So here's the question: you can look up Agents in the W&A Yearbook, and work out who would be suitable to look at your work, but how do you decide which of THEM are good? Or as an unrepresented writer are you looking a gift horse in the mouth if ANY agent is prepared to take you on?
Dunno! Isn't it a bit equity or chicken and egg?
Will you get an agent unless you've had something done?
Agents' jobs are negotiating and they're pretty much doing that all the time: it's their area of expertise. We are (pretty much on here) not really negotiators and (probably) don't want to that bit of the contract talks should be get that far.
As for the 15% cut talk, there's an argument to say that they'll get you a lot more than you could ever negotiate yourself, so would you begrudge them 15% if they get you 50% more? Don't forget, as it's a percentage, it's in their interest to get YOU as much as possible.
Dan
Yeah but what I'm saying is will an unknown get an agent?
I am represented by the Labour Party.
They love me because I am one of the arses who voted them in. Way back after the Thatcher years. Whom I might add, inspite of it all, am a Thatcher fan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So I made a bobo. 
I wont anymore 
In answer to your question, I've been trying to get agent representation under my own steam for ages. And had no luck at all.
It is possible that if you sent an agency from the W&A Yearbook your work and one of their readers decided it looked guaranteed to make money, then they might take you on - but I've never heard of anyone who's done it this way.
What is more common is that WHEN you're on the verge of actually making some money from comedy THEN it's the best time to approach an agent. So if you were able to approach an agent and say, 'I'm in discussions with a production company, we're nearly ready to go' they'd take you far more seriously.
(The production company will also be able to help you out by suggesting agencies they've found easy to deal with.)
I suppose what I'm trying to say is, don't worry about agents too much early on. Just get yourself noticed, and make as many contacts as possible.
It's a frustrating process. Good luck.
Now that I've a foot in the door (there's a chance I could have a couple of sketches on the telly) I'm obviously thinking about agents.
I'm hoping to get recommended as it seems the best way of doing it.
I assume that what Symon says is correct.
Quote: David Chapman @ March 9, 2008, 11:21 PMI assume that what Symon says is correct.
It's fair to say if you've not been talking to producers, or had material broadcast then you could send an agent the best script in the world and they wouldn't be interested.
It is a frustrating vicious circle.
Quote: Seefacts @ March 9, 2008, 11:26 PMIt's fair to say if you've not been talking to producers, or had material broadcast then you could send an agent the best script in the world and they wouldn't be interested.
It is a frustrating vicious circle.
Like I said with equity.
Apparently you can't get a job without an equity card but you can't get an equity card without a job.
Quote: David Chapman @ March 9, 2008, 11:28 PMLike I said with equity.
Apparently you can't get a job without an equity card but you can't get an equity card without a job.
Used to be the case, not so anymore.
Finding it very hard to get an agent, despite having people actually paying me for work. For some reasons whilst producers like my stuff, agents don't. Frustrating.
It is difficult as most agents have enough clients to last them a lifetime so they won't take you on unless there's a contract in the pipeline.
I've just got a meeting with one, as they liked my pilot.
Everything is going so well, I've suddenly become very aware of my own mortality. Marvellous.
I hope these winds die down for my flight to Switzerland tomorrow . . .
Quote: Seefacts @ March 12, 2008, 7:28 PMI've just got a meeting with one, as they liked my pilot.
Everything is going so well, I've suddenly become very aware of my own mortality. Marvellous.
I hope these winds die down for my flight to Switzerland tomorrow . . .
I once flew off in storms like this, it blows you about a bit but it's ok 
This is the reason that I think a good way to start off in comedy is with standup.
If you have some talent then you're able to play to an audience. It's a lot easier than trying to get on TV.
Once your name starts getting mentioned on the standup scene you can probably get an agent off the back of that and start to look at TV.
It's not the only way obviously, but I think it makes things accessible quicker.
Personally, I'll never EVER get on a stage. So I'll have to go the longer route.