Finding an Agent?

Jones23

Jones23

Hey guys I had a couple of questions about the biz... Like most people who frequent these forums I aspire to be a writer/director. I have been working on building up my own skills by writing and working on several screenplays and working on a few short films. I own some of my own equipment to help me learn the tricks of the trade.. now my next step is trying to find an agent. At least I think it is. I was wondering how you go about looking for an agent. Like I said before I'm looking for an agent to help me as a writer/director. Is there such a thing or do certain agents only handle writers and others only handle directors? If anyone who has some experience with that could shed some light on it for me it would be much appreciated. If you need anymore info about me before giving some advice, just ask. Thanks


Mitchel

Live life, frame by frame
 
Yes. There are agents who only rep writers and there agents who only
rep directors. There are agents who rep both.

No. Your next step is to find work.

There is a common misconception that agents find their clients work. This
is true only of very high profile clients. People just starting out and even
those with a pretty good working career have a very difficult time finding
an agent and then are often disappointed when the agent doesn't work
hard on their behalf.

Unfortunately, that just isn't their job. One very important thing to remember
is agents only earn money if they get their client work. It's a business and
their livelihood. And a writer/director just starting out who isn't in demand
takes a LOT of time and effort. Effort and time than can be spent working
on deals offered to their in demand clients.

It's a very social business - referrals are extremely important and can make
it very difficult for a new writer/director. The best way to get an agent is
through a recommendation from someone in the biz, preferably someone
with credits. If you’re out of the loop, you’ll have to call the agencies and
find out who might be looking for new clients.

The downside is very few of the good agents - and none of the top five agencies -
are looking for first time, unproduced writer/directors and rarely respond to
query letters. They just don’t have time. So what you need to be doing now
is networking and getting more and more jobs. Build yourself as a writer/director
in demand.

THEN you try to find an agent.
 
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. That's extremely helpful. I was thinking that I needed to get more projects under my belt but wasn't sure if their were smaller agencies designed to help me do this. The good thing is I'm extremely self motivated and now that I know what is expected of me I can work towards it. I am shooting a low budget horror film this november and have had a good deal of interest created just by word of mouth and through the internet. I guess I'll keep writing and pushing my scripts along anyway I can get them made. Thanks again for the quick response.


Sincerely,

Mitchel A. Jones
 
It can hurt to contact agents now. Just do so with the full
understanding of what, exactly, an agent does. They do
not help filmmakers get more projects under their belt and
they - generally - don't look for work for clients. They assist
in negotiating the deal.

And there might be smaller agencies in Ohio that will help
a writer/director in your situation. I have know experience
in smaller agencies outside of Los Angeles/New York.

BTW: congrats on getting such interest on your movie before
it's even in production. Keep that good deal if interest up and
build on it.
 
Thanks I will. I'm going to a horror convention in Cleveland in two weeks and hope to spread the word a little more. I also plan on shooting a trailer to show people while Im there. I also have created a little gimick to get people to check out the myspace page. I'm really excited and moving full steam ahead.
 
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