tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post6148470942210969491..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: The worst agent sales pitch everBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-24411775374270490102016-06-20T00:09:17.959-07:002016-06-20T00:09:17.959-07:00The same thing happened with me and my then writin...The same thing happened with me and my then writing partner in 1995. It wasn't William Morris but when our agent asked us the reason why we were leaving we said we don't feel like we're getting the attention we need to really build a career. I swear his eyes turned red and then he said this, "You guys are staff writers on the worst show on television! We already spend too much time on you!" Even though he was right about the first part, we still parted ways.Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01955794658043735470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-19890580607977045022016-06-19T15:18:56.742-07:002016-06-19T15:18:56.742-07:00The best thing about that meeting must have been t...The best thing about that meeting must have been the pleasure in turning him down!<br /><br />I think I've been reading this blog long enough, but I don't remember this post. The best of both worlds :)Johnny Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13302545167970532080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-89351456330216752212016-06-18T22:39:09.674-07:002016-06-18T22:39:09.674-07:00Reminds me of Alec Baldwin's character in Glen...Reminds me of Alec Baldwin's character in Glengarry Glen Ross. This is actually a technique that used to be taught in some sales classes - the bully technique. It was recommended when you were trying to sell to or negotiate with someone who was big into authority figures or who was a "pleaser". Maybe you and your partner were giving off the wrong vibes, Ken.Keith Cnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-12159524344638740052016-06-18T19:11:20.788-07:002016-06-18T19:11:20.788-07:00The crazy thing is I DO remember this post. I can...The crazy thing is I DO remember this post. I can't believe that was 5 years ago already! Time flies!Jeff :)noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-17020204519682108402016-06-18T16:44:12.926-07:002016-06-18T16:44:12.926-07:00I saw Bob Broder left ICM for Chuck Lorre Producti...I saw Bob Broder left ICM for Chuck Lorre Productions about four years ago. Seems like that would be an easy in for you and David to pitch scripts and/or pilots.MikeK.Pa.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-31355529343015368552016-06-18T14:06:53.704-07:002016-06-18T14:06:53.704-07:00Isn't it more accurate for you to have not pul...Isn't it more accurate for you to have not pulled a "Lou Canova" since it was that character who screwed over Broadway Danny Rose?Steve Pepoonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-25857295071265883022016-06-18T12:48:06.191-07:002016-06-18T12:48:06.191-07:00>He's now Donald Trump's speechwriter.
...>He's now Donald Trump's speechwriter.<br /><br />Peter that is pretty close. That agent might have gotten the idea from reading Trump's book. Trump declares 'How stupid are the people of Iowa...' and then gets more votes than anyone ever did before(though Cruz did even better). If Ken likes sales pitches, then he should be watching Trump nonstop. <br /><br />MikeNnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-79776347489918256972016-06-18T11:29:14.818-07:002016-06-18T11:29:14.818-07:00A million years ago, I was the goofy part of a com...A million years ago, I was the goofy part of a comedy team, Garrett & Maxwell. We had just finished mining for new material in a small club in North Hollywood, CA (Art Crown's Comedy Showcase), when a guy hands us his card, introduces himself as George Shapiro, and says he would like us to meet with him and his staff at The William Morris Agency. Wow! <br /><br />We had a great meeting with George and four other agents. They really liked what we did and wanted to develop us as the next great comedy team. Wow! Meeting over, one of the agents hands me a generic William Morris card. He said his personalized cards were being printed, so he wrote his name on the back and told me to call him if I needed anything at all. <br /><br />We never took advantage of the William Morris offer, mainly out of youthful stupidity. But I still have the card that guy scribbled his name on. It was Mike Ovitz. I wonder if the offer is still good.Jeff Maxwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01708037522976667642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-31824943799406956282016-06-18T10:09:01.805-07:002016-06-18T10:09:01.805-07:00He's now Donald Trump's speechwriter.
I o...He's now Donald Trump's speechwriter.<br /><br />I once read a rather shocking anecdote about an agent. I think it was in Rob Long's book Conversations With My Agent. The story was that another agent tried to poach Long by saying something to the effect of "I hear your agent has cancer. Maybe now's a good time to switch." Long was horrified that someone would try that approach, not least because his agent didn't have cancer or any other illness.Peternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-21543019778086170852016-06-18T08:56:30.148-07:002016-06-18T08:56:30.148-07:00I hope your former agent did well for herself...I hope your former agent did well for herself...Paul Ducanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-78839520730148507382016-06-18T07:00:03.260-07:002016-06-18T07:00:03.260-07:00My ex-wife married him, that's where he is! S...My ex-wife married him, that's where he is! So while I was reading this great post I kept thinking of the movie "The Player" for some reason. But that was inside a movie studio I think not a talent agency, can't remember. That CAA guy, Mike Ovitz, that guy seemed like the biggest, baddest, bastard ever to walk the streets of Hollywood. He seemed like one of those "you ever cross me and you're finished in this town, got it, you'll be lucky to get a job as an extra on that piece of shit new Lucy show." Ever meet him Ken?Stephen Markshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15382570443203706976noreply@blogger.com