|
Author |
So I got an email... (currently 6021 views) |
AnthonyCawood |
Posted: July 12th, 2017, 3:53am |
|
|
January Project Group
LocationUK Posts4319 Posts Per Day 1.14 |
Totally agree Pia... and I don't think there's ill intention from anyone, just unrealistic expectations of what is required to make a film. |
| |
|
|
|
Reply: 30 - 60 |
|
|
LC |
Posted: July 12th, 2017, 4:16am |
|
|
Administrator
LocationThe Great Southern Land Posts7581 Posts Per Day 1.34 |
Hi everyone, chiming in here to provide some insight from the perspective of someone who actually sold a script to TDG and am now a little unsure of my decision. Like MarkItZero mentioned, I wrote that script called the Cabin, and TDG reached out to me and offered to buy it for the same IP catalogue that many of you noted above. almost the same email in fact.
The only difference is that we went back and forth a few times and I requested "Written by" credit as part of the contract. Of course, since they now own the IP, they could do what they want with it and claim it's re-written enough to not warrant the "written by" credit, but still, it's an added provision that at first made me feel a little safer.
When it comes to payment, they offered a little more (not much) than the prices discussed above and offered to pay it either by wire or by check. Fearing the same things you all noted, I asked for a check, which they did send and which did cash with no issue. Never requested routing information, account numbers, or anything like that, so there's no feasible way they could be stealing from me in a literal sense.
That being the case, I'm a little unsure as to what the potential scam could be. I had the same concerns as many of you, but now my biggest worry is that this may just be a case of a newly formed company being overly optimistic without having much of a realistic plan in place. I've seen it happen before where a company will be well intentioned as to their plans, but overall can't follow through and so the script becomes eternally tied up, and I'm worried that's the case here.
Did I jump the gun? Probably. But at the same time I have some money in my pocket for a script that probably wouldn't have seen the light of day otherwise. It's not a huge return, but so far I haven't been able to figure out what the scam could be if there is one. |
Nate, I hope very much that you were well compensated for a feature length script. |
| |
|
Logged |
|
|
|
Reply: 31 - 60 |
|
|
Nate |
Posted: July 12th, 2017, 8:22am |
|
|
LocationBoston, MA Posts6 Posts Per Day 0.00 |
Totally agree Pia... and I don't think there's ill intention from anyone, just unrealistic expectations of what is required to make a film. |
I think this pretty much sums it up for me as well. Good intentions, but probably unrealistic expectations. This thread has been really helpful! |
| |
|
|
|
Reply: 32 - 60 |
|
|
khamanna |
Posted: July 12th, 2017, 8:52am |
|
|
January Project Group
Posts4194 Posts Per Day 0.79 |
what's the minimum we should ask for a frature then? I've heard about 3% of the total budget but shouldn't there be a minimum? I'd think no less than $3,000, but please don't throw rotten tomatoes at me. Russians say 4 by the way - I asked and that's been the answer several times. |
|
|
|
Reply: 33 - 60 |
|
|
ReneC |
Posted: July 12th, 2017, 10:20am |
|
|
Old Timer
LocationVancouver, BC Posts1435 Posts Per Day 0.31 |
3% is generous. 1.5% is more realistic. As for a minimum, there's no standard, it's whatever you can let it go for. |
| |
|
|
|
Reply: 34 - 60 |
|
|
eldave1 |
Posted: July 12th, 2017, 10:28am |
|
|
January Project Group
LocationSouthern California Posts6874 Posts Per Day 1.95 |
what's the minimum we should ask for a frature then? I've heard about 3% of the total budget but shouldn't there be a minimum? I'd think no less than $3,000, but please don't throw rotten tomatoes at me. Russians say 4 by the way - I asked and that's been the answer several times. |
Hmmm. It's complicated I think. So, there are Writers Guild Minimum ranges -check out page 1 here: http://www.wga.org/uploadedFiles/writers_resources/contracts/min2014.pdfBut those are for WGA members and for producers who honor the WGA agreement. At least it gives you a sense of the ranges. So, as newbie writers and more than likely newbie producers - the above ranges are probably not going to apply. My researched has indicated that 2.5% to 3% of budget is pretty common. . I have only negotiated one option. The key points I added negotiated were as follows: - I receive sole writing credit (I did not want someone making changes and all of a sudden they could be considered a co-writer). - Included Reversion rights (rights go back to me if film is not made with xx amount of time). - 6 month option period with another 6 month extension available AT WRITER'S OPTION. i.e., production company could not unilaterally extend. - Option exercised = 2.5% of budget plus a 5% share in the Producer's Pool. Note: a good article on the different "pools" is here: http://www.producersguild.org/.....nd-Preferred-ReturnsOf course - after I win an Oscar I will set my own rates |
| |
|
|
|
Reply: 35 - 60 |
|
|
khamanna |
Posted: July 12th, 2017, 11:30am |
|
|
January Project Group
Posts4194 Posts Per Day 0.79 |
Yeah WGA minimums would be nice - I'd like myself some of that)
I guess I'm taking that "minimum" talk from Russian culture. And I think it's a good thing they have there. Granted I know a girl who just gave away her script - but from there to here from here to there funny things are everywhere.
