Independents Get Help From Big Agencies

Hollywood's big agencies are more and more following the studio lead and staffing desks to shepherd independent projects through their development pipeline.

CAA has a group. William Morris has one. UTA... Gersh...

Further graying that line designating the truly independent from the sort of independent, Hollywood's big agencies are counting on these small groups to not only act as a creative pacifier for their more artsy clientele, or "passion projects" as Sharon Swart states in her FILMMAKER Spring 2006 article, but they're also seeing these offices more and more as an indie budget line item.

But don't get too excited. There is a reason these guys are so big - they work primarily with the studios, the big stuff, and their approach to the indie is much the same. Don't go calling on them without a name attached. Great screenplay... so what. Great screenplay with a commitment from Tom Hanks (yeah, right)... a love fest!