Publisher's Podium Representation

I haven't heard of it. What is its purpose?

Since screenplays are not "published" (they are produced), I'm not sure what sort of service they offer.

If you're looking for a way to introduce your script to the town and have no connections, you might want to try the Black List service.

I'm not endorsing it, and it's not inexpensive, but it does have industry cache - unlike the enigmatic Publisher's Podium. And if your script passes muster with the Black List, there's a small chance (since Hollywood is built upon small chances) that your script will connect with representation or even a producer.

Thanks for the link. I'm of the school that a struggling writer should do almost everything and anything to get his work read and noticed.

The Publisher's Podium is non-exclusive, so you can continue to shop the script around elsewhere and even look for a more traditional means of representation. Publisher's Podium takes 10% of a sale they broker, but if your script sells through some other means, they collect nothing. That sound pretty harmless. But I feel comfortable in speculating that Publisher's Podium has never sold a screenplay.

Despite the non-exclusive agreement, there could be weird or binding clauses in the contract. And there could be hidden fees. You agree to a two year term - which locks your script up with them for that period of time.

It seems unlikely that the Podium is going to shop your script but rather put it in a catalog and hope it sells itself. Traditional agents pound the pavement for you.

You'd be foolish not to ask the Podium who they represents and what sales/what kind of deals have they made. It's a legit question. (One only has to open the trades to see what the likes of CAA or WME have been doing.) My rule of thumb is that I need verifiable proof of accomplishments. Too many people talk a big game. I like it best when the names and projects sound familiar. I doubt that will be the case with Publisher's Podium.

A possible danger here is that if you turn your script over to the Podium, it might be mishandled with poor strategies and bad politics. This could taint the project. (This is a risk with any agent - mostly inexperienced reps.) And be sure that they are willing to provide you with a list of who requests the screenplay.

Furthermore, the idea of shopping scripts isn't always about selling but is mostly to introduce the writer to those who hire for assignments. (Most screenwriters earn a living from assignments - not spec sales.) This often takes more effort than simply putting the logline on a website list. If getting the writer meetings around town is not part of the agenda here, it's a waste of your time.

I am prejudice against agents and managers that are not in Los Angeles (or, at the least, NYC). Scripts sell and deals are made through relationships. Agents go out for breakfast, lunch and dinner to meet the buyers, to strike up solid relationships and actively look for ways to do business together. And the business of movie making is mostly done in Los Angeles.

Ultimately, these kinds of services (with the exception of the Black List - which hasn't had resounding success yet) attract grade Z producers. Outside of the agency in which I work, I produce. I have three credits (with major distribution) and an Emmy nomination on my resume. I'm not a grade Z producer; I'm more in the middle of the alphabet. But my point is that I'd never utilize this kind of service.

I think the Black List would serve a better purpose. You'll know how professional readers judge your script, and it tells you pretty quickly if your scripts are ready or not. If you score high on their scale, your script will be pitched to real players in town. Instead of paying 10% commission, you pay fees upfront. But you don't spin your wheels for two years waiting to learn (after the fact) how some anonymous agency marketed your script.

IMO, Publisher's Podium for screenwriters sounds more like an experiment than anything that will be successful.