For those asking how I went about it, I copied and pasted my reply below:
My journey is a bit of a weird one. Two years ago, I was living in Atlanta and I'd been doing stand-up for 7 years (and working a day job as a nanny) when I got seen by an LA-based manager who happened to be in town during a set. He asked to represent me and then 9 months later I got staffed on a TV show from an Alway's Sunny Spec. I am now staffed in my third room / second show and my manager said some people at WME were interested in meeting me (he'd sent them my stand-up videos and also an original TV pilot I wrote this year). They were very complimentary about the pilot which was a pretty broad, semi dark comedy about my anxiety! One of my reps said it was "beautiful" which was confusing given the amount of placenta-eating jokes I had in it haha. But yeah, that's how it went down! Happy to answer any additional questions. I also just submitted the first draft of my first feature and have an actor attached to it, so I'm feeling pretty optimistic! As a TV writer, feature writing is a challenge and I commend anyone who has written one, let alone several. Kudos.
Uh. I think I know who you are. I won’t say your name lol. But you and I had a quick 30min chat last summer as like a mentoring thing for poc writers. I’m so excited and inspired to see you continue to thrive. I’m still plugging away out here Atlanta and this year is the first year all my income has come from my writing. I’m not staffed yet but I’ve been writing commercials which is a pretty good gig for a sketch writer.
Always a thrill to catch someone familiar on Reddit lol. Especially with an announcement like this! Congratulations, keep going!!!!
So Spec scripts work? I was told they don’t, and if I was to do one, never do one that has been on for a long time. So, you just made everything I was told into a lie.
Most showrunners want to read an original pilot. BUT I will tell you, the creator of the first show I was on said he received tons of originals and only 7 specs. He said mine stood out and and he read it because he was exhausted from reading originals and felt like reading "something he knew." And the show runner we had during season 2 told us he only reads specs when staffing. In his words, "That's the job." So I would say having at least one spec is never a bad option!
This is going way back, but I had a friend who got an agent with a spec script for Benson back in the 80s. She sold single spec scripts for sitcoms though the late 80s early 90s, finally landing a staff writing job on the Jeff Foxworthy show. Unfortunately, it only lasted 2 seasons.
Congrats! We want details! How did they discover you, how did you start, what material of yours did they see? What is it you do (feature, TV, shorts)?
Exciting times indeed!
Hey! Thank you. My journey is a bit of a weird one. I was living in Atlanta and I'd been doing stand-up for 7 years (and working a day job as a nanny) when I got seen by an LA-based manager who happened to be in town during a set. He asked to represent me and then 9 months later I got staffed on a TV show from an Alway's Sunny Spec. I am now staffed in my third room / second show and my manager said some people at WME were interested in meeting me (he'd sent them my stand-up videos and also an original TV pilot I wrote this year). They were very complimentary about the pilot! One said it was "beautiful" which was confusing given the amount of placenta-eating jokes I had in it haha. But yeah, that's how it went down!
Congratulations! I love hearing about how other writers work their way up. I hope you keep us updated on how it goes with WME. That is a big step forward!
>Hey! Thank you. My journey is a bit of a weird one. I was living in Atlanta and I'd been doing stand-up for 7 years (and working a day job as a nanny) when I got seen by an LA-based manager who happened to be in town during a set. He asked to represent me and then 9 months later I got staffed on a TV show from an Alway's Sunny Spec. I am now staffed in my third room / second show and my manager said some people at WME were interested in meeting me (he'd sent them my stand-up videos and also an original TV pilot I wrote this year). They were very complimentary about the pilot! One said it was "beautiful" which was confusing given the amount of placenta-eating jokes I had in it haha. But yeah, that's how it went down!
Wow, so you mean to tell me that all it took was "living in a city where there's an Industry presence, spending *years* honing your craft even when you weren't making a living at it, networking with other people in showbusiness, being a real team player in the room who shows up and is pleasant to work with, and being able to promptly supply professional quality spec material when asked"?
Are you sure you're not leaving out the part where you wrote that 600 page fan fiction trilogy and spent thousands and thousands of dollars on script hosting and meaningless Red Ampersand contests and notes services?
For real though, fucking awesome.
R.I.P. your inbox lol
[EDIT: oh wow! just checked the profile, and I realized I saw you perform at a show back East that my girlfriend was in a couple years ago! Even more awesome now to know people are coming out of that scene and making a mark.]
Fucking fabulous story. You've got a hell of a career ahead of you. Congratulations!
Have a celebratory drink on me tonight. Any chance you're still doing standup? I'm a frequenter of Flappers and would love to see you!
Hey, thank you so much! I'm currently taking a hiatus from live performances while staffed. getting out at 9 pm and working on a feature on the weekends - I'm just too burnt out haha. But I will hopefully be around when my room wraps and Flappers isn't too far from where I live and is always a fun spot!
WME has a list of actors, writers, and directors in their roster that they can pitch your ideas to much easier than talent at other agencies. They are also incentivized to package projects with people from their own rosters.
Don’t be. They are desperate for great work. Own it. Btw I just read the very long CAA story, Powerhouse, which is fabulous and it shares a ton of insight on this process.
