I think that is part of my problem. I don't know any writers, only the few nice ones on here that have given me the time of day. Would be nice to sit down face to face with a writer/agent to see if I am heading in the right direction with my black comedy's in the gangster, monster and murderer genres.
I'll just keep pushing my pen in to paper, tapping on computer keys, and buying envelopes. Then hopefully one day someone will take me and my dark side on. 
Yes, why not? Black comedy's a great genre. Look at Joe Orton. Love your avatar! Keep on writing.
Quote: Nigel Ball @ February 22 2013, 5:33 PM GMTI think that is part of my problem. I don't know any writers, only the few nice ones on here that have given me the time of day. Would be nice to sit down face to face with a writer/agent to see if I am heading in the right direction with my black comedy's in the gangster, monster and murderer genres.
I think most of the writers on here are also struggling amateurs, or at least yet to have a complete contract.
I have had some really helpful advice of um though. would be nice to have an agent to believe in you though eh. I know its a hard slog and I do do a lot of leg work to try and make it happen. I swear if it ever happened it would be the best day of my life.
Personally I wouldn't email, I'd pick up the phone and speak to them, or their assistants who are pretty savvy too in the main.
Quote: Marc P @ February 23 2013, 9:41 AM GMTPersonally I wouldn't email, I'd pick up the phone and speak to them, or their assistants who are pretty savvy too in the main.
Personally, I'd speak to them too. Er, what is their number? 
In the book old bean 
The other obvious thing to do is to speak the producer/editor who wants to option the script and ask them who they would recommend as an agent.
I think emailing is much more reliable - if you ring someone who doesn't already know you, whoever answers the phone will ask you to leave a message, or more likely, ask you to email. That's always been my experience.
Quote: beaky @ February 21 2013, 2:52 PM GMTI've just had an option taken for a sitcom, and am waiting for them to send me a contract, so there might be some negotiating to do...
Congrats beaky, keep us updated
Quote: Tim Azure @ February 22 2013, 11:03 PM GMTor at least yet to have a complete contract.
What do you mean? Sorry if I'm being thick!
Quote: Nigel Ball @ February 22 2013, 11:37 PM GMTI have had some really helpful advice of um though. would be nice to have an agent to believe in you though eh. I know its a hard slog and I do do a lot of leg work to try and make it happen. I swear if it ever happened it would be the best day of my life.
It's really hard to get an agent until you have something to sell ie some work that has interest.
Concentrate on getting a body of work you're happy with, post in critique and consider finding like-minded souls in your area who want make & shoot stuff - see if it works on screen.
Quote: Marc P @ February 23 2013, 10:51 AM GMTThe other obvious thing to do is to speak the producer/editor who wants to option the script and ask them who they would recommend as an agent.
Yes, if they like you and your script they'll be more than happy to put you in contact with an agent or two. That's how I did it.
Quote: Lazzard @ February 23 2013, 11:45 AM GMTIt's really hard to get an agent until you have something to sell ie some work that has interest.
Concentrate on getting a body of work you're happy with, post in critique and consider finding like-minded souls in your area who want make & shoot stuff - see if it works on screen.
Yes. And having an agent isn't the be all and end all. Almost every opportunity I've had has been down to me putting my work about and chasing up producers. Having an agent isn't a magic wand, though obviously they can get your scripts to a wider range of people.
Even if there was the slightest hint of an agent wanting to speak to me, I would run to London if I had to just to get this ball rolling, literally. 
I guess it is horses for courses, but if you have a sitcom being optioned by a big indie then people would talk to you, and like I say ask who they would recommend as an agent then you have an immediate pitch right there.
Quote: Marc P @ February 24 2013, 12:09 PM GMTI guess it is horses for courses...
I feel I will eventually end up in a Birdseye special, then...
Quote: Tim Azure @ February 22 2013, 11:03 PM GMTor at least yet to have a complete contract.
Tim! Tim! Can you explain this please? I hate not understanding stuff..