Search for a Movie Script Agent | Sweet Taste of Rejection
November 18, 2006
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I’m excited, I received my first rejection letter (actually an e-mail) in response to one of my movie script queries. Later on, I’ll explain the details of the steps involved in searching for an agent after you written a movie script, but for now you’re probably wondering why I’m so happy about receiving my first rejection.
The task of giving life to an idea, writing a story (movie script), and getting it successfully optioned and produced will take a large portion of your life and involves many different steps. If you look at the entire process and give it a timeline of say 3 years, it’s easy for everything to seem overwhelming and get stressed or frustrated at all the obstacles and difficulties inherent with achieving anything of value.
One way to stay focused is to celebrate the achievement of each major step as a success and fight the tendency of being overly optimistic. While Being optimistic is good, being overly optimistic leads to disapointment and frustration. One important step is the first rejection letter. What it means to me is that I made it to the marketing and ‘pitching ‘ stage.
Everyone tells stories, to their friends, family and to themselves in the form of daydreams etc. Many people journey to write them down, few people finish them, and even less take the time to polish and re-write until they are ready for the market. My script is finished, protected, and I’m actively putting it “out there.” I’m happy I made it to this stage and I’m looking forward to the next step. So after I received my first rejection letter, I went out and celebrated. It took a lot of hard work to make it to this step and I’m so happy I made it, now it’s time to move on.
Particulars of the search for a movie script agent.
1. After completing a full length horror script (including all the rewriting, edits, and polishing) I registered it with the Writer’s Guild of America (West) http://www.wga.org/.
2. I re-read the relevant parts of the books “Writer’s Guide to Literary Agents (2006)” and “The ScreenWriter’s Bible”.
3. I took my script and wrote a collection of log lines and synopsis’s to be used for the query letter (the letter that says you want to send someone your script for them to review if they’ll take it).
4. I re-worked the log line, synopsis over and over again and then crafted a good query letter with a nice hook.
5. I used the writers guide to literary agents to give me a list of agents that would accept a horror movie query. I then checked out some of their websites and cross checked them to see what type of material they accept and some of their recent sales and basic info gathering. Although, I personally really like the shotgun or everything approach to marketing, so I still sent queries to the agents that only sorta fit my criteria. Basically if they listed horror I put them on my list.
6. I went to Wal-Mart and purchased the following supplies.
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- Large envelops for mailing the query letters with SASE
- Slightly smaller envelopes to be used for the self addressed stamped envelopes
- 24 pound super bright white paper
- 65 pound card stock
- Inkjet printable mailing labels
- Acco #5 solid brass fasteners for binding the scripts you send out when requested
- Actual Rejection E-mail:Dear Mr. Rothman:We have reviewed your logline and synopsis. Although we recognize that you have put a lot of thought into your script, we do not feel that we are the right company to successfully manage your career.Please do not let this discourage your future endeavors. The entertainment industry is largely subjective, and another agent or manager may feel differently about your work. Thank you for allowing Evatopia Entertainment to consider your work.Sincerely,(Name removed for privacy reasons)Story Assistant[tags]Movie Script Agent,Screenplay Agent, screenwriter,screenwriting,movie script pitching,agent rejection letter,literary agent,literary agency[/tags]
Surprisingly most agents do not accept or prefer e-mail queries. They last time I mailed something it to send someone an item on ebay.
One items the you need that Wal-Mart didn’t have is
7. I ordered this via Office Deport online after researching which ones all screenwriter use. It was quite a bit cheaper then buying them from the Write Store and even cheaper then amazon.
8. I re-checked my query letter and my list of agents that accept queries for horror scripts. I printed a custom letter for each agent on my list (10 for the first mailing).I printed a note with 3 check marks for “yes send me the script” “no thanks but _________ might be interested” and “no thanks” to be put in the SASE.
9. I tripple checked everything and then mailed 10 querey letters to agents via SNAIL mail and sent 1 e-mail query
10. I received my first rejection from the e-mail query. (posted below)
11. I celebrated making it to this step.
Thank you for giving me some hope. I submitted to the same agency and got the same reply. Thanks about the info about the SASE!!!
I wasnt sure the envolope should be blank or something in it!
So here it is Feb 2007……..Where are you on your quest?
I’m on the “pitch and submit” stage. I wrote several screenplays and sent query letters to agents that received them. I gotta get the letters ready for snail mail submissions. Then I gotta print out three copies of each individual screenplay to send out to those agencies that actually take screenplay submissions. Phew! Lotta work and little costs here and there.
I’m trying to find an agent right now for my own script. Not horror. It’s a comedy drama. I stumbled upon your blog via a Google search for “script agent.” This has all been very helpful to read. Thanks.
GOOD INFO IM IN THE PROCESS NOW OF ALL THE THINGS YOU MENTIONED AND HAVE GOT BACK 3 REJECTION LETTERS, WHICH LIKE YOU SAID GIVES HOPE.
I am looking for an agent for my horror script.
What agencies actually take screenplay?
Sent me a copy of your list please
Mcnair_theory@hotmail.com
I need to find an agent for my script of somebody to read my script…can somebody help me in anyway
When sending queries, what’s your best advice on finding the actual person to address the letter to? That’s been the hardest part for me. I don’t want to look like an idiot addressing the letter to the complete wrong person.
Thanks for your great info. I have two film scripts ready for any interested producers. And I want find a good agent to represent my work. Knidly send me a list of some of the agents you think are good.
I wrote an action-suspence. Can someone tell me were to find an agent to represent me? Thanks
richardmadrid941@yahoo.com
Interesting, Solomon. I had a similar experience when I sent a pitch to Icon Productions. While the rejection wasn’t the news I wanted, I felt excited because I had (at the least) gotten my idea to the right address. I kept that wonderful rejection with the Icon letterhead. It’s a reminder of how close I came and to never give up trying.
I’ve been writing for about 6 yrs, but I’m still learning the ropes. I’ve discovered that most newbies are less likely to get a script into an agents hands because agents work primarilly with writers who have already established themselves in the craft (i.e., plays, TV scripts). What we want is a Script or Screenplay Manager. In my research I’ve discovered that there are several sites that offer new writers an opportunity to not only have a script evaluated, but to possibly sell it to a studio. One such site is Evatopia.com. I’m still trying to learn what I can about the organization. but if someone already knows, then any input would be great.
I have blogged a movie script in the above told blog address.
Hope you will check it and respond.
Thank you,
Joy Varghese
I have 2 movie script help me ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! Thank you,
I have the script of a lifetime and I would love it if someone would take the chance of a lifetime and just read it.I know you’ll love this script from the beginning to the end.
I am a new screenwriter, trying to jump on the scene. The problem is getting into the door of reputable producers and taking off. Check out my Logline to the first comedy I have ever wrote. I love this blog so much, thought I leave it behind, Real producers, dedproduct.com is where I write till the films leave the ground, and begin flying to God.
Logline: A comedic twist of fate occurs when a man
late for work sees the biggest heist in history, and a
twist of fate drives him to help police capture the
robbers who did it.
http://www.dedproduct.com