Having any type of representation, be it an agent or manager, should be high on the priority list for screenwriters once they’ve honed their screenwriting craft and have at least a couple great writing samples ready for consideration.
Representation makes the marketing process of your scripts and writing talents so much easier because you have industry insiders embedded within the film and television industry and community in your corner, pitching you for potential script sales and professional paid writing assignments. Agents and managers have the professional contacts to make your screenwriting dreams come true.
But what’s the difference between what agents and managers do? Do you need them both? And, perhaps even more crucial, which one plays the most important role in your screenwriting career?
The Difference Between Agents and Managers
Before we discuss which representative of your work is most important, you need to know the difference between what agents and managers can do for you.
What Do Agents Do for Screenwriters?
In the most simple of breakdowns, agents handle the business end of all contract negotiations. They don’t really come into play until there is a deal to be brokered, be it for a script sale or paid writing assignment.
In short, when you have gotten to the point where someone is offering you a script sale or assignment contract - as well as options and development deals - agents are the ones who do all of the negotiating with the buyers or potential contractee (buyer or hiring company).
Then What Do Managers Do?
Managers are there to help develop you, your writing talents, and your scripts for acquisition and potential writing assignments (which are the true bread and butter for pro screenwriters). They are the ones, in conjunction with your agent if applicable, who utilize their contacts and knowledge of the current spec script and writing assignment market to get you and your scripts into the conversation for potential acquisitions or assignments.
Managers go deeper than that though. They will work with you through multiple drafts of your scripts, helping you to not only hone your writing, but also to get your script(s) to where managers think they need to be for companies to consider them for acquisition. Your spec scripts (scripts written under speculation that they’ll be sold and produced) can also work as writing samples to showcase your screenwriting skills, talents, style, and strengths for you to be considered for writing assignments that involve taking intellectual property and/or original concepts which a producer or production company already own, and turn them into screenplays ready for production.
The Two Major Differences Between Agents and Managers
Depending upon the agent and manager, both of them can help guide you and your career, offering opportunities and networking connections that you likely would have never had.
But there are two stark differences between agents and managers that all screenwriters should know.
Managers and their management companies can and often are packaged into sales acquisition contracts, which can stipulate that an individual manager - or the company they work for - are given producing credits and fees.
Agents can’t do that. It’s against the law as a clear conflict of interest within contract negotiations between a buyer/contractee and the screenwriter. If an agent or agency would be listed as a producer or production company, what would stop them from negotiating less for the screenwriter, so the eventual production could save money? However, when it comes to negotiations, managers can’t negotiate contracts for the same reason.
Who Is More Important for Screenwriters - Agents or Managers?
You can make an argument for both because they each provide a vital service to screenwriters. However, managers play a more in-depth role when it comes to the long haul and big picture of a screenwriter’s career.
Sure, this can change down the road when you become a top one percenter in the screenwriter tiers. When you have years of pro contracts under your belt, and many produced and distributed scripts that speak for themselves as part of your resume, the managing of your career isn’t as vital as maintaining your consistent paid contracts and growing salaries that agents can provide. At those higher tier levels, you don’t need as much guidance.
But the hard truth is that this represents only the top tier one percenters making millions each year. A majority of screenwriters still need the necessary career management that managers provide.
Remember what managers can and will do for you:
- Read multiple drafts and offer notes based on their knowledge of what’s out there already, and what companies are looking for in scripts and writers.
- Set up meet-and-greet meetings to introduce you to potential employers and collaborators.
- Get you into the conversation for big assignments, allowing you to pitch your take against dozens of other screenwriters trying to get the same assignment job.
If you didn’t have a manager, it would be more difficult to get into a situation where a contract needs to be negotiated. Why? Because managers work hard to get you to that point. And remember, managers only make money when you make money (read below). So, it’s in their best interest to get you and your scripts out there.
