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.
Oh ok. There are others I’m sure are more knowledgeable than me. When I sold my feature this past summer I never sought representation nor did I think I had to. Looking back, it might have been smart to get someone, lawyer at least, to help navigate the contract. They still owe me money (I’ve been paid most of it, thankfully), and it looks like they don’t want to pay the rest.
Oh ok. There are others I’m sure are more knowledgeable than me. When I sold my feature this past summer I never sought representation nor did I think I had to. Looking back, it might have been smart to get someone, lawyer at least, to help navigate the contract. They still owe me money (I’ve been paid most of it, thankfully), and it looks like they don’t want to pay the rest.
That sucks that they shorted ya.
I just want to make sure I'm protecting myself from anything like that happening to me. Lol
Okay, I'll try and explain this so it makes sense.
This producer, we'll call her Abby. Contacts me, wants to buy the script. Conference call with another producer, the whole bit. Abby sends me start-up money to let me know she's for real - no contract yet - and in good faith. Great! I get the contract - the first of three separate contracts, each one tweaked to include separate things, i.e., rewrites, the balance owed, co-writing credits, and that the final balance owed will be sent to me no later than 7 days after I hand in the rewrite. I sign them all, and ask then to be sent back to me once Abby signs. Not one has been sent back yet.
Still, Abby keeps sending me money periodically. She pretty much paid me almost everything, except what is owed. The script has been sent in - back in freaking August. It's just this damn final balance. I text her every week, then finally, I realize I'm getting the runaround and I get more stern than normal.
So, now she says that the final balance is not to be paid until she signs the "new" version of the contract, which states that I get only a co-writer credit, which was already stated on the other contracts, so it's nothing new.
So here I am. She did pay in good faith, but probably never signed those other contracts, and I feel that I won't get this "new" contact from her lawyer. I think once financing came through she got what she got then figured I'd already gotten enough, so hey, that's that, mattress man.
So, that's where I stand right now. And yes, all work has been completed.
I don't know how we can answer this Zack. You want a sure fire way of getting everything into the contract so you never get screwed? Is that what you are after? That's tough. You need the advice of a lawyer to make sure you are as covered as possible but there's always the possibility of the relationship going south and it not ending well.
For more of my scripts, stories, produced movies and the ocassional blog, check out my new website. CLICK
I don't know how we can answer this Zack. You want a sure fire way of getting everything into the contract so you never get screwed? Is that what you are after? That's tough. You need the advice of a lawyer to make sure you are as covered as possible but there's always the possibility of the relationship going south and it not ending well.
I just want some guidance/advice, Dude. This is completely new to me. Have no idea how to even approach an agent/lawyer. I just want to do everything in my power to make sure I get a fair contract.
Without going for representation, I’d make sure of price. Will you get money up front, money when completed and paid in full after a certain time after you’ve handed in the script. Then, of course, make sure you and them BOTH sign the contract and that you have proof. If they falter in any way, like they do not send you back a copy of the signed contract, then a red flag should go up.
Basically, if something “seems” amiss it usually is.
Perhaps you could find a lawyer who’d look over the contract for you. Doesn’t necessarily have to be an entertainment lawyer, but at least they have knowledge with contracts and such.
Zack: Going to post a series of responses here due to length.
There are several types of agency query letters. One is a body of work type. i.e., You are trying to show an Agency that you have a lot of stuff available (versus being a one-shot type of thing). Here is a sample I wrote:
Quoted Text
My name is David Lambertson. I am an amateur screenwriter who has done very well in screenwriting contests. I am looking for representation to help in the journey of achieving commercial success.
I write character-driven stories in all genres. I have completed six features, including:
Title: The Beginning of The End and Then End Genre: Romantic Comedy Logline: A battle of wits ensues when an arrogant divorce lawyer moves into an office next door to a strong-willed marriage counselor. A building fire ultimately interrupts their battles while at the same time sparking a relationship.
This script won the silver prize for the PAGE 2017 Screenplay competition.
Title: The Last Statesman: Genre: Dramedy Logline: An old and cranky local politician goes publicly bananas in an effort to draw attention to an important social issue. This inadvertently puts the career of his son, the Governor of California, at risk.
This script was a 2016 PAGE Finalist as well as a Nicholls’ quarterfinalist.
Title: Dark World Genre: Thriller Logline: In order to stop a serial killer, an FBI Agent must convince his colleagues that the murders that only he can see on a virtual reality game are real.
This script made the 2017 SHORES semi-finals.
Title: La Loteria Genre: Drama Logline: A missing grand prize lottery ticket is the key to solving a series of murders in a gang-infested Los Angeles neighborhood.
This script made the 2017 PAGE semi-finals.
I would be delighted to meet with you to discuss representation or to send any of my work for your review. I can be reached at:
dlambertson@hotmail.com 714-xxx-xxxx.
Thank you in advance for your consideration.
Conversely, you could write a query that highlights a specific script. Here is an example:
Quoted Text
My name is David Lambertson. I would like to submit my feature-length script to you for your consideration. This script one the Silver Award in the 2017 PAGE International Screenwriting Contest.
Title: The Beginning of The End and The End. Genre: Romantic Comedy Logline: A battle of wits ensues when a jaded, arrogant divorce lawyer moves into an office adjacent to a strong-willed marriage counselor. Ironically, a building fire that interrupts their battles sparks a relationship.
Comps to other Films.
A more condensed version of When Harry Met Sally. It has the witty dialogue of that film along with the physical comedy of Bridesmaid.
Production Considerations
The film should be able to be produced on a modest budget. It is based in Los Angeles and most of the film takes place in a single location (Emily and George’s Offices). No special effects.
Target Audience.
A romantic comedy for adults. Suitable for either the big screen or small screen.
A brief synopsis of the story follows. I would like to send the script to you for your consideration. I can be reached at:
dlambertson@hotmail.com
714-xxx-xxxx
Thank you in advance.
I posted the above to give you a sense of standard query letters for contrast. You seem to be in a different spot. Most agencies are getting queries from folks who want to use them to help sell their scripts. You seem to be in place where you essentially have a solid offer for the script and merely want the agent to help finalize/negotiate terms. So, I think your query email should be something akin to:
Quoted Text
Title: SEEKING AGENT TO FINALIZE CONTRACT.
My name is XXXXXX. I have received a formal offer from XXX to purchase my feature length screenplay:
TITLE xxxxx GENRE xxxxx LOGLINE xxxxx
I am now seeking representation for the purposes of finalizing this contract as well as to assist me in future endeavors. I have - SAY A WORD OR TWO ABOUT YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND THE NUMBER OF SCRIPTS YOU HAVE READY.
Please contact me at XXXXXX if you are interested in negotiating this contract for me. Thanks in advance for your consideration.
Now, who to send your query too? A good source is IMDB - I would join. Almost every Agency, Manager and Production house is there. Google is also an easy tool.
Many agencies will not respond to an unsolicited query. So once you get your list together, you need to go to each agencies web-site to determine their solicitation policy. Research five - send queries to them - then move on to the next five - rinse and repeat.