Best spec agent

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  • #76
    Re: Best spec agent

    I'm confused by all of this. The guy wants to write specs. Leave him alone and let him write specs.

    Sure, there are fewer specs purchased than assignments assigned. So what? First of all, spec sales typically get newer writers more $ than assignments. Secondly, *he doesn't want to write assignments*.

    Okay?

    So let the guy write what he wants to write. If he changes his mind when someone offers him a great gig, then he'll change his mind.

    All he asked was, "Who are good agents for writers who spec?"

    Personally, I think the best spec agents are the agents representing writers with great specs. Simple as that. I don't think there's any magic to certain guys. I know there are some who portray themselves as "spec specialists," but a great piece of material is going to sell, particularly when it's paired up with talent prior to being sent out.

    With that in mind, I would strongly advise parlaying whatever success you've enjoyed to date into representation at WME or CAA if at all possible.

    And if I were an agent, and I found a writer who was really good, and who was capable of delivering me one terrific piece of sellable original material per year, I would sign him in a heartbeat. Frankly, it's less work for me. I go out with a script once a year, I try and getting a bidding war going, hopefully I sell it, and then I sit around on my ass until the guy comes back a year later with another one.

    That's way easier than knocking on doors and begging for the kind of dinky rewrites and "maybe possibly who knows?" meetings on behalf of newer clients who aren't generating new IP.

    In conclusion, I agree with the crazy guy.

    Comment


    • #77
      Re: Best spec agent

      Originally posted by Craig Mazin View Post
      I'm confused by all of this. The guy wants to write specs. Leave him alone and let him write specs.

      Sure, there are fewer specs purchased than assignments assigned. So what? First of all, spec sales typically get newer writers more $ than assignments. Secondly, *he doesn't want to write assignments*.

      Okay?

      So let the guy write what he wants to write. If he changes his mind when someone offers him a great gig, then he'll change his mind.

      All he asked was, "Who are good agents for writers who spec?"

      Personally, I think the best spec agents are the agents representing writers with great specs. Simple as that. I don't think there's any magic to certain guys. I know there are some who portray themselves as "spec specialists," but a great piece of material is going to sell, particularly when it's paired up with talent prior to being sent out.

      With that in mind, I would strongly advise parlaying whatever success you've enjoyed to date into representation at WME or CAA if at all possible.

      And if I were an agent, and I found a writer who was really good, and who was capable of delivering me one terrific piece of sellable original material per year, I would sign him in a heartbeat. Frankly, it's less work for me. I go out with a script once a year, I try and getting a bidding war going, hopefully I sell it, and then I sit around on my ass until the guy comes back a year later with another one.

      That's way easier than knocking on doors and begging for the kind of dinky rewrites and "maybe possibly who knows?" meetings on behalf of newer clients who aren't generating new IP.

      In conclusion, I agree with the crazy guy.
      HaHa! That's the way around here.

      If you're confident in your abilities then you're an ***. I knew as soon as he said "High Concept" that this thread would get messy.

      At least you're well respected around here so nobody will flame you over your opinion, Craig.

      I'll just stand behind you from now on.

      Thanks for the shield.

      Comment


      • #78
        Re: Best spec agent

        Originally posted by Craig Mazin View Post

        With that in mind, I would strongly advise parlaying whatever success you've enjoyed to date into representation at WME or CAA if at all possible.

        .
        Not ICM?

        And can we please get some more details on that "parlaying" part?

        (For those who don't know, Gary made a TON of $$ on Amazon Studios -- roughly the equivalent of 6 years of income for a WGA member.)
        "People who work in Hollywood are the ones who didn't quit." -- Lawrence Kasdan

        Please visit my website and blog: www.lauridonahue.com.

        Comment


        • #79
          Re: Best spec agent

          Originally posted by Craig Mazin View Post
          Personally, I think the best spec agents are the agents representing writers with great specs. Simple as that.
          Well, that settles it. Thanks Craig!



          Originally posted by Craig Mazin View Post
          With that in mind, I would strongly advise parlaying whatever success you've enjoyed to date into representation at WME or CAA if at all possible.
          That's exactly my intention. I already started working on my query letter. I'm hoping that a high BL score will be a part of it, but the Amazon wins will definitely be featured.

          And I'm still debating whether to include all the crazy long-winded explanations for why I only like to work on spec.

          Or maybe I'll just provide a link to this thread.

          Comment


          • #80
            Re: Best spec agent

            Originally posted by LauriD View Post
            (For those who don't know, Gary made a TON of $$ on Amazon Studios -- roughly the equivalent of 6 years of income for a WGA member.)
            Or the equivalent of two days work for an A-list actor.

            Comment


            • #81
              Re: Best spec agent

              Originally posted by Gary Dragan Milin View Post

              And I'm still debating whether to include all the crazy long-winded explanations for why I only like to work on spec.

              .
              As others have said, don't put the cart before the horse. And I can't see any possible upside for advertising this in a query.
              "People who work in Hollywood are the ones who didn't quit." -- Lawrence Kasdan

              Please visit my website and blog: www.lauridonahue.com.

              Comment


              • #82
                Re: Best spec agent

                Originally posted by Gary Dragan Milin View Post
                Well, that settles it. Thanks Craig!





                That's exactly my intention. I already started working on my query letter. I'm hoping that a high BL score will be a part of it, but the Amazon wins will definitely be featured.

                And I'm still debating whether to include all the crazy long-winded explanations for why I only like to work on spec.

                Or maybe I'll just provide a link to this thread.

                I didn't realize you were able to shop your script around if it's at amazon studios? Or am misunderstanding something?

