Recommended Screenwriters
Tip 17. Make Your Script So Good That It Improves Your Agent’s Reputation.
- February 22, 2011
- Posted by: jennamilly
- Category: Interviews
Want to know a secret? Your script can make the career of your agent, your manager, or the producer who options it. Seriously.
I know that's the opposite of what we normally think, but they need us as bad as we need them…if we bring in truly amazing screenplays.
It works like this: Small producers become big producers when they have a hit movie; assistants become co-producers when they discover and develop a great screenplay; and junior agents become top agents when they put together an unexpected deal. These career-changing moments often start with the discovery of a new writer.
Why Improve My Agent's Reputation?
I'm giving you a target to shoot for on the quality of your script. It's easy to think your script is good enough because it is the best you can do at this moment. But if you think past that to how an agent might perceive the script, it could make a big difference.
And yes, this is a metaphor. But think about it. What if you shot for such high-quality writing that anyone who worked with you (agents, producers, actors, directors, etc.) had a better reputation just because they took this project on? Wouldn't that be you bringing value to the table (Tip 16)?
More importantly, if you bring in that level of writing, you will gain a stellar reputation. And that will increase your luck factor (Tip 12). Suddenly, your script is being passed around town. You're getting recommended by assistants and producers you've never met…and Stephen Spielberg wants to meet you.
How to Make Your Script That Good
Hollywood is saturated with "average scripts" that will never be recommended by insiders. There's a saying in town, "Good is not good enough." We could finish it by adding, "Your script needs to be great." Here are a few ideas to make sure your scripts are the exception:
- Start with the vision of you being a "career maker" in this industry.
- Learn professional level screenwriting skills (ScreenwritingU).
- Build your script around true diamonds (Tip 3).
- Find some way to improve your script every day (Tip 8).
- Get feedback along the way and coverage on the final draft.
- When you think your script is the best it can be, take a break for a week and then read it one more time before sending it to your connections.
What If You Don't Have an Agent?
Again, this is a metaphor we're using to gauge the kind of quality you require from your screenplay.
This is something you are doing for YOU. If every script you write could improve an agent's reputation, you will soon be in HIGH DEMAND as a professional writer.
If you don't have an agent, write an absolutely amazing script and hand it to your network. It will light up your network, and get people to recommend you to their connections.
Remember, your reputation is everything! You are constantly building it and rebuilding it. And if you scripts can help others improve their reputation, you'll be their new BFF.
ACTION: Once you think your script is completely done, do one more draft for the agent. Take this current script to a higher level of quality than any previous script. QUESTION: What quality of writing do you need to build your own reputation? |
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