A film student wants to make a short I wrote!

Posted by: Alfred Hitchcock, June 11th, 2006, 7:09am

He's in england and i'm in norway.

I submitted a script and I got an email from a guy who wanted to make it. Said he was a film student. I've already written him back that he could do it but i want your opinions on this.

This was the mail he sent me:

Quoted Text

Reality Fiction

From
Steve Shaw
to me

4:53 pm (4 hours ago)

Hey, just finished reading your script Reality/Fiction and absolutly loved
it!
I'm writing to you to ask what you would think about me adapting it into a
short film, I'm currently in Westminster Film School London and quite
experienced in writing, directing and editing. I have previously made
various genres ranging from horror to action, to thriller but have never had
the opportunity to tackle a film like this but I love the idea and think it
could translate very well to the screen.

A few of my ideas would be sticking very much to the script so we dont
reveal stanley or Robert until after the huge monlogue because I think it
adds to the impact of the monologue if it seems like JP is talking to us.
When we do reveal them sitting there in the suits I want the audience to at
first to think maybe we are in for a Tarantino rip off style film but then
suddenly their characters are totally different to what we expect. I live in
England and see the character of JP alot like Clive Owen, very direct, very
confident and a big screen presence.

Get back to me and let me know what you think.

Steve Shaw

Posted by: Acroname, June 11th, 2006, 1:10pm; Reply: 1

Did this guy provide any credentials or proof of identity? Otherwise I wouldn't let him near your script. And also, would you be credited as the screenwriter if the short was made?

Posted by: Helio, June 11th, 2006, 1:22pm; Reply: 2

Hey Daniel!

Propose this guy an option. Ask him to send you a short contract option copy. After that, you both sign it: copies to each other… Etc, etc..He options your script for 6 months, if he didn't do nothing with your script that time, the rights comes back to you.

Ask him about any money or credits in his film.

Cheers
Helio

Posted by: Shelton, June 11th, 2006, 1:34pm; Reply: 3

Considering that the request has come from a film student, there is probably no money involved, and he is just looking to use your script to produce something for his portfolio.

I have a few things like this in the works myself, and there's really no harm in allowing it to happen, since you retain all rights to your work, and if he produces a well made film, you can use it to showcase your writing skills.

If it's not well made, then you lock it away, tightly, and wait for the next filmmaker to produce it with the hope that it'll be better.

Posted by: Alfred Hitchcock, June 11th, 2006, 2:57pm; Reply: 4

alright thanks helio and mike! ghost i asked him in my last mail to him for that. he hasn't gotten back to me yet.

he's just a student so he's just doing it for his portfolio, yes. but this is soo cool ain't it? for me anyway. considering my age and where i come from.... heh... i'm quite proud! ;D

Posted by: Helio, June 11th, 2006, 4:04pm; Reply: 5

Like him you have to have a potfolio too!

Posted by: Acroname, June 11th, 2006, 5:20pm; Reply: 6

Well done then...Daniel, is it? Didn't want to keep using Alfred Hitchcock LOL! That is quite an achievement. Good luck and keep us posted!

Posted by: FilmMaker06, June 11th, 2006, 5:22pm; Reply: 7

Good job Alf. Never think that your age will hold you back and it never will.

-Chris

Posted by: Alfred Hitchcock, June 11th, 2006, 5:29pm; Reply: 8

heh.. thanks guys.. yeah it's Daniel. when i signed up i was looking for a good screenname and it never occured to me to use my own name. and i was just wathcing some old alfred hitchcock episodes so i took that.

Posted by: CindyLKeller, June 11th, 2006, 7:31pm; Reply: 9

Daniel,
That is so cool! Congrats! I'm very happy for you. Just think, before too long you can put your DVD into the player, and watch it over and over again. ;D
I did that with my short "Tattoo". ;D
Cindy

Posted by: Acroname, June 12th, 2006, 6:57am; Reply: 10

Nice to know you, Daniel! Hope everything goes well for you!

Quoted from FilmMaker06

Never think that your age will hold you back and it never will.

-Chris

Well said, Rapture.

Print Topic