I've noticed some ads and google ads for "The Screenplay Agency". They offer no fees and will read your script/manuscript with a view to representation. From the many screenwriting forums and pages I have read - I just want to inform you all that it's a scam and to not submit your work. What seems to happen is that they will accept your work regardless of the quality, then "suggest" a consultant to proofread and help critique the script (for $100). They'll then ask for a one time fee of $129 to setup a webpage profile for you. Oh and if you read the fine print, they ask for some re-imbursements for sending out scrpts (why? that's their job).

Anyways, in order to continue to exist, they keep changing their names. So if you have any contact with any agencies listed below, BEWARE!!

Sydra-Techniques Literary Agency
S.T. Literary Agency
Stylus Literary Agency
Children's Literary Agency
Christian Literary Agency
New York Literary Agency
The Poets Literary Agency
The Screenplay Agency
The Literary Agency Group


Stewart

Hey, thanks for the heads up.

Some of those names sound familiar from a 'Twenty Worst Agents' thread I saw posted at the Imdb Shop Talk Writers board.

EDIT: I removed the link because I just saw another post in that forum in which someone mentioned that another site had legal troubles with one of the agents mentioned in the list.

Great contribuition Z!

More than likely, if an agency contacts you without you sending them a query letter, they are not legit.  Real agencies don't have the time to search the web to find new clients.  It's the other way around. Writers have to search the agencies out.

Also, if you're not sure if an agency is on the up & up, ask them if they are WGA signatory.  If they are not, move on.

I looked into them a couple of months ago I think it was. I gave them half of one of my earlier scripts. I thought everything was going great until they asked for money for a consultant to proof read the script. I was given three choices. To either have a critique myself (I think they had to be qualified in something, can't remember), I also had the choice to of course give them loads of money for one. The other choice was to end all contact with them. So I did number three thankfully. I just hope they haven't messed with my script or sent it elsewhere for someone else to pick up .

Quoted from MacDuff Sydra-Techniques Literary Agency S.T. Literary Agency Stylus Literary Agency Children's Literary Agency Christian Literary Agency New York Literary Agency The Poets Literary Agency The Screenplay Agency The Literary Agency Group Stewart

Everyone, a long time ago I added whatever urls I have for these folks to my google adsense black list.  If you see anymore popping up, please do let me know the url via pm and I will continue to add them.   I also screen out gambling sites, too.

Thanks,

Don

I, unfortunately, have painted myself into a corner with this agency.  I received the contract from them with instructions saying that I need to include notes from a script doctor with the signed contract.  They did suggest their 'script doctor' but I already had 'The Burnout' evaluated by one.

I submitted the signed contract and doctor's notes, thinking I had the upper hand here.

In the end, I made a bad move.  For one year, this agency will receive ten percent of anything I make off The Burnout, even though they won't lift a finger to sell it.  I e-mailed the mythical Sherry Fine, saying that one production company was interested in my script but wouldn't let me submit it.  It had to be through an agent or lawyer.  

Sherry Fine wrote back, saying that the Screenplay Agency wouldn't do it; it was against company procedure to follow my leads.

The Screenplay Agency will not reject anyone.  You can write a query letter with the most ridiculous story idea and they will say it's good and it's interested.  It will ask a sample of the script and will love whatever you send them.  If you don't believe me, and want to have some fun, write to them.

And watch your ass.


Phil

If you google Sherry Fine, you'll find some interesting things.

One is a measse board discussion pointing out some of the ridiculous things they've sent and gotten positive response to.

I specifically remember one that was littered with horrible spelling, and another that told the tale of an ice cube that melted a little more the angrier it got.

Somebody send the logline for The Cabin.  I bet you get a postive response.

I think everyone should send a logline/story synopsis in.  I'll give anyone a dollar if they get rejected by them.  Come up with the worst story idea imagineable and see if they accept it or not.  Make it a game.


Phil

I heard from this company, too. I checked them out, and decided not to send them any of my scripts.

