Video Tip #31 – Should I Pay for Representation?
This Video Series is your chance to ask any questions you feel may be holding you back from the screenwriting success you deserve!
So ask away!
Who knows, next week I may answer your question!
And if you have any comments about THIS tip – good OR bad – please leave it below.
May Your Life Be Extraordinary,
Marvin V. Acuna
P.S. – Do me a favor and go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D91jglS9FQ4
Watch this tip there, Rate it, and Comment there as well!
Thanks!
- M
Very good idea in sharing tips. Maybe so more will learn what’s the business about. These are a few reality checks any writer should be aware of, both the experienced and unexperienced ones…
Great Work.
T.H.N.
30 Jun 09 at 10:08 pm
Thank you very much for the tip marvin, I’m 18 year old, Australian and have loved films since I was 3 years old when i first watched Terminator 2 Judgement day. Your insighful tips on screenwriting is helping me become a better writer! I’m still learning the basics but i’ve been writing short stories since 12 years old. I look forward to hearing your next tip! – dan terry
daniel terry
1 Jul 09 at 12:19 am
As usual, your tip was a timely reminder about how many white pointers there are in the shark-infested waters of Hollywood. But there are also lifeboats captained by people like you. Thanks yet again, Marvin, for another timely tip. Keep ‘em coming!
James Houston Turner
1 Jul 09 at 1:49 am
Hi Marvin –
This weeks tip really struck home with me – I fell for that one eight years ago – hook, line & sinker! But that wasn’t all. He loved my work, sent my scripts to major film companies he told me. Fool I, to believe him!
Today, to the best of my knowledge his preesent place of residence is in Her Majesth’s Prison, in the UK for fraudulent activities.
His activeties set me back for five years before the extent of the truth emerged.
Bernard Pepper
1 Jul 09 at 6:19 am
Thanks Marvin it is really a great tip indeed. I go to know how to go ahead with agents.
Prathima
1 Jul 09 at 6:51 am
Marvin I just paid a reader.There were so many mistakes I should have paid more.Now I’ve got a good screenplay.I know it will sell,and I know I can write letters.I just do not have a clue who to write to.Hey!I’m keeping that. So No Clue Who To Write To So No?
Captain
Captain
1 Jul 09 at 7:05 am
Thanks Marvin I had really been worried about this.
Paul
1 Jul 09 at 7:06 am
Thanks Marvin.
As usual, your viable tip of the week hits home. Thanks BIG TIME for all the tips you’ve passed on because along the way, some have helped me out in many ways. A few months ago, I was struggling hardcore as a writer who simply “wanted to be heard/read.” Now, I have two different managers considering representing me, one in New York and LA. Too, I have 8 screenplays being read between producers here in the US amongst 4 different states and one producer overseas, all looking to option my works. Not only that, I just got word yesterday that one of my scripts is a finalist at a reputable festival/competition. All I can say is it pays to REWRITE, REWRITE, REWRITE, and think VERY BIG. Investors aren’t looking to spend $500k on a “so-so” indie script, but $Millions; so writers must not only think BIG but WRITE big.
Thanks Marvin you rock dawg,
Freddy Robinson
Freddy Robinson
1 Jul 09 at 7:50 am
Marvin, Thank you. Start over. Study first. Write. I like Elizabeth Gilbert~ It’s all about your genius, not about you.~Don’t sweat it, learn from it, and Listen/Listen/Listen
Thanks,
Carrie
brozogirl
1 Jul 09 at 7:51 am
Marvin,
Great tip. One of your best. It’s important for new writers to realize they can’t “buy” success.
There are so many slick websites out there promising production and/or guaranteed representation based on fees. Newbies need to be warned– and that’s just what you’ve done.
Regards,
Jery
Jery Rowan
1 Jul 09 at 7:54 am
Great advise for us poor devil writers trying hard to knock in the right door. Thanks Marvin
Juan De Biase
1 Jul 09 at 10:51 am
Very important and focused. Excellent.
