Helen Jacey - Agents

This lecture mainly focused on getting an agent and that this should be a scriptwriter’s main goal. I did not know much about agents and how they fit into a scriptwriter’s career so this lecture was really useful in helping me understand the role of an agent and their relationship with scriptwriters. My eyes were opened about agencies and research into them, not only this but how to deal with agencies and maximise your chances of them taking you on.

The role of an agent in a scriptwriter’s life is quite pivotal as they handle negotiations, payments, contracts etc. When reflecting on this and how this will affect my own professional career I was quite overwhelmed as to be honest it had not been something that had crossed my mind. However having gained some knowledge into the subject I feel I am more prepared for when the time to get an agent does occur. Even though this was highlighted in the lecture I also took note of the fact that it is still the scriptwriter that has to do all of the writing and networking and that getting jobs is not solely down to the agent. Danny Stack (2005) makes an interesting point when writing about obtaining an agent.

"Don’t rush it. Agents deal with talented writers every day. The competition is extremely high. Potential clients will have found a way to work in the system without prior representation and may have won an award, or made a well-received short film, or have something about them that makes their profile that little bit more enticing and interesting than ‘you’, a part-time bank clerk in Stockport."

He emphasises the importance of not rushing into the agency scene as they deal with writers every day. What I gain from this is that it is better to take your time and develop your scriptwriting practise than jump in to quick. He also says that “agents know good writers” which only strengthens my thoughts (Stack 2005). Aswell as this Stack also talks about competition and points out what might make another applicant more appealing than you. Taking this on board I now think it is important to enter competitions and maybe do some independent work that will appeal to agencies.

Letters of enquiries was another point brought up in a lecture and this may be a way of opening the door to an agency. Enquiring first allows you to find out whether an agency will consider taking you on in the first place which means less chance of you wasting your time applying to an agency that will not take you on at all. As I researched more into agencies and delving deeper into the subject matter I came across he use of referrals which links heavily with the lecture. Referrals are people in the industry who know who can then refer you to an agency giving you a higher chance of receiving an agent. Referrals have a higher chance of success than enquiry letters.

Stack, D., 2005. How to get an agent [online]. UK: Blogspot. Available from: http://dannystack.blogspot.co.uk/2005/10/how-to-get-agent.html [Accessed 7 December 2013]