Reputable agents/managers charging a fee to read

[Kmark100]

Hi all,

I was just curious of everyone's thoughts to very highly reputable agents and managers charging a fee to read your screenplay. The fee is for coverage and a back-and-forth on this coverage. But, if the screenplay strikes a cord with the rep, then they are willing to take you on, or (at the least) refer you to their contacts.

I ask because I actually ran into this and by no means am I trying to bash these agents/managers. They definitely have the track records and contacts, and their notes, no doubt, would be invaluable. Everyone has to have a side hustle, right?

(please excuse any typos as Coors Light isn't always your friend)

[Northbank]

They may have a track record but they are not reputable. No reputable agent or manager charges for reads. None, zero, zilch etc.

[EdFury]

Originally Posted by Northbank

They may have a track record but they are not reputable. No reputable agent or manager charges for reads. None, zero, zilch etc.

This is the answer.

[JeffLowell]

Actually against rules for agents to do this. Who are these companies, if you don’t mind saying?

[AnyOtherName]

Originally Posted by JeffLowell

Actually against rules for agents to do this. Who are these companies, if you don’t mind saying?

Not speaking for the OP, but I know Scott Carr has been doing this for a while. It's not a good look, to say the least.

[Ronaldinho]

I've gotten reads from Scott off a query. He didn't ask for money.

If he's started doing this recently, it's appalling.

[muckraker]

I've raised this before, about the rise of pay for play and how it's becoming more and more the norm. I for one don't think it's at all reputable, but preys on writer desperation.

Yes Scott Carr has been doing this for a good year at least I think. Others are routinely offered up on Stage 32 and Roadmap Writers.

I don't think any agents do this, but cetainly managers and production company execs.

[CthulhuRises]

Originally Posted by muckraker

I've raised this before, about the rise of pay for play and how it's becoming more and more the norm. I for one don't think it's at all reputable, but preys on writer desperation.

Yes Scott Carr has been doing this for a good year at least I think. Others are routinely offered up on Stage 32 and Roadmap Writers.

I don't think any agents do this, but cetainly managers and production company execs.

Yep, and Stage 32 and those guys are super disingenuous. I have friends of friends who are assistants for companies and then Stage 32 will list them as Creative Execs or Coordinators, which isn't even their title.

[JeffLowell]

It probably goes without saying, but if a management company needs to chase reading fees to supplement its income, it's not successful. (Let alone - if a manager has *time* to provide coverage, he's not successful.)

I was googling and found a thread here about a company mentioned in this thread - interesting reading. http://messageboard.donedealpro.com/...ad.php?t=74536

[Lahlowen]

Think about it like this:

If a manager is so hard up for cash or feeling that they need to be compensated for their time in such a way... they must not be making much money, which means they're not very good at their job.

Go elsewhere. There's so many reputable firms, boutiques and individuals out there that are open to quality material and fresh new voices that would never even think about charging someone for a read.

Please don't feed into any money grabbing bs, both for your sake, and for all writers in general.