Hey all

A director contacted me expressing interest in a script I wrote, and they’ve asked to meet with me (over Zoom) to discuss the script. They want to film the script.

What on earth do I say to them? The script is complete and it’s not a collaboration to rewrite I don’t think, and I wouldn’t be involved in production at all. The director is overseas and even if they were local, I have a real job.

I don’t really know what to expect or how to prepare. Am I supposed to be trying to impress them? Is it a negotiation? Etc

Oh wow, congrats, that is amazing!  I have no experience talking with directors (yet) but this is just general advice for any business deal:
1. Hear them out.
2. Have a dialogue about their interest and expectations as well as your own.
3. Take notes.
4. Do not commit to anything on the first pass.

Depending on the conversation, this might be an opportunity to engage an agent/manager. They know infinitely more about deal making than you.  It’s amazing how former disregard from them turns to adoration once you have a prospect with interest (the bees to honey paradox)

I’m excited for you and look forward to hearing how this turns out. A foot in the door can be as good as gold but be diligent. Your work is your fortune, take care to not squander it on someone that talks a good game but doesn’t deliver. Keep us posted and wishing you much luck!

Hey Ben,

I had a similar query last month. Some director wanted to do a Zoom call for 20 minutes and collaborate on a few projects. Told him I don't collaborate on new projects, nor do I have Zoom/camera and never heard from him again,  ho-hum…

Third query this year where someone expressed interest in my work but ended it at that, not sure how these people operate, but they do leave you guessing on your end. Anyway, that being said, it can’t hurt to find out what he/she/they are all about.

From my experience a 'meeting' usually means they want more involvement from you than just your screenplay to film, otherwise they'd be straight on to talking Options or Sale. It could be anything from rewrites, writing something else entirely (cause they like your style) to an offer for you to Produce etc.

It can't hurt to hear them out, so if I were you I'd just listen to whatever the proposal is, let them do most of the talking, and like Kathy said don't commit to anything until you've had time to consider whatever it is.

Do they have credits, IMDb?

Thanks everyone. I just hate Zoom meetings, which I think is most of my issue.

They do have credits, but the first four are short films I’ve never heard of and the feature is listed as in development, so I can’t see much about it, but I recognise one of the cast members as being from a Netflix show, so that’s cool.

Is this regarding a feature or a short script?

Short, but he’s also talked about a feature I’d written.