For them, not me.
I want to go armed with a few questions so I can get a feel of how the whole process works - so if this doesn't come off, at least I'll be better prepared in the future.
What sort of stuff do you think I should ask that'll be beneficial - which I can pass on via the forum to all you folk.
(Apart from "Ten percent?! What the f**k?!"
Anyone else met with an agent yet, who can share their experiences?
Hmm. IM 
O the way the meeting will go will very much depend on what sort of agent they are. Helpful I know.
It is a good idea to go with concise pitches of projects you want to do in the future and homes for them, casting ideas even. That will certainly make the conversation easier.
By means of example I think it's helpful to remember you need to realise 100k of work for the agent to make 10/12k from you in any year so it is a big decision for them to sign you. Sometimes it's helpful to think of the meeting in terms of helping the agent sell you on.
Um, how much would you get to write one episode for the BBC? How many production companies would they shop a project around to? How much would you receive if it went to DVD? How much would you get if it was sold abroad or went to UK Gold etc?
They're all things I think we all want to know as they don't put it in the Writers & Artists Yearbook.
If the episode is well received, is the agent likely to get calls from anyone regarding you? How much does the agent expect you to write? If a company wants you to do something and you don't like the idea, would that sour your relationship with the agent?
Quote: David H @ March 28, 2008, 10:03 AMIf a company wants you to do something and you don't like the idea, would that sour your relationship with the agent?
Professional writer, you say? I reckon until you have your own production company and some fairly hefty cajones, you write what you're told.
Just be thankful they don't make you write soap opera!
Dan
BBC it's usually around £6000 per episode. It can be as litle as £4000 if it's for BBC4. It can be as much as £8000, but not very often.
If it goes to DVD there's usually a percentage of profits allocated to the writers if it's team written or a sketch show. Sometimes this will just be divided equally. Other times it will be based upon the percentage of work you had in the show. Even if the DVD sells well you will usually make far less than the initial fee.
If you created the entire show and own the format rights then you can do better. I think the standard package is around 7% of gross profits. Or, you can be like Eddie Izzard and make sure you run the whole operation. The problem is that you don't have much leverage when you start and you will be given the choice to take it or leave it.
If it goes abroad it varies from country to country. If it went out on the main netwrk in the USA you'd get 75%-100% of the original fee. Cable - 15%-25%. Then Australia 2%-5%. Iceland 2% etc etc.
If you sell the format rights, so they remake the show using your format the money is much higher,
Some questions for the agent:
What percentage will he be expecting? Some take as little as 10%, some 15%.
Which production companies does he mostly deal with and who are his contacts? Most agents have friends in the industry and these are the people that will see your work first.
How many clients does he represent? If it's a high figure you might not get that much attention.
Find out which shows his clients are currently working on.
My advice would be, just be you, be personable. A lot goes on the chemistry between you and an agent. If they don't like your persona, they won't take you on, not even if you were Dickens. As a new writer, you don't need to be humble as such but neither should you come across as a know-it-all/smart arse.
Wait for them to kick off the interview.
Talk about what you have written so far and what you hope to write in the future. Don't get into percentages, it's probably 12% anyway.
Go nicely dressed too, they want to know if they can trust you to 'represent' them when you're out with producers/directors etc.
I know an agent represents 'you' but don't treat them as though you are the boss.
Quote: bushbaby @ March 28, 2008, 10:45 AMMy advice would be, just be you.
Unless of course in real life you're an insufferable arse, in which case you can be me.
Quote: David Bussell @ March 28, 2008, 10:49 AMUnless of course in real life you're an insufferable arse, in which case you can be me.
Quality...
Dan
Also Seefacts, look them up in the writers and Artists year book, they should be listed in there and it will tell you what percent they take and who their clients are etc
You have to get into percentages at some point. What would Siralan say? I agree you shouldn't wade in like you're all big business and you're going to kick some ass. There are other things you should discuss first. However, if you don't ask what it's going to cost you it will look equally bad, because it looks like you aren't taking it seriously. And, they will expect you to ask.
I do think it helps if you look like your not skint. This goes for any meetings you have as well. It gives them confidence in your ability. I'm sure there are those that get work dressed like tramps, but I think anything that helps in the early stages is worth it. It's not like the muisc industry where it'll be seen as part of your individuality. I wouldn't go as far as a tie or anything like that, but....You get the picture.
Thanks everyone, I'm going to write some of this down in a little note pad.
Quote: Seefacts @ March 28, 2008, 12:37 PMThanks everyone, I'm going to write some of this down in a little note pad.
Make it a flip chart, that'll blow them out of the water.
Quote: David Bussell @ March 28, 2008, 10:49 AMUnless of course in real life you're an insufferable arse, in which case you can be me.
This bit won't be making the cut though.
I'm an insufferable arse on here, so why would real life be any different?
Quote: Seefacts @ March 28, 2008, 12:42 PMThis bit won't be making the cut though.
I'm an insufferable arse on here, so why would real life be any different?
Hard to please, but I wouldn't say insufferable. And I do so love your head-to-head's with Mr Williams...
Quote: David Bussell @ March 28, 2008, 12:48 PMHard to please, but I wouldn't say insufferable. And I do so love your head-to-head's with Mr Williams...
Epic.
He's not been around for a bit, either that or he's just avoiding any thread I'm involved in.