Screenwriting : Landing Representation by Eric Boles

I'm still in the research stage of this myself but one thing I've been advised is subscribing to IMDb Pro. Then, you can see who is representing writers in your genre (or even just your favorites). From there, you can make a list of companies you'd love to be in contact with. From what I understand, the next step is establishing contacts to get an introduction.

Query emails. Google reps that accept them and write a kick-a$$ email to them. I sent a few and got some responses. I included my sizzle reels also.

Thanks, Mary. I’ve heard that too. It’d probably be worth it just to know who works in which genre.

Tasha, thanks for the tip. That’s awesome that query emails worked for you! I’ve been thinking about trying my hand at a few.

IMDb does help where you can check their credits, but not knowing if they accept query emails will just have you waiting.

Tasha, that makes sense. It’d be nice if IMDbPro had that info. Looks like I have some research to do.

I look for those who have their personal emails on there. Because realistically, first projects may or may not go to a major production company nor will the major agencies answer, no matter how well your query email is written. I had better responses with producers who have their information listed, They seem to answer quicker than the agencies to be honest.

Eric Boles Build relationships/network with reps (that's how I got a manager), write a solid portfolio of scripts, win contests that get you meetings with reps (like Stage 32's contests: www.stage32.com/scriptservices/contests), and search for reps on IMDbPro.

Most of the time anyone I've known who got repped had written something really great, like transcendent from the rest of their portfolio and because this was easily recognizable, the script was passed along to a manager and they either got signed, or pointed in the right direction of another rep who might be interested in signing.

Another route I've seen is working at a production/development company or agency/management firm and getting to know a lot of reps and up-and-coming reps personally. Same vibes as above. Wrote a brilliant script and was able to pass along via 1v1 connection. Keep in mind, these shots are limited, so you need to have discernment and hopefully get your script read by lots of friends and writers buds to query a well rounded opinion of your script (buying coverage/feedback helps here too). Just make sure your script is aces before shooting your shot.

Lots of successful people would not be successful if they didn't know someone who introduced them to someone else. So a lot of the times, the best way to get repped is to just get in the mix and meet people. Make good connections and they could be a valuable referral down the line.

Film festivals are a great place to meet A LOT of people across the industry in short order. So making a cool short film and getting it out there into festivals you can afford to attend, then networking there is also a way to catch some heat and get yourself in front of industry folks with whom you can make connections.

Then lastly, contests, which are pretty self-explanatory. To get repped, you need people to believe in you. Winning a contest is a great way to get your foot in the door with reps because they inherently believe that you can absolutely do the job to impress multiple rounds of people with your writing.

Overall, just get out there. Take classes, network, join or create writer's groups, go to meet ups, attend festivals if you can afford it. In these places you will meet people further along in their careers than you. Then also, you need to write something that is good enough enough for people to want to rep you. Almost none of the people I know got repped off their first script, second script, third script, etc. We're talking like scripts #5 -10 usually. It's a learning process and you get better as you go.

One thing you can do is to keep writing and educating yourself in your craft. Getting representation isn't a one-way street, the representative wants to be confident when putting you up for jobs as its their reputation on the line too. Steve Martin once said that lots of people he knew were worrying more about how to get agents, managers etc. rather than how to be good at what they do.

I do all my own representation. it's a lot easier

Make comic books, and let the reps call you.

Hey Eric - I am a Writer Consultant with Stage 32. You can reach me at success@stage32.com - I've seen a lot of Stage 32 writers land representation and the thing they all have in common is a positive attitude toward the craft and business and a commitment to doing the work - whether that is meetings, writing, rewriting, pitching etc. If you want more help, hit me up at success@stage32.com