Hey guys, today I check my email and I've got 3 different producers who want to shoot 'The Cure'. You can only imagine how excited I am! i'm having trouble figuring out who to let produce it... can i let them all do it?

To top it all off I gotta another email about my old script '20 Miles Till Death'. Here's what it said...

"Hello, Mr. Akers

My name is Paul Speziale. I'm the owner of a production company called chaosfilms out of Boston MA. A couple of days ago one of my newiest producers came across your script online and passed it on to me. I read it and honestly enjoyed it. I gave it to a director that I've worked with in the past who I thought would be perfect to shoot short film. He liked it alot. I was hoping to buy this script and rights to the script from you or we can come to some kind of an agreement. Let me what you think. I hope to hear from you soon."

What do I do? How much money should I ask for? I didn't even know people got paid for shorts!!!

~Zack~

Quoted from Zack ...can i let them all do it?

Yes, but I wouldn't recommend doing so if all three plan on submitting it to festivals.  You don't want them crossing over each other.  If two are basically for someone to practice with, or just put on youtube, I'd say go ahead.

Quoted from Zack Akers What do I do? How much money should I ask for? I didn't even know people got paid for shorts!!!

This can vary.  You're giving up the rights, so you should be paid accordingly, but that can be tough to gauge at times.  I'd ask for $500 bucks but say you are willing to negotiate.

Are you 18/over 18?

Yes, I'm 18. If I sell the rights, do I still get credit? How does that work?

All 3 of the people who want to produce The Cure want to submit to festivals. As of right now I am considering the only one who has shown me their work. You can see some of his stuff here

http://www.smartmonkeyfilms.com/Home.html

~Zack~

I really need to start writing more 4-page scripts where somebody gets shot at the end....

Zack, I usually back Mike up, but you would be out of your mind to ask for 500 bucks for that script.  You will never hear back from them again.

Let them make the first offer, and then just take it haha.  You want writer's credit more than anything right now.

Since '20 Miles Till Death' is one of my older scripts, should I offer to do a rewrite to freshen it up?

Also, credit is more important to me than money.I didn't get paid for 'ThPlan' or 'Jump' and I don't expect to get paid for 'The Cure'.

~Zack~

Quoted from Zack Also, credit is more important to me than money.I didn't get paid for 'ThPlan' or 'Jump' and I don't expect to get paid for 'The Cure'.

I think when it comes to shorts (especially a short as concise as 20 Miles Till Death), that's the right mindset to have. I don't think a script less than ten pages could really get you all that much money anyway. I'd say Bert's right. If they offer you anything, you should take it because whatever they offer is going to be more than you should expect.

I understand. Either way I am just grateful that it's being produced.

~Zack~

Quoted from bert Zack, I usually back Mike up, but you would be out of your mind to ask for 500 bucks for that script.  You will never hear back from them again. Let them make the first offer, and then just take it haha.  You want writer's credit more than anything right now.

This is why I usually don't offer a set number when it comes to things like this.  Heck even in my own negotiations I usually work on percentages.  It's just so much easier when you have no idea what their actual budget is, but I will reiterate that it's important to mention negotiating, especially with a short.  If they're looking to buy the rights, you should most certainly get something more than just credit for it since you will never be able to do anything with that script ever again.

You will get a writing credit, but once they own the rights, they can rewrite as they wish and you could end up sharing it.

How long is this script, by the way?  I thought it was quite a bit longer than the others.

The best tool that any indie writer can have is a subscription to a background checking service.

The only Paul Speziale in Massachusetts that I could find is a 20 years old who lives in Saugus, MA with his parents.  So, barter accordingly.

I think the script is about 10-15 pages... I'll have to go back and check. Should i offer to do any rewrites if they are needed?

~Zack~

I checked and it's 10 pages, so you should probably only look for 150 bucks max, but you can offer to do the rewrites as needed.  It can keep you as the sole writer on the project and help to avoid someone else with a different writing style coming in and goofing things up.

Thanks for the info guys. I'll keep everyone updated on the progress.

~Zack~

Quoted from Tierney The only Paul Speziale in Massachusetts that I could find is a 20 years old who lives in Saugus, MA with his parents.  So, barter accordingly.

One reason most of us do not go hopping around the boards every time we get an e-mail, Zack.

Congratulations and all --  but it does happen all the time -- and most of us keep these things to ourselves until the cameras have actually rolled.  Just sayin'.

I let your "Plan" thread grow to 100+ posts -- but not this one, OK?  I think most of your quesitons have been answered.

I understand Bert. I just get excited sometimes. If this seriously goes anywhere, I'll be sure to let you guys know. Until then I'll calm down a bit.

~Zack~

For starters:  Cash is the last thing you should be thinking about.

I'll repeat myself:

CASH IS THE LAST THING YOU SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT!!!!

This is great opportunity for you to get exposure, and something to put on your resume.  Be happy that someone is willing to spend a few thousand buck of his money to produce your work.

In regards to who can produce your work, that is up to you if you keep the rights.  However, there could be problems if multiple people produce multiple versions of your script.  It would be awkward if they bumped into each other at a film festival.  If you want everyone to do it, the least you should do is tell everyone this.  Of course, you may lose people in the process.

If you allow only one person to shoot it, you must decide which one.  You should ask everyone interested to send you a sample of their work.  It will help you decide.  Keep in mine that, even if one person promises to do it, it may not get done.  Look at the threads for my short, 'Dreams in Dust and Marble,' 'My Suicide, and 'For Entertainment Purposes Only.'  Between those three, I've had over twenty filmmakers agree to do my work in the last three years.  To date, two of them have produced anything.

Good luck with it.


Phil