[size=8][size=1]Hi,
I live here in not-so-sunny England and I have been quite frustrated with my experiences with agents over here. They have been polite and I understand the difficulties re subjectivity etc etc but it is pretty much closed doors over here even though I have been in communication with a production company.
Sooo I was wondering with the ease of email and telephones and such it might be worth taking a look over the pond. Has anyone any thoughts or advice regarding this????[/size][/size]

Just an update: A production company has asked for my script, they've sent a release form, and I know there are plenty of people like me who have been here before. Could do with some advice re the form but will I get any??? I didn't last time!  Hey-ho - here I go again.......

Two things:

Check the company out, and check the Release form out carefully. You could end up signing your soul away.

Second - I would suspect that no reputable US Agent would take on a unrepresented or produced writer. They already have hundreds of their own, after all? You'd have to be very very good to attract their attention, and if that were the case, you'd have an agent here, wouldn't you?

It is frustrating, I know - Christ, I certainly know - trying to get an agent, get your work accepted, but I am afraid that that is just the way it is. Very few people become overnight successes.

You can get a US agent, no matter where you live...and frankly the big Hollywood agents are the only ones worth their salt. They are big because they sell a script a week...at big prices.

Usu. only happens with something v. sellable, or if you've made a massive noise about it.

Two people I know got signed up to one of the biggest US screenwriting agents recently for thier work on a short called "Mrs Peppercorns magical reading room". They pimped that thing to unbelievable levels...Variety and everything. First time writers as well.

Release forms are standard because it protects them from the situation where they are working on something similar. As above though, read the small print, and don't sign away your rights.

If you feel uncomfortable about it...don't do it.

It does rather depend on what you want to write and where you want to sell it, of course.

If your dream is to make millions and spend your days beside a Malibu pool then a US agent is obviously better than one based in Hackney.

But if your scripts are scorching condemnations of life on council estates in the North, probably not...

Hi,
Thanks for all the great advice folks.

My scripts could be made either in the UK or USA with ease so the ole Malibu pool sounds inviting.

I've read through the form etc but of course I'm no expert. I'll see if an agent can/will help at this point. I don't want to lose another chance. The way I see it if they cannot/won't then I might as well take the plunge because otherwise I'll never know.
Yes I want to protect my script and myself and not get ripped off but if it happens then I'll deal with the pain - and then contact agents and say "hey look what happened to my cherished script, can you help protect my new ones?"
Sacrificing a beloved script = not very nice at all.

Well I didn't get far with the agents etc. Hey-ho.
One of the companies who requested my script I know to be 100% reputable and the release form seems quite straightforward so I have signed it etc. Fingers crossed.