The game thing sounds like fun, the only thing that sucks is all the emails you'll get from them.

I actually went through the entire process, right to the point where I had to get the critique, and decided to do a little checking before deciding no.

My logline:

One Man........One Vegetable Peeler........A Whole Lot of Vegetables.


This summer.......prepare yourself for.........The Salad Killer!

Bert? Ever heard of a Mary Bluestone? She's my Agent for a place called The Screenplay Agency. Here is the link maybe you can tell me if they're legit?

http://www.thescreenplayagency.com/index.html

Get the hell away from them, Chad!  Get the hell away from them!

Please do not say you've signed a contract with them!


Phil

Considering he has an agent other than Sherry Fine and he's in the synopsis stage, that's not a very good sign.

Chad,  I think their contract allows you to bail on them within a day or two.  Do it!  The Screenplay Agency has one of the worst reputations on the net.  All they want is for you to pay their 'outside script doctor' a fee to look your script over.  That's how they make their money.  They've never sold a script.


Phil

Quoted from The Screenplay Agency FAQ Q) Why is there no phone number? I want to talk to someone...

Looks like you've got your answer from Phil.  This little gem from their website didn't inspire a lot of confidence either.

I would advise you to listen to Phil.

He spends more time sniffing out leads than most people around here -- with his own fair share of bad experiences to show for it -- some good ones, too, though -- and I would trust his judgement on this matter.

Run.

Yup, I almost signed with them once. Complete mistake. Bail now.

Too Late! I've signed with them and got the Critique done. They say it's up to me if I want to go with their Editor or not.

If I bail I know I'll never find a true Agent. My screenplay is on this site. They are my only hope for now.

They are not a legit agency!  They are scam artists!  They never turn down writers, no matter how bad they are (no offense to you).  Everyone is promising to them, as long as you pay for their editors to work on your script.

Did you send them any money?


Phil

$95 dollars so far...

Then their work is done already I think...  

They'll probably keep sucking money out of you... from what I've heard of them... it's not good .

Chad, you will never ever sell anything through them.  They got your money and they'll try to get more.  That's how they operate.

I sent them notes from my script doctor when I sent them my signed contract.  I figured I could get around their sneaky shit that way.  I didn't realize until afterwards that, while I didn't send them any money, they'll get 10% of anything I make off my script, The Burnout.

After using Scriptblaster, I received a letter from a producer who wanted either my agent, manager or lawyer to send them the script (I couldn't do it directly).  When I e-mail this news to Sherry Fine, I was told they wouldn't do it.  It goes against company policy.

You figure that out.

If you can, put a stop payment on your check and ignore all future correspondences with them.  It's not as if they'll take you to court.


Phil

Anyone know a reputable Agent I can contact???

Contact the WGA and ask for their agents list.

Here's a previous discussion on The Screenplay Agency:

http://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-film_contests/m-1149266726/


Phil

Chad, do as Phil says and put a stop payment on the cheque. They are a fraud and you'll never sell your script through them. As it is, they'll probably be due 10% of any future sale of your script.

I should go bump up the other thread...


EDIT: Looks like Phil has already bumped up the agency warning thread, thanks.

Looks like you beat me to it Phil.

Everyone who is in contact with a manager or agent - one of the first questions that you should always ask is:

Q. How many scripts have been sold through your agency.

If the answer is zero - then you should be wary.

Oh, I'm getting out! But after they did the critique, now they come to the Editing part. I told them reliable sources have warned me against them and I'm getting out.

Googling the name of the agency and its representatives will tell you a lot.


Phil

What did their critique of your script say?

You may have to consult a lawyer about getting out of your contract.  In the meanwhile, I suggest you start working on something else.


Phil

It was quite good. But they did say my characters needed more development. Yet it was brimming with potential, with some work and a few more drafts, the screenplay can be made to sell.

And with each draft you send in, you'd have to send in another check.


