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'Authority on Everything' once wrote (misc.writing.screenplays) - 2000-08-19 21:44:13 PST:
"Can you answer, at this very moment, whether, say, Brad Gross, Rhonda Gomez,
Norman Brokaw, Art Rutter, Mickey Freiberg, Rick Berg, Sandra Lucchesi, Lucy
Stille, Andrew Cannava, David Lonner, Richard Arlook, Patty Detroit, Risa
Gertner, or Amy Ferris would be your best first choice as an agent? What, you don't know who these people are?
If you don't know who they are, then you're not ready to shop for an agent."
My question is: well, we are able to know all about production companies and 'big agencies' (ICM, CAA, William Morris, Endeavor, UTA, Gersch etc.). But what about not so big agents? We can easily find lists of them in the web - but what about their activities? Detailed informationS would help us avoiding signing with small and inexperienced agencies.
'YAHOO HAM' once wrote - 1998/11/13:
"The best way, as from what I understand is, the best agents will find YOU.."
What do you think then about ScriptShark.com or ScriptPimp.com cases? Are'nt they the right way for big production companies finding good low-cost treatments/screenplays?? What do you think about that? A good agent is the one who give you advices and emphasizes all your good qualities (if you have) selling your works good - if you are good at writing.
Claudio,
Italy

Usenet · Accepted Answer

[nq:1]'Authority on Everything' once wrote (misc.writing.screenplays) - 2000-08-19 21:44:13 PST: "Can you answer, at this very moment, whether, say, Brad ... the web - but what about their activities? Detailed informationS would help us avoiding signing with small and inexperienced agencies.[/nq]
Better minds than mine are probably working on their replies to you, but there are a few things I can answer.
First, a small agency might be just right for you. Would you rather be an afterthought to some William Morris hotshot, or the hottest tickect at a small boutique agency? It's not so much the size of the agency, as the buzz your agent can generate. And so, what you need to know, is who can generate buzz? You learn this by having your finger on the industry pulse: read Daily Variety and Hollywood Reporter, check www.donedeal.com to see who's getting projects made or scripts sold. Then find some connection to these people and get your work in front of them.

The poster formerly known as "Authority on Everything" really did seem to know a lot (I suspect he's the same guy who posted for a while as "Wayne", in case you come across any of his old posts...). You might also want to read Neal Marshall Steven's long and informative posts on agents and breaking-in, which we've established as part of the MWSM FAQ here.
[nq:1]'YAHOO HAM' once wrote - 1998/11/13: "The best way, as from what I understand is, the best agents will find ... and emphasizes all your good qualities (if you have) selling your works good - if you are good at writing.[/nq]
I don't have any experience with the online submission sites, but my own experience with getting an agent and submitting through him, was very positive. He helped me shape my first scripts for Hollywood, and gave my writing a real commercial boost, along with, of course, his Herculean efforts to sell me.
Alan Brooks
~~
A with an Underwood
EPA Estimates: 10 scripts/sale city
15 scripts/sale highway

Usenet · Answer

(Email Removed) (Claudio) wrote:
[nq:1]My question is: well, we are able to know all about production companies and 'big agencies' (ICM, CAA, William Morris, ... the web - but what about their activities? Detailed informationS would help us avoiding signing with small and inexperienced agencies.[/nq]
It's simple.
You ask them.
Experience is only one relevant factor, but you should be able to ask anyone about their experience if they meet you and are interested in signing you.
[nq:1]What do you think then about ScriptShark.com or ScriptPimp.com cases? Are'nt they the right way for big production companies finding good low-cost treatments/screenplays?? What do you think about that?[/nq]
Hey, I know someone who got representation through one of those services, but don't kid yourself. They pass a very small percentage of the material they see on to anyone. You should think of those services as primarily an evaluation service, and chance to get a look at how Hollywood will see your screenplay.
Don't think of it as an avenue to agents or prodcos. That is, of course, a big part of what they advertise but understand that if they passed on more than a tiny % of what they get, they would lose their ability to get anything read anywhere. Think of them as a script evaluation service, one that, like everyone else in Hollywood, is happy to pass a script along to somebody they think will like it.

-Ron

Usenet · Answer

I think you may be doing it backwards.
Start out by going over to www.scriptsales.com where they keep a record of all of the major script sales - including the agents who sold them. Some of those agents are big guys, some are small guys... but all are people who actually sell scripts.
That's the list you start with - agents who sell scripts.

- Bill

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]'Authority on Everything' once wrote (misc.writing.screenplays) - 2000-08-19 21:44:13 PST: "Can you answer, at this very moment, whether, say, Brad ... all your good qualities (if you have) selling your works good - if you are good at writing. Claudio, Italy[/nq]
Claudio,
I'd be interested to hear how things run in Italy. I know the business has been in turmoil for a while. But globally, how do Italian writers work? Through agents or their own contacts?
M

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]I'd be interested to hear how things run in Italy. I know the business has been in turmoil for a while. But globally, how do Italian writers work? Through agents or their own contacts? M[/nq]
Brilliantly directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, ?The Dreamers' is a movie with the sensibilities of 1968 - suddenly show up in 2004. It's vibrant, intelligent. The movie is an ode to the power of film. Frankly I did'nt notice others relevant Italian films at all in the last fifteen years. Considering all of the hoopla that surrounds Gabriele Salvatore and Giuseppe Tornatore films, you expecting their films to be filled with more consistent material, then there is.

To me their films are disappointing. The main characters are poorly played. The content is perfect representation of nothing. The plotline is sort of unexpected, but the message of their movies is rather emphatic, artful and somewhat nonexistent. Here in Italy nothing more is happening around in cinematic terms.
I'm sorry to say Italian cinema died fifteen years ago along with it's public. It is difficult to me stop thinking this.
Low-quality products captivates the mind with its intoxicating messages. They are better worse than those Americans.

?An intelligent man does all he wants ? a genius does that he can.'

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