What if you don't agree with your agent/manager?

[KimBritt]

I submitted two of my scripts for my new manager to look over. I heard back from her today and the news isn't good at all. She didn't like one of them and even went as far as to suggest that I not attempt writing rom/coms in the future. This caught me completely off guard because everyone that has read the script loved it. And I'm not talking about family and friends. I'm talking about fellow screenwriters. I got 8 reviews from Zoetrope and they were all very positive (all goods and very goods).

Now I have no idea what to do. If she doesn't like it, she's never going to try to sell it for me and I really believe it has potential.

What would you do if you were in my shoes?

[Hamboogul]

I think the first mistake is believing that the rating system of Zoetrope means anything.

I don't think that zoetroper can be construed as "fellow screenwriters."

You have two choices. Either don't listen to the manager or listen to the manager.

If you don't listen to the manager, you have two choices. Don't work with the manager or pay him 10 percent for doing nothing. It's very simple.

[greyghost]

The first question I'd ask is "What is specifically wrong with my writing in this rom-com?"

If this so-called "manager" cannot cite you specific problems with which you agree, tell her to take a hike.

I am suspicious of anyone who dismisses your writing and then makes a general condemnation of your ability to write anything in a specific genre. That's not "managing" a career, it is belittling someone.

How would someone help you develop a career if she doesn't "get" what you are writing?

Most of these self-appointed experts have no clue.

[cluckyburger]

i would suspect your manager's advice has less to do with your writing and more to do with his/her ability to put that particular script into the marketplace. while it is true that many agt/mgrs may seem to be narratively clueless (a feeling intensified by being told your script is not viable) they usually know the marketplace fairly well or at least their ability to get some traction for something.

for a writer starting out, ie w/ zero clout, i think the only advice is to buck up, lick your wounds, begin again. that's all provided your manager is worth it. it's entirely possible that s/he's an idiot too. you have to decide.

[jimjimgrande]

Managers aren't given sensitivity training before starting the job. It's highly likely that she genuinely doesn't like something in the script and I actually think you should be grateful that you're getting honest feedback from your rep, rather than placating, empty promises followed by total inaction.

Put the romcom aside, focus on the other script, write a new one, and then come back to the romcom in the summer and see how you feel about it then.

or ignore me comepletely, it's up to you.

[sc111]

If she's your manager I assume you have a formal agreement with her. If so, come right out and ask her to explain why she thinks the rom-com doesn't hit the mark. Isn't that her job?
Managing? Giving you notes?

:)

[elephant1978]

She should be offering notes. As simple as that. It's her job to guide your career, so she should help you make this script what it needs to be to help you reach your long-term career goals. If she simply turns away from it, more questions need to be asked.

Ele...

[Jack0902]

When I submitted my most recent script to my manager and agent, they both thought it wasn't ready yet. The bottom line was that they both thought the tone was off-- too violent at times, then humorous at others. (It's a comic book action/vigilante script.) My agent gave me very few notes other than that. My manager, however, sat down with me for a couple of hours and gave me fairly extensive notes. (Now realize, notes aren't always suggestions on how to fix it, but they at least should tell you with some precision what was wrong.) Based on those comments, I did a rewrite that both my agent and manager liked a lot. The script is now out there working its way through the system.

The point is-- a manager's job is to help with your career. He/she is supposed to work with you on your scripts. I suggest you try to get notes that are much more specific from your manager. Also, proceed cautiously-- managers are supposed to be positive, not negative, so it surprises me a little that she told you that you can't write in a certain genre.

Having said that, is is possible you miscontrued her comment? The reason I ask is that the three scripts I have written are a rom/com, a thriller, and the action/comic book script. My manager mentioned the other day (we were talking about how I'll be starting a fourth script soon), that I should consider picking a genre because-- although it's nice for a writer to write what she likes-- people are going to want to get a sense of what types of scripts to expect from me. He wants me to write another thriller, because he thinks that was my best work. Is it possible your manager was merely trying to suggest something similar?

[JakeSchuster aka Ostroff]

Wonder if Jack and I have the same manager, because that's my experience, as well. I've worked very closely with my manager on my current project--my last conference with him took ninety minutes, after which he sent me a photocopy of his annotated copy of my draft, just so I could know how he wanted me to proceed with what we hope will be the final draft.

I've never experienced a manager saying, "I don't like it," and leaving it at that. There have always been notes, and if things have looked dire, the gentle suggestion to set it aside and return to it at a later, more enlightened, time.

As for picking a genre, this was something we discussed from when I first signed with him. It was determined that I work, albeit on a broad canvas, in the thriller medium. This was helpful when I took meetings, as execs were able to hand me potential projects more suitable to what I do best.

I would urge you to call your manager and ask for more detailed notes on the script. Ask him (or her) outright if he feels this genre is simply not suited to your talents.

[KimBritt]

Thanks for all the advice. It's possible I could have misunderstood her. I guess I just have to do what one of you suggested; lick my wounds and keep going.

Thanks again!

[JakeSchuster aka Ostroff]

Ask first; lick later. It's always best to know what's what.:)

[certified instigator]

If the manager has a good reputation and has gotten clients work I would take her review, no matter how insensitive, over the review of people on zoetrope.

No matter how much you script was loved there, they cannot sell it for you.

[JakeSchuster aka Ostroff]

...but it's always worth discussing. What, in her opinion (and, I assume, her story editor's opinion), didn't work? What did work? This way you have some idea of what not to do, and what to do, next time you tackle a work in this genre.

If you don't have an ongoing dialogue with your manager then the creative half of the relationship has been lost.

[Winter in New York]

"Managers aren't given sensitivity training before starting the job."

Print that out and put it above your phone before you call again. Because damn if it ain't true. And how!

"A spoon full of sugar makes the medicine go down" - right?

Alas, where Managers are concerned, sugar is not provided.

But as much as writers never like to hear anything negative: sometimes (not always, but sometimes) - it's for our own good.

Winter in New York

[JustinoXV]

Kim, in addition to asking her for notes on the script, it might be a good idea to let other people read it to get feedback from them as well. Either way, keep going and if you like writing romantic comedies, DO NOT GIVE UP.

[YeahWrite]

Hi Kim,

You said that you submitted two scripts. What genre was it? What did your manager have to say about the other script? Did she give you notes on that one? Is she going to take it out?

[KimBritt]

The other script was a horror. She liked that one better than the rom/com, but it didn't sound like she was overjoyed by it. She gave a few suggestions on how to make it better. We'll probably be working on that one first.

[creativexec]

Your manager shouldn't be surprised by what
you've written. S/he should be in on the
process - even guiding you by suggesting
what genres to tackle and providing story
notes in the early stages of development
as well as notes afterwards.

It is possible that the scripts weren't all
that good in compared to what is out
there. With all due respect to Zoetrope
(as Ham suggested), it is no barometer
as to the the climate or quality of the
real spec market.

:)