Phil

So, should I even trust the Critique itself??? Or could those things have been said so they knew I'd send more money?

I haven't read the critique (and maybe not even the script).  If you agree with the comments on it, then use them in a rewrite.  If you posted your script on the boards, listen to what people hear tell you.

Does the critique seem general?  Or does it list examples from your script?


Phil

Quoted from chad So, should I even trust the Critique itself??? Or could those things have been said so they knew I'd send more money?

Sounds like a snow-job to me, but hey -- are we talking the "Six Daggers" story here?  I've read that.

Post the points you are wondering about (I'd be curious to see them anyway) and I'll let you know (honestly) if they have any merit.

Hi,

Yeah, this is the guy who got caught up in the Screenplay Agencies little trap. Now they don't want to let me out of the Contract. Oh, they more or less called all of you here on Simplyscripts.com writers wasting their time on boards and forums instead of doing any real writing and I shouldn't believe any of you. Well, I do believe you guys. I'll post their response to me trying to get out of the contract with them plus their remarks about you guys. I didn't mention Simplyscripts at all though in my email to them.

Chad

Here is thier last response that mentions this site. Oh, and this is the second time I've read this exact email, it was sent once already before to try and convince me.

Chad

There is a strange belief within the literary community that believes that NO ONE should ever pay, or be asked to pay, any fee, of any kind, in seeking representation for their work.

And, within certain parameters, they are absolutely correct. If you rank in talent among the top two or three percent of writers in the world, if you are only interested in being published by one of the top twelve mass-market publishers, if you are a noted celebrity with built-in market power, if you are at the center of some event that has captured world attention and have information the public wants to know or can be convinced they want to know, if you have a connection to the world of publishing and can be granted a personal audience with a publisher then, by no means should you ever pay anything to have your work represented or published.

This faith also believes that it is wrong for marketing people to participate in any profits that might arise from assistance provided to emerging authors in the preparation of their work. It’s okay for McDonald’s to own potato farms and beef ranches. It is okay for Time-Life to own printing presses and paper mills (not to mention television networks, radio stations, newspapers, bookstores, etc.) But, for some reason, anyone who wants to be a manuscript marketer (literary Agent) must be willing to do so at his own expense, solely on speculation, regardless of the caliber or quality of the author he is representing to avoid being labeled a scam artist or worse.

The result of this faith is that 97  (probably 99)  percent of the writers in this world cannot obtain representation or publication. Under this belief system I would refuse to represent anyone who did not meet the special categories I listed previously. I would not invest my time and money in anyone that wasn’t a sure bet.

Before the advent of personal computers and desktop publishing the publishing industry was very exclusive. It was very expensive to produce and market a book and there were only a handful of companies able and willing to make the investment.

The information age has revolutionized publishing. Today there are more than 70,000 small publishers just in the United States and this does not include self-publishing. These are publishers who are producing works written by others. Most are averaging 6 to 10 publications annually, some more. By definition, to be recognized as a publisher they must have six or more titles. At minimum this represents more than 400,000 titles, in the market, each year.

Amazingly, these publishers are, collectively, publishing less than one percent of the available manuscripts produced annually. Publishers I have spoken with receive more than 600 manuscripts for possible publication each year. Some of the better known publishing houses receive that many, or more, daily.

We have chosen to specialize in the other 97 percent of the market – authors of promise with a good story to tell.  Furthermore, we are aggressively investing in other companies in the publishing space.  We are buying into publishers, we are investing our own money in promoting our authors’, and we are establishing numerous joint ventures where we can.

This arrangement makes us scam artists in the opinion of many in the literary field. If this qualifies us as such in your opinion than you should backpedal quickly and get out of the situation.

We believe we are providing a valuable service for people who aspire to be writers and published authors.  Furthermore, the number of clients offering letters and messages of appreciation, even praise, far outweighs the number Of our detractors. Unfortunately, real writers and business-people Don’t Have time to hang out on negatively slanted bulletin boards.

