Should I Send My Screenplay to an Agent, Manager or Producer?

Assuming you have your screenplay finished, a question many writers without representation ask themselves is where to send your script to. Why should you first send to an agent or manager if they will in turn just send it to the producer? Or why send to a manager, when at the end, the manager will want an agent on board? Pretty confusing, right?

Agents are your first choice. An agent will be able to position your script in the best possible manner and strategize how to sell your project. Producers know that once there is an agent on board, they won’t be at liberty to take advantage of you, and will be more alert, because they know the agent will be talking to other producers.

Managers are your second choice. Managers can sell a script the same way an agent can sell your script. If this is the case, why are managers below agents? Well, because once you get lucky and are able to sell your script, a manager will want to get an agent on board. The reason is because the agent can find you more work and also because managers aren’t technically allowed to negotiate deals.

 Producers are third. The script will end up with a producer. However, agents and managers know what type of producer to go to. If you have a horror script, you don’t want to go to a producer who only does broad comedies. Also, if you have a hot script, you don’t want just one producer to take it to all the studios, you want the strongest producer for each studio. A good agent or manager will also know which produers have the most pull.

 So why doesn’t everyone go to an agent first? Well, it’s not easy getting one. It is typically easier to get a manager, who in turn will find you an agent…if your script is good.