An Agent’s Value
Regarding the dispute between writer Joe Eszterhas and Michael Ovitz of Creative Artists Agency (“How One Letter Has Divided Hollywood,” Oct. 30):
A merely good agent is worth his weight in gold: He gets you interviews with the right people and when you get the job he is good at negotiating the fee. But at 6 p.m. the merely good agent goes home.
A great agent such as Michael Ovitz is manna from heaven. He is an agent 24 hours a day. He might call at midnight and say, “Get over here, there’s someone I want you to meet.” He takes you to interviews with directors and producers. He leaves all participants feeling that this is the greatest, ultimate deal. He is the consummate salesman, raconteur and fount of theatrical lore.
Why the hell would anyone want to leave him? You don’t have to like this guy, but you gotta give great respect.
Eszterhas blithely switches to his friend, agent Guy McElwaine, and says, in effect: “So long, Mike, it’s been fun.” Hell, I’d be mad.
GEORGE MARGO, Malibu
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