Preparing Your Portfolio for Agency Representation: Packaging IP the Orangery Way

Stop guessing what agencies want — package your IP so they chase you

Creators and small studios tell me the same thing: they have great stories but no idea how to translate them into the tidy, rights-cleared, agency-ready package that actually gets attention. That’s exactly the gap The Orangery closed when WME signed the transmedia studio in early 2026. This guide shows you, step-by-step, how to prepare your portfolio, domains, synopses, and IP bibles so agencies can evaluate and sell your work fast.

The 2026 context: why packaging matters more than ever

Late 2025 into early 2026 saw agencies double down on creator-owned IP, transmedia-ready projects, and European IP plays after a wave of streaming consolidation and renewed investment in distinctive IP. WME signing The Orangery is a clear signal: agencies want properties that are

• Rights-clean and transferable — no surprise encumbrances
• Transmedia-ready — built to expand beyond one format
• Domain- and brand-secured — discoverability and ownership are intact
• Audience-validated — proof of traction or revenue velocity

In 2026, agencies are scanning portfolios faster and relying more on technical signals — canonical domains, live landing pages, DRM-free sample files, and clear chain-of-title documents. If your assets look sloppy or your rights are unclear, they’ll move on.

Quick checklist: What to assemble before you pitch

Build this folder first. Treat it like an investor pitch but optimized for rights and scalability.

1. One-page pitch (PDF) — logline, one-sentence ask, status, and attachments list
2. Three-tier synopses — logline, one-paragraph, one-page treatment
3. 10–20 page IP bible — characters, world, story arcs, transmedia roadmap
4. Visual lookbook — 6–12 key art assets + style references
5. Proof of audience — analytics, sales, social proof, press clippings
6. Domain portfolio snapshot — primary domain, redirects, social handles
7. Rights & legal packet — copyright registration, chain-of-title, agreements
8. Media links — sizzle reel, audio samples, interactive demo or playable

Step 1 — Inventory & prioritize: know what you own

Begin with an IP inventory. List every creative asset, contributor, and license. This is your single source of truth when questions about ownership come up.

What to include in the inventory

• Title and format (graphic novel, pilot, game, short film)
• Authorship and work-for-hire status for each contributor
• Existing registrations (copyright numbers, trademark filings)
• Existing deals (options, licenses, co-publishing agreements)
• Domain names and expiration dates
• Social accounts tied to the property

Pro tip: Put this into a simple spreadsheet with columns for status and next steps. Agencies will ask — and fast answers increase trust. If you need a quick list of tools to manage that folder, see our compact tools roundup.

Step 2 — Rights & legal hygiene: make your IP transferrable

Agencies like WME don’t want to negotiate ownership headaches. They want to sell a clean package. Fix legal risks before you pitch.

Essential legal checklist

• Chain-of-title document — who created what and when; signed and dated
• Contributor agreements / split sheets — clear allocation of rights and revenue shares
• Copyright & trademark registrations — at minimum, file for copyright; consider trademarks for core marks
• Options & prior deals — disclose and attach copies
• AI provenance — if assets were AI-assisted, document prompts, models, and permissions

Recent guidance from rights counsel in 2025–2026 highlights AI ownership complexity: document everything. Agencies will want to know whether an asset can be assigned or if it contains third-party training data. For practical checks and tools to flag manipulated media, review open-source detection and verification coverage like our deepfake detection review.

Step 3 — The IP bible: your story’s blueprint

The IP bible is the heart of your package. Think of it as both a creative reference and a commercial roadmap for licensing.

What every modern IP bible should contain

1. Executive summary — one paragraph that sells the world
2. Tone & influences — 3–5 comparisons (e.g., "Blade Runner" meets "The Expanse")
3. Character bible — bios, arcs, relationships, casting notes
4. Core story arcs — season outlines or novel arcs for 3–5 entries
5. Transmedia roadmap — how this IP expands into film, TV, games, podcast, merch
6. Monetization & rights plan — licensing opportunities, target partners, revenue splits
7. Sample pages/scenes — 2–3 polished sequences (comics: 6–12 pages; TV: pilot act)

Formatting tips: Keep the bible visually clean. Include high-res images but provide a low-res PDF for email. Agencies appreciate a versioned folder: Email-friendly PDF + high-res asset pack link. Use DAM integrations and metadata automation to keep versions tidy (automating metadata extraction).