I really like your negotiation points. Especially Reversion rights clause. Thanks for sharing.
And characters remain your property at all times, right? That's how I sold a few shorts. Never sold a feature, so wouldn't know. |
|
|
|
Reply: 36 - 60 |
|
|
eldave1 |
Posted: July 12th, 2017, 11:37am |
|
|
January Project Group
LocationSouthern California Posts6874 Posts Per Day 1.95 |
Quoted Text And characters remain your property at all times, right? That's how I sold a few shorts. Never sold a feature, so wouldn't know. |
Only up to the point that the sale is consummated - after that - it's theirs (other than the reversion should they not make the film). |
| |
|
|
|
Reply: 37 - 60 |
|
|
Athenian |
Posted: July 13th, 2017, 6:06am |
|
|
January Project Group
Posts203 Posts Per Day 0.06 |
My researched has indicated that 2.5% to 3% of budget is pretty common. |
How can a screenwriter be sure about the budget, though? Are the numbers provided by the producers reliable? |
|
Logged |
|
|
|
Reply: 38 - 60 |
|
|
eldave1 |
Posted: July 13th, 2017, 9:29am |
|
|
January Project Group
LocationSouthern California Posts6874 Posts Per Day 1.95 |
How can a screenwriter be sure about the budget, though? Are the numbers provided by the producers reliable?
|
It it tough. One can set a minimum if they want. e.g., XX% of budget but in no case less than $$$$$ |
| |
|
|
|
Reply: 39 - 60 |
|
|
ajr |
Posted: July 15th, 2017, 5:54am |
|
|
Old Timer
Posts1482 Posts Per Day 0.28 |
Negotiating with them now - hopefully it results in a deal... |
| |
|
|
|
Reply: 40 - 60 |
|
|
AnthonyCawood |
Posted: July 15th, 2017, 6:29am |
|
|
January Project Group
LocationUK Posts4319 Posts Per Day 1.14 |
Any negotiation is just that... so ask for what you'd like, but consider what you'll move on and what you wont move on... Dave has suggested some good ones to consider.
Minimums... there are none, as it all depends on what you are willing to accept. If you are convinced that a producer is going to make your film would you do a deal based purely on % of profits? Technically you'd have nothing but a credit and the slim possibility of some money down the line... but if it's your first feature... would you do it?
Personally my two optioned features are both % of budgets with estaimated budget ranges already discussed... and of course they could go nowhere, that's just the reality of film making.
AJR - best of luck, keep us posted. |
| |
|
|
|
Reply: 41 - 60 |
|
|
eldave1 |
Posted: July 15th, 2017, 9:49am |
|
|
January Project Group
LocationSouthern California Posts6874 Posts Per Day 1.95 |
Negotiating with them now - hopefully it results in a deal... |
Best of luck |
| |
|
|
|
Reply: 42 - 60 |
|
|
ajr |
Posted: July 17th, 2017, 3:30pm |
|
|
Old Timer
Posts1482 Posts Per Day 0.28 |
Ultimately we couldn't work out a deal. So I can't say positive or negative at this point. |
| |
|
|
|
Reply: 43 - 60 |
|
|
Cacutshaw |
Posted: July 21st, 2017, 7:09pm |
|
|
January Project Group
Posts177 Posts Per Day 0.07 |
I got one too today. Same email, different company though. |
|
|
|
Reply: 44 - 60 |
|
|