From: Ayers Baxter [mailto:ayersbaxter@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 7:46 PM

Dear Linda,

You wrote....

".... OK, we obtained a list of WGA-West and East agents and my partner, who is retired and had the time to devote, sent query letters to every single agent on the list. Some were actually retired and/or not taking on new clients.

We've only started this, so I expect it could take months for a viable response from the majority. However, why must it be so difficult to obtain an agent and why won't agents consider new writers?

It's not fair. Hollywood claims it's always dying for new stories to tell, but yet, they keep their doors so closed to new work.

Not everyone knows "someone in Hollywood" and yet, by all standards, I have been told, realistically that is the only way you will get your script read by someone -- on recommendation!!!

Would it not behoove some of these agencies to set up an OPEN DOOR dept. and give some agent-in-training job security by having them -- or a "team of them" to sit down and cull thru NEW SUBMISSIONS.

What is the secret, outside of a winning query letter and good log line in snagging an agent.

Also, in lieu of an agent, what are your thoughts of submitting a WGA registered script to production companies with a release form, by invitation of course, having queried them and gotten a green light to do so.

I know we can sell this script, which is on par with - THERE WILL BE BLOOD, ATONEMENT."

Thank you
Linda
Shadow Hills


Dear Linda,

You are correct, Hollywood is dying for new stories just as they were dying for new talent over the past 30 years. But Hollywood is changing. American Idol and other talent shows are finally bringing in new talent and marketing that talent. Your hope and the hope of many talented writers is that one day Hollywood appreciates the university system and respects the talents of those who have gone through the tough training and proven themselves at the university level. When Hollywood begins to work with universities in the art, music, dance, drama, tv & film and writing programs, then Hollywood will again rise out of the ashes it in suffocating in at this moment in history.

If anyone questions this, ask themselves where are the great movies like Ben Hur, Gone With the Wind, Dr. Strangelove, Bridge Over The River Kwai, It Happened One Night, The Best Years Of Our Life, Roman Holiday, The Magnificent Seven, Lawrence of Arabia, Mr. Deeds Goes To Town, San Francisco (Clark Gable), The Women (George Cukor), Spartacus, The God Father (all three of them), Star Wars (original), Saturday Night Fever, and I could go on and on of the many great movies made before 1975. But that was in a time when those who entered the Hollywood scene were trained in theatre (playwrights, novelist, short story writers, actors & Directors) and were discovered through auditions that were in theatres across the country. Now, few people go to the live theatres and thus there are fewer places where talent can be discovered. Plus, there are so few good projects because the actors who are stars are not necessarily the best people to choose the project. Yet, they have been given so much power that in many cases they or their agents are the ones who choose the projects.

So, how do you get a chance with your script?

Open door policy only sounds good to an amateur. Many professionals like the closed door. They like to work with professionals. That's not a bad thing. It is normal. What ever you do, cook, lawyer, real estate agent, mother, father or President all want to work with people who are experienced and are professionals in their work.

As for agents hiring a bunch of readers to read scripts - they do that already. There are thousands of WGA members and the agents have a tough time just keeping up with the pros who submit their works. Setting up a shop to take amateur works would be costly and not very productive economically. I have a friend who reads 2000 scripts a year. Out of that two thousand scripts, he averages only two good scripts a year. That's .001% - It is not worth it for the agents to spend a lot of money paying pros to read scripts. Agents are business people who have one thing in mind, The bottom line $.

Now, the question is... who pays my friend to read 2000 scripts a year? A major university looking for students. So, if you want someone who can help you, submit your work to a university, get accepted in a writing or movie/tv program and go to school. Make your movies and win some student awards, submit your work to festivals and perhaps an agent may look at your work without asking you to sign a release form. I know this works. That's what happened to me.

You'll never snag an agent. The good ones don't get snagged. If anything, they snag you. A winning query letter and log line may help once you have passed other tests. But if you tell them too much about your story, you will have given them a great idea for free. I never give a winning query letter nor a fantastic log line. I don't want them to get my idea so they can use it. I give them just enough so that they know that it is an action or romance or comedy or drama but I never give the best parts. I don't have to. I give them the second best or third best parts which are good enough to tell them I can write a good story. That's all they need to know at the point of a query letter.

Here's the best way I know to get an agent. Sell something, sell anything that is something you wrote. A short story, essay, poetry contest you won, novel, play or song that is published in a newspaper, magazine, children's book, on line publishing - something you have written that has sold will make them think of you as a professional. They are professionals and they want to represent professionals. Of, course, when you are just starting out, it may seem to be a Catch 22. Well, it is a catch 22 and we must live with it. You, nor I, will ever change it.

Book publishers, magazines, children books, newspapers - online or hard copy all need real writers. If you can write a good screenplay, which requires a good story, then you most certainly can write other things. Do it. Publishers actually read new works by new authors. If you are good, they may decide to publish your work. When they do, even if it is for no pay, contact an agent who represents the type of work you have published. This is the QUICKEST WAY I KNOW TO GET AN AGENT. Once you have an agent, then, other agents suddenly become interested in your work. And they will accept your work without asking you to sign a release form.

If you are not a WGA member, I would not submit anything original to the WGA. WGA does not copyright your material nor is WGA admissible in a court of law. Therefore, it will not protect you. The only way to protect your work is by US Copyright protection. It's inexpensive and it protects you legally for your lifetime. WGA does not. If an Agent says they need it registered with the WGA, it is because they don't want to read your script. They only want WGA members submitting scripts. Although you may register your work with the WGA, if you are not WGA they will throw your script in a basket or send your script back to you saying one of two things, 1) "It does not fit our strategy or objectives or program etc. at this time..." or something to that effect. 2) "We already have similar projects in motion which may conflict with yours...." or something to that effect. The only way you can be a WGA member is that you must have sold a script. And it must be under a WGA contract. When that happens, join the WGA.

