Agent or Manager

[JJshroom]

Should I try to get an agent or a manager?  What's the difference??

[Sponsored Links]

Watch Luke 11:17 and let us know what you think!

[caissiela]

Tyring to get either one is going to be some work...unless you know someone.  Seeing as you're asking I'll assuming you don't, so you're going to have submit blindly.  Welcome to Hollywood!  Personally, I think a manager is a better way to go for new writers.  They still tend to be more nurturing than agents.  Usually they are more available and able to put time into the development of your script. 

They both operate the same way when it comes getting your script to market.  I think the greatest difference is the time and effort spent before your script goes out for sale. 

Naturally this is just my opinion and the way I went.  There's no law and not all agents and manager follow a pattern.  If you're sending out quiery letters, I don't think it would hurt for you to submit to both at the same time to see who bites!! Good luck.

[Plotman00]

I'm pretty sure Managers take 15% of the final sale whereas Agents only take 10% of the sale. I had a manager almost sell a script for me and he wanted 15%. He really didn't do all that much. I think he just gave the script to a buddy of his. Either way he didnt sell it!

[JUSTINLYONS]

I don't think it matters.  The percentage for agents should be 10 percent.  Some managers do charge 15, but a lot also just charge the 10.  I think getting any manager or agent willing to work with you is better than having no one!!

[KingDoc235]

Have any of you guys heard of the screenwriting agency, its an online agency. A guy I know signed up with them and they claim to try to sell your script for you. What they don't tell you is that once you sign on with them they own some of the rights of your work. So even if you sell your script on your own without their help they still get a cut of the sale. DONT DO IT!!!!

[Plotman00]

Yeah, I've heard of them. Its a rip off. Stick to legitimate managers and agents.

[JJshroom]

I heard of that website too.  I didn't trust it.  Sounds like I have a lot of work to do.  Sucks that you need and agent or manager to make it.  I have some great scripts but I have to hope that someone likes it enough just to get it passed on to people that actually have the cash.   

Thanks for all your help guys.

[chuckiescreen]

WHY NOT TRY BOTH SINEC YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE AT THE MOMENT BUT ASK AROUND.  FIND OUT IF THEY ARE WORTH YOUR TIME

[FSUWriter]

Agents are regulated by their agreement with the WGA (the legitimate ones).  Managers are not.  A contract with an agent cannot supersede the WGA agreement.  The contract with a Manager only has to be a legal State contract.

Why is this significant?  Because the WGA agreement protects the WRITER.  State Law protects the CONTRACT.

The problem with Managers is that they are unregulated for this industry and anyone can call themselves a Manager.  Once you sign with one, you have no way out of the contract for the term (with the WGA agents, they have to get you a bona fide offer of work in 90 days or you can walk).  And many managers screw things up because they want to attach themselves as producers on any of your projects.  That's a conflict of interest right there.

There are good Managers out there.  But the good ones rarely take new talent and, besides, for the beginner, it's hard to tell who's good and who's a scam.

[alexs]

Thanks FSU!  I had no idea about any of that!!  You've really helped me.

[salcalleros]

As far as one or or the other, I would do both.  You can never have too many people on your side.  Sure, that means the agent takes 10% and the manager takes another 10% (don't sign with someone who wants 15%), but taking home 80% of a sale is better than taking home 100% of nothing.  Also, a good manager will have relationships all over town and help you.  When I signed with my managers the first thing they did was send out my specs to all the agencies, big and small.

[BMaynard87]

How exactly do you go about signing a manager?  I mean sure there is the old "chuck and pray" method, but is there an easier or more reliable way?

[salcalleros]

You can try many of the contests out there.  Many of the good ones are judged by managers.  Example.  The guys over at Benderspink (in the current issue of Script) say that they scour all the major contests for new clients.  And they don't just mean the winners.  They say that usually the ones who simply place are the better scripts.

[sunlightscreenplays]

Have any of you guys heard of the screenwriting agency, its an online agency. A guy I know signed up with them and they claim to try to sell your script for you. What they don't tell you is that once you sign on with them they own some of the rights of your work. So even if you sell your script on your own without their help they still get a cut of the sale. DONT DO IT!!!!

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yes, I contacted the Screenwriting agency once from one link and then they say it's not them then the Screenwriting agency comes
back to me and say are we been wondering what's happened.  I think it was the screenwriting agency from the other Email that pretended
not to be the screenwriting agency.