Quoted from michel I usually deal to have my name credited, a copy on DVD of the film and, when I feel my short good enough, 20% of any profit.

I've been seeing a director each week now for the past three weeks.  I know I'm going to get a credit, but I've not discussed profits.  I was going to ask for 50% of any profits.  Is that too much Michel?

Quoted from Ledbetter Anything in it for the writer?

Credit man. Once again, agents are more likely to read your work if you have had loads of shorts already produced. It proves that a producer and director think that your scripts are worth making.

Quoted from jayrex I've been seeing a director each week now for the past three weeks.  I know I'm going to get a credit, but I've not discussed profits.  I was going to ask for 50% of any profits.  Is that too much Michel?

Everything depends. Is the director involved in the writing of the script? You can spend a whole year discussing with the director, spending most of your time on a script, for a short, you're not payed on the time spent on the script. Only on the result.

For a short, it's usually 20%. Anyway, you won't earn a fortune with it. That's not the goal. Someone above talks about calling card. That's it. That short will be a calling card for you. If you're lucky (or talented) enough, you'll have a second short made. This time (it's all depend again if the first one was successfull) you can ask more.

For feature, it's completely different...

Michel

Quoted from Ledbetter Madpoet, . Second, get it protected. Either with the WGA or the US copywrite office. I like to do both. I'ts not expensive, ($22.00-WGA)  ($35.00- copywrite). after that, I dont know how the rest is supposed to go. Hope this helps. Shawn......><

I'm with Tommy and am cautious with recommending protection. (except if you don't want to have children  ) It seems to me that there's this whole big mystique and fear for writers that they are going to have their "stuff" stolen.

All the ideas, in the end are the same at their roots. If a person REALLY DOES think that they are so fabulously original and are in big time danger, then yes, get that protection, but you know... I think that most writers aren't looking "to steal" ideas. They are looking to "share" their individual experience.

For myself, I think that no one can write as good or as crappy as I can.   The same is true for everyone. Your experience is uniquely your own and no one can steal that and no matter if you ever might have the misfortune of having something stolen you'll still be you with all of your brilliance and you'll create something again and again and again and eventually, you'll be safe from the thieves.  

Sandra

Sandra,
I suppose to each their own with this regard. I personally (and this is just me) feel that there is nothing wrong with an added measure of documentation as to the time a work of art was produced. I myself write nothing BUT crap, but who knows, even a monkey falls out of a tree once in a while.  If there were ever a question between two parties with stories that do resemble one another, it would be he (or she) with the best documentation that wins. Mabey in my case it will never happen but based on the advice that has been given to me by others, it seems sound. And besides, copywrite 2009 sounds really cool. Even on a piece of crap.

Shawn.....><

Quoted from Ledbetter Sandra, I suppose to each their own with this regard. I personally (and this is just me) feel that there is nothing wrong with an added measure of documentation as to the time a work of art was produced. I myself write nothing BUT crap, but who knows, even a monkey falls out of a tree once in a while.  If there were ever a question between two parties with stories that do resemble one another, it would be he (or she) with the best documentation that wins. Mabey in my case it will never happen but based on the advice that has been given to me by others, it seems sound. And besides, copywrite 2009 sounds really cool. Even on a piece of crap. Shawn.....><

Yes, it does sound cool.   If you host your work here or on your blog or wherever in cyberspace, it is considered published. How cool is that?   But indeed, do use whatever means of copyright that makes you feel secure. Especially if you've been working on something for five years. Better safe to have some documentation than not.

Sandra

Thanks for all you guys advice
most appreciated