AGENTS CHARGING CLIENTS UP FRONT: REVELATIONS ON A COMMON PRACTICE IN THE FILM WORLD OR TRICK FROM A CROOK?

I got this email and I thought it might be useful to my fellow screenwriters.  Personally, I would avoid this kind of practice.  But what do you think of these "revelations"? Personally I think it's a trick. Let me know your thoughts on this. Thanks for reading! Jordan.

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Good afternoon,

Please send the entire script and synopsis via snail mail (post) to the address in our website.
Also, please read the Fact letter below, as we like to be up front with potential clients.

We look forward to seeing your script
Dave
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FACT LETTER

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. This covers submissions, phone calls, follow-ups, contract negotiations (in the event of a sale) and all other aspects of representation.

We inform people of this up front, so there are no games or surprises. Also, each client receives a quarterly Submission Report, (Jan., April, July and Oct.) which summarizes what’s been sent, to whom, when it was sent and the results.

According to certain websites, it is not a “Standard Practice” for an agency to charge up-front fees. In reality, it is a standard practice. Theses organizations forbid fees, and most of the agents that don’t charge are members of these organizations.

What they don’t mention is that these agents generally will not accept new writers unless the writers are already best selling authors. The reason? The time, effort and expense involved in pitching a known author is minimal, while pitching an unknown to paranoid publishers and producers requires much more.

An agency that doesn’t charge some type of fee for new writers will not stay in business long, so they have no choice. We like to inform potential clients of this aspect of the industry so they have a broader understanding of the way things are.

We hope that this info has been helpful. If you have any questions, there are characters on our websites  who can help.