SimplyScripts Discussion Board
Blog Home - Produced Movie Script Library - TV Scripts - Unproduced Scripts - Contact - Site Map
ScriptSearch
Welcome, Guest.
It is March 28th, 2024, 10:00am
Please login or register.
Was Portal Recent Posts Home Help Calendar Search Register Login
Please do read the guidelines that govern behavior on the discussion board. It will make for a much more pleasant experience for everyone. A word about SimplyScripts and Censorship


Produced Script Database (Updated!)
One Week Challenge - Who Wrote What and Writers' Choice.


Scripts studios are posting for award consideration

Short Script of the Day | Featured Script of the Month | Featured Short Scripts Available for Production
Submit Your Script

How do I get my film's link and banner here?
All screenplays on the simplyscripts.com and simplyscripts.net domain are copyrighted to their respective authors. All rights reserved. This screenplaymay not be used or reproduced for any purpose including educational purposes without the expressed written permission of the author.
Forum Login
Username: Create a new Account
Password:     Forgot Password

SimplyScripts Screenwriting Discussion Board    General Boards    Questions or Comments  ›  Optioning a script
Users Browsing Forum
No Members and 3 Guests

 Pages: 1
Recommend Print
  Author    Optioning a script   (currently 964 views)
Deano
Posted: April 11th, 2017, 4:17pm Report to Moderator
New


Posts
7
Posts Per Day
0.00
Hey guys, is anyone experienced in optioning a script ? I've been asked to do this
and i actually have no idea what I have to do ?
Is this some sort of contract I write up ?
I don't want to look like I havnt a clue to the production company that want me to option my script.
Any help would be amazing
Thank you
Logged Offline
Private Message
AnthonyCawood
Posted: April 11th, 2017, 6:49pm Report to Moderator
January Project Group



Location
UK
Posts
4319
Posts Per Day
1.14
Congrats on the interest in your script, fingers crossed for you.

Option... means they want you to agree to them having exclusive rights to try and get the film made, this is usually agreed as part of an Option contract/agreement and often involves them paying you something for that exclusivity.

What you need to know, and think about is...

1) An option is for a period of time, during which time they try and get the film setup and you can't try sell it elsewhere... so how long an option do you want to grant them?
2) An option often entails the prod co paying you to have that exclusivity and tie your script up for the agreed duration. How much that payment depends on what you negotiate.
3) An option often details how much you will get paid IF they make the film, e.g.
$10,000 paid on commencement of principal photography. Again this is whatever you negotiate, but is usually 2-5% of the films budget.
4) Options can be extended if both parties agree, this can also be written into the agreement and can be for an additional payment.

Is this a feature or short script they are optioning from you?

Hope this helps a litttle,


Anthony Cawood - Award winning screenwriter
Available Short screenplays - http://www.anthonycawood.co.uk/short-scripts
Available Feature screenplays - http://www.anthonycawood.co.uk/feature-film-scripts/
Screenwriting articles - http://www.anthonycawood.co.uk/articles
IMDB Link - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm6495672/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Logged Offline
Site Private Message Reply: 1 - 7
Deano
Posted: April 12th, 2017, 1:26am Report to Moderator
New


Posts
7
Posts Per Day
0.00
Thanks man, I've seen ur very experienced on selling scripts, it a horror feature and it has fallen into the hands of someone who has huge Hollywood connections, I actually can't believe my luck so I want to come across like I know how to option it, I don't even know how much I want to for payment ? I'm just privileged that I have such a huge production company liking my work ... do I charge x amount is x amount too much .... I know there will be a decent budget involved ..
Logged Offline
Private Message Reply: 2 - 7
AnthonyCawood
Posted: April 12th, 2017, 2:26am Report to Moderator
January Project Group



Location
UK
Posts
4319
Posts Per Day
1.14
That's great Deano, if you want any specific info/advice just PM me.

Charging, I'd let them make the first offer and see what they say... as I mentioned above the sale price (and even the option fee) is often a calculation of the films budget.

E.g.
Film budget $1m
Script purchase price is $1m x 2% = $20,000
Option fee is 10% of purchase price = $2,000

These are 'normal' rates largely derived from WGA standards... but you aren't a WGA member so it will be whatever you (or your agent) can negotiate.

You can Google WGA rates and you should get results for what a WGA member would get in your situation... maybe use that as a comparison.

Good luck!


