How many writers on here have representation, and with whom?
Agents
I looked into getting an agent a while back, but it seems unless you've previously had work commissioned, they don't care. And of course, production companies won't listen to you unless you've got an agent. A bit of a vicious circle in my opinion.
Yes, it's catch 22 as it used to be with the acting world and Equity
I had one look at my work and say he liked it but didn't have room for new clients, so he gave it to a colleague who was developing a new list of writers, but she didn't like it, so no dice. I haven't tried anyone else yet.
Hugo Young at Independent (used to be ICM).
Thanks for sharing, guys. Anyone else want to offer up any names?
I used to have an agent. I think. I mean I met a guy who was the agent of a quite famous person I was writing with at the time and he said he would be my agent too, and we shook hands and apparently that was like a contract.
But after the project we were working on fell through I never heard from the agent again, so now I don't know whether I'm represented or not. Probably he'd agree to represent me again if I called him with a project that was already funded.
I suspect he may have been a bit like the agent in Extras.
Don't see the point of agents really. Once you're "known" enough to attract the interest of agents, you tend to already know producers etc, and you just hear through the grapevine when new shows require writers or whatever. So why give some grasping bastard 10 percent of your wedge?
Maybe I'm way off the mark but I kind of believe you can do it yourself for free.
I want the agent from Freezing.
Agents will take an interest, when a producer does.
I think they're good because most of the time you're never going land a sitcom straight off and overnight become a profitable writer.
Sometimes you might write one or two episodes of other shows, or do some sketches or what have you - it agents that get you those gigs.
They can also get you straight to the top of pile at big companies who don't look at unsolicited stuff, so they have their good points.
Though it does make me wonder why big, big writers - Bain & Armstrong for example, have agents. Isn't Peep Show enough to get them loads of other work?
Quote: Seefacts @ February 27, 2008, 7:58 PMThough it does make me wonder why big, big writers - Bain & Armstrong for example, have agents. Isn't Peep Show enough to get them loads of other work?
Not really, it's good to have a middle man in situations such as that, as they can sift through a lot of the chaff and offer the writer whats "best" for them.
Quote: Paul W @ February 27, 2008, 8:10 PMit's good to have a middle man in situations
I agree. 
Quote: Seefacts @ February 27, 2008, 7:58 PMAgents will take an interest, when a producer does.
I think they're good because most of the time you're never going land a sitcom straight off and overnight become a profitable writer.
Sometimes you might write one or two episodes of other shows, or do some sketches or what have you - it agents that get you those gigs.
They can also get you straight to the top of pile at big companies who don't look at unsolicited stuff, so they have their good points.
Though it does make me wonder why big, big writers - Bain & Armstrong for example, have agents. Isn't Peep Show enough to get them loads of other work?
Agents do all the negotiating for them so there's no embarrassment with the writers having to bargain for the right money in contracts
Quote: Seefacts @ February 27, 2008, 7:58 PMThough it does make me wonder why big, big writers - Bain & Armstrong for example, have agents. Isn't Peep Show enough to get them loads of other work?
I think the point is that however successful you become, writers (like actors) are probably not the best people to negotiate fees and commitments. As precious 'artists' it's better to have someone more hard-nosed to act on your behalf. Plus, no doubt a lot of successful comedy writers to earn their full potential need those agents to get them the well-paid work, e.g. writing for ads./overseas work.
Like anything isn't it. I could garden myself but my gardener does a better job in less time for a relatively small sum. Same as cleaning my car, waste a Sunday afternoon or have a valet take it and return it.
Life is full of these people that take do the bits we don't want to but could if we had to.....even my accountant/solicitor doesn't do much that i couldn't if i was forced to. I could probably make my own bread....but hovis do it so well!