Managers/ TV Agents looking for women writers?

[whinywriter]

I know there are some relatively new quotas for women and minorities at the agencies. I'm looking for a staff writing job, preferably in comedy.

[sidneyfalco]

sorry, there are no quotas. it is mostly a mertiocracy (with added points for nepotism, elitism and cliquism).

there are programs in the TV industry to hire more minority writers but usually those funnel writers into the writer assistant jobs.

[whinywriter]

Actually, there are implied quotas, such as "we need some women writers." I've had agents at the big five tell me this, and of course they have my work now.

[Hamboogul]

So what's the point of this thread again? That you can get a rep because you are part of the quota?

[sidneyfalco]

Whinywriter - Its presumptious of you to believe anything that an agent says. They will say ANYTHING for no reason and make statements which have no basis in reality.

Implying that there is some sort of quota which gives you an advantage is ridiculous. You must have misunderstood or taken it the wrong way. Selling a script is not like getting into Harvard.

If someone said something like, "well, the studios are looking for women writers for the increase in female based cinderella story comedies" or "studios want more black writers for urban films" makes sense. But presuming there is some kind of mandate or quota or prefence which because of your gender, race or whatever that will cause your script to be looked upon as more favorable or cause you to become a favored client is preposterous.

[whinywriter]

Geez, it appears I have tapped into a little hostility. Quick reminder: I'm struggling like the rest of you, and TV is, whether you like it or not, dominated by male writers.

[Hamboogul]

Speaking from experience, getting into Harvard is way easier than getting a staff job in TV.

[Augie Kestrel]

It sounds to me like the agent was just "putting on a face". Was it a guy who said this?

[freebaser14]

Whiny, I've heard the same thing from both my managers and producers. Not about specific quotas, but that being a woman could possibly make it easier for you if you are looking to break into TV drama. It's just speculation. And anyway, you'll have more luck on the spec market than you will trying to break into TV (also from the manager). I think at that point in the game, your gender is after the fact.

[pnugentr]

"I'm looking for a staff writing job, preferably in comedy."

I don't know if it's arrogance or ignorance but that's just about the funniest sentence I have seen here. The "looking for a staff writing job" part is funny in and of itself, as it presupposes that these gigs are not near-impossible to get even when one pays one's dues and works their way up the ladder.

But the kicker is of course the "preferably in comedy" line which is hysterical as it betrays a fundamental misunderstanding of the level of specialization in TV writing.

[whinywriter]

You're right. Let me try again: "In my wildest dreams, if I am deemed worthy, I hope that I may one day experience the rapture of eating sh*t as a writer's assistant on a bad TV show. Since all people who succeed in Hollywood have earned it, may I one day be in their ranks."

You have no idea whether or not I've paid my dues, what I've accomplished, or who I am. But if I am arrogant and ignorant, I have a much better chance of making it out here, so thank you!

[freebaser14]

LOL, whiny. :D

[Writorman]

"But if I am arrogant and ignorant, I have a much better chance of making it out here, so thank you!"

Sure. Why not? It worked for Bush.