I hope this helps in your decision.

Warmest regards,

Andrea - Director of Client Relations

Well Chad, to me it sounds like they're throwing a lot of crap at you, maybe to try and confuse you or I don't know. I went for these guys with one of my scripts but as soon as they asked for money or hinted about it, that was it. I still worry now that the half a script I gave them is somewhere out there with other writers trying to make money off of it and yes... I only gave them less than half a script and they wanted to represent me. If an agency like that asks for any sort of money, I'm out without even thinking about it.

I can't exactly help much but they're obviously giving you a choice to stick with them or end it. You know the right choice is to end all contact with them and I don't see how they can stop you from doing that even with a contract really.

Others on this site will be more helpful than I but you should know that this happens all the time. They suck people in and take their money... not sure what happens after that but they certainly don't sell any scripts for anyone.

Quoted from the letter Under this belief system I would refuse to represent anyone who did not meet the special categories I listed previously. I would not invest my time and money in anyone that wasn’t a sure bet.

From:  http://www.chrismclaren.com/blog/archives/2006/02/16/take-down-that-scam-kids

Quoted from website Look at these loglines, that The Screenplay Agency accepted for development:     “WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THIRTEEN TWELVE YEAROLDS FIND A RED BIKE AND A MYSTIC CRYSTAL OUTSIDE OF THE SCHOOL DOORS ONE DAY? AN DAVENTURE OF MISTICAL PROPORTIONS!”     its the story of an ice cube that every time he feels happy it make him melt a liitle bit more

The spelling mistakes were in the actual query letters.  Says a lot about investing time in sure bets.


Phil

Yeah, I got that same for letter too while checking them out.  Did a little more research on them, and forgot about it.

I've given serious consideration to emailing a ridiculous logline, and then following up with nothing more than a title page to see if they even read these scripts they "believe" in.

I was thinking of sending another letter in, under a different name, with a really bad synopsis.  If they would ask for the script, I would send them multiple copies of The Cabin, binded together as one feature length script.  Every other page I would have a penguin walk onto the scene with a sign  reading "SCREENPLAY AGENCY SUCKS" and see if they notice.


Phil

I sent Sherry Fine an e-mail today, asking for any word on 'The Burnout.'  We'll see what happens.


Phil

Hey guys, if any or you are curious about sending an awful query to this agency but you're lazy to do it, check this out:

http://www.davidanaxagoras.com/2006/01/30/she-never-met-a-logline-she-didn't-like/

Mr. Z, that is some good reading. It seems Ms. Fine has made a name for herself in the writing community as a whole, not just the screenwriting one.

I was reading through that and came upon this:

http://www.writers.net/forum/read/10/127303/127297Vf

Another forum that is discussing this very topic, and the infamous Sherry Fine responded to the thread.

It's believed that Sherry is not a real person.  The one that Chad has been dealing with is probably fictional, also.

It has been learned (not by me) that the address they have people send scripts to is merely a virtual office.  No one at TSA is actually there; the mail is simply forwarded.

Phil

Hey Phil, can your script The Burnout ever be bought, or will the agency just take a big portion of the money?

If someone buys it (and I do have an interested party) I might have to pay TSA 10% of what I make, even though they did jackshit in sell it.  I will go to court to see they don't get anything, though I may just have to write it off as 'stupidity tax.'.


Phil

How long of a contract did you sign with TSA?  When does it expire?

You could luck out on a few things (financing, other misc. things) that may have it run out and you can sign the contract without giving them a dime.

This agency has been brought up numerous times on another popular screenwriting board where I'm a member, and from reading multiple posts both here and there and from having picked up on their scam when they contacted me, I think the single most tell-tale sign they're a scam is that they accept to represent every script sent to them.

You will never hear someone who has sent this agency a script complain that the agency chose not to represent them.  Nobody -- and I repeat, NOBODY -- accepts every writer or script that comes across their desk.  