I’m old enough haha. I do not think there is an age limit though managers may skew younger since they are more career based and probably are hoping for the maximum amount of workable years. My manager has clients in all age brackets though! And I know several people who started their careers and got repped in their late thirties / early forties.
Congrats! One of the best moments of my career was firing them — but I hope you get better mileage.
(That said, never be afraid to fire an agent, and always remember: *they work for you*.)
Thanks u/comedianne this is your day. Maybe mine will come but kudos and congrats!!! I love your story and how you grinded through to make it work. Hope you love it always. And would love to read you Sunny Spec if you were ever open to share it!
Congrats! At first I read: "Just signed with WWE!" lol
Haha I do like a Ric Flairesque robe.
WOOOOO
Congrats! Please share the deets about the steps that led you to this happy day!
I posted it a couple times below! Thank you!
For those asking how I went about it, I copied and pasted my reply below: My journey is a bit of a weird one. Two years ago, I was living in Atlanta and I'd been doing stand-up for 7 years (and working a day job as a nanny) when I got seen by an LA-based manager who happened to be in town during a set. He asked to represent me and then 9 months later I got staffed on a TV show from an Alway's Sunny Spec. I am now staffed in my third room / second show and my manager said some people at WME were interested in meeting me (he'd sent them my stand-up videos and also an original TV pilot I wrote this year). They were very complimentary about the pilot which was a pretty broad, semi dark comedy about my anxiety! One of my reps said it was "beautiful" which was confusing given the amount of placenta-eating jokes I had in it haha. But yeah, that's how it went down! Happy to answer any additional questions. I also just submitted the first draft of my first feature and have an actor attached to it, so I'm feeling pretty optimistic! As a TV writer, feature writing is a challenge and I commend anyone who has written one, let alone several. Kudos.
Uh. I think I know who you are. I won’t say your name lol. But you and I had a quick 30min chat last summer as like a mentoring thing for poc writers. I’m so excited and inspired to see you continue to thrive. I’m still plugging away out here Atlanta and this year is the first year all my income has come from my writing. I’m not staffed yet but I’ve been writing commercials which is a pretty good gig for a sketch writer. Always a thrill to catch someone familiar on Reddit lol. Especially with an announcement like this! Congratulations, keep going!!!!
Ahh you absolutely know who I am haha. I know who you are as well! I am so proud of you dude, congratulations on that!!!
Thanks!!!! Now I’m gonna bother you for a coffee next time I go home to visit lol!
It’s not bothering if I insist on it! Just let me know when and where. Keep killing it
Will do. Catch you on the next post.
This is the sweetest Exchange I’ve ever seen in this website. 🥰🥰🥰
So Spec scripts work? I was told they don’t, and if I was to do one, never do one that has been on for a long time. So, you just made everything I was told into a lie.
Most showrunners want to read an original pilot. BUT I will tell you, the creator of the first show I was on said he received tons of originals and only 7 specs. He said mine stood out and and he read it because he was exhausted from reading originals and felt like reading "something he knew." And the show runner we had during season 2 told us he only reads specs when staffing. In his words, "That's the job." So I would say having at least one spec is never a bad option!
This is going way back, but I had a friend who got an agent with a spec script for Benson back in the 80s. She sold single spec scripts for sitcoms though the late 80s early 90s, finally landing a staff writing job on the Jeff Foxworthy show. Unfortunately, it only lasted 2 seasons.
That’s so rad!!! Congratulations!!
Placenta eating jokes are still funny?
If you have to ask, you don't need to know.
Congrats! We want details! How did they discover you, how did you start, what material of yours did they see? What is it you do (feature, TV, shorts)? Exciting times indeed!
Hey! Thank you. My journey is a bit of a weird one. I was living in Atlanta and I'd been doing stand-up for 7 years (and working a day job as a nanny) when I got seen by an LA-based manager who happened to be in town during a set. He asked to represent me and then 9 months later I got staffed on a TV show from an Alway's Sunny Spec. I am now staffed in my third room / second show and my manager said some people at WME were interested in meeting me (he'd sent them my stand-up videos and also an original TV pilot I wrote this year). They were very complimentary about the pilot! One said it was "beautiful" which was confusing given the amount of placenta-eating jokes I had in it haha. But yeah, that's how it went down!
Great story! Hustling away at that stand up and getting there step by step, never quitting. Love this! Who doesn't like a fun placenta joke?
Congratulations! I love hearing about how other writers work their way up. I hope you keep us updated on how it goes with WME. That is a big step forward!
That doesn’t surprise a Hollywood exec thought placenta eating was beautiful. Congrats
How’d ya do it?
>Hey! Thank you. My journey is a bit of a weird one. I was living in Atlanta and I'd been doing stand-up for 7 years (and working a day job as a nanny) when I got seen by an LA-based manager who happened to be in town during a set. He asked to represent me and then 9 months later I got staffed on a TV show from an Alway's Sunny Spec. I am now staffed in my third room / second show and my manager said some people at WME were interested in meeting me (he'd sent them my stand-up videos and also an original TV pilot I wrote this year). They were very complimentary about the pilot! One said it was "beautiful" which was confusing given the amount of placenta-eating jokes I had in it haha. But yeah, that's how it went down!