Step 4 — Synopses that sell: logline to two-page treatments

Deliver three levels of condensation so decision-makers can evaluate quickly and drill down if interested.

Synopsis templates

• Logline (one sentence): A one-line hook capturing protagonist, goal, and stakes.
• One-paragraph: Setup, inciting incident, and promise of conflict.
• One-page treatment: Act breakdown with key beats and the emotional through-line.
• Two–five page treatment: Scene-level beats, major twists, and ending.

Example logline (fictional): “When a biotech cartographer maps human memories, a memory thief must race to stop her own erased past from rewriting the future.” Use specific stakes and a compelling protagonist. For wording and short-form copy that performs in agency inboxes, see AEO-friendly content templates.

Step 5 — Domains & digital real estate: secure discoverability

Domains do more than look professional — they’re a discovery signal and a rights asset. Agencies expect creators to control their digital real estate.

Domain packaging checklist

• Primary domain — title.com or title.media. If unavailable, use a short, brandable domain.
• Redirects — ensure common variants redirect to your canonical site (www, non-www, .com/.net)
• Domain WHOIS — avoid privacy blockers that obscure ownership during diligence (you can re-enable privacy after negotiation)
• Social handles — claim @handles or have a documented plan for acquisition
• Landing page — a polished one-page with elevator pitch, key art, and contact info
• Domain longevity — show registration history; auto-renew is a trust signal

If you need a how-to for domain diligence, our step-by-step guide is a starting point: How to conduct due diligence on domains.

Case note: The Orangery’s European roots and clear domain strategy made it easy for WME to validate the brand’s market presence during early talks.

Step 6 — Visuals & sizzle: make it cinematic

Agents are visual people. Even if you’re a writer, present a visual identity that shows the project’s tone and market fit.

• Lookbook: mood boards, palette, poster comps
• Sizzle reel: 60–90 seconds, clear A-roll/B-roll, captions for silent autoplay
• Sample art & pages: high-res PNGs/JPEGs and print-ready PDFs
• Playable demo or prototype: for interactive IP, a browser demo or download link is essential

Tip: Host large assets in a secure cloud folder and supply time-limited links for review. Use DAM tools and metadata automation to keep reviewers on the same page (DAM integration guide). Include checksums or timestamps to prove authenticity.

Step 7 — Audience & traction: show the market

Proof of audience reduces risk. Agencies prefer IP with demonstrable interest or monetization.

What counts as traction in 2026

• Sales numbers (comics, books, limited editions)
• Engagement metrics (newsletter CTR, Discord activity, video completion rates)
• Revenue streams (merch drops, crowdfunding, licensing deals)
• Critical press and festival placements
• Audience-first networks — active communities on creator platforms matter more than raw follower counts

Even a small but highly engaged community is valuable. Agencies can scale that community; they can’t manufacture authentic engagement overnight. For new creator monetization tools and platform-driven revenue paths, read about Bluesky cashtags and LIVE badges and platform monetization models.

Step 8 — Packaging the pitch: what to send and how

Less is more, but be prepared to open the vault quickly. Your initial email should be concise and attach a single PDF with breadcrumbs to everything else.

Initial outreach template

1. Subject: Short, specific (e.g., "IP: THE ORCHARD — transmedia sci-fi graphic novel — rights cleared")
2. Two-sentence hook + one-line ask (representation, option, meeting)
3. Attachment: One-pager PDF (logline, status, lnk to folder)
4. Optional: 30–60 second sizzle link

Do not attach large files. Use cloud links with access logs. If an agency signs NDAs frequently, make sure your links respect that workflow.

Step 9 — Negotiation prep: know what you can (and should) give

Before meetings, clarify non-negotiables: what rights you’ll keep, revenue expectations, and what you’ll allow as options. Have a proposed rights split and deal examples ready.

