A media production company emailed me about a script (I guess they found it here or on ScriptRevolution) the other day, and their first email said "we’d love the opportunity to represent your script to try and get it produced [...]". I looked up the company and it seems like they produce national commercials for big brands, and have also been involved in the production of some small indie movies. They've worked with one director I've heard of. As far as I can tell, the company is a legit prodco albeit quite small.

When I sought clarification about what they were asking me, they followed up with (in part) saying "...as of right now, we are looking to do a short term option with currently no firm budget. [..] let me know if you had something in mind budget wise."

Are they asking me what I'd request for a short term option in terms of payment? Is this even legit if so? Again, the company website seems very legit but it also is a very small company and I can't be 100% certain, but if it were a scam, what would the scam even be? They mentioned very specific details about the script which implies they actually read it.

Assuming it is real - how do I respond?

They're being a bit vague aren't they?

If they want to Option your screenplay they'd come forward with an offer. I'm not trying to put you off but that's the way it's usually gone for me.

Be proactive and let them know what Option term and how much you're happy with.

They're the only ones who would know their budget.
It's a bit confusing cause maybe they do mean what will you Option it for, so I'd just go with that and see how they respond.

Thanks LC. I'll probably respond like that.

I'm happy to PM anyone the full email/company website, if they'd like to check it out and tell me whether it passes the smell test - I guess in the (unlikely?) event this is real, I just didn't want to publicly disparage them online.

Assuming the option length they’re asking for is 3-6 months, how much should
I ask for?

The feature is something I wrote in 2016 and haven’t thought about since and I wasn’t doing anything with it, so the option isn’t a big loss in terms of intellectual property. And the features that the company have produced/been involved with have been tiny festival indie films, certainly nothing with budgets more than a million.

I'll give you the link I gave John.

Don't underestimate your worth. But it comes down to whatever you think, and negotiate with them.
https://industrialscripts.com/screenplay-option/

P.S. That's a comparatively short Option for a Feature so ask them if they have a Budget for the script.

Did the person that emailed you had a name that started with a T? I'm only asking because I've been contacted a couple of times too with similar sounding emails. Gushing over the script and saying things that prooves to me they had not really read it.

Grandma - nope! It was the executive assistant for a production team at the company (I can DM you the emails and website if you want and tell me if you recognise?)

No, it's okay. I was just curious because there seems to have been a lot of activity lately with producers/directors perusing scripts and contacting people here at SS. I think that's great and I have always said that SS gets more writers optioned and sold than any other website. AND, it's free.  :)

For me personally, I just get suspicious or wary when I get contacted by people who praise my scripts but it's clear they didn't really read the script. The reason I caution is because a few years back I learned the hard way that a LOT of production companies option scripts and get the writer all excited thinking their script will be made when in reality these companies have optioned several scripts and then they go out and pitch those scripts in hopes to find funding. This happened to one of my scripts. I did several rewrites for them, but after two years they gave me the script back when they were unable to fund it. This was two years where I turned down other filmmakers because the script was already "taken". By the time I got the script back it was old hat and nobody wanted it. Having said that, I'm still not immune to praise ;D and I have a meeting today about a writing for hire. It''s fairly well paid, but it's a drama and that's not really my interest, but we'll see what happens.  

Well good luck with that Pia.

And thank you for a further insight into optioning.

My script Two Moons has been fully read, that I know because they even gave me an outline of the narrative and their interest in that narrative.

Like you i will wait and see what they come back with. I've been down the road you suggested in your last message and totally understand what you have experienced. I've even had an Indian production company reach out, asking to produce Two Moons but it just sounded dodgy from the off.

Ah, the joys of the unclear/short option/hip pocket...

Happy to have a look if you want to DM me.

Thanks Pia and everyone.

To be fair to them, they were fairly transparent in my first email that they are actively search for scripts to option so they can shop them around. They made no promise of getting it produced, just that they’d like to show the script to some contacts. I’m well aware the likelihood is extremely low of anything productive happening but if I can get paid for it, I won’t turn it down. (Also tbh the script they’re contacting me about isn’t that great in my opinion).

I believe the $1 option is there because some money has to transfer for the contract to be legit. Asking for a % of the budget for an option might scare them away, especially if their plan is to shop it around. I personally do the $1 option, however, I only give them six months. After six months they have to prove to me that they are actively trying to find funding. If they are, then I'll give them another six months unless there have been others with better offers asking for the script. Whichever way you go with, don't let them have the rights to your script too long.

Good luck.  :)

I've done the $1 option before and got screwed by PayPal. The guy that optioned the script sent the dollar and, after PayPal took their cut(!), only $.97 was available. PayPal doesn't payout for anything under $1. Now I have $.97 floating around in the matrix.

So, lesson learned? Ask for $2.

And if they say, 'short-term option', go for 6 months.

Haha! That's pretty funny, John.  ;D