Actors As Agents Question
Skip Press
(Liviathan) wrote:
>Here is the situation: My best friend is an actor in L.A. He has done some
>small parts in various TV sitcoms & been in a couple of movies that went
>straight to video. Although he hasn't hit the big time, he is pretty connected
>with a lot of the young actors & actresses in Hollywood because of other LA
>projects he is involved with.I reside in the Midwest. Anyway, he and I wrote a
>script and after registering it with the WGA, he be put a couple of copies into
>circulation. An actor friend of his, who has had quite a lot of success in the
>last two years, has offerred to pitch it for us, and has even said he would
>like to act in it. My question: is it a good idea to have an actor, somewhat
>successful, pitch a script instead of an agent? Any additional advice would be
>welcome.
Happens all the time. Just try to keep track of who's getting pitched.
--
All the best,
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Liviathan
Here is the situation: My best friend is an actor in L.A. He has done some
small parts in various TV sitcoms & been in a couple of movies that went
straight to video. Although he hasn't hit the big time, he is pretty connected
with a lot of the young actors & actresses in Hollywood because of other LA
projects he is involved with.I reside in the Midwest. Anyway, he and I wrote a
script and after registering it with the WGA, he be put a couple of copies into
circulation. An actor friend of his, who has had quite a lot of success in the
last two years, has offerred to pitch it for us, and has even said he would
like to act in it. My question: is it a good idea to have an actor, somewhat
successful, pitch a script instead of an agent? Any additional advice would be
welcome.
M.J. Craig II
mj...@earthling.net
wri...@anonymous.com
One of the reasons to get an agent is the hope that they will be
well-connected and show your script to potential buyers. If someone
else is connected and wants to do it, it's probably even better than
an agent.
My only advice would be to write down and sign whatever agreement you
have with that actor (is he being paid to represent your screenplay,
is he attached to your screenplay and if so, can you produce it
without him... that type of questions).
writer
MediaBLITZ
(Harvey Keitel was their champion).
cineD...@hknet.com
>
> Here is the situation: My best friend is an actor in L.A. He has done some
> small parts in various TV sitcoms & been in a couple of movies that went
> straight to video. Although he hasn't hit the big time, he is pretty connected
> with a lot of the young actors & actresses in Hollywood because of other LA
> projects he is involved with.I reside in the Midwest. Anyway, he and I wrote a
> script and after registering it with the WGA, he be put a couple of copies into
> circulation. An actor friend of his, who has had quite a lot of success in the
> last two years, has offerred to pitch it for us, and has even said he would
> like to act in it. My question: is it a good idea to have an actor, somewhat
> successful, pitch a script instead of an agent?
You bet. Having someone with experience who is enthusiastic about your SP
>and< wants to star in it is what many writers dream of. Pitching isn't the same
as making a deal, it just gets you into the situation where a deal can be made.
At that stage, you'll be able to find an agent who will supervise the contract.
Go for it.
derek
wcma...@compuserve.com
> successful, pitch a script instead of an agent?
My first "Hollywood sale" came about after giving a B movie actress a script
with a part that was 'perfect for her'. She was the only one I knew in
Hollywood, my only way in. (Those gurus always say: find your friend who has
a friend in the biz, yada-yada-yada. I talked to everyone I knew and had
them talk to everyone they knew, best I could do - the cousin of a friend of
a friend could get me a job at Dow Chemical.)
She gave the script to a B movie poducer, who thought it was pretty good and
gave it to a medium budget producer, who read it and passed it on to a
producer who had a deal with Paramount... who bought it.
ANY WAY IN is the way in. I'll bet every working screenwriter here found a
different path, made up of whatever the had to work with and a lot of hard
work. If you know someone who will get your script to people, go for it.
BUT - if any actor insists on attaching himself/herself to the deal (in a
contract), make sure there's a buy out clause (at SAG minimum or something)
in case the producer/studio would rather hire Tom Cruise.
- Bill
--
The Secrets Of Action Screenwriting
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/wcmartell
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bo...@earthlink.spamthis.net
>First of all, thank you for replying to the Actors As Agent Question =
>post. Another question, and please forgive me for my ignorance. My best =
>friend, the actor, called me tonight & said something to this effect: =
>"I've got two individuals, low-level studio assistants, who are willing =
>to pay us $5,000 for the right to possess and pitch the script for 1 =
>year." What does this mean & what do you suggest?
>
>M.J. Craig II
>mj...@earthling.net
It means they want to option (rent) your script for a year. This will
give them the right to try and set up your project at a studio.
$5,000 is a good price. Inexperienced writers are often asked to
agree to a "free option" (i.e. no money, or a nominal sum such as
$1.00).
An option of a feature script is good for 12 credits, which is half of
what you need to join the WGA.
Make sure you get something in writing. I'd recommend having an
attorney look the option agreement over before you sign. And you
might also consider getting an agent. If these "assistants" are
willing to shell out $5,000 for an option, there's a possibility
someone else with more money might want to buy it outright.
Bonita
remove SPAMTHIS from e-mail address to reply directly
wri...@anonymous.com
right to buy your scipt for a given amount of money over a given time.
What to do really depends on your objective. The first decision is
whether you want to grant an exclusive option, meaning that only they
can pitch the project. I assume that's what they want, but you don't
have to do it and they might accept a non-exclusive option (probably
for less money or even for free). The next decision if you want to go
forward is to see how much money you want for the script should they
be able to sell it and if you want to attach yourself in any capacity
(such as producer). Finally, you may not want to grant them one whole
year. Typically people have a circle of contacts they will pitch
ideas/projects to and it doesn't take a year. But the circumstances
surrounding your contacts might be different.
Hope this helps
writer
"MJC2" <mj...@earthling.net> wrote:
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>First of all, thank you for replying to the Actors As Agent Question =
>post. Another question, and please forgive me for my ignorance. My best =
>friend, the actor, called me tonight & said something to this effect: =
>"I've got two individuals, low-level studio assistants, who are willing =
>to pay us $5,000 for the right to possess and pitch the script for 1 =
>year." What does this mean & what do you suggest?
>
>M.J. Craig II
>mj...@earthling.net
>
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><DIV><FONT size=3D2>First of all, thank you for replying to the Actors =
>As Agent=20
>Question post. Another question, and please forgive me for my ignorance. =
>My best=20
>friend, the actor, called me tonight & said something to this =
>effect:=20
>"I've got two individuals, low-level studio assistants, who are =
>willing to=20
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><DIV><FONT size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
><DIV><FONT size=3D2>M.J. Craig II</FONT></DIV>
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