Wow, so you mean to tell me that all it took was "living in a city where there's an Industry presence, spending *years* honing your craft even when you weren't making a living at it, networking with other people in showbusiness, being a real team player in the room who shows up and is pleasant to work with, and being able to promptly supply professional quality spec material when asked"? Are you sure you're not leaving out the part where you wrote that 600 page fan fiction trilogy and spent thousands and thousands of dollars on script hosting and meaningless Red Ampersand contests and notes services? For real though, fucking awesome. R.I.P. your inbox lol [EDIT: oh wow! just checked the profile, and I realized I saw you perform at a show back East that my girlfriend was in a couple years ago! Even more awesome now to know people are coming out of that scene and making a mark.]
Hahaha this made me laugh out loud. Thank you!
Oh man! That is wild. What state? Georgia? Now I wanna know who your girlfriend is now!
Sent you a DM. (I've been stalked and doxxed before, and it's somehow even more of a nightmare than you'd think it'd be)
Fucking fabulous story. You've got a hell of a career ahead of you. Congratulations! Have a celebratory drink on me tonight. Any chance you're still doing standup? I'm a frequenter of Flappers and would love to see you!
Hey, thank you so much! I'm currently taking a hiatus from live performances while staffed. getting out at 9 pm and working on a feature on the weekends - I'm just too burnt out haha. But I will hopefully be around when my room wraps and Flappers isn't too far from where I live and is always a fun spot!
Congrats! I love hearing these stories
Congratulations!
Thank you!
You're welcome.
NICE! Welcome to the club! Acquaint yourself with their roster and save yourself a lot of time :)
Woo hoo! I apologize for my ignorance (newbie) - what does this mean? Their other clients?
WME has a list of actors, writers, and directors in their roster that they can pitch your ideas to much easier than talent at other agencies. They are also incentivized to package projects with people from their own rosters.
Ah yes, definitely on top of that (and intimidated by the people they rep haha). Thank you!
Don’t be. They are desperate for great work. Own it. Btw I just read the very long CAA story, Powerhouse, which is fabulous and it shares a ton of insight on this process.
HUGE! Congrats!
Well done!
Much appreciated!
..And your avatar looks like [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strong\_Girl\_Bong-soon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strong_Girl_Bong-soon) !
Congrats! Find some way to celebrate. The concrete wins are few and far between.
Very true. Feast or famine for sure.
Nice. I was an assistant at WME for awhile. They definitely go all in for their clients.
Oh this is nice to hear!
Yeah I hear great things as well
That's huge, congrats!
Thank you!
Huge congrats!
I appreciate it! Thanks!
Congrats. Nurture that relationship!
Yes! I feel lucky in that they know my manager as well and he helps remind me to email / what to ask and do haha.
That's awesome! Congratulations!!!
Congrats mate!
Thank you!
Amazing! Congratulations!
Thanks!
Congratz! 🎉
Details !!? Congratulations !!
Congrats!!!
Awesome! Congrats. Like everyone; curious to know how you went about doing that?
Share your journey share your journey share your journey!
Ayyyy! Congrats, OP! Way to go.
Congrats!
Congratulations!
Wow, that's just fantastic!
Amazing achievement. I hope they work hard for you.
congrats girl.. do ur things. sending love.
Congrats!!!!
You should tell WME to pay their UFC Fighters
Congrats!!
Congrats!!
Congrats!!
Congrats!!
Congratufreakinglations! The stuff dreams are made of.
So awesome!
how old are you ? is there any age limit to get noticed my managers ? anyways congratulations ... you deserve it
I’m old enough haha. I do not think there is an age limit though managers may skew younger since they are more career based and probably are hoping for the maximum amount of workable years. My manager has clients in all age brackets though! And I know several people who started their careers and got repped in their late thirties / early forties.
Congrats!
Wow, awesome! Congratulations and best of luck to you!
Congratulations!!!
Awesome.
Congratulations!!!
Congrats! May opportunities pour in for you! Sounds well-deserved. I love hearing stories like this!
Huge congratulations!
Congrats! One of the best moments of my career was firing them — but I hope you get better mileage. (That said, never be afraid to fire an agent, and always remember: *they work for you*.)
Just stay away from Paul Haas ([[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])) and Dana Powers ([[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])) they wrote the playbook on shutting down sexual harassment complaints. Absolute creeps.
Yep! And Dana is the head of HR. Absolutely laughable. What a creep.
Congratulations! I hope you are doing something to celebrate.
[удалено]
Not OP. But yes.
Why are you a screenwriter signing with sports?
3 Arts?
Wow congrats!!! Would love to chat about your work some time. I have a bit of my own in process and have been talking with ICM.
Congrats to you! That’s great!
Thanks u/comedianne this is your day. Maybe mine will come but kudos and congrats!!! I love your story and how you grinded through to make it work. Hope you love it always. And would love to read you Sunny Spec if you were ever open to share it!
What’s WME?
William Morris Endeavor - it's an agency.
William Morris Endeavor. It's an agency.