Pilot, is that a picture of Screwy Squirrel? I used to love his cartoons, when I was a kid.
Baby Cow Page 6
Quote: Seefacts @ May 1 2009, 4:34 PM BSTAnd is it really worth their while to wade through thousands of scripts to uncover about one person every two years?
Well, it's worth our while, every closed door is a bad thing for the new writer! I personally have something moving at Baby Cow, but only because they had/have an open door policy, I just originally sent a script blind to the general e-mail address. But I can understand why any Production Company might not accept scripts, as, like you say, they are going to have to wade through hundreds of bad 'uns for every half decent one.
I decided to send them something too a few weeks ago.
I wasn't going to as all their current/past shows seem to be writer/performer driven, but finally thought it was worth a try.
Question is, will they read through all their current submissions to date, or will they simply chuck them?
Quote: catskillz @ May 1 2009, 5:04 PM BSTPilot, is that a picture of Screwy Squirrel? I used to love his cartoons, when I was a kid.
Indeed.
Quote: Seefacts @ May 1 2009, 4:34 PM BSTAnd is it really worth their while to wade through thousands of scripts to uncover about one person every two years?
If the person's Graham Linehan or Armando Iannucci, then yes.
Baby Cow's website is saying that they don't accept unsolicited scripts at the moment, has that been the case for long?
That happened quite recently.
Where's their head office?
So, how does one go about acquiring an agent?
Usually you need to be already earning as a writer first before any agent will touch you.
Catch 22 really.
A couple of years ago, I got some agent's addresses from Writer's Handbook, then sent off the first few chapters of a comedy novel I was writing.
They didn't want to know because:
The genre was very cult comedy. Difficult to market.
...but MAINLY because I was a new writer without credits.
Understandable really. They work on commission. If the writer ain't earning, they don't eat.
Only in extreme cases would a new writer attract the attention of an agent, such as having a killer script.
Baby Cow's head office? London. And one in Manchester.
Quote: Mikey Jackson @ May 14 2009, 10:05 PM BSTUsually you need to be already earning as a writer first before any agent will touch you.
Catch 22 really.A couple of years ago, I got some agent's addresses from Writer's Handbook, then sent off the first few chapters of a comedy novel I was writing.
They didn't want to know because:
The genre was very cult comedy. Difficult to market.
...but MAINLY because I was a new writer without credits.Understandable really. They work on commission. If the writer ain't earning, they don't eat.
Only in extreme cases would a new writer attract the attention of an agent, such as having a killer script.
Baby Cow's head office? London. And one in Manchester.
When I met an agent, he told me all the people who'd read my script had said 'sign him up'.
But I wasn't a working writer, so he didn't.
How did you find the agent, and arrange the meeting?
Quote: catskillz @ May 15 2009, 6:14 PM BSTHow did you find the agent, and arrange the meeting?
A producer did it for me.
Quote: Seefacts @ May 15 2009, 6:25 PM BSTA producer did it for me.
Think is the commonest way for scriptwriters to do it. I was set up with my current agent only once the network had commissioned the script, however.
It is nice, currently completing a new script, to be able to send it to an agent and a couple of producers I know. You really need to get lucky and have that first break to give you some confidence. It makes a big difference once you know people in the industry will definitely want to read your work.
Pity about Baby Cow, but not surprised. Fair play to them, they were always courteous and prompt about dealing with unsolicited scripts.
Best of luck.
Quote: Tim Walker @ May 15 2009, 6:59 PM BSTThink is the commonest way for scriptwriters to do it. I was set up with my current agent only once the network had commissioned the script, however.
It is nice, currently completing a new script, to be able to send it to an agent and a couple of producers I know. You really need to get lucky and have that first break to give you some confidence. It makes a big difference once you know people in the industry will definitely want to read your work.Pity about Baby Cow, but not surprised. Fair play to them, they were always courteous and prompt about dealing with unsolicited scripts.
Best of luck.
Give me a bell next week Tim, if you're not busy. I'm sure we've got lots to catch up on!