Thank you Marvin
Stacy Bernitz
1 Jul 09 at 11:10 am
Thanks Marvin. That’s good to know and surely a red flag if ever we come across an agent or manager like this.
Jeremy Twigg
1 Jul 09 at 12:18 pm
Mr. Acuna, thanks for your empathy towards unknown screenwriters. The film business is a cutthroat endeavor. You always shine the light on the reality for those of us who hunger for this profession.
Cubano Americano
1 Jul 09 at 12:20 pm
My questions:
What are the legal steps before writing a screenplay based on a book?
What’s the difference between an “adaptation” and “based” on a book for a screenplay?
Do some screenwriters make a living just by writing screenplays based on books (someone else’s story)?
Should I consider this tactic as a short cut to getting representation?
Thanks.
-Julio Torres
Cubano Americano
1 Jul 09 at 12:37 pm
Dear Mr. Acuna,
Thank you for your video series! I am very grateful.
Question 1:
So what percentage of your pay should you expect to give an agent?
History:
I sat through 8 screenwriting books and only one explained that play writer’s get paid a percentage of production. That book was, “The Idiot’s Guide to Screenwriting. I was very grateful for that information.
Question 2:
If you need a portion of your script written in two other languages, how do you find another scriptwriter that knows those languages?
My movie is in English, but actors must speak, at certain points, in French and Vietnamese. To do otherwise simply defeats the purpose of the movie – to show what it was like for the Vietnamese Boat People during their exodus.
So, how do I find those people?
Statement: Please consider gathering these tips into a book of tips. Then sell it at the end of every quarter or year. It can be an inexpensive e-book! Thanks! I always like to have a reference of tips.
I use e-books by DataViewer, powered by Town Compass (www.TownCompass.com) They are sold at (www.PocketDirectory.com)
Thank you again.
Heidi
Heidi Von Dunker
1 Jul 09 at 12:44 pm
The percentage of production was 2.5% to 5%. That kind of information 1) helps us know if we are being ripped off, 2) let’s us know how valued we are as a playwright, and 3) it lets us know to wait for the budget information and not worry about knowing from the begining of negotiations. I like black and white information where it can be found. Percentages are nice black and whites information with a little gray.
Thanks again!
Heidi Von Dunker
1 Jul 09 at 12:49 pm
Thank very much. This takes a ton of worry off my mind.
Emmanuel Afrifa
1 Jul 09 at 4:22 pm
I would like a professional to read my screenplay;after that I’m game for anything.
Christopher
1 Jul 09 at 11:13 pm
most people don’t do the heavy lifting [writing, rewriting] required to construct a solid story and screenplay. when one produces quality work, the industry will notice! never pay anyone to read anything. thanx for the reminder
swamigreg
2 Jul 09 at 9:38 am
I am living in China. I have not been able to get on to Youtube site, suspect it’s been blocked. Any other ways of seeing your tips? Thanks!
Xiaoyuan
3 Jul 09 at 8:57 pm
Thank you very much for tip #31. I was paying a consultant for over a year and I finally said, “I can do what she does for free.” I have since found investors to invest in the independent film (they loved the Script) and we are in preproduction in Atlanta, Georgia.
Sherry B.
10 Jul 09 at 2:20 pm
Actually a valuable piece of information and advice. 50 years ago, the legit agencies and the unions, through new member orientations, did the job. Today, much is said about the growth of opportunity, which exists, but little is said about the dangers of hustle and bilko which also exits. It’s nice to see that someone has taken a role in attempting to school neophyte talents in some of the dangers that lurk in the fringes of the real business.
Peter Haskell
28 Jul 09 at 1:14 pm
Additionally, you might, at some time, write a piece on the value of (but the care in picking) a dramaturge. There are current and past writers and directors who assist writers in fine tuning scripts with potential. The service can be gratifying and rewarding but not free. Remember we are now talking business so caveat emptor applies. Know who you are having the pleasure with before making a commitment of time and cost. IMdb.com makes it very easy to background check anybody who says they have a background.
Peter Haskell
28 Jul 09 at 1:51 pm