Querying producers vs. reps

[JKB]

Hi everyone,

Just wondering how, if at all, people might change their queries when querying producers vs. managers/agents.

Does anyone have strategies they use that are specific to producers? Talk up their previous projects? Note that your project is similar to movies they've worked on? Other ideas?

I've always queried managers and agents, but I want to cast a wider net.

Thanks.

[true_illusion]

Personally i don't use any different formats from producers to agents manager, and to be 100% honest i think i have gotten more read requests from producers or prod companies than i have agents or managers.

[JKB]

That's good to hear, true. I hope I run into something similar. I've got a comedy that would be perfect for the right company/personnel. But - being honest with myself - it might not be the easiest sell from a rep's standpoint.

[Logliner]

Originally Posted by true_illusion

Personally i don't use any different formats from producers to agents manager, and to be 100% honest i think i have gotten more read requests from producers or prod companies than i have agents or managers.

That's true for me too and in my case, I've come up with a theory why.
Managers and agents in LA want to work with writers who live there.
Once they see that I'm from out of state, I believe my chances of
getting a read are probably slim.

Producers, on the other hand, are more interested in the script. Where
I live isn't really that important.

I may be wrong but it just seems that way.

[JKB]

Good point, log, although I've gotten requests from agents/managers for other scripts despite my non-L.A. area code.

My theory relates to your theory, though -- I think I've got a script that can't really be an 'easy' sale for reps (as easy as any sale can be). And in the current climate, many reps aren't keen on taking on a project that doesn't have obvious, immediate prospects for a sale.

I'm hoping that producers who do this type of material (fairly sophomoric comedy) will be more open to reading. We'll see.

[true_illusion]

I dont think its so much that your not in L.A.

I think the biggest factors are, Prod companies are looking for a script they can make a movie off of and make a profit. they care far less who it comes from as long as they think it will make a decent movie.

Agents and managers on the other hand have to sell the script and in todays market, with tons of writers throwing their names in hats for assignments, its hard for them to take a newbie with a no sale track record and focus on their work when there are others who are more established and have a track record that are like "hey, sell my spec first".