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?

LOL, I got the same message from Danny Pollack.  He named three old short scripts, so I gave him permission to film them as long as I got sole credit and he kept me apprised of the filming.  I kinda doubt anything will come of it.

Well there's one to watch out for.

In his defense, I watched his short Errand Boy on YouTube and it was bad. The acting was poor and the writing was subpar. He wrote that one and maybe he realized that he shouldn't be writing anymore so he's trying to get a bunch of potential scripts together that he can choose from.

How did he get our emails to spam?

Your email is presumably on your script title page,  and/or on your member profile if he is also a signed up member of SS.

Quoted from LC Your email is presumably on your script title page,  and/or on your member profile if he is also a signed up member of SS.

Yes, it's on the script title page but I don't think he's reading any scripts. I didn't realize it's on our member profile.

Quoted from Mehdoh Yes, it's on the script title page but I don't think he's reading any scripts. I didn't realize it's on our member profile.

It's optional on your member profile. You can remove it if you want but only members can access it. Still, most of us put email details on our scripts if we want them produced.

Yep. Told him to have at it.

To me it's like that old tool in the garage I never use so if someone wants to make use of it, go ahead. I forgot I wrote the thing so I don't care. Made me laugh reading it again, though. That was worth it.

I ignored that guy. I watched his short film Errand Boy and thought it wasn't very good, so I ignored his email entirely.

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.

Quoted from Danny Hey there how’s it going?  My name is Danny Pollack, I am a filmmaker in Los Angeles.  I recently just came across your script 'Evicted', and loved it.  With your permission, I am asking to make your words come alive and make this story 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! -Danny Pollack

He does mention the script title in the body of this email and in the title.

Looks like I did the right thing in completely ignoring him though.

Here's another one I got last night. A lesson for all producers out there on how not to pitch a writer.

Quoted from Daniel Hello, I found your script on simplyscripts.com and I was wondering if I would be able to use your script for a pre production class project. The goal is to take this script into production. I would love to have the chance to use yours. Thank You, Daniel Stueck

Or even worse:

Quoted from Jack Hi Dustin. Just read your script Evicted on simply scripts, nice little script that is that could be done low budget.

Quoted from Dustin Thanks mate. Glad you liked it. All the best, Dustin

Quoted from Jack Is it being shot?

I checked him out and watched some really bad shorts. Not just in the writing, but the production too. Sound out of synch due to overdubbing, that kinda thing. At first I thought he was just an ordinary member complimenting me on the story. But he's actually a producer looking to make the script into a film. I ignored him after that message.


When you get pitched for your scripts, make sure it is a proper pitch. If it isn't then there's a very good chance the care they took in pitching you, will relate to their final product. Complete shit, and you've lost the rights to your story. Up to you though.

Quoted from DustinBowcot Here's another one I got last night. A lesson for all producers out there on how not to pitch a writer. Or even worse: I checked him out and watched some really bad shorts. Not just in the writing, but the production too. Sound out of synch due to overdubbing, that kinda thing. At first I thought he was just an ordinary member complimenting me on the story. But he's actually a producer looking to make the script into a film. I ignored him after that message. When you get pitched for your scripts, make sure it is a proper pitch. If it isn't then there's a very good chance the care they took in pitching you, will relate to their final product. Complete shit, and you've lost the rights to your story. Up to you though.

It's my understanding that you only lose the rights if you agree to and/or sign an exclusive agreement. Does just telling some guy "yeah, you could make it" mean that you have no rights to it anymore?

Quoted from Mehdoh It's my understanding that you only lose the rights if you agree to and/or sign an exclusive agreement. Does just telling some guy "yeah, you could make it" mean that you have no rights to it anymore?

If it's for a school project and it stays within school then it's fine. If they want to start uploading it to youtube and sharing it outside of that building then there's a problem for any filmmaker wanting to make it and take it to festivals later down the line. Usually films are not allowed to go public until after the festival runs, so another version of the same film being publicly available may nullify the filmmaker's entry. And, if you're a filmmaker, wouldn't you rather have a film nobody else has already made?

In all cases you should have a contract stipulating exactly what both parties expect from the deal. It's never just a simple case of allowing somebody the chance to make it and that's it. If that happens then you should ask for a contract yourself, with the stipulation that there is to be no public showing of the film.

