Representation Week

Posted on July 27, 2009 | by admin

So I’m doing something different next week. I want to give four writers a chance to get some exposure. The only catch is you have to have agency representation and not yet have sold a script. If you meet those requirements, send me your script, your agency, and a logline. I’ll take the four most interesting loglines and review those scripts Monday-Thursday. If you don’t want your script posted or you won’t be able to take a potentially negative review, then you shouldn’t participate. I know a lot of you unrepresented writers are crying foul here but there’s a reason I’m only allowing represented writers. First, I don’t want to be inundated with 10,000 e-mails. But more importantly, this is an exercise to review scripts from writers who *were* able to land representation, but have not yet been able to sell a script. What’s the difference in quality between a represented and an unrepresented writer? What’s the difference in quality between a represented writer and a represented writer with a sale? Is the difference merely a matter of luck? That’s what I want to explore. Who knows? Maybe we’ll find something great. Send the scripts to this e-mail: Carsonreeves2@gmail.com. There is no guarantee your script will be chosen but you have my word that I will delete all scripts I don’t use. Deal?

Okay, now let’s make one of you guys a millionaire.

Edit: I’ve decided to allow Manager representation as well. Though the choices will be weighted to favor agency representation.

Accepting submissions until: Saturday, August 1st

Posted in Uncategorized
  • Brett Farmiloe

    Good idea Carson. Look forward to scripts from the underground.

  • Anonymous

    Have you read BALLS OUT by The Robotard 8000?

    Those guys have agency representation but so far, incredibly, they haven't sold their script for several million dollars.

  • Coelacanth

    This is a truly fantastic idea.

  • Jim Endecott

    You rock Carson.

    -Jim

  • Anonymous

    JJ says:

    Great idea, Carson! That's how to use your powers for good! Although, (speaking as a writer who has neither sold a script nor has representation) I've found that often screenwriters don't get an agent until AFTER they've sold something (or had a film produced, or made a documentary, or had a play staged or published short stories or something…) Frustrating? You betchya!

  • Anonymous

    Will you ever do one for unrepresented writers?

  • Anonymous

    Carson Reeves… the next Ari Gold?

  • Carson Reeves

    I'll probably do a contest at some point. But that will take some major organizing.

  • Lumi

    It's very hard to get representation when your script isn't stoking the hearts of many.

    But still a good idea Carson, I'd be interested in seeing what other unsold writers out there are writing.

  • ryanpaige

    Not that I think they should be included, but there is, of course, another category in your writer matrix: the unrepresented writer with at least one sale.

  • Anonymous

    It seems like the possibility of a bad review would be a pretty big deterrent for a repped writer and a pain in the a$$ for the writer's rep if the script has not yet gone out. Why not just post positive reviews for the scripts you like and refrain from reviewing the ones you don't? You're ostensibly trying to help these folks out, but a bad review would cause nothing but harm.

  • yeebarr

    Fantastic idea Carson! I have nothing but praise for all your hard working writers out there (writing would be my dream job – alas I was pressured by life to get a "real job" to feed my family…wait, can anyone else hear those violins?)

    Are these writers (Carsons top 4-5) also happy to let the rest of us view their work?

  • Anonymous

    No script challenge this month?

  • J.K.

    This is fucking weird! I was just going to ask if you were intending to create a contest at some point!

    You need a manager Carson? An agent? I think I can figure it out.

  • Anonymous

    Agree with Anon 3:23.

    You should probably just post the reviews of the scripts you like.

    There's no point in potentially harming a writers career by posting something negative.

    Promote the good scripts & good writers. Ignore the mediocre ones.

  • Anonymous

    Seems to me it's supposed to be an exercise in why someone might have a rep but hasn't sold yet, not a means of writer promo alone?

  • Carson Reeves

    Correct, I'm trying to do two things here. I want to help the writers. But I also want readers of Scriptshadow to be able to see repped writers' work. Plus there's the possibility that I might read four scripts and not like any of them. Then what I do? Read four more? That's 12-14 extra hours of work.

    As most people know, I'm rarely cruel in my reviews. I always try to see it from a place of "this can be improved" rather than a place of "this sucks". I'm not going to embarrass anybody here. Just give my opinion.

  • Carson Reeves

    By the way. Huge response so far. Lots of great loglines. I wish I could review all of them. May have to do this again in a couple of months.

  • Anonymous

    There is a new web site that will review unrepresented writers' work. Check it out:

    http://modestfilmblog.blogspot.com/

  • Anonymous

    When's the due date for scripts to be submitted?

  • Carson Reeves

    Just posted it. August 1.

  • Anonymous

    Great work, Carson, yet again! Keep on keeping on :-)
    - romcomland

  • Anonymous

    Great idea, Carson.

  • Anonymous

    I sincerely hope any repped writers considering this thing are getting an 'Okay' from their agent and/or manager.

  • David Wisehart

    I got my manager's approval before emailing my script. Thanks again, Carson!

  • We Really Didn’t Think This Through

    It would seem like more of a risk.
    But I get what you're trying to prove.
    Which is…sometimes there may not be any rhyme or reason why a script sold or the writer was represented.

  • Anonymous

    Another nation heard from from:

    What if the script is great? Doesn't posting a link to it spoil your rep's chance at slowing engaging the town? In other words, if your latest script is the next LOW DWELLER or PRISONERS, best course of action is to let your rep slowly leak it. Worst thing you can do is post a link to it so every Tom, Dick and Harry can weekend read it for the boss. Though it's probably safe to send Carson a script that's gone wide but didn't sell.

    It's kind of a Catch-22, don'cha think? If it didn't sell, does it really matter that Carson thinks it's the shit? Or is that the point?

    Exhibit A: Great script this town passed on

    or

    Exhibit B: Horrible script but the writer's repped (go figure)

    Could be opening a can of worms here. As always, though, you're ahead of the curve once again, Carson. You're slowly becoming the Mark Zukerberg of the online script community (yes, that's a compliment).

    Anon 12:54

  • SAM

    Definitely don't hold back on criticism if the work merits it Carson. The point is to give us all a look at the quality of work floated around by repped writers.

    If you only review the one's you like we won't get an accurate picture.

    SAM

  • Anonymous

    Why don't you start with script reviews of other scriptshadow reviewers? I'd love to read one of Jonny Atlas's or Tarson's scripts…

  • Anonymous

    Don't bother with the Robotard8000. I read BALLS OUT and it is utterly unremarkable.

  • martinb

    Great idea. As someone who sometimes posts negative opinions of the scripts, I'd like some guidance — if we don't like the script, do you want us to shut up?

  • Anonymous

    It would probably be good if you didn't post who was representing the writers you choose. Because either it's a wonderful script they've failed to sell, or they're repping mediocre (or even terrible) writers. Either way, it's a losing situation for a manager or an agent, right?

  • Anonymous

    Does optioning count? And what if your agent is in another country?

  • Anonymous

    EFF YOU, Anonymous!

    The BALLS OUT is the most bestest comedy script out there to beat!

  • ibrahim
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