Hey everyone,

I haven't been on in a LONG time but recently got an email about a couple shorts I have posted here and want some opinions. I've had solicitations from some small film festivals to showcase a script and have it read by actors for a fee but I just tend to ignore those. However, I got an email from a guy who says he's interested in making my shorts. He didn't address me by my name but when I asked which he was referring to, he named both of the shorts I have posted here.

Is this a spam? Do people get emails from this site and just send out mass emails trying to solicit scripts? Or is this something legit that I should consider?

Thanks!

Hmm, might be spam, might not be. Not addressing you by name is a bit weird.

If he's not asking you for anything i.e., to sign up for something that costs money, like Coverage etc. then he might be legit.

Did he give you his name, any imdb credits? Did he say he's a student filmmaker etc? Just straight out ask him for some details - what his angle is. Don't be afraid to do that. Just don't sign your life away on anything. Here's a link you can check out as well.


http://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-screenwrite/m-1254958906/s-0/

Quoted from LC Hmm, might be spam, might not be. Not addressing you by name is a bit weird. If he's not asking you for anything i.e., to sign up for something that costs money, like Coverage etc. then he might be legit. Did he give you his name, any imdb credits? Did he say he's a student filmmaker etc? Just straight out ask him for some details - what his angle is. Don't be afraid to do that. Just don't sign your life away on anything. Here's a link you can check out as well. http://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-screenwrite/m-1254958906/s-0/

Great link, thanks!

He sent his imdb profile. Seems to be a small time television actor who has one short he wrote and directed under his belt. He offered credit and said he had all the resources to shoot it.

Just odd that it was worded so vaguely. Makes me think it was spammed out but maybe I don't have anything to lose.

Oh, also weird that these scripts were from 2012. How did he find and read them? Does this site give out our email addresses other than what we write on the script?

I'd just ask him flat out. Perhaps he read your script some time back and thought he'd revisit it. It 's all speculation really.

Actors, producers, directors...many are 'artsy' types, so vagueness isn't uncommon... If he wants to make your short and you are comfortable with the terms then I say go for it.

Quoted from AnthonyCawood Actors, producers, directors...many are 'artsy' types, so vagueness isn't uncommon... If he wants to make your short and you are comfortable with the terms then I say go for it.

I wouldn't say go for it straight away. You need to find out quite a bit out who's going to make your film. They usually want the exclusive rights for a fairly long period, often a year or two. During that time you won't be able to let anyone else make it.  And if they don't actually make your film, as many don't, you can get annoyed that you can't let anyone else make it. This can be frustrating. I know, it's happened to me, and quite a few others I know. Very. Oooh, it is annoying.

Ask stuff. Ask what films they've made. What gear have they got? Who's going to be in it? Where are they going to film it, and when?

Before coming to an agreement, there's a lot of toing and froing back and forth over details. Many emails or calls later you'll agree. Then there's usually a deafening silence. Often you'll never hear from them ever again. This too has happened to me.

My advice is be careful. Be sure before you agree to anything. On the other hand, if you're not getting any other offers then there's probably no harm in thinking about letting someone do it. Juat keep the rights period short. They ain't making War & Peace. If they can't do within a couple of months, then they'll probably never do it.

Best of luck.

R  

Google is your friend. Make sure that they know how to make a film. Don't give over the rights unless you know they're going to turn it into the festival winner it deserves to be. Otherwise you lose ownership of what could be a great story and nobody will ever get to see your magic because you gave it away to some idiots.

Check them out.

I also make sure they address me as Sir, and have chocolates hand delivered every second Tuesday. Ok, perhaps not.

Yes ask questions, yes be careful what you sign but let's face it, your scripts were posted here, appear to be dormant and someone has suggested they film them. Not exactly sure what you could lose unless they start asking for money, which I wouldn't pay for virtually any reason given.

Best of luck

Even at a couple of years old, my stories are worth something to me. If I give away the rights, then I'd just like to be sure it was worthwhile to do so. Else you end up minus a story and gaining a film you're too embarrassed to show anybody.

I never give away rights to my scripts. I have only done that once and it was a short. The guy paid me for the purchase of the script. He only shot a trailer for it. It's been years now. I could kick myself for giving up the rights to that one. I'd like to shoot that one myself, but can't. I won't make that mistake again! Anyone that wants to purchase a script of mine has to pay whatever I think the script is worth. This is actually something I have decided to do from now on. I will treat my scripts as a product that is for sale and the price will vary depending on how good I think the script is. I'm no longer going to do this percentage crap. You want to shoot one of my scripts? Okay, that one costs 10K. This one is is 50K. That one? You can have that one for 500 bucks...

That will be my way from now on. I'll think of myself as a manufacturer. I make a product and people can buy it if they want. If not, well, that's how it goes.

I have got a couple of unconsolidated requests from folks who said they saw the script on this site. After a couple of follow-up emails/Google etc it was easy to see that they were not viable requests. Bottom line- you have to figure out who you are dealing with

Thanks for all the pointers! I wrote back to him and stated that I want sole writer credit, any changes need to be approved by me, and I want two hard copies of the final product. He agreed and excitedly said he would keep me posted on progress.

What have I got to lose? Hope this turns out well!

Was it Danny Pollak by any chance?

Did it go like this:

Hey there how’s it going?  My name is Danny Pollack, I am a filmmaker in Los Angeles.  I recently just came across your scripts, and loved it.  With your permission, I am asking to try and make your words come alive and make these stories be filmed.  I have all the resources for it to be possible if I can get your consent and will give you the credit! Again, loved your writing, please let me know if I can get started!

As you see, also didn't address my name or name any of the scripts I wrote.

He also has an IMDB page


http://www.imdb.com/name/nm5111803/

Quoted from irish eyes Was it Danny Pollak by any chance? Did it go like this: Hey there how’s it going?  My name is Danny Pollack, I am a filmmaker in Los Angeles.  I recently just came across your scripts, and loved it.  With your permission, I am asking to try and make your words come alive and make these stories be filmed.  I have all the resources for it to be possible if I can get your consent and will give you the credit! Again, loved your writing, please let me know if I can get started! As you see, also didn't address my name or name any of the scripts I wrote.

Ah crap. Yeah, that's it. I wrote back and asked what scripts he was referring to and where he read them. He wrote back with the title of the two I have posted here as well as the website name. I'm guessing he's spamming the site and once I wrote back, he typed my last name in the search box here and found the two I have posted (my last name is in my email address).

Dang it. I thought that was too vague and odd that the scripts have been here so long. Why would he be doing that? What does he gain from it?