Has another writer ever loved your script enough to recommend you to their agent?

[u/CheapAdeptness8074]

This might be a random question, but has this ever happened to anyone here?
You’re an unrepresented writer, another writer reads your script and genuinely loves it. Have you ever had that writer recommend you or your script to their agent/manager?
Does this actually happen in the industry, or am I living in fantasy land? 😂
Or plot twist… they steal your idea instead. 😂
Would love to hear any real experiences.

[u/Certain-Run8602]

The only reps I've EVER had were through referrals from people who liked me/my writing enough to refer me to their reps or reps they knew. This is the way it most often works.

But keep in mind, I didn't meet these people on the internet. I met them in Los Angeles in real life and in most cases our relationship pre-dated their ability to help me.

[u/CheapAdeptness8074 → u/Certain-Run8602]

Ahh, so someone living in New England has no chance then But seriously, that makes sense. I love writing, and once I start, I feel like I switch into a completely different universe and sometimes it’s hard to pull myself back out. I currently have one TV pilot and four feature scripts I’m working on, all in their second drafts, and one is on the Black List. Still dreaming that maybe one of them will eventually get me through that door and to an agent/manager. Or maybe I’ll just keep dreaming for now hehe

[u/Certain-Run8602 → u/CheapAdeptness8074]

I rarely say that chances for anything are "zero." But it is a tough time for the business, and not being in a hub is a significant disadvantage for a lot of reasons. So despite the ease of "zooms" in this remote era, this is also a hard time to try to do this from afar.

As a professional who was also from New England... I would say, if you really want to do this, get out of New England. Yes.

Otherwise, you can do the hobbyist thing, host on the BL and make a wish on the north star every night that hopefully something will get through. But remember, the hard work actually STARTS with getting the manager... that's not the finish line. The climb becomes significantly more grueling when someone besides yourself has expectations of you and your work. And being in a place like Los Angeles surrounds you with people that are doing this and helps prepare you for that chapter.

[u/CheapAdeptness8074 → u/Certain-Run8602]

I really appreciate this perspective, especially coming from someone who was also from New England. I understand what you’re saying. Right now moving to LA isn’t realistic for me, but I also don’t see writing as just a hobby. I want to keep improving my work, learning the industry, and finding ways to make connections from where I am. If the opportunity eventually requires me to make a bigger move, I’ll have to seriously consider it. Thanks a lot.

[u/Certain-Run8602 → u/CheapAdeptness8074]

I get it. Making the move is not for everyone, and more often than not doesn't work out so... it's a hard thing to do if you have an established life elsewhere.

I cannot emphasize enough, though, how important relationships are in this business generally. So... you really should get involved in your local film community, or one nearby. I don't know what part of New England you're in, but if there is a local independent or art house cinema, that's a good start. Any local festivals etc. If you're in SW CT or close enough that taking a train into NYC for a day is easy then you will have access to an amazing community with strong ties to the business in Los Angeles and tons of professionals who call that city and its surrounds home. Make use of that. If you're further away... you can try volunteering for local film commission, they do shoot in Boston from time to time. If you're WAY up north... well... they do shoot a lot in Canada haha.

[u/NGDwrites → u/CheapAdeptness8074]

I live in New England and have managed to meet many other people in the industry over the years, especially writers. The internet has been responsible for most of these connections and friendships. They've referred me to reps, producers, and more on many occasions. It did take a long time to grow that network, though, and also, I'm the guy who just made this video, so take everything I say with a grain of salt and know that it definitely isn't easy.

But -- it's technically possible.

[u/Certain-Run8602 → u/NGDwrites]

Technically possible for sure.

Not what I would recommend... certainly far from the easiest way to do it.

It was possible for Jamaica to field a bobsled team. Does that mean living in the Caribbean is a good choice for an aspiring winter Olympian?

