question about referral to Gersh agent

[writer for life]

I know the aunt of an agent at Gersh. She told me to contact him about my scripts.

Now I have several scripts, but only one which I feel comfortable sending out at the moment. It's a small indie script that's made the final round of the Sundance lab (outcome pending until December). I have two other high concept scripts that need rewrites, but that could take a while. I don't want to wait too long because we all know the job turnover rate in hollywood is abysmal... I'd like to at least get in touch with the agent, pitch him the indie script and hopefully he'll agree to read it, and if he likes it enough, I'll send him the other two when they're done.

Is this wise? I don't want to wait too long because who knows what will happen in a few months (when the rewrites on the other two will probably be done), and if I can get him a polished script that indicates my writing style (which I think he might like), that will give him the impression that I'm a real writer and not some schmuck who knows his aunt.

What should I do?

[Cole Blackburn]

The question you need to ask is if your indie script is strong enough to blow his shorts off when he reads it. If you truly feel it is strong enough to get his attention, I wouldn't wait. You are right in your assessment that things change very fast in Hollywood and you could lose your "in" at any moment. But you should never submit "weak" material just so you can get it in fast. You may want to have your indie be the "big" pitch but have the other two high concept projects ready in the wings in case he passes on the indie. If he likes one of the high concept projects, you can focus on it and get the rewrite done in a hurry. Just some thoughts.
Cole

[writer for life]

Yeah, but would it be wise to rush through a re-write?

And I feel pretty confident about the indy. I've gotten mostly enthusiastic responses from people I don't even know who are in the business, so there was no bias.

[burnaise]

Gersh is actually a pretty stable environment. there isn't a tremendous amount of turnover there. at least among agents...assistants are another story.

ultimately, the question is what is your strongest story? if it's the indie, go with that. but as you know, indie projects are a nightmare to set up. it's one strike against it right off the bat. but if the writing is amazing, it could open the door to other things.

but don't give it based on the timing analysis. in all liklihood, they'll probably still be there whenever you're done with the rewrite. and if they're not, just give it to them whereever they go.

[writer for life]

Well I feel my strongest story IS the indie. Truth is, I've been feeling very depressed about my other scripts... I just don't have the passion for one of them anymore, and it'll be hard for me to re write it with any enthusiasm unless someone wants it. The other is a first draft and I don't have enough distance from it yet IMO to re write it right away. although it's a great concept, they both are. I'm putting all my energy into the indie because it's something I want to direct and currently Sundance lab is reading it for their January lab. I don't want to concentrate on these other scripts and lose the passion I have for the indie because if it doesn't get into Sundance I want to set it up myself, and that might be best with an agent.

Worst case scenario is the agent likes it but doesn't feel he can set it up... at least he knows I'm a good writer and will be willing to read my other stuff, motivating me a little more. I know screenwriters are supposed to love to write and blah blah, but that's just not the case... my passion is directing, but I'm a good writer so I'm using it as a spring board into directing. I feel this indie is good enough to attract some talent.

[Queen Uhuru]

Have you workshopped your script or done a few review swaps to get feedback? That might give you even greater confidence.

[writer for life]

I've already sent it.

[ThunderChikin]

Have you workshopped your script or done a few review swaps to get feedback? That might give you even greater confidence.

Fat chance. Shops and swaps might make your script better, but greater confidence isn't a likely outcome.

[Queen Uhuru]

I think I understand what you mean. Some people would discourage rather than encourage, right?

Well, even staying away from public messageboard review swaps, if a person has a few trusted knnowledgable writing friends, they could still review swap. The better a script becomes, the greater confidence the writer should have, one would think.

[ThunderChikin]

Validation, baby. Just validation.