Rights framework to present

• Exclusive options: 12–18 months for TV/film with structured reversion clauses
• Non-exclusive licenses: for merchandising or interactive experiences
• Territorial splits: list regions you want to control versus those you authorize
• Revenue share examples: clear percentages for licensing, merchandising, adaptations

Agencies expect realistic, market-aligned terms. Showing that you understand deal structures increases credibility. For payments, royalties and practical onboarding when producing for platforms, consider the walkthrough on onboarding wallets for broadcasters.

Advanced strategies: think like a transmedia studio

To attract top-tier representation you must show the property’s expansion potential. The Orangery’s pitch succeeded because it presented a pipeline — graphic novels feeding TV, feeding games, feeding merch. Map that pipeline early.

Transmedia checklist

• Core narrative spine that adapts across media
• Platform-specific content ideas (short-form, episodic, interactive)
• Prototype partnerships (publishers, indie studios, merch partners)
• Licensing tiers and sample price points

In 2026, agencies want predictable expansion ladders. Lay out a 3–5 year roadmap with realistic milestones.

“Agencies are buying the future revenue tree, not just a single fruit.” — Practical shorthand for how to present IP in 2026.

Common red flags that stop representation

• Unclear chain-of-title or missing contributor agreements
• Domains and social accounts that don’t match the brand
• Lack of a transmedia plan or monetization model
• Overly broad or unfocused pitch documents
• AI-generated assets without provenance or rights clarity

Avoid these by running a clean audit before outreach. For physical and digital provenance considerations on limited editions, see why provenance still matters.

Case example: What The Orangery likely did right (and what you can copy)

Public reporting on WME’s signing of The Orangery highlights several replicable moves:

• Strong IP catalog with multiple titles (diversification)
• Rights-cleared content suitable for adaptation
• Clear European market positioning to complement WME’s global reach
• A transmedia vision that anticipates film/TV and merchandising

Replicate this by building a small catalog (3–5 related works), documenting rights, and producing a compact transmedia roadmap.

Tools & templates creators should use (2026 picks)

Use modern tools to streamline packaging:

• Cloud storage: secure, versioned folders (with activity logs)
• Rights management: simple contract templates and digital signature tools
• Domain & brand: registrar dashboards with auto-renew and transfer locks
• Design: moodboard and lookbook tools for quick comps
• Analytics: exportable dashboards for audience proof

New in 2026: provenance layers for AI assets are available in some registries — use them if you used generative models. For DAM workflows and metadata automation that speed review cycles, see automating metadata extraction. If you need a short list of creator tools, check our tools roundup.

Final checklist before outreach (printable)

• One-pager PDF attached and cloud folder link included
• IP bible + lookbook in a reviewable format
• Rights packet & chain-of-title document ready
• Domain and social handle snapshot included
• Sizzle reel or demo link prepared
• Audience proof and revenue summaries attached
• Clear ask (representation, meeting, option) in the outreach

Next steps: a simple 30-day action plan

1. Week 1: Build inventory & legal checklist; secure domains and handles
2. Week 2: Draft one-pager, logline, and one-page treatment; create lookbook
3. Week 3: Assemble IP bible and rights packet; produce sizzle reel or sample pages
4. Week 4: Identify target agencies and craft tailored outreach; collect feedback and iterate

Stick to this cadence and you’ll move from uncertainty to agency-ready in a month.

Closing thoughts: packaging is a signal of professionalism

Agencies like WME are not just buying stories — they’re buying confidence that a project can be scaled, cleared, and monetized. Packaging your work the Orangery way isn’t about gimmicks; it’s about clarity, legal hygiene, and a realistic transmedia plan. Do those things and you’ll no longer be chasing representation — representation will be knocking.

Actionable takeaway

Start with a one-page PDF today: logline, status, and a link to a clean cloud folder. That single document will open more doors than a dozen unfocused DMs.

Call to action

If you want a proven checklist and email outreach templates tailored for transmedia IP, download our 30-day packaging workbook or schedule a free portfolio review with our team. Take the first step: prepare one tight one-pager and a cloud folder — then send it to a trusted agent or advisor. Your IP deserves to be represented.

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