How to Get an Agent

There are two ways to land an agent in Hollywood.  The first is through a connection.  If you, personally, know an agent, you can ask them to read your material.  If you have a friend who has an agent, that friend can pass along your spec for consideration.  (Please note, not everyone is comfortable passing along a script to their agent.  Don't be offended if your friend politely refuses your request.)

In addition, many aspiring writers make friends with agency assistants who become  agents around the same time the writer lands his or her first staff job, and the two subsequently form an agent/client relationship.

The second way to land an agent is by landing a writing job.  I know that seems backwards, but assistants who do not have representation are often promoted from within to staff writer.  If this is the case, many of the writers on staff, as well as other writers you know will recommend you to their agents.  Almost all agents are happy to meet with a writer who already has a job.  At that point, you will meet with various agents and pick the person who you believe is the best fit.

The process for landing a manager is similar, though some managers will read unsolicited scripts.