                Also, Craig M, or anyone for that matter. I need exact specifics on what exactly deems a "spec", I get that its written on speculation, looking and hoping for an end buyer/suitor. However, it's still an original concept/story/script just as someone who may be "hired" to write it correct? the only difference being they are hired (paid, commissioned) to write their original script which the employer/studio then owns and not referred to as a spec.

                I'm also deducing that most "specs" are people like me,... who wrote a script(s), and have no representation whatsoever, but intend to find an agent or manager who will then help them sell their spec and/or do it on their own through various marketing methods and strategies that are out there. correct?
                • Go and do likewise gents..

                Comment


                • #83
                  Re: Best spec agent

                  Originally posted by ChristopherCurtis View Post
                  I didn't realize you were able to shop your script around if it's at amazon studios? Or am misunderstanding something?

                  Also, Craig M, or anyone for that matter. I need exact specifics on what exactly deems a "spec", I get that its written on speculation, looking and hoping for an end buyer/suitor. However, it's still an original concept/story/script just as someone who may be "hired" to write it correct? the only difference being they are hired (paid, commissioned) to write their original script which the employer/studio then owns and not referred to as a spec.

                  I'm also deducing that most "specs" are people like me,... who wrote a script(s), and have no representation whatsoever, but intend to find an agent or manager who will then help them sell their spec and/or do it on their own through various marketing methods and strategies that are out there. correct?
                  A SPEC is anything written with no gauruntee of payment. If a studio hires me to write a script based off a pitch, it's not a spec, because money has been gaurunteed for at least the first draft.

                  To my knowledge, many established screenwriters do continually write material on spec, while the vast majority of their income might come from other things like pitches and assignments.

                  Comment


                  • #84
                    Re: Best spec agent

                    Originally posted by ChristopherCurtis View Post
                    Also, Craig M, or anyone for that matter. I need exact specifics on what exactly deems a "spec", I get that its written on speculation, looking and hoping for an end buyer/suitor. However, it's still an original concept/story/script just as someone who may be "hired" to write it correct? the only difference being they are hired (paid, commissioned) to write their original script which the employer/studio then owns and not referred to as a spec.
                    You seem to have it right. A "spec sale" is the sale of pre-existing literary material to a studio (almost always a screenplay).

                    However, you can also sell a pitch, which is not a spec (no literary material), and then get paid money to write the screenplay. That's still considered an "original" for the purposes of the guild contract and all that goes along with it, but it's not a spec as we use the term.

                    Comment


                    • #85
                      Re: Best spec agent

                      There's also a career path writing specs for modest budget films ($500,000-$2 million budget movies). Can make $10,000-40,000 per script. Non-guild so no residuals unless they actually pay on the couple of points you'll get offered.

                      Know several writers doing 2 or 3 of these a year. Lot of $1,500 options and finger crossing. But lower hanging fruit than being 1 of 20 doing sweepstakes pitching for a big assignment gig. Thousands more of the low budget films getting made each year. Can live anywhere and do this.

                      Or just go produce the film yourself at a super modest budget. Write something that can be shot cheap.

                      Gary should do what he's passionate about doing. If he likes doing original material and that's his best work, pursue that.
                      "I talked to a couple of yes men at Metro. To me they said no."


                      http://wagstaffnet.blogspot.com/

                      Comment


                      • #86
                        Re: Best spec agent

                        Originally posted by C.C.Baxter View Post
                        There's also a career path writing specs for modest budget films ($500,000-$2 million budget movies). Can make $10,000-40,000 per script. Non-guild so no residuals unless they actually pay on the couple of points you'll get offered.

                        Know several writers doing 2 or 3 of these a year. Lot of $1,500 options and finger crossing. But lower hanging fruit than being 1 of 20 doing sweepstakes pitching for a big assignment gig. Thousands more of the low budget films getting made each year. Can live anywhere and do this.

                        Or just go produce the film yourself at a super modest budget. Write something that can be shot cheap.

                        Gary should do what he's passionate about doing. If he likes doing original material and that's his best work, pursue that.
                        If you get 2 or 3 options, that means $3,000 to $4,500 a year and crossed fingers. I'm sure that you can live anywhere and do this. But there are very few places in the world where you can live on $3,000 a year.

                        Comment


                        • #87
                          Re: Best spec agent

                          Ha. Right.

                          I meant you can live anywhere and sell non union specs. No need to live in also Angeles because you aren't going around town pitching.

                          Some people also have day jobs to pay the bills. Writing income is supplemental.

                          I never hear gurus or boards say, "99.99% of you will never write for a major studio. But here's something you can actually accomplish. Write a genre spec that can be shot for a modest budget and go sell it."

                          Could also be useful to catch a first break and then try to move up the ladder.
                          "I talked to a couple of yes men at Metro. To me they said no."


                          http://wagstaffnet.blogspot.com/

                          Comment


                          • #88
                            Re: Best spec agent

                            For those interested, John and I went through the spec stats for 2012, including agents, studios and agencies as they breakdown across sales.

                            That podcast will be up on Tuesday.

                            Comment


                            • #89
                              Re: Best spec agent

                              Craig,

                              Thanks.

                              --K

                              Comment


                              • #90
                                Re: Best spec agent

                                Originally posted by Craig Mazin View Post
                                For those interested, John and I went through the spec stats for 2012, including agents, studios and agencies as they breakdown across sales.
                                That podcast will be up on Tuesday.
                                aaaaaaaaand how quickly will Stuart have it transcribed so that the multitude of viewers for this thread can all immediately rush to download the text and crash the site?

                                Comment

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