when do i get an agent?

[Rolin Mains]

hey guys...maybe you can help me...

i've heard that getting an agent in LA is kind of like getting into SAG...you have to be in a film to get into SAG, but you have to be in SAG to get into a film. so, for instance, in order to get an agent you have to have scored a decent film, but you don't get decent films unless you have an agent.

first, is that correct?

second, (and here is why i am asking), i recently scored a short film that did very well in the festivals (it won a silver award at the park city film music festival, and tons of other awards), plus it was accepted to cannes (i don't think it was a juried entry, however).

i have scored several other shorts and am going to score my second feature this summer...so i have a demo reel, and some awards.

so, if i have scored a film that has had decent success and also played at cannes, and have scored a few other decent (though limited release films) do i qualify? will an agent consider me?

and lastly, do i HAVE to move to LA?

[Dominique Preyer]

Rolin,

I am also looking for an agent that represents music supervisors. After working with composer Graham Reynolds on "I'll Come Running" I decided to ask him how he got picked up by International Creative Management (ICM). He said you have to have a major credit on your resume. He scored "A Scanner Darkly" and that was his ticket in. He lives in Austin, TX and ICM is out of LA. He said as soon as he was on board with Scanner he started looking and the record label that released the soundtrack made the hook-up.

Some of the agencies that I've been looking at are Evolution Music Partners, First Artists Management and Soundtrack Music Associates. There's a few others that I'm looking.

If anyone has any information on any of these or any other agency that represents music supervisors, please let me know.

[John Doryk]

There is a good article called "The Agent Dilemma" by Mark Northam in the "Final Note" section of the latest (volume 7, number 2) issue of Film Music Magazine. Check it out. Very Interesting

[Rolin Mains]

thanks, i'll check it out. you don't happen to have a link to that do you?

[John Doryk]

Don't know if the article is online. I read it on the old fashioned tree corpse(paper) magazine. I think the website for Film Music Mag is www.Filmmusicmag.com

[Boglarka]

Hi! I completely understand your questions as I am struggling with the same issues, I am even before the step you already took. My question is to you, how did you get the first possibility to write for a short film?

[Rolin Mains]

just being out and about and running into people looking for composers for their films. one thing led to another...but you can do a ton of independent films and student films...it doesn't get you into the big leagues unless you do a film with someone who hits it big. you can never be sure what is going to happen, so you do as many films as you can.

here we have a film school, a 48hour film project, and some other filmmakers trying to make it in the film biz. that kind of work is there...but again, it is basically demo reel stuff. no money, just experience...which, btw, is fun at any price.

[Leoncio Lara Bon]

Hey everyone!

I been signed with Gorfaine/Scwartz Agency in LA for a few months, nothing has happened yet and i don't know if it will, but i try to do all the same way as before being signed, try to meet directors and producers in schools and festivals, always try to move your demo with people in the industry, sending emails to introduce yourself and asking if they are interested in listening to your music, and try to score everything you can, even if the budget its very low or the movie or short its not that good. I tend to think that almost all the music i score will make a wonderful demo.

I think having an agent sometimes its great for the ego and wonderful to brag about but not always gets you all the work.

Hope this is useful in some way!

Best

Bon