<p><em>As part of our continuing series of interviews with agents and managers, Creative Screenwriting Magazine spoke with Jonathan Hersh from Housefire Management about how screenwriters should be working with their representatives.</em></p>
<p><strong>How does a screenwriter become someone you want to work with? </strong></p>
<div> So much of it is a personal fit. I like working with writers that I get along with on a personal level. We&#8217;re going to be spending a lot of time together (mostly by phone) so it&#8217;s important that our personalities align to an extent. In terms of qualities that are desirable, I would say the most important one is being resilient. It takes a really long time to be a successful, working writer, and there are usually tons of pitfalls and detours along the way. Resilience is key<b>.  </b></div>
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<div><div id="attachment_21645" style="width: 495px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-21645" class=" wp-image-21645" src="https://creativescreenwriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/drop-the-label-movement-668211-unsplash-250x167.jpg" alt="" width="485" height="323" srcset="https://www.creativescreenwriting.com/cswcms/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/drop-the-label-movement-668211-unsplash-250x167.jpg 250w, https://www.creativescreenwriting.com/cswcms/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/drop-the-label-movement-668211-unsplash-150x100.jpg 150w, https://www.creativescreenwriting.com/cswcms/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/drop-the-label-movement-668211-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.creativescreenwriting.com/cswcms/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/drop-the-label-movement-668211-unsplash-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.creativescreenwriting.com/cswcms/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/drop-the-label-movement-668211-unsplash.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 485px) 100vw, 485px" /><p id="caption-attachment-21645" class="wp-caption-text">Photo by Drop the Label Movement</p></div></div>
<p><strong>How do you decide which screenwriters to read/ sign?</strong> </p>
<div>It all comes down to the writing, but I think choosing your concept/logline is equally important. A really good, fascinating, original logline will go a long way. In terms of film or TV, I think everyone is doing both right now, although most screenwriters lean one way or the other. I think the fact that we&#8217;re in a TV golden age is very exciting.  </div>
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<div><strong>What does a healthy agent/manager client relationship look like?</strong></div>
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<div>Since most of it takes place on the phone, a lot of it is good communication. It&#8217;s also super important to be open to new ideas and change. That goes for both managers and screenwriter clients. </p>
<p> <strong>What should writers be doing outside meetings with you?</strong></div>
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<div>Writers should be constantly generating new ideas for material. It&#8217;s a neverending cycle. If screenwriters live in L.A., networking is also a huge plus. </div>
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<div><strong>What most attracts you to a project? </strong></div>
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<div> Obviously, the writing itself needs to be excellent, but I think the story idea and marketability are sometimes equally important. Screenwriting is a very specific type of writing. The goal is to get paid to do it. The marketability of the idea is a huge component. </div>
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<div><strong>How much time do you spend developing a writer vs trying to sell them quickly?</strong></div>
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<div>It depends on the writer. If they have a solid spec script that&#8217;s ready to sell, then let&#8217;s get it out there sooner rather than later! If they have a sample that&#8217;s not marketable, but really well-written, then it&#8217;s a good idea to build a fan-base for them based on that script, even though it probably won&#8217;t sell. Then, maybe we can work on something a bit more commercial. </div>
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<div><strong>What is the typical lifespan of an agent/manager client relationship?</strong></div>
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<div>It really depends on the manager and the screenwriter client. The goal is always to look for long-term fits. Same as marriage, really. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don&#8217;t and you need to find someone else.</div>
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<div><strong>How would you describe your current film and TV tastes? </strong></div>
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<div>I don&#8217;t usually watch network TV, but aside from that, my tastes are pretty varied. For film, I loved Sorry to Bother You because it was so bonkers and unique. Also loved A Quiet Place. For TV, I really love Black Mirror<i>, </i>South Park and  Maniac to name a few.</div>
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<div><img class=" wp-image-21646 alignright" src="https://creativescreenwriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/iu-194x300.jpeg" alt="" width="273" height="422" srcset="https://www.creativescreenwriting.com/cswcms/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/iu-194x300.jpeg 194w, https://www.creativescreenwriting.com/cswcms/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/iu-97x150.jpeg 97w, https://www.creativescreenwriting.com/cswcms/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/iu-113x175.jpeg 113w, https://www.creativescreenwriting.com/cswcms/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/iu-378x583.jpeg 378w, https://www.creativescreenwriting.com/cswcms/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/iu-150x232.jpeg 150w, https://www.creativescreenwriting.com/cswcms/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/iu.jpeg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 273px) 100vw, 273px" /></div>
<p><strong>What is the current state of the industry and how can screenwriters best position themselves to be part of it?</strong> </p>
<div>Spec scripts aren&#8217;t selling for what they did in the 90s and it&#8217;s really, really hard to get staffed on a TV show. The quality of the material out there has gone up too, especially in TV. It&#8217;s fiercely competitive, so the material needs to be really, really, really good in order to rise to the top. </div>
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 <strong>What are some of the biggest misconceptions aspiring screenwriters have about having a viable screenwriting career?</strong></div>
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<div>That they&#8217;re going to make a bunch of money really quickly. Hollywood moves at a snail&#8217;s pace, even though everyone&#8217;s always in a hurry. It&#8217;s kind of confusing actually. </div>
<p><strong>Where do you find new screenwriting clients?</strong></p>
<div>Referrals are good especially if they&#8217;re coming from a trusted source. I also like perusing the Black List website, the Film Independent website, online pitches, contest winners, etc. Cold calls usually aren&#8217;t the way to go, but a really, really great query letter can go a long way if the logline is exceptional and the writing is amazing. </div>
<p><strong>How can a screenwriter stay vibrant and relevant in the marketplace?</strong> </p>
<div>Always brainstorm new ideas and try to stay relevant in terms of what&#8217;s going on in the world. Get Out did it well. </div>
<p><strong>Any closing thoughts for our readers?</strong></p>
<div>Write something that&#8217;s going to slap the reader in the face, give them goosebumps, and make them forget they&#8217;re reading a script. </div>


“Make Them Forget They’re Reading A Script” Says Manager Jon...

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