COLLECTIVE TALENT SERVICE DOCUMENT & SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
About Us
Collective Talent is a boutique agency owned and run by me. I work hands-on with a small list of clients and represents writers for the screen, with a leaning towards TV. There are a small number of writer/directors on the agency’s books but the focus remains with that literary identity first and foremost.
Why Choose Us?
If you’re looking for a small, entrepreneurial agency, then Collective Talent is for you. If you’re after a rep where agents have larger lists and where the agency has a broader multi-department footprint, Collective Talent isn’t for you.
Our Focus
The agency is writer-led, with writer-directors forming a small component of my total list. The shared DNA of all clients across my list is an authored approach to their writing; each client tells distinct stories that only they can tell, and tell better as such. The agency focus remains on helping writers tell these stories, through hands-on project development and career planning.
I take a collaborative and pro-active approach when it comes to developing material with clients and launching this material to market, getting it read by the right producers who can get it made and pay you for your work (whether it be that project or more writing).
My Experience
I have a history of working in script development for a range of independent producers and production companies; working in development positioned me between writers and producers, and I found myself fiercely protecting the writer’s interest to facilitate those of the producer in getting their writing made.
Unsolicited Submissions
I won’t accept or read any unsolicited script submissions sent; between my current client list & all the work that entails plus new clients coming in to the agency, I don’t have the capacity to give every script I'm emailed the care and attention that anyone’s writing would want.
The Solicited Submission Process
For me, a simple query letter goes a long way to opening the door to a further, focused conversation. In looking to get to know a potential client's work, I’m keen always to know what you’d consider to be your longform calling card script (written for either film or TV). If there's any single piece of writing that sums up your goals, tone and sensibility, this is what I'd love to hear about. If this lights as much of a fire in my belly as it does in yours, this is as good a start as I can think of.
Tell me as succinctly as you can about the format and logline of the script, to make it really easy for me to know what you know and make a read request when possible. From here, if there's an element of your work that appeals, I often ask for a full list of your slate of projects including loglines to get a sense of your larger body of work. This is to know better that, if any script I read does land for me, that there’s a deeper bench of ideas that we can work on together. With this document sent, I’d then look to make a read request when possible and practical.
This read request will always come by return email.
The Unsolicited Submission Process
Please don't send a script attached to an email without doing the above first. I won't respond to the email, I won't read the script and it will be deleted unread.
Read Requests
I won’t rush this process, and always measure the current size of my reading pile to make sure your script won’t sit on it for too long. If the pile is too large, I pause submissions. Plus I find I'm often happier to wait for the “right” script that’s ready to be read so I can get to know your work in as fruitful a way as possible.
Turnaround time
From my side, I aim for a 12 week turnaround to read your work (but ideally less!).
Working With Clients
For me, it’s important to have an open, happy and holistic working relationship with clients. I have a regularly scheduled four week check-in with every client.
And as much as there’s an open discourse on current work and career goals, it’s true that I enjoy sharing a burger and a beer with a client at any given point too!
The Figures
The agency charges a 10% commission rate on all contracted fees paid out and collected on your behalf and pay out all earnings within ten working days of collection.
Steven Russell.
About Us
Collective Talent is a boutique agency owned and run by me. I work hands-on with a small list of clients and represents writers for the screen, with a leaning towards TV. There are a small number of writer/directors on the agency’s books but the focus remains with that literary identity first and foremost.
Why Choose Us?
If you’re looking for a small, entrepreneurial agency, then Collective Talent is for you. If you’re after a rep where agents have larger lists and where the agency has a broader multi-department footprint, Collective Talent isn’t for you.
Our Focus
The agency is writer-led, with writer-directors forming a small component of my total list. The shared DNA of all clients across my list is an authored approach to their writing; each client tells distinct stories that only they can tell, and tell better as such. The agency focus remains on helping writers tell these stories, through hands-on project development and career planning.
I take a collaborative and pro-active approach when it comes to developing material with clients and launching this material to market, getting it read by the right producers who can get it made and pay you for your work (whether it be that project or more writing).
My Experience
I have a history of working in script development for a range of independent producers and production companies; working in development positioned me between writers and producers, and I found myself fiercely protecting the writer’s interest to facilitate those of the producer in getting their writing made.
Unsolicited Submissions
I won’t accept or read any unsolicited script submissions sent; between my current client list & all the work that entails plus new clients coming in to the agency, I don’t have the capacity to give every script I'm emailed the care and attention that anyone’s writing would want.
The Solicited Submission Process
For me, a simple query letter goes a long way to opening the door to a further, focused conversation. In looking to get to know a potential client's work, I’m keen always to know what you’d consider to be your longform calling card script (written for either film or TV). If there's any single piece of writing that sums up your goals, tone and sensibility, this is what I'd love to hear about. If this lights as much of a fire in my belly as it does in yours, this is as good a start as I can think of.
Tell me as succinctly as you can about the format and logline of the script, to make it really easy for me to know what you know and make a read request when possible. From here, if there's an element of your work that appeals, I often ask for a full list of your slate of projects including loglines to get a sense of your larger body of work. This is to know better that, if any script I read does land for me, that there’s a deeper bench of ideas that we can work on together. With this document sent, I’d then look to make a read request when possible and practical.
This read request will always come by return email.
The Unsolicited Submission Process
Please don't send a script attached to an email without doing the above first. I won't respond to the email, I won't read the script and it will be deleted unread.
Read Requests
I won’t rush this process, and always measure the current size of my reading pile to make sure your script won’t sit on it for too long. If the pile is too large, I pause submissions. Plus I find I'm often happier to wait for the “right” script that’s ready to be read so I can get to know your work in as fruitful a way as possible.
Turnaround time
From my side, I aim for a 12 week turnaround to read your work (but ideally less!).
Working With Clients
For me, it’s important to have an open, happy and holistic working relationship with clients. I have a regularly scheduled four week check-in with every client.
And as much as there’s an open discourse on current work and career goals, it’s true that I enjoy sharing a burger and a beer with a client at any given point too!
The Figures
The agency charges a 10% commission rate on all contracted fees paid out and collected on your behalf and pay out all earnings within ten working days of collection.
Steven Russell.
