Many producers only accept screenplays from reputable agents because they have established relationship and the agent has proven to be a good source of good material.
In the competitive world of screenwriting, you want to make sure you have an agent that can provide you with the best representation possible. How can you do that?
The first step is sending out good query letters. Write a professional, tailored letter that says who you are, what you have written, what has been produced or published, and what are you working on now. If you were previously represented, and left for reasons that do not reflect badly on you, say so. Be simple and direct. Be sure to include the subject matter. You can save a potential agent a lot of time if he or she knows right away that it’s not the right material for that agency or they already are working on a similar project. Include a resume if you have substantial, relevant experience. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Once you start hearing back from the agents you’ve queried, hopefully you will have generated enough interest that you can pick and choose. Don’t bother with anyone who runs seminars, teaches extension classes, offers screenplay analysis, or does anything else for a living. A successful agent supports him- or herself on the commission income. Someone running seminars does so because they can make good money. They will probably try to get you to take the seminar so they can collect the fee. If you are interested in a seminar or class or other program, keep it separate from an agency. You want to be represented by someone who only gets paid when you get paid.
If an agent wants to represent you, find out what other writers are on his or her roster and what scripts have been sold in the past year. Check out the credits. If an agent doesn’t have any successful clients, how is he or she going to help you be successful?
If your agent wants you to pay for copies, he or she probably isn’t doing very well. If an agent asks you for any other payments, such as reading fees, consultation, or anything else, contact the Writer’s Guild and report them. Agents are allowed to charge for photocopies and postage only.
Unfortunately, new and unproven screenwriters won’t get the best reception. Do what you can to avoid “minions,” the office workers who don’t have the clout to say anything but no.
Remember that an enthusiastic agent with less clout is better than a higher level agent with less enthusiasm. But be sure you’re working with an agent. Anyone who wants to “represent” your script who is not an agent, whether they charge money or not, will probably not be able to help you. There are online services that claim they will read your script and pass it along to important people if it’s good enough. However, most of these services make their money from the fees they charge writers, not from the commissions coming from sold screenplays.