The sad thing is that they're so obviously a fake, yet people continue to fall for them even after folks like dogglebe tell them to avoid them at all costs because he's been scammed by them.  But this "agency" preys on aspiring screenwriters because we're so eager to get read, or to earn that first dollar and obtain that first "sold" credit...that eagerness and that lure of big bucks will sometimes blind us or convince  us to take a chance even though our guts tell us it's a trap.  

So, here's a piece of advice; if any agency demands a reading fee, or a per-page fee, or any kind of fee besides the %10 commission after they sell your script, it's a scam.  Don't fall for it.

Chad -- you don't have to take our word for it.  Check out pretty much any major screenwriting forum on the 'net and you'll find at least one thread exposing this agency as a fraud.

Having heard plenty of horror stories from others who have been suckered in by this agency, it sounds to me like the critique you got is pretty much the same critique they give everyone.  "Characters need work but there's lots of potential" applies to pretty much any script ever written by any aspiring screenwriter, because first-timers often don't focus enough on characters but the general idea is decent and has potential.  That's token, baby!

The general concensus seems to be that if the WGA doesn't acknowledge a particular agency, said agency is worth going out of your way to avoid.  I hope you're able to pull out of this contract.  Scan that mother fucker for a loophole or, better yet, find yourself an attorney and have him scan it for a loophole.  So you might have to pay a couple hundred bucks for an hour of an attorney's time...but it's better than losing 10% if you sell the script for fifty grand, know what I'm sayin'?

Actually, that in itself could be a loophole.  As phil/dogglebe has pointed out in this thread and many others, The Screenplay Agency has never sold a script and apparently has a plethora of excuses why they "can't" send it out to BE sold, or even LOOKED AT by a potential buyer (kinda defeats the whole purpose of being an agent to begin with, huh?)  So if your script ends up selling, it's more than likely because you did all the footwork and negotiated the sale yourself, which means they, as your "agent," failed to meet their entire raison d'etre as an "agent" which, in turn, means they have no right to claim a percentage because THEY didn't sell the damn thing...YOU did.  

I dunno...it's all just postulation at this point but it sounds reasonable to me.

The contract is for one year.  And I have about nine months left on mine.


Phil

It's important that this thread be bumped up the list as there are a lot of crooks who make money off of young writers hoping to make it big.

Research anyone who wants to represent you.


Phil

Quoted from dogglebe It's important that this thread be bumped up the list as there are a lot of crooks who make money off of young writers hoping to make it big. Research anyone who wants to represent you.

I absolutely agree that this one is important especially because they have a tendency to prey on the hopes and dreams of struggling writers. I've the stories of people just overjoyed that they got an agent from this place only to have their hopes dashed when they're expected to pay dearly for a myriad of services that may not pay off. That's why I made it a sticky on this board. It's always on top.

I was just reading some of the myriads of links that branch off some of these sites and I found the site for the guy who submitted the "ice cube" logline. He also included the 30 page "script" he submitted to them for review. You can read it in a 4 page blog here: http://www.screenwritinglife.com/i-spy-for-the-scribosphere-part-1-of-3-danny-broderick-strikes

The best part, however, was the end. No spoiler warning needed. It really says what it needs to about The Screenplay Agency. He said this:

------------------------

UPDATE: Just for kicks, a few weeks ago I used a different e-mail account and sent in the following query:

Name: Josh Sanchez

How Did You Hear of Us: Mwerk hell.

Title of Work: Hoppa Smirky Flirking Poop

Synopsis: Mwerk.

Has your Work Been Edited: Smoolapa oijjs certainty flocksure pinanten coolaiding slader.

Short Bio: Whentoes Sanchez flipristki centerop.

The response ten days later from Sherry Fine?

?Thank you for your query to the Screenplay Literary Agency. Based on your query form information we would like to see your work and learn a little bit more about your goals and your work. Would you please send us an electronic copy of your screenplay? etc., etc., etc.?

