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HEY YOU! Yeah you, the writer hoping to sign with a manager. I just signed with one! While the memory is still fresh, I& #39;d like to WALK YOU THROUGH THE PROCESS I took. Keep in mind: It isn& #39;t THE way, it& #39;s just A way I happened to take. If it& #39;s helpful, please RT. So follow along!
Already realizing that I should specify that I am specifically talking about this in the context SCREENWRITING. Cannot provide much perspective on how to get a manager outside of this world. Sorry sorry.
First off, I am assuming that you already have a script you& #39;ve written and are excited about. If you don& #39;t, get to writing!
Also, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you steel yourself for a long journey filled with NOs. Also, organization and tracking of information is KEY. You& #39;ll see why.
Also, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you steel yourself for a long journey filled with NOs. Also, organization and tracking of information is KEY. You& #39;ll see why.
RESOURCES THAT I WILL REFER TO:
- @imdbpro
- @googlesheets
- Streaming Apps
- Email
- @KanbanFlow
- @ScriptReaderPro
- @ScriptPipeline
- Industry friends!
- Writer friends!
- Producer friends!
- Script lab friends!
- Repped/Non-repped friends!
- Non-Industry friends!
- @imdbpro
- @googlesheets
- Streaming Apps
- @KanbanFlow
- @ScriptReaderPro
- @ScriptPipeline
- Industry friends!
- Writer friends!
- Producer friends!
- Script lab friends!
- Repped/Non-repped friends!
- Non-Industry friends!
My process unfolded in 5 Stages...
1. Research
2. Organize
3. Query
4. Assess
5. Decide
We& #39;ll start with Stage 1: RESEARCH
1. Research
2. Organize
3. Query
4. Assess
5. Decide
We& #39;ll start with Stage 1: RESEARCH
RESEARCH
My goal: Review the manager landscape and see what& #39;s out there. @imdbpro was the primary tool I used to identify management companies/potential managers. I knew the big names but wanted to go deeper, given my level of experience and the type of script I had.
My goal: Review the manager landscape and see what& #39;s out there. @imdbpro was the primary tool I used to identify management companies/potential managers. I knew the big names but wanted to go deeper, given my level of experience and the type of script I had.
I searched writers whose work I admired and identified who they were represented by. For example, I love Stefani Robinson& #39;s work on @AtlantaFX, so I scoured her profile for representation details. I did this many many times with many many writers.
I tracked the company, the manager, and any other managers who worked at the shop (particularly those who seemed more junior or had fewer clients). Additionally, I& #39;d source the relevant contact information from there or turn to Google.
Reminder: THIS IS A SLOG. Be patient.
Reminder: THIS IS A SLOG. Be patient.
After I ran out of writers, I asked friends about shops they knew of. My script GOOD BOY is a multicultural story, so I wanted a manager who& #39;d appreciate diverse stories.
I also downloaded @ScriptReaderPro& #39;s FREE MANAGER LIST. Then repeated the process. https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/screenwriting-managers/">https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/screenwri...
I also downloaded @ScriptReaderPro& #39;s FREE MANAGER LIST. Then repeated the process. https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/screenwriting-managers/">https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/screenwri...
ALRIGHT! So now ideally we& #39;ve got a MASSIVE pool of potential managers and management companies that we want to reach out to. But how to sort through the mess?
So we head into Stage 2: ORGANIZE...
So we head into Stage 2: ORGANIZE...
ORGANIZE
Goal: Neatly store all the collected contact information, prioritize who to contact, and track query progress.
(TBH, this probably was my most favorite step. Because it means that I get to make SPREADSHEEEEEEEEETS. Shout out @googlesheets for making my life easier.)
Goal: Neatly store all the collected contact information, prioritize who to contact, and track query progress.
(TBH, this probably was my most favorite step. Because it means that I get to make SPREADSHEEEEEEEEETS. Shout out @googlesheets for making my life easier.)