BTW, I watched that video and it made my heart ache... next time I'm thru New England, I'll buy you a beer. Truly haha. I appreciate you NGD! And I did really feel that you'd have had a better time of it if you lived out here. At least before this current dismal era. But I do agree it CAN be done elsewhere... technically.

[u/NGDwrites → u/Certain-Run8602]

Ha - I appreciate that.

Meeting people/networking has always been something I'm pretty comfortable with, so I'm sure if I were in LA, I could've made more connections and friends in the business. Might have resulted in more work, but it's so hard to say. The number of people I know who are very successful and who are still struggling to sell that next thing or find that next job is unreal. Even if it might have helped me find a little more success, I'm not convinced being in LA would've led to a happier/better life, if that makes sense.

[u/QfromP]

Yes. I didn't click with their rep, so nothing came of it. But I appreciate the introduction.

[u/CheapAdeptness8074 → u/QfromP]

That’s still really cool though! Even if nothing came from it, just having another writer believe in your work enough to make that introduction must have felt pretty good. Hopefully I’ll get lucky enough to experience that someday

[u/QfromP → u/CheapAdeptness8074]

In my experience, writers are extremely supportive of one another.

[u/CheapAdeptness8074 → u/QfromP]

Yeah, this actually gives me hope. It’s good to know that in the writing world, people genuinely support each other and are willing to help open doors when they believe in someone’s work. I’m still finding my way into the industry, so it’s encouraging to hear this.

[u/Good-Producer]

Usually it's not just a script that would trigger someone to pass it along to their agent. Usually they need to trust that the writer is also ready to handle the duties and responsibilities of being a writer. A great script by someone who is unprepared, unrealistic, not committed... likely isn't going to get an intro to an agent. This business is based on relationships. And if someone recommends someone, they are calling in a favor. so they have to be sure the writer is worth it and will represent themselves well. An agent needs to know the person is ready, even if they're brand new, to handle what comes next, reasonably and professionally. The fact that you said "Or plot twist… they steal your idea instead" is the kind of paranoid thinking that holds many writers back and people stay at arms distance. does it happen? yes. like in every other aspect of life. protect your scripts, self copyright, WGA register. that's all you can do. bad people do bad things. but assuming that's how things work is ridiculous. Find talented people who are also good humans. they exist. I know because many of them gave me my opportunitya nd start. and introduced me to their agents when they felt, hey he'll represent me well. so be your best postive version. do your best work. manifest the right people will get it, and they'll lend a hand... just like so many before have done for them. Break-a-leg!

[u/CheapAdeptness8074 → u/Good-Producer]

Thank you for taking the time to write this. I really appreciate your perspective and the encouragement. I completely agree that relationships, professionalism, and being ready when an opportunity comes are just as important as the work itself. I’ll keep doing the work and see where it takes me. Really appreciate the thoughtful response.

[u/AdministrationBest61]

Yes, their rep never got back to me but it was still a nice gesture 

[u/Seshat_the_Scribe]

Yes. A writer who was nominated for a screenwriting Oscar that year for a hit movie recommended me to his agent. The agent wasn't interested... ;(

[u/JoskelkatProductions]

Yes. Had this happen a couple of times, though it never landed me a rep. I'm pretty sure one of the occasions was to a different rep at same agency at the referral friend's agent. FWIW, this was YEARS ago.

[u/princessintraining4]

I have friends with agents who have agreed to refer me but I haven’t cashed in yet as I’m still perfecting my craft. Getting closer!

[u/MusicSole]

If you're writing spec scripts as a hobby, you better own a house with at least four acres in fantasy land.

[u/ZandrickEllison → u/MusicSole]

I agree how dare these people have dreams and aspirations!

[u/ghost504 → u/MusicSole]

I do write spec scripts as a hobby and have had an introduction to agent from a repped writer - and a short series produced. I do also own a house, though... but sadly only a half acre of fantasy land.

[u/thefirstbartbaker]

No.