Someone really needs to shut these guys down.

------------------------

And I agree with him.

Chad, I have some good news for you...

I read through my contract (I'm sure yours is the same).  It says on page two that:

The Writer/Producer may terminate this Agreement after 90 consecutive days of no sale by Agent.  Renewals and terminations via e-mail are deemed acceptable.

I've sent in my termination notice (keeping a copy for myself).  I doubt they will fight this.


Phil

BEFORE ANYONE QUERIES ANYONE, PLEASE VISIT THESE SITES AND DO YOUR RESEARCH.

Don, this is not to pull anyone away from here, they are beware sections with professional researchers and background checkers.  If there have been negative experiences chances are it will end up in one of these two places.

http://www.agentquery.com is a great place to find lists of agents, what they are looking for, websites, contact information and such.  However, please do your research BEFORE quering them.

This research has been compiled at:

http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/

and

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=22

They are not just people who have failed complaining.  They are checked up by people who have a lot of experience with these things, professional investigators and so on.

Please, save yourself a lot of trouble and heartache and do your research!

I decided to have some fun with them, here what im sending in.

How Did You Hear of Us?:public restroom stall

The Title of Your Work:Scam

Logline/Synopsis:A fuax screenplay agency dupes young writers into sending there work into them, only to scam them out of there money.

Your Name:Willu Jack Meoff ESQ.

Has Your Work Been
Edited or Critiqued, and If So, By Whom?:My dog found it to be extremly good.

Bio:I am a homeless man, living under a bridge for the past 25 years. i make money by selling cans. i hope this screenplay will make me lots of money so i can eat more spam.


Fun,fun,fun.

It's been done.


Phil

Check reply 54 above, posted by me. The link goes to a whole blog of how it has been done.

When I was under contract with them, I had someone in Hollywood interested in reading The Burnout.  He said he wouldn't look at it unless it was submitted by my agent or lawyer.

I told The Screenplay Agency this and they refused to send it.  They said they hads their own way of doing things.

WTF?


Phil

Quoted from dogglebe When I was under contract with them, I had someone in Hollywood interested in reading The Burnout.  He said he wouldn't look at it unless it was submitted by my agent or lawyer. I told The Screenplay Agency this and they refused to send it.  They said they hads their own way of doing things. WTF? Phil

I believe I can give you a pretty good explanation as to why the Screenplay Agency wouldn’t forward your material:

The producer you had contact with was probably a legitimate, reputable producer. The Screenplay Agency CANNOT forward material to a reputable Hollywood producer because no reputable Hollywood producer would accept material from the Screenplay Agency.

Furthermore, the fact that you had direct correspondence with the producer increases the Agency’s chances of having their fraud exposed.

It's worse than that.  This from a set of reliable sources in the industry.  They include a checklist of why they rejected it with every submission they make, just to speed up the rejection process.  They don't want to handle any sales, they just want your money.

I don't think many producers would be familiar with TSA.  It doesn't concern them.  It would be like bad plumbers, to them.  They're concerned with those they know and can do business with.


Phil

Quoted from dogglebe I don't think many producers would be familiar with TSA.  It doesn't concern them.  It would be like bad plumbers, to them.  They're concerned with those they know and can do business with. Phil

Producers have their blacklists just like everyone else in every other industry.

If TSA never submits anything, how would the producers even know of them?


Phil

Because they and all their other counterparts used to until it became more trouble than it was worth, now they just bilk authors for money.

They used to include a checklist for reasons for rejection in every submission they would make.  They would spam out ten or so queries with that, all would come back as rejected, they would send out a notice to the author, telling them it needed more work, the author would send in more money, they would possibly spam some more, or they would just give it up and let the author go saying they couldn't get a sale.

A few friends of mine used to recieve their blanket, poorly constructed, checklist queries.  

It seems now they have streamlined it but producers and publishers aren't quick to forget people like that.

I just learned that The Screenplay Agency is holding an alledged screenwriting competition called The Studio Readers Competition.