Here& #39;s a screencap of my Manager Workbook. If you click in, should be pretty self-explanatory. You probably don& #39;t need all the columns, but you should have enough where you track all the essential information you& #39;ve sourced from IMDBpro, your friends, and any internet stalking.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you keep the Status and Notes columns. For Status: I color code the keywords (Red for Open, Yellow for Pending, Green for Accepted, Grey for Rejected). For Notes: I track dates so I know how long it& #39;s been since I followed up.
It& #39;s the little things, ok?
It& #39;s the little things, ok?
Still with me? YOU& #39;RE AWESOME! 
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✨" title="Funken" aria-label="Emoji: Funken">
Before Stage 3, I want to mention @KanbanFlow, a FREE project management tool. As a PM in a past life, I find it& #39;s a simple way to keep you accountable. See below for an example board.
You can read more about it here: https://kanbanize.com/kanban-resources/getting-started/what-is-kanban/">https://kanbanize.com/kanban-re...
Before Stage 3, I want to mention @KanbanFlow, a FREE project management tool. As a PM in a past life, I find it& #39;s a simple way to keep you accountable. See below for an example board.
You can read more about it here: https://kanbanize.com/kanban-resources/getting-started/what-is-kanban/">https://kanbanize.com/kanban-re...
Before Stage 3, I want to mention @KanbanFlow, a FREE project management tool. As a PM in a past life, I find it& #39;s a simple way to keep you accountable. See below for an example board.You can read more about it here: https://kanbanize.com/kanban-re..." title="Still with me? YOU& #39;RE AWESOME! https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✨" title="Funken" aria-label="Emoji: Funken">Before Stage 3, I want to mention @KanbanFlow, a FREE project management tool. As a PM in a past life, I find it& #39;s a simple way to keep you accountable. See below for an example board.You can read more about it here: https://kanbanize.com/kanban-re..." class="img-responsive" style="max-width:100%;"/>
QUERY
Goal: Spark industry curiosity in my project and generate script requests.
Much like Pikachu, the industry won& #39;t know if I have something offer if I don& #39;t peek my head out.
The key is to be brief and polite, but to also intrigue. Now is not the time to be humble!
Goal: Spark industry curiosity in my project and generate script requests.
Much like Pikachu, the industry won& #39;t know if I have something offer if I don& #39;t peek my head out.
The key is to be brief and polite, but to also intrigue. Now is not the time to be humble!
Thank you @lindazge, who gave me some tips of how to get in and out of a query email fast.
See below for an early query letter I would send out for GOOD BOY.
Quick hits, people are busy! So remember:
1. Hi!
2. Logline
3. I am special and cool
4. You down?
5. Bye!
See below for an early query letter I would send out for GOOD BOY.
Quick hits, people are busy! So remember:
1. Hi!
2. Logline
3. I am special and cool
4. You down?
5. Bye!
After you& #39;ve shot your shot into the ether, it& #39;s WAITING TIME!!! Again, stay patient. Start working on your next project. Read a book. Go watch something. FaceTime your family. Celebrate the fact that you& #39;ve put yourself out there and value the process more than the result.
I waited ~2-4 weeks before following up. Frankly, it all depended on the seniority of the person. More senior = more wait time. I sent a VERY brief email inquiring about their interest. If I didn& #39;t hear back, I assumed that was it. Sometimes, they just needed a reminder.
PERSPECTIVE via some numbers. I probably sent out ~70 queries. Of the 70, I got 12 script requests, 1 hard no. So that& #39;s a ~17% hit rate, which, from what I& #39;ve heard from other writer friends, is on the higher side. And that& #39;s just to *read* the damn thing! So keep on!
Ok need to take a break. Will revisit the last 2 stages another time or day. If you& #39;ve made it this far, thanks for following along! If you know someone that might appreciate the tips, please RT. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😁" title="Grinsendes Gesicht mit lächelnden Augen" aria-label="Emoji: Grinsendes Gesicht mit lächelnden Augen">
Here& #39;s PART 2. https://twitter.com/its_willyu/status/1229532266742726656">https://twitter.com/its_willy...
