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Topic: Question Re: Literary Agent: Do I Send > THIS???
| Author | Message |
| testing123 | Posted – 5/9/2008 10:42:52 PM | show profile | email poster Hi I am at work on a nonfiction manuscript about a seminal rock concert performed in 1978, in the Northeast, in a small 3000 seat theater. Artist and band at core of story were big then, and getting bigger. Today they are larger than large and loved by millions. (Note: I have secured -- and am in process of conducting -- interviews with EVERY principal related to the promotion, production and performance, plus interviews with eighty seven audience members. It's big. Most of these people then were young comers. Today, most are Chairpersons, Presidents, VP's and the like of major record labels, etc. ) I am preparing to send initial query letters to lit agents in about a month. Letter is written and it's a gem. At work now on proposal. Here's my question: This concert was FILMED, but the film was never marketed or released by the artist or record label or theater. I have a 3 DVD disc set of the entire show, from first note to last, remastered for audio and visual clarity. Do I offer this DVD to agents in conjunction with the proposal or query or just shut up? I'm not scared about legal issues - I don't want to appear gimmicky. My writing is solid and better than this (no offense readers, as one of you may be the agent reading my query) and through it, the show springs off the page...but seeing the show on film could tip someone in my favor. Maybe. Thoughts? Thanks. |
| stinking prague | Posted – 5/10/2008 6:14:52 AM | show profile It seems to me you are talking about two connected, but very separate properties. The one you propose to write is yours. You own it. The 3 DVD set is nice, but it isn't yours to flog, is it? It is ultimately the property of the band and god knows who else. yes, It could be very valuable, but its not yours to sell and securing the rights to it is very likely a major can of worms. If you can get an agent's interest in your project, and it sounds like you should be able to, knowledge of the 3 DVD set should spur interest in your project. But I don't see how you can bundle it to yours. either way, it sounds like you've got a potential money-maker on your hands. Good luck |
| moonnyc | Posted – 5/10/2008 4:07:24 PM | show profile Yes, absolutely tell the agents about the filmed concert, and that you have it in hand. Many literary agencies have film rights departments--they may be able to clear the film rights for you AND sell your book. Paint the picture that you see about this project for the agents--dont ask them to read between the lines or uncover hidden opportunity for you. That this film has never been filmed or marketed is a major selling point ("Never before seen footage" / "lost concert of band X"). You can describe the footage and note in your query letter that you will provide the dvd upon request. Best of luck - it sounds very interesting! |
| Tedwrites | Posted – 5/11/2008 1:54:46 AM | show profile I'm going to guess Bruce and Southside Johnny at the Agora...what do I win? |
| testing123 | Posted – 5/11/2008 10:16:29 AM | show profile | email poster Thanks, everyone. I appreciate the input. It's not Bruce and Southside Johnny. Sorry. |
| Village Gal | Posted – 5/11/2008 2:40:05 PM | show profile I'm guessing it's U2 and Bono, right? |
| Village Gal | Posted – 5/11/2008 2:43:46 PM | show profile I'm guessing it's U2 and Bono, right? |
| testing123 | Posted – 5/11/2008 11:25:56 PM | show profile | email poster No. Not U2, or Bono. I'm not saying who. Thank you for your interest and help everyone! See you 'round. |
| aj | Posted – 5/12/2008 9:38:10 AM | show profile Always look for the $ Film footage means more to sell. That's a good thing in the agenting world. Good luck! |
| Tedwrites | Posted – 5/12/2008 12:14:13 PM | show profile Ok, if you say so. In general, though, given that there's You Tube, I'm wondering what words are going to be interesting enough to justify a book about music, when you can hear and see the music, instead? |
| Tedwrites | Posted – 5/12/2008 12:17:00 PM | show profile That's just a thought in general, not about your topic in particular. |
| dribbledrive1 | Posted – 5/12/2008 1:02:44 PM | show profile That's like saying, "Why would anyone ever read a book about a movie -- you can see the movie?" "Why would anyone read a book about baseball -- you can see a baseball game?" ETc., etc. There are many successful books about musicians. --Ok, if you say so. In general, though, given that there's You Tube, I'm wondering what words are going to be interesting enough to justify a book about music, when you can hear and see the music, instead?-- |
| Village Gal | Posted – 5/12/2008 1:31:12 PM | show profile Ted, your comment surprised me. I guess you've never read Catch a Fire (about Bob Marley) or any of the good books about musicians/bands. |
| testing123 | Posted – 5/12/2008 2:08:31 PM | show profile | email poster Well...I guess it's like say, 'King of the World' by David Remnick - the book about Cassius Clay's fight against Sonny Liston. You can see that fight - those two fights - on You Tube, sports cable channels, videos, etc...but there was more to the fights than the actual fighting in the ring. People who are interested in the athletes themselves, the culture surrounding the period/fights, boxing in the 1960's, politics, etc..... You know what I'm sayin'? |
| Tedwrites | Posted – 5/12/2008 4:12:35 PM | show profile Right. I come from the world of TV first, so I'm going to have to stick with my point on this. I think that music, if it is any good, or aperformer who is any good, gets his or her or its power from the medium in which it was created. Would I read a book about Altamont? Yes, that would be a seminal event in music history and I would want to learn more. But to me,music is so emotional and powerful that if a concert is important for the music,I'd rather feel it than read about it. To each his or her own, though... |
| stinking prague | Posted – 5/13/2008 3:26:30 AM | show profile We would all read about Altemont if what the writer had to say was good enough. My dream has always been to write the definitive, Pulitzer PRize winning narrative non fiction book about the Archies!! Call me crazy. |
| dribbledrive1 | Posted – 5/13/2008 4:12:09 PM | show profile Well, it sounds like lack you the ability to understand what is a viable book project if it's not a book you are personally interested in reading. In TV terms, your opinion is like saying, "I think anyone is dumb to produce a reality show because I don't like to watch reality shows," completely ignorant that many other people do like to watch them. --Right. I come from the world of TV first, so I'm going to have to stick with my point on this. I think that music, if it is any good, or aperformer who is any good, gets his or her or its power from the medium in which it was created. Would I read a book about Altamont? Yes, that would be a seminal event in music history and I would want to learn more. But to me,music is so emotional and powerful that if a concert is important for the music,I'd rather feel it than read about it. To each his or her own, though...-- |
