe the idea isn't for him, but he
thinks it would be a good match for his wife
(who is a producer) or his best friend who
is an agent or manager.

You just never know.

Unless an agent has told you what he wants
(or someone tells you what he wants), it's
hard to second guess and could be a little
self-defeating.

Why not simply bombard the town with your
query and allow the agents themselves to
decide what's right for them?

Most agents are looking for scripts that
they can sell.

Hopefully, you are a writer who has a sense
of what the marketplace is looking for. Even
if the script doesn't work, the agent will see
that you have some savvy.

Sending him a sensitive script about a lonely,
old woman's relationship with her philodendron
would probably be a disappointment for an
agent who is looking to make a sale. (And
they are ALWAYS looking to make a sale.)

There are some common sense issues too.
Like I get queries from writers that praise
the script, claiming it's perfect for Tom
Hanks. That's great. But I don't work with
Tom Hanks.

So, it couldn't hurt to have a little info as
to who you're targeting.

There are no answers here and no right
ways or wrong ways. (There can be smarter
ways.)

It's about getting the right script into the
right hands at the right time. And often
that is something that fate orchestrates.
However, the script must be in the pipeline
for fate to work its magic.

Don't limit your opportunities so early in the
search. Your job is to cull as many offers
as you can - and then make an educated
decision.

:D

[Totiwos]

Is it considered bad form to call an agency and ask who at the agency would be the best to get a query for a certain type of script?

[DUCPHO]

There are a few I'd like to "target"... if you know what I mean!:lol

Just kidding...:rollin

[creativexec]

You'll only get a receptionist, who will not
have a clue as to how to answer that
question (at least a bigger agency).

You can read sales listings and the trades
to see what agents are making what
deals.

:D

[roscoegino]

As always, thanks, CE.

PS If I were rich I'd help get Tru Blu made. Damn.

[ABZ18]

I can never target agents, they run way too fast. ABZ

[KidCharlemagne108]

55 are listed as "references required," meaning that a new writer shouldn't bother with them

Along with the receptionist and the assistant the 'referrals only' is a threshold guardian in written form - don't take it as absolute - I've gotten through to, and submitted to many agencies listed as 'referrals only'. So, there you go, you've just added another 55 agencies to your list! All you need to do now is ask yourself the key question - is your script ready to be submitted?

Good luck

KC

[Totiwos]

Thanks for all the advice. I don't think I have enough finished scripts to start seriously marketing. While I'm finishing more and getting feedback, I'm doing bits here and there on a regular basis on the business side so that I can be smart about selling them once I feel I'm ready. I want to learn about agents, who best to approach for what work, and I figure it will be more digestible if I spread it out over time. If a potential agent asks if I have something else, I'd like to say, "Yes, which ones can I send you?" I figure spending more time writing at this point in my career will only benefit me later.

[docohio123]

I have`nt read all the posts on this topic so if this question has already been covered please forgive me.

When sending out a query letter you need a contact name to include (so I`ve read). Is there a listing with such names or do you just address it to "whom it may concern"?


TmL

[YeahWrite]

You can read sales listings and the trades to see what agents are making what dealsYou can also look up working writers by going to www.wga.org/Agency/MemAgency.asp. (http://www.wga.org/Agency/MemAgency.asp.) That search will give you the name of the agent and contact info.

I did a quick search on Ron Bass and got

Agency Name: Creative Artists Agency, LLC
Agent Name: Beth Swofford
Address: 9830 Wilshire Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Phone: (310) 288-4545

You can do that for writers that may have similarities to you. But read CE's post and just paper the town.

...or do you just address it to "whom it may concern"?Only if you want your letter thrown in the trash. They may think that if you can't take the time to write a good name you probably didn't take the time to write a good script.

Never ever no no never write "to whom it may concern." There are tons of ways -- some mentioned on this thread -- to find names of specific agents. If all else fails people here on this site will help you out. Good luck.