Christian WGA agents?

[judycwrite]

Thanks guys for the literary Christian agents. I'm checking them out. Does anybody know of any Christian WGA agents? A lot of what I write is screenplay or teleplay. That's also what I've had the most "success" with.
So I'd love to get in touch with an agent that knows the Lord.

Thanks!

Judy

PS I'm finishing up on an article about the tv show Saving Grace, that I hope to pitch to Discipleship Journal. (Christianity Today isn't taking querries right now) Hopefully that will encourage folks to take a biblical view of sinners and see the possibilities of story as an evangelizing tool. Worked well for Jesus.

[bbraidman]

Judy/Others,

I'm new at the screenwriting business too. I have a Christian screenplay that I'm wishing to market, but I need an agent as well. Could someone please pass on those literary Christian agents to me as well. Thank you!

God Bless,

Brett (brettbraidman@aol.com)

[judycwrite]

Hi Brett!

The literary agents that were recommended to me are: Steve Laube, Chip MacGregor and Terry Whalin. They are for books. When I reviewed their sites it does not appear they handle screenplays.

For that you need a WGA or Writer's Guild of America signatory agent. These guys are hard to get. And I have yet to find a Christian one.

So I'm praying this site has more knowledge and experience about this than I. I will say if you find someone using a Google search for Christian Agents be sure to check them out with Writer Beware. There are some wolves among the sheep.

Hope that helps honey. And I hope someone else knows a WGA agent!

Lotsa prayers!

Judy!thumbsup!

[lynnmosher]

DrRita may have the answer to your question. She is a screenwriter in LA and will probably know.

[judycwrite]

Okay Lynn, I'm dense. I googled Dr. Rita in LA screenwriter. I went to your columns. And I can't find this person. Help!

thanks!

Judy

[lynnmosher]

Oh, Judy, I'm so sorry. DrRita is a CW member. It didin't occur to me that you didn't know that. Forgive me. She may log on some time today but I know she is busy. If she doesn't post an answer, I'll send her an email to see if she has any suggestions.

[DrRita]

Hi Judy,
I am not under DrRita if you googled that name and I'm not famous yet so you'd probably just come up with my website and my blog.

First, one can only join the WGA if you've optioned, sold or otherwise made a very big splash with a screenplay. And then you have be willing to give up an arm and a leg for the membership fee.

Second, in Hollywood it's who you know. Networking, knowing the right people is everything. If you don't know someone who can recommend you to their agent your chances of getting any agent go down about 60% (or maybe even more). If you think it's hard to get an agent for your literary work, getting an agent for a screenplay is about 200% harder if you don't know somebody.

I know, I know, God can do anything and He might for you but my advice is to start networking and making those contacts. As for a Christian agent . . . even the screenwriters and tv writers I know don't have Christian agents. I suppose they are out there but I don't know of any of the top of my head. Your best agent is God! And getting to know people, making those contacts, pushing through open doors, etc.

I wish I had more encouraging news but I don't.

I belong to a Christian community of screenwriters, tv writers, executives, and filmmakers here in Hollywood and we band together like sheep on a moonlight nite surrounded by wolves! But there is hope and that's what we cling to. Here's the website: www.actoneprogram.com You might consider having your screenplay critiqued by a pro (Act One provides that service) before you try to market it so you don't get a bad name for being a bad writer from the git-go. Believe me, they remember . . .

This is sooooooo totally different from any other type of writing and marketing, I can't tell you how I've been blown out of the water since I've been here. I am in the Act One Saturday Writing Program and we get to hear industry professionals every week talk about the business. It's not for wimps and the faint hearted! But if God has called you to this occupation then by all means, he will part the waters for you.

God Bless

[judycwrite]

Yeah, I know. I've been trying to get in for the better part of twenty years. To that end I've taken classes, read books, paid for lots of reviews and coverage. The best is my House MD spec I wrote when the show first broke. I spent lots of bucks working with my mentor (who has a script in turn around right now and there's a bidding war! It's about William the Conqueror and I think will earn him an Oscar) and we finally had a polished script ready to go. My TV instructor said it was the best thing he'd ever read. So we started moving it to LA. My mentor recommended David Grae, co-founder of Gotham Writer's Workshop and currently writing for Gilmore Girls. He read it and was surprised! He recommended me to his agent David Wolthoff at the Shuman Company (they handle House MD and The Shield) David liked it but said it wasn't going in the right direction and also wasn't quite good enough. But he wants to keep talking to me and wants to sign me. He has me writing my own pilots. Problem is the treatments I've sent have a Christian focus and I don't think he likes it. Ack! I think it would sell to mainstream!! Especially with Saving Grace doing so well. So that's where I am. Seems like the next step is moving to LA. But I'm 54 and I know about ageism in LA. Does this make sense?
Judy

[DrRita]

I'm 59 . . . . if God is the one moving you into the spotlight then move her girl!! Sounds like you have a great in and a great start. You have much more going for you at present than a lot of folks I know that move here. Don't worry about the age part, Hollywood need more seasoned, wiser writers with some life experience under their belt. Check out Act One . . . it's a great community and support. Do you belong to Hollywood Prayer Network and have a prayer person praying for you yet? Those are the tools that will most help you. Hollywood is brutal, as you well know and a Christian especially needs fellow sojourners.

If you want to hook up, need any help, just let me know. Are you married? I am no good at moving stuff but I can sure make you a meal! I would love to be able to connect with an older writer--all I mostly know are the 20-30 somehings (with a few exceptions which are all men.)

[DrRita]

i just had a thought (wow, lol!) if you want we can meet in the chat room. I 'll head on over and stay a bit, if you see me there, just drop in.