Hopefully, no one entered it.


Phil

They are a total rip off. They don't do anything to promote your script. The do try and outsource you to other companies for fine tuning your script. Even then the people they use are rip offs.

Today, I received an e-mail from the Film Literary Group, offering its services.  A little research showed that this company has a shady reputation, much like its founder, Stephen Grey.

I thought I would mention this and bump the thread up.  There are a lot of so-called agents.  These people show a great interest in your work.  They either ask for a fee to represent you, or they say that your script needs work and that you should send your script to their script doctor.  These doctors charge a fee, also.  If you pay this fee, the agency will keep feeding you the same that that the script is almost there and that it must go back to the script doctor...at your expense.

Keep your eyes open, boys and girls.  If anyone approaches you, research them before you sign any papers.


Phil

These guys are the worst. They are nothing but a scam. I sent them a 17 page script that was bull and they wanted to sign a contract. They use a outside service to stroke you as an editing service and they are big crooks. Beware of these guys they are scamers.

are these guys advertising as writers literary screenplay agency now? ouch! i saw an ad on the SS homepage and sent them a query. didn't realise till after they could be the same scammers! i won't send them a script that's for sure.  can't SS block the maggots from advertising? cheers

Steve,
Don't bother with them at all. A good agency will have your stuff edited for you if they like the script. This is a scam. Believe me I know first hand about this group.

Quoted from stevie are these guys advertising as writers literary screenplay agency now? ouch! i saw an ad on the SS homepage and sent them a query. didn't realise till after they could be the same scammers! i won't send them a script that's for sure.  can't SS block the maggots from advertising? cheers

I'd like to know the url if you could.  I have the screenplay agency blocked on google.  You shouldn't be seeing ads for them.

These are the ones I've blocked.
screenplaywritersagency.com
thescreenplayagency.com
wlscreenplayagency.com
writersliterary.com
filmliterarygroup.com

hi don heres the link  WlwRitErsAgency.com .  it looks legit then you go to another one for screenplays which is the writers literary agency.. looks like the same mob of parasites!
the ad is on page 4 of this thread actually!

I've added them to the block list.

Thanks,

Don

Yes!! How does that grab you Bruce!!!!!!!!

got an e-mail back from the vermin!  the mythical Sherry is mentioned again. surely they'd come up with different names and titles every now and then! deleted!

I've read of people who send in purposely bad scripts to these people.  Nothing is ever turned down.

One script was a romance piece about an ice cube who melts a little each time he is happy.



Phil

This has nothing to do with the Screenplay Agency, but it's worth posting.  The following came from writing gigs boards on craigslist:

Quoted Text Reply to: gigs-zvwek-1138418109@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?] Date: 2009-04-24, 1:17PM PDT Toby whitemore pretends to be a UTA agent and has no life. He pretends that he's interested in scripts then strings you along - He does it because he's a loser and feels the need to be important (he actually works at a gas station in jersey). He has a group of friends (or all him) that go along with the hoax for their own enjoyment. He also stole my screenplay from the paranoia film festival. THESE GUYS ARE TOTAL LOSERS - SO WATCH OUT! Do not Flag - this is a warning to all potential screenplay writers. I'll just keep posting

Phil

I received my first reply from my most recent mass query mailing from Mocknick Productions, a literary agency in Pennsylvania.  They want to read my script, Bad Penguin and possibly represent me.  Their response letter, however, says the following:

Quoted Text We like all potential clients to know that we don't charge reading fees, but IF we represent them there's an annual contract fee of $450.00.

Pretty funny, eh?  It gets better...

I visited this agency's website where I was greeted by Allie, the site's virtual hostess which can answer your questions about the agency.  I asked who the agency represents and was told Philip K. Dick, Mary Shelly and someone named David Bacon.


Phil

I just thought I'd bump this thread up, again.  If you haven't read it before, it's something of a wake up call.