If you only had an agent (and no manager), chances are they’d be there for you only if you had a contract on the horizon or in play. If that were to fizzle away, it would be difficult to get an agent to do what would essentially be a manager’s role of developing the next script. Sadly, that’s not the agent's job in most of their eyes, unless you’re a proven commodity that they can make their commission on.
So, managers are the most important representation between the two.
- They hone your writing and career.
- They prepare you and your scripts for the general wants and needs of the industry.
- They help introduce you to potential employers and collaborators.
They do all of this before you’re starting to make money for them. Agents come into play when there’s a contract.
Do Agents and Managers ONLY Work on Commission?
Yes. If you have any alleged agents or managers asking you for any upfront fees or expenses, run like the wind because they are not legitimate representation.
Hollywood is full of those looking to make a buck and take advantage of novice screenwriters. They may dazzle you with industry name drops and alleged credits, but once they ask you for upfront money, you know it’s not worth the time and expense - no matter how convincing they may be.
Agents and Managers Will Help You Get the Other
The comforting news is that agents will help you get managers, and managers can help you get agents. So, no matter where you start - either by signing with an agent or manager - know that it is in their best interest to connect you with anyone that can help better your career trajectory.
What Are the Best Ways for Screenwriters to Get Representation?
The easiest way to get them both is by focusing on getting a manager first. Many novice screenwriters try and try to get agents. The issue is that, as we mentioned above, agents only really come into play when there’s a contract to be negotiated. Managers are the ones who help you get to that point. And when they do, they are usually the ones who can refer you to an agent when contracts are about to come into play for you, your scripts, and your writing.
How do you get a manager?
- Hone your craft over the course of a couple years or more and get to a point where you have 3-5 amazing writing samples - scripts that have either tracked well at major screenwriting competitions like the Nicholl Fellowship or Final Draft’s Big Break Contest, or scripts you’ve successfully gotten into the hands of companies through cold querying.
- Once you have a great stack of writing samples, cold query major production companies and management companies. You can utilize your own networking contacts you’ve discovered or accumulated as well.
- Utilize IMDb Pro by looking up similar movies to yours, and then researching who made those movies, who represents the writers that wrote those movies, etc. Email cold queries to them using the email addresses they may or may not have listed.
- Go directly to major management company websites and see if they have submission services where you can submit a pitch, logline, or whatnot for consideration.
- Use the aforementioned screenwriting major competitions to gain notoriety by placing high or winning, which often leads to meetings with managers and producers.
How Do You Get an Agent?
- Get a manager first, and ask them if they can refer you to an agency or agent. It’s usually going to entail a contract in the making first, mind you.
- Most major agencies have a No Unsolicited Materials or Correspondence policy stipulating that any emails or materials sent to them will not be read or considered, so it’s often not worth trying to cold query an agent or agency. Some of the bigger management companies have the same policy, but you’ll find that many offer a submission process.
- If you are an unrepresented screenwriter and manage to get a contract offer, you can ask the company for an agent referral. If they offer none, you can simply represent yourself (see below) or look to hire an entertainment lawyer (they usually take 5-10% of the contract payment) who can look over the contract to ensure that you’re protected.
Can Screenwriters Represent Themselves?
Yes. We’ll cover this in another post. In the meantime, it’s important to note that many screenwriters (yours truly) have and continue to represent themselves through contract discussions, negotiations, and signings.
Just make sure that you:
- Read the contracts thoroughly.
- Understand each and every line.
- Ask questions if you don’t understand an item.
- Aren’t afraid to negotiate.
- Understand when negotiation isn’t an option.
When you’re dealing with non-signatory companies (companies not adhering to Writers Guild of America stipulations), this process will be easier. When you’re dealing with major signatory companies like studios, major production companies, networks, and streamers, you’ll likely be asked to sign with an agent when a contract is offered. This helps protect them and you.
Managers First, Agents Next
The key point you should walk away with here? Managers first, agents next. Both are important to your screenwriting career. But it’s the managers who have a more in-depth and hands-on relationship with screenwriters. Agents will come when the time comes.