Welcome to the Business board

[TSS moderator (CarolP)]

Welcome to the business of screenwriting board.

Bring your questions, answers and stories about agents, managers, contests, script readers, production companies, contracts and Hollywood meetings.

Have you won or placed in a contest? Was it worth your while? Tell us why or why not.

Have you had your script requested by an agent or manager? How did you do it?

Have you fallen prey to a scam? Your fellow TSS members would appreciate a warning.

All topics are welcome, just please respect each other.

Thanks.

[sabrina]

hi there, looks like I'm the first one to post on this forum.

I've got a bunch of script ready for a TV show and I'm gonna have the pilot corrected by some script doctors but jsut have some question about the next step.

Do I have to search for producers or find a agent first?

thanks

sabrina

[TSS moderator (CarolP)]

Hello Sabrina,

Welcome to the boards.

With an original pilot you can really go either way. It is usually easier to find a producer than an agent, but an agent can connect you with producers you would otherwise never have access to. Your strategy here should really depend on what you want your role to be if the project moves forward. If your goal is to simply sell the pilot and series concept then I would look for an agent first, producers second. If, however, your goal is to stay attached to the project as a writer or writer/producer then I would seek out producers, as you will have some bargaining power with them. Once an agent gets ahold of your material their primary goal will be to sell it, with or without you attached.

If you are fortunate enough to team up with producers with whom you work well then you can work your participation into whatever contract you sign with them.

Also, if you decide to seek out producers I would strongly advise knowing as much as you possibly can about the producers and production companies you approach. There is nothing worse than teaming up with producers and developing a project for months and months, only to have the project fall apart due to creative or personal differences.