The Truth About An Agent Query For Screenwriters
Screenwriters often ask me when they should send out their agent query to get it to the writers’ agents. Here are some screenwriting tips on the business side of screenwriting, but keep in mind, you must first learn how to write the screenplay itself before you get to this part.
Here are the facts:
1. Most screenplays are not ready to send out to agents when the screenwriters think they are. It is critical that you first learn how to write a screenplay. It is not easy. You will need to do far more rewriting than you can imagine to make it work well. After you write a screenplay and you feel that you have done as much as you can, then you need to go to a real script doctor to get a script analysis. No matter who you are, even if you are a Writer’s Guild member or Shane Black or Joe Eszterhas or Callie Khouri, you need to have someone else look at your screenplay to give you feedback. Of course, famous screenwriters like the ones I’ve just mentioned already know they have to do a ton of rewrites, so by the time they have someone look at it, their screenplay is very far along the path of development.
2. It is easier to get producers to read your script with a query letter than writers’ agents. Although some producers and production companies will not read your script unless it is from a script agent that they know, the fact is, your chances are better at getting your screenplay submissions read with a query letter to producers.
3. You truly only have one chance to get an agent or producer to read your script because even if they read it a second time, they will still have the old ideas stuck in their minds. This happened to me loud and clear. I wrote a screenplay back in the day, got signed by a WGA agent who worked with me a bit on it, but even after I did a major rewrite, she still talked about things that were in the first draft that she didn’t like and she acted like it was in the second draft. Same with the producers who read my spec script. You really, really need to make sure your script is ready to be read when it goes out. I cannot stress this enough.
4. It is better to go to screenwriter managers when you have only one screenplay than it is to go to agents. A manager works with you on your career while an agent works to get your script(s) out to the market. Usually when a writing agent sells your script or gets you an option (10% of the money up front), they will get you less money for the first one than you will get on your second script. Once you sell your screenplay that first time and your script gets produced, the second time around, your script agent can ask for a lot more money because you are then a proven entity. With writer managers, who operate similarly to the writer agents in some regards, not only do they make screenplay submissions, but they also strategize with you on your career for the long term.
5. Even though it is hard to get screenplay agents (aka literary agents) to read your script, it is still a good idea to try to get one. Although some agencies like Creative Artists Agency (CAA) absolutely refuse to even read an agent query for a screenplay, there are many others who will at least read your query letter, even if 99% of the time they won’t take you on. But the idea is that if you find that one special agent who really “gets” your idea, it could end up being a very lucrative deal for you!
I always encourage you to go for your dreams. Even though Hollywood is super challenging to be successful in, I figure that there are people getting paid zillions of dollars every day for their movie scripts… why can’t that be you!? It could be you as much as it could be anyone else, so go for it!
If you would like assistance in getting your screenplay out to Hollywood with an Agent Query Letter, Manager Query Letter, or Producer Query Letter, then check out the Smart Girls Query Letter Mailings which do exactly that.
Good luck to you!