Agents from ScriptBlaster

[BennyTown]

Many of the listings who are being sent material from the service, don't even show up on Google or other searches. How does one research these guys?

[SunTzunami]

I would like to know this as well. Tnx.

[noh1]

Well, if you mean they sent it to some dev person at Warner, then no, I don't think you'd be able to find anything on them. However, if you can't find anything on "Joe's Agency" which is in L.A.,then maybe you don't want to bother with them, if you can't verify who they are.

You could try a one week special for the online HCD, which is only about $18. You could sign up for a week, and do all your research.

[boski62]

Assuming you're only asking about agents on Scriptblaster's list...then...

You could really wait until the agents start responding and requesting your material. Only worry about researching the ones who ask for the script, save yourself lots of time.

Once they ask, then maybe do some research to learn something about them. I second Noh 1--the online HCD is a great resource, and pretty cheap for the one week deal. But even with the initial requests, they're not all going to like the script. So you might even want to wait until the first one calls back with interest after reading your script to pop for the HCD service. The ones who liked the script will call you up and that's when you'll learn a lot more about who they are.

We used Scriptblaster about two years ago to find an agent--after we had a producer we found via another online service already shopping the script to TV networks. About four agents requested the script, but only one called back after reading it--a guy who runs a small agency specializing in TV stuff.

During his return phone call to discuss his interest and response to the script, he told us about himself, his background, his agency etc. He was forthcoming and open to questions. This is when you'll probably learn most of what you need to know about the agent to help you make a decision. In our case, he was the only one offering his services and he seemed legit. This situation worked out pretty well for us: the script's earned some decent option money and things look encouraging right now for it possibly to go into production next year.

Hope some of this helps...

Good luck with the script!

[noh1]

Bosk,

Yeah, I agree. I thought he meant that he had already gotten requests.

[YeahWrite]

Yeah. What Boski and noh1 said.

Google is not a reliable source for finding information about individual agents or managers or network or studio execs. Google doesn't spider some of the most important sites that would contain the info you're looking for because a lot of those sites are subscription based. Don't use it as a gage to someone's legitimacy.

In addition to HCD online you can also try the 14 day free trial at imdppro.com. I'm pretty sure they list the above people.

[TylerGred]

So is scriptblaster a good service for finding an agent?

[noh1]

It's not a service for finding you an agent, really. It's more like just a service who will email your query to agents, managers and producers for you, based on the addys in their database.

Your results will be good or bad depending on your concept and query. I've hear many stories from people who have used their service and have gotten repped as a result.

[Ivylilly]

Noone who's anyone bothers with them. Every reputable agency/mngmt co I ever worked for got those mass queries by the dozen. You can always tell they are from those services because they all have exactly the same style/format. And they went straight into trash. I honestly think the only people who respond to those mass ueries are the ones who have nothing else going for them

[Maverick Film Dude]

I disagree Ivy. I myself got a very reputable manager from scriptblaster. And a pal of mine signed with Mocean Management -- a highly respected firm -- via a query through scriptblaster.

I'm sure many top agents delete the mass emails, but not everyone.

[boski62]

As someone who also found a "reputable" agent via Scriptblaster, I must also disagree with Ivy.

And I guess her whole point hinges on what this means:

Noone who's anyone bothers with them.

If she means the Top agencies and management companies give little or no consideration to these kinds of email queries, she's probably right.

However, to dismiss those who do as disreputable and

have[ing] nothing else going for them

is not only incorrect but unfair.

The agent I found through Scriptblaster is a former CAA agent who runs a 10-year-old boutique and has enough going for him to have secured us our first and subsequent options, to the tune of 25k, and put our script on the road to possible production with an established production company.

Good enough for me--a complete beginner with absolutely no connections and no earnings from screenwriting until he took us on.

[Ivylilly]

If Mocean is your definition of success then... sure

[Krstn150]

So, I checked Scriptblaster's site, they range from $55-$89 (some are higher). Testdriving HCD online is $20 for a week, but you pick & choose who you want to email or the book is $49.00.

I'm curious how "tailored" the targeted lists are... I'm not too excited about having my action query sent blindly to a producer that only does rom-coms...or to someone who's specifically not taking email queries...

That aside, saying they've got that worked out (they probably do)

I'm a little worried about how "generic" the format of the emails are, although the site has "successful stories..."

I think I'll stick with my 'ole HCD book... A little more work, but I'm more in control.

Good luck and please let us know how it works out for ya.

;)

[Krstn150]

...course I could easily blow $89 bucks shopping on stupid stuff I don't need...

keep us posted