Part XXXVIII: You Can't Sell a Script Without an Agent, and You Can't Get an Agent Without Selling a Script!

As if the question isn't frustrating enough, wait until you hear the answer.

This conundrum is both TRUE and FALSE.

I've been getting a lot of questions and push-back on my recent article regarding agents for screenwriters (Part XXXVII: Managers, Agents and Attorneys, Oh My!), outside of the fact that it was posted with a mistaken possessive instead of a plural in the headline. Screenwriters are confused as to the role and effectiveness of having an agent, and the exact method in getting one.

Consider it like a master's degree. You cannot get a master's without first getting your undergraduate degree. So, stop trying to get a master's when you're still in screenwriting elementary school.

An AGENT is only interested in the top echelon of screenwriters. These are writers who earn a living with their writing (I do), and those who earn enough (I do not) to where their 15% of the earnings is worth the occasional phone call and the long talks with studios where they attempt to interest them in YOU or your writing. If you are a "nobody yet" in screenwriting, and suddenly you've written a screenplay whereupon several of the studios feel it would fit their slate, you WILL be contacted by an agent.

It's the ONLY way for them to buy that screenplay!

Can you GET an agent without having a screenplay over which several studios get into a bidding war? Potentially- IF an agent reads your work and believes it is studio material- and the studios just don't know it yet. I wouldn't start putting champagne on ice waiting for that to happen, though.

Now, can you SELL a script WITHOUT an agent? Yes, of course. This is done everyday. There are currently five MAJOR studios (as of this writing); NBCUniversal/Comcast; ViacomCBS; Warner Media/AT&T; Walt Disney and Sony.

The next tier are considered "Mini-Majors"; Lionsgate, Amblin, STX Films, and MGM Films (there are foreign studios included here, but we won't list them).

So, it seems that many writers are vying for agents in order to target a total of eight (8) studios with basically unlimited film budgets.

Meanwhile, there are 25,000 registered productions studios and producers with the ability to finance films from zero budget, up to $50M-$100M. It's a numbers game, folks. Do you want to write "studio" scripts with the hopes of becoming the next George Lucas, or would you rather target the other 25,000 in hopes of being a working screenwriter, represented by an agent, who will take your next screenplay to the studios FIRST, then market it to the other 25,000 producers? It's up to you. I already know what I'm doing.

Next is, what can you expect for your 15% in agent's pay? They will certainly read your screenplay, recommend changes and improvements, then contact those they know that are looking for such a concept or genre. Do you get to sit back and relax in the pool sipping on a cocktail while this is going on? No. They don't EARN 15% by doing 100% of the marketing. You have to roll up your sleeves and do it as well.

These are NOT the only two choices you have in "making it", though. There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of ways to become a professional screenwriter who can earn a living with their writing. For me, it started with winning competitions. It started with one great script review by someone with connections. Yes, I have relationships developed from my years in Hollywood, including hundreds of A-list friends and connections of my own- but, to date, I've never once called on any of them except to touch bases and catch up on some news. I've never wanted to "use" their friendship to further my own career. Truth is, I'm not interested in working there anymore. I still write; I still get paid; and I still love it, but my goal is to get others to this spot, instead of furthering my own.

NEXT WEEK: We'll discuss how to meet and work with producers today.

THIS WEEK'S PROMO; Paul Ajayi, screenwriter

Some of you may be familiar with Paul Ajayi, as he was The Script Mentor Scholarship winner last year. Paul resides in Osun, Nigeria. He hives in a hut with dirt floors, a well nearby, and extremely limited electricity.

"It's not pretty, I know. In that house is six room - three on either side. It's not six apartments, just six rooms. No kitchen, bathroom, or living room (unless one is created). My family has lived here 8 years. My family occupies two rooms, two other families occupy the remaining rooms. That's what life's like over here. It's quite difficult."

He owns a cell phone and their cell connection is "iffy", at best. He works a teaching job that pays him $22 a month. He has a love for screenwriting that is so rare, and actually types and edits his screenplays ON HIS CELL PHONE! Even with failing English in high school one year, his grasp of the English language is better than 90% of those born here in the United States. He is incredibly talented, with several screenplays under his belt and entered in several competitions. Our hope is that we can help get him a few screenplay contest victories, then reach out and contact Tyler Perry and others on his behalf.

With his help, we started a Nigerian Screenwriter's Group here on LinkedIn (NOLLYWOOD- Filmmakers and Writers of Nigeria), and- together- we are mentoring other Nigerian writers pro bono.

Next time you want to complain because you couldn't afford smokes, or your computer was slow, or it's hard to make it in this business- think of Paul.

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. Today, he and his writing team are actively working on several ghostwriting projects for his celebrity clientele as well, including the adapting the novel "Making Broken Beautiful" by Pamela Millican-Hartnoll; a tragic story of excessive abuse and redemptive success; and biopics of early rock pioneer Jimmie F. Rodgers and iconic folk star Harry Chapin- all while continuing to mentor new writers and self-published authors.

Geno has two screenplays produced into feature films; "Assassin 33 A.D." and "The Tombs". Both are currently available on Amazon Prime.