May 18, 2013
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Agents of Illustration
Most of you know I've been trying to get into the screenwriting game for a couple of years now. One of the main achievements to unlock is an agent or manager because they're your biggest ally. Think of them as one of those rare unlockables that boost your score to epic proportions (not sure why I'm doing all these video game references----just go with it). There's agents for writers, but I was a bit shocked to discover that agents exist for illustrators, too.
The other day I came across a list, a very long list of agents for illustrative art. Believe me when I tell you this, my monitor glowed extra bright when I opened the links. It felt like something out of an Indiana Jones movie or when Nic Cage gets his paycheck. Illustration is not a dying profession, it's everywhere; from that jar of olive oil to a spot in your favorite magazine. Of course I want in on that. So, I started browsing the list and I tried out an agency. I sent them an email and introduced myself, all business-like. They responded about an hour later. Naturally, I was thinking, "Whoa........!"
When things like that happen, I get a little excited. In fact, I get a little more than excited. I'm off the wall, bouncing into shit because I can literally feel my life changing for the better. Having an agent just seems like the most professional thing you can have as an artist. It doesn't make you a better artist, but it certainly helps having a guide to lead you on the path to paychecks. Besides that, most of this illustration stuff, like the gigs, finding an audience, selling your work, getting work and all that, well... it can be quite a lonely endeavor. I remember asking a fellow artist (who shall remain nameless) about his agent and he told me he wasn't legally allowed to go into detail about anything. He was a weird motherfucker... or he didn't want competition. Anyway, having an ally, a person who's willing to help you out by finding the gigs and exposing you to their network, is a beautiful thing. In hindsight, I was an idiot for thinking it would be so damn easy.
The agency wanted to see my portfolio, so I gave them my Behance.net link. The lady said she liked my work, but the agency wasn't taking on any new clients.
What.
The.
Hell?
Sadly, this isn't the first time that happened to me. I've been trying to find work for over three years (both art jobs and regular-mind-numbing-employment). I've run into my fair share of bait n' switch correspondence. It's fuckin' annoying when a company expresses interest, but suddenly change their mind when you get serious about applying. When they see something they don't like, that whole "we're are not taking on any new clients" shtick is their go-to line that roughly translates to "Get the fuck outta here." Since that was the millionth time that happened, I decided not to suffer in silence anymore. I sent a reply.
It wasn't anything mean. I was still in professional mode and wanted to get to the bottom of things. I was thinkin' there's something wrong with my art. Too comic-booky, too edgy, not edgy, too many girls, not enough girls, lack of variety---something. I needed to hear an excuse---a reason for that dreaded rejection line.
She told me that she really did like my art. It's just that my initial query didn't contain a link to a portfolio, so she figured she'd ask for it.
Part of me thinks she was lying because, if they truly weren't taking on any new illustrators, why not tell me that from the start? If the shoes were on the other foot, in some crazy role reversal scenario, I would have told the querying artist, "Hey, we're completely booked. You can send in your portfolio, but we're currently full." That's completely honest and doesn't leave any room for someone to get their hopes up. On the other hand, I did tell her to be completely honest with me, concerning my art. She said she liked it. No critiques complaints, or anything negative, which is a good sign. So, there's a 50% chance she was just... I don't know... inconsiderate? Thorough art appreciator? Whatever the fuck---I don't know. In any case, I believe I burned a bridge.
When you send someone your portfolio, there's a certain amount of confidence you need to possess. Much like asking a woman who's way out my league on a date. People with power tend to smell fear and I was reeking of it. To send something in and then ask what's wrong with it, well... I just made myself look weak. Shit, maybe I am weak... I turned into one of those insecure art babies because I didn't handle rejection well. I've been turned down by countless women, but God forbid if someone doesn't like my art ability. Artist, whether they want to admit it or not, are fragile creatures. I bruise easily and I don't even have to take a bump. I can just think about somebody "friend-zoning" my work and I'll be fucked up for a while. I could use some thicker skin.
Fortunately, they're not the only agency on this planet. Hell, I suppose it would have been too perfect to strike gold on the first dig. I'll keep at it and while that's happening, I'm going to continue adding to my body of work. There's gotta be some agency out there that's the perfect fit.
Something tells me this may take awhile.
-KG
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By Luke Mably, Adar Beck, Gemma Chan
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