Part LIII: Debunking Literary Services

Back in my newsletter article Part XXXIII (May 10, 2021), we discussed "Debunking and Deciphering Consultant Speak". Along with consultants come various literary managers, or representatives. Some screenwriting services cross-promote as "talent agents" or use a “literary manager” hook. This is a claim by a certain party indicating that they are accepting materials to be considered for “literary management”.

As a screenwriter - or a novelist - most of us look for these types of announcements and do not hesitate in responding to them, especially when presented by a known agency. However, we discovered one such arrangement, whereby the submitted materials were forwarded to their “literary management consultant"- who was nothing more than a screenwriting consultant. If your submission didn’t pass muster (and I doubt any of them do first time around), don’t fret: for $50,000, and their help, this consultant will get your script to the point where they can guarantee representation!

Here is the rub; fifty grand is A LOT for screenwriting consultation. We could rewrite TEN of your screenplays from scratch for that amount - and have. What this person is promising is AFTER fixing your screenplay is that they can get it represented by a "literary manager" - which is either someone on their staff, or himself. Now, this is NOT wild speculation on our part, as we have the many email exchanges to support this. We were alerted to this scheme by readers of our newsletter series, and they thought something wasn’t right. In fact, these writers felt “used" and "taken advantage of". They had a concept they felt would be perfect for Oprah and her production company, and when they contacted Harpo Productions, they were told they needed to have agent representation to be considered. They found this “talent agency”, who specialized in child actors, but were also promoting their new “literary management team”. The writers contacted the agency, who, in turn, passed them on to a “Mr. Andy Rodman”, a self-described script broker.

Now, I have no idea what a script broker is, but anything with the word “broker” in the name is simply telling you up front how you’ll end up after using them...

...broker.

Now, at the time, Rodman had a website, and claims NOT to be an agent, but he CAN get your script to the place where they can “guarantee agent representation”. Well, of course they can- for $50,000. These writers made contact with Mr. Rodman, and they shared their story about Harpo Productions having interest in their concept, but required representation. Mr. Rodman then made all sorts of claims of being in regular contact with Harpo about this concept.

One of his emails included the following:

"Fade Out, p. 131- Just finished. Wow! You should be rewarded the Noble Peace Prize! Let's make an offer to this Brit to buy this script as is and employ (perhaps myself and my partner, in order to keep the outlay reasonable), and turn it into a workable, viable, produce-able movie). Anyway, we are happy and proud to represent him through our agency."

In addition to, what we believe, are fictitious conversations and emails with Harpo Productions, this script broker is trying to convince one of the other parties to the script to “buy” it, then charge them $50,000 to make it right (at 131 pages, it’s far from being right).

Now, I researched Mr. Rodman at the time of this exchange, and found very little on him except his site, which is no longer active. He had one IMdb listing (a “thanks”), so I don’t believe he’s active in the industry anymore, but there could be a thousand more to take his place.

NEVER pay for representation upfront. If a literary manager requests payment for representing you- run far away, and contact us.

NEVER pay for a talent agent, or literary agent upfront for services TO BE rendered. They are paid at the time of finding you work, and they get paid when you get paid.

Now, if an agency or consultant charges you for certain SERVICES- that’s a horse of a different color. If they set an appointment for, let’s say, photographic “headshots”, that pay may be required upfront. If they are offering you services to work on the screenplay and rewrite it or fix it, those charges will likely be requested up front- but “representation”? Never. ?

I wish this wasn’t the case in our screenwriting industry, but there are liars, crooks and thieves out there. If you EVER come across something questionable, contact us, or do your own due diligence.

You’ll be glad you did.

This Week’s Promo: https://www.artbysallybarnard.com;

https://sallybarnard.passgallery.com/-artworkgallery/gallery

These are two wonderful websites promoting the art work of my current biopic subject, Sally Barnard, and her book adaptation "CALL ME ZENA", from her book of the same name. Ms. Barnard has a fascinating story to tell regarding her life, her "travels" and how she became this amazing artist. It is a story you've never heard before, or will likely ever hear again.

Book - Call Me Zena By Author Sally Barnard

This is a true story. Ms. Barnard was born in London England at the end of the second world war. She came to the USA in 1979. She is a mother of two and a grandmother of four. She settled in Florida and worked in real estate sales.

This is how her story began.

She was going through a very difficult time in her life was admitted into hospital overnight in December 2005. She was having very vivid dreams, and started to document them. On her third dream, she was given a message by a lady, showing her how to draw. Sally has never been able to draw and had no interest in art or history. Today, she has over 150 pieces of art drawings and poetry. This book is how this came about, and how her artwork have messages in them. This book will show you how anything is possible. Have an open mind and believe. It changed her life's direction and this book or show you how to change yours.

WRITER'S BIO:?Mr. Scala spent 22-plus years in the Hollywood community, and was the?Executive Director?for the?72nd Annual Academy Awards, as well as?The Soul Train Awards,?The Grammys,?The Blockbuster Video Awards Show?and?The Saturn Award Show.?

He is working on his 41st adaptation; the fascinating autobiography?"CALL ME ZENA", by?Sally Barnard?who, after a brief illness, developed high-level artistic skills overnight. He is also developing biopic projects of rock pioneer?Jimmie F. Rodgers,?Motown star?Tammi Terrell?and iconic folk singer?Harry Chapin- all while continuing to mentor hundreds of new writers and self-published authors.

Geno has two screenplays produced and currently on Amazon Prime;?"Assassin 33 A.D."??and?"The Tombs", and-at present-?is the?Executive Script Consultant?of a major motion picture scheduled to begin filming Spring, 2022.