Anthony Cawood - Award winning screenwriter
Available Short screenplays - http://www.anthonycawood.co.uk/short-scripts
Available Feature screenplays - http://www.anthonycawood.co.uk/feature-film-scripts/
Screenwriting articles - http://www.anthonycawood.co.uk/articles
IMDB Link - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm6495672/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Logged Offline
Site Private Message Reply: 3 - 7
eldave1
Posted: April 12th, 2017, 10:33am Report to Moderator
January Project Group



Location
Southern California
Posts
6874
Posts Per Day
1.95
First - congrats on the option - that is terrific.

You should not have to write an option contract if this is someone other than a school student, raw start up, etc. They will have a boiler plate one. I would ask them to send it to you and then you mark it up with the changes you want.

Antony's advice already posted here is of course rock solid and pretty much what you can expect. Remember, they are optioning (rather than buying) to see if they can get the money and/or logistics together to make a film. When shopping to investors, they have to have an option in hand otherwise an investor is not going to listen to them.

I would add these thoughts to what Anthony already said:

Make sure you get the say on whether or not the option is extended. All agreements are going to have an option to extend for a specified period. Make sure that is in your control. Something like:

The Option shall terminate at midnight on the day that is 6 months from the date of this Agreement (the “Option Period”).The Production Company may extend the Option Period for a further 6 months  upon written consent of the Writer on or before the last day of the Option
Period.


Be careful of the share of the net profits as there is a lot of creative accounting in this industry.  Try to get yourself aligned in the same pool where the producers, director, etc are getting their points rather than on some nebulous % of profits

Sometimes purchase price is base on level of funding achieved (i.e., vs, budget). If it is this way make sure it is accumulated funding throughout the life of the production rather than funding received at any particular point.

Try to get a right of reversal should the script be purchased but not made into a film. Something like:

If the Production Company does not produce a motion picture based on script within XX years from purchase of the script, the Writer, subject to any restrictions or limitations imposed by any 3rd party investors, distributors or broadcasters, shall have a turnaround right to reacquire  full rights to the script and sell the script elsewhere. Should this reversion be exercised, the Writer shall compensate the Production company in an amount  equal to all option and purchase payments received by the Writer from the Production company.

Make sure that you're credit is a writer are not effected by re-writes. I have heard of horror stories where this was not spelled out. some junior intern makes changes to the script and wala they are getting a co-writing credit. So  something like:

The Production Company shall provide the Writer with the sole writer’s credit on screen
in connection with the Productions (subject to standard conditions imposed by the
distributors and broadcasters of such productions) that recognizes and reflects his role as
creator of the concept.


It is tough. Is a new writer, you do not have the leverage of established ones. But the above requests are reasonable in my opinion. Best of lucj


My Scripts can all be seen here:

http://dlambertson.wix.com/scripts
Logged Offline
Private Message Reply: 4 - 7
Steven
Posted: April 12th, 2017, 10:42am Report to Moderator
New



Location
Southern California
Posts
466
Posts Per Day
0.16
I've optioned two shorts with a somewhat basic option agreement form. Basically the agreement detailed the length of time the production company could actually make the film, and there would be a stipulation stating that any feature adaptation shall NOT be done with any other party than who is listed on the agreement.

Plus the type of credit given to myself, any payment, festival percentages, etc.
Logged Offline
Site Private Message Reply: 5 - 7
Deano
Posted: April 12th, 2017, 2:29pm Report to Moderator
New


Posts
7
Posts Per Day
0.00
Thank you guys for the advice just wanted to be clued up when I respond to them
Logged Offline
Private Message Reply: 6 - 7
eldave1
Posted: April 13th, 2017, 11:22am Report to Moderator
January Project Group



Location
Southern California
Posts
6874
Posts Per Day
1.95

Quoted from Deano
Thank you guys for the advice just wanted to be clued up when I respond to them


No problem. Let us know how it goes


My Scripts can all be seen here:

http://dlambertson.wix.com/scripts
Logged Offline
Private Message Reply: 7 - 7
 Pages: 1
Recommend Print

Locked Board Board Index    Questions or Comments  [ previous | next ] Switch to:
Was Portal Recent Posts Home Help Calendar Search Register Login

Forum Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post polls
You may not post attachments
HTML is on
Blah Code is on
Smilies are on


Powered by E-Blah Platinum 9.71B © 2001-2006