Phil

I received this, today, in my e-mail:

Phil,

We have read your query letter for your screenplay, Frankincense.  We are a motion picture financing and packaging firm and many of the production companies and agencies forward query letters to us to evaluate and make recommendations.  We will selectively consult with talent that we feel demonstrates potential.      

If we are going to proceed our procedures are as follows:

We must first receive from you a signed industry standard release form which we will send you.

We will require an electronic version of your script in either a PDF or Word Doc format.

We will need 7 -10 business days to read and evaluate your script.

After that we will arrange a mutually convenient time for a phone consultation in which we will provide an in-depth analysis of the script from both a content and business perspective.  In our experience we have found that even seasoned writers are unaware of their responsibility in bringing material to fruition and do not know the steps they must take to insure their own success.  We also find that frequently the material is not as ready for the marketplace as the writer may believe.  

Although we do have a management division, we are not at this time offering to represent, package, or finance the project.  We reach out on projects that pique our interest as a way of getting to know a writer and their work.  The cost of the consultation is $150.  You will have ample opportunity to ask whatever questions you like.  It is one-on-one and confidential.

The next step would be your reply to this email requesting the release form.  

Best,

Howard

Howard Delman
American Financial


Phil

See post #15. Most chilling testimonial ever.

http://messageboard.donedealpro.com/boards/showthread.php?t=54110&page=2

I thought I'd bump this thread up since there are so many new people on the boards.  I suggest all the new people read through it and understand that there are a crooks out there.  I bring this up now because I received the following e-mail today:

Quoted Text Good afternoon, A Few months back you submitted a script synopsis and logline to us We are writing to let you know that starting next month in November we will be holding our Fourt Annual Submit A Script For Production Contest As in previous years, this content is open to all writers and all genres of script/screenplay The Prize is as follows: 1) First place winner gets his/her script produced and gets paid a purchase price of 15% of production budget 2) Second place winner gets his/her script produced and gets paid a purchase price of 8% of production budget 3) Third place winner gets his/her script optioned for 6 months and gets paid $1,000 for the option to purchase To enter this contest, participants need to do the following: 1. Submit entry fee of $25.00 no later than October 31st via Paypal 2. Submit title, logline,and synopsis no later than Nov 7th 3. Submit entire script no later than Nov 14th 4. Entries will be judged on originality, mass appeal, and clever dialogue 5. All genres are welcome--Short scripts must be between 15-45 pages, long scripts must be between 90-120 pages 6. You may submit as many as you like, but entry fee must accompany each submission Please let us know if you would like to participate.

While I did submit a query letter to this 'production company' a few months, this is the first I've heard back from them.  A quick search of the company's name reveals nothing to write home about.

Regarding this competition, here are a few flags everyone should be weary of in entering competitions:

The first prize is too good to be true.  They'll produce your movie and give you fifteen percent of the production cost.  If your movie costs $10M to produce, you would earn $1.5M.  No one makes this kind of money.  And, for them to be able to produce this film, they would need the fees of 460,000 entrees to cover this.

The Nicholl Fellowship--the holy grail of competitions--received only 6730 entries this year (a record for them).  And they offer a mere 30,000 dollar prize.

Be careful when entering competitions.  If it sounds too good, it probably is.


Phil

Two things, to be fair:

- one, it's 15% of the production budget, which means below the line. They're not going to give you 15% of your cost of talent, producers, director, etc. Nor will they give it for post-production costs. I imagine this is what the fine print would say...

- be that as it many, 15% of production can still be a hefty fee. So I would imagine the "winner" will be a talking heads, very few locations script.

Kind of like when Richie, Ralph and Potsie ran a fake beauty contest with fake prizes, and then they devised a plan to pick the girl who wouldn't want to leave Milwaukee for the glitz and glam of Hollywood by asking them leading questions, except Ann Louise Milligan turned around and screwed them and said she was acting when she said she wouldn't accept the prizes...

Kinda like that...