NEVER SIGN A RELEASE FORM ! ! ! You have just given up all of your rights. If they say you must sign one, they are really telling you they do not and will not read your script nor help you. They are telling you they are too busy to deal with a beginners. So, find an agent who will read your script without making you sign a release form. And the best way to do that is to be a published author.

If a production company says you must sign a release form - DO NOT DO IT ! ! They are telling you the same thing as the agents. They don't want to read your script. But if you do do it, then here is what is going to happen. Someone in their company will read it, and if it has anything good in it, you will see it in some future movie but you will not get credit nor any money, because they don't have to pay you or give you credit. You will get angry and scream and say "Why didn't I listen to Roy?" But it will be too late, then. They got you. And they will get many others who are naive about the BUSINESS of show business. So, DO NOT SIGN A RELEASE FORM !

It's good to be confident about the selling of your script - gives us something to work toward. But the reality of this business is very cold and somewhat depressing at times. However, the way to succeed in this biz is to seek as many people as you can who you think might help you in a good way.

If you are a good story teller, then write a short story or even better a novel and send it to a book agent and hound publishers. Go to local conventions and seek the Internet for publishing opportunities. Publishers and Book Agents DO READ YOUR WORK. They like writers; especially if you can tell a good story. Once you have a book agent and publisher, you will have people on your side who have credibility and then you can get your screenplays or your novel or short story sold to movie makers.

Getting a chance is important, however, you must be totally prepared for that opportunity. Opportunities don't come easy, as you are finding out. But they will come if you continue to pursue them. I hope I have helped you a little in this arduous adventure.

In my WRITER'S LAB we do read screenplays by unknown authors like you. If you are interested in that avenue, contact me.

Roy        (TOP)

Dear Roy,

I am looking for agent that specializes in film trailers , can you give some info on how it works in states.

Thanks

Best regards,             ;-) Géry 
mailto: Gery@thevoice4you.com
http://thevoice4you.com +34 686 359 800
VIEW-TRONICS-Ibiza digital audio & video  solutions

Dear Gery,

Film trailers…

Studios produce many of their own trailers in house in the USA. Universal, Sony, Paramount, 20^th Century Fox, Warner Bros. and Disney make many of their trailers in house. They also outsource to Marketing and Advertising firms. The ones doing trailers are called Trailer Houses. Do some research by searching phone directories and contacting production companies. Ask them who they use and which ones are the best Trailer Houses. Apply to them directly. Start with the Trailer Houses and the Studios. Tell them what you want and what you have to offer.

I do not know everything; but I hope this helps. Check out the following site for a bit more information.

http://www.answers.com/topic/trailer-film 

http://mailer.fsu.edu/~jgm8530/Trailers/Production%20houses%20are%20trailer-made%20for%20moviesa.htm 

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/film/brief_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000910890 

Good luck,

-----Original Message-----

Sent: Friday, July 29, 2005 12:13 PM

To: 'roy@nohoartsdistrict.com'

Subject: BABIES

How old does a baby have to be to start working?

Marsha Futrell

Dear Marsha,

Infants can start from birth. In fact I know a pregnant friend who accepted an offered to have a film shoot the birth of her son - live. The movie won a few awards.

Call an agent who handles babies and children. They can help you get your child started, early. Please understand it will be a tremendous responsibility for you since you or a guardian must be on the set at all times.

We have a Resource and Service Directory in our Film and TV section. Check them out. They are a quick and good place to start to get information.

Roy      (TOP)

On 8/3/05, Futrell, Marsha wrote:

Can you recommend any agents for babies?

Marsha,

Screen Actor's Guild will have a list of agents who are legit and current. Contact them. Search our Research and Service Directory on http://www.nohoartsdistrict.com/tv

Good luck,

Roy      (TOP)

Copyright 2005 Roy Ayers Baxter, Jr. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reproduction of any kind is strictly prohibited without the written permission of the copyright owner.

-----Original Message-----

Sent: Wednesday, July 06, 2005 10:21 PM

To: info@nohoartsdistrict.com

Subject: Getting an agent

Hello! I'm in the Los Angeles area and very interested in at least auditioning to try and get into the TV/Film industry. Where would I go to meet with agents or find a listing of them, or find a listing of casting calls? I really appreciate your help :)

Rmacatee

Dear Rmacatee,

Well, you are in LA and now you can do your thing.

First, read everything on the http://www.nohoartsdistrict.com  web page. It is the best one stop source of information in LA. Check out our “Resource” and “ Service Directory” in our TV/Film section and also look at the theatre sections. They have a lot of legitimate theatre information, including classes and auditions.

Then get to know this town by going to all of the theatres, training classes and auditions you can. If you do this now, you will quickly meet many people in the business and you will know where you fit into this business.

Meeting people is one of the most important things you must do now that you are here in town. The NOHO ARTS DISTRICT is one of the most compact places in this large city. Warner Bros. Disney, Universal Studios, NBC, CBS and Ventura Blvd are the stomping grounds of many of the most influential people in the business.

Yes you have heard about Beverly Hills, but that class of people may have little interest in a newcomer. But the valley will be filled with people just like you who have a work ethic that is a bit more accessible and friendly than the Beverly Hills and Malibu elite.

I also recommend you reading many of the other letters in AskRoy section, where I list places to go, who to see, and what to expect in the majority of situations you will find yourself in. You will even learn how to get some good luck.

Good luck,

Roy      (TOP)

Copyright 2005 Roy Ayers Baxter, Jr. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reproduction of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of the copyright owner.

Roy,
Do I need an agent to shop my screenplay?
Sal – Simi Valley, California