LOL!!!  Danny wants to shoot my "Screwed" OWC script from WAYYYYYYY back when.

That script is hilarious (in my mind, that is) and has references to Balt and Frostbite, which absolutely no one would understand.  It's all inside jokes, getting slammered, swearing, and talking about sex.

I just may have to say yes.  HaHa...

Well actually, some of us understand those references completely. Did you include your smoking jacket in that one?  

Say yes! I'd love to see what he does with it. Casting choices alone...  

Quoted from LC Well actually, some of us understand those references completely. Did you include your smoking jacket in that one?   Say yes! I'd love to see what he does with it. Casting choices alone...

No smoking jacket.  It was the OWC where we had that short musical piece we needed to incorporate into the script.  I have 2 characters in it listed as "INSANELY CHESTED GIRLS".

HaHa!!!  Classic...

Tom Cruise offered me some money for a short.  I turned him down because he wanted to incorporate Xenu into the screenplay.  It was a no brainer, and I had to forego the $50,000 he offered me.

Oh well.

EXTERMINATE!  EXTERMINATE!

He replied to me... Picked 3 of my worst scripts lol

Quoted from irish eyes He replied to me... Picked 3 of my worst scripts lol

Lot to choose from there.  

I just had a producer very specifically ask me if my script had been made anywhere else. Like I said, real producers don't want to make something somebody else already has. They don't even really like the idea of other people having read the script first.

Best to hold onto your good stories... but if you don't care about them then let students or amateurs make them.

The majority of folks who have contacted me over the last few years through SS  regarding my short scripts are legit. One of them even tracked me down and locked me down for the rights to one script. Since I had taken that short and expanded it to feature length, that was a bigger plus, as they intended the original short as a webseries pilot. It came very close to being done. Alas, no cigar., I still remain in contact with those filmmakers, however.

Another noteworthy no cigar, of course, was the AI of Phoenix. Been going on two years now, and I haven't heard a peep from them. They wanted The Find as a potential project.

I think it all depends on a case by case basis.

From my short time on here, I've been contacted by three separate people interested in my work. All three were legit. I have struck up a good relationship with one and we have a few things in the pipeline. One was a complete waste of my time and eventually vanished. The other has just made contact so we'll see how that goes.

I think after a few emails back and forth you can see whether they're legit or not. That's how I feel after my experiences anyway.

Quoted from IamGlenn From my short time on here, I've been contacted by three separate people interested in my work. All three were legit. I have struck up a good relationship with one and we have a few things in the pipeline. One was a complete waste of my time and eventually vanished. The other has just made contact so we'll see how that goes. I think after a few emails back and forth you can see whether they're legit or not. That's how I feel after my experiences anyway.

I've never been contacted, ever.

I wonder why...  

Quoted from Max I've never been contacted, ever. I wonder why...

I quite enjoyed Black Mascara. You will in time.

How long you been writing and how many you got up on SS?

Quoted from IamGlenn I quite enjoyed Black Mascara. You will in time. How long you been writing and how many you got up on SS?

2 Shorts, lol.

My work-rate is fucking atrocious, and I'm not saying that to be funny.

Quoted from Max 2 Shorts, lol. My work-rate is fucking atrocious, and I'm not saying that to be funny.

Ah well then, keep writing and the offers will come rolling in

Quoted from IamGlenn Ah well then, keep writing and the offers will come rolling in

Somebody offered to kick my head in for free, does that count? I was then obliged to give him the rights to my work.

So he kicked your head in and you didn't have to pay for that service?

Quoted from IamGlenn So he kicked your head in and you didn't have to pay for that service?

Yeah, and he stole the rights to my script which was a very strange experience.

I have this chick who lives about a block away from me, and she looks a bit like Ronda Rousey.  I slip her a few stacks now and then because armbars cost money.

Hey look, you got beaten up and gave away you're scripts for nothing so the way I see it, it's win win!

Quoted from Max 2 Shorts, lol. My work-rate is fucking atrocious, and I'm not saying that to be funny.

Too much wrestling my friend!!

Glad to see you back Dan

You sticking around?