Sometimes it is the Dream to lose money.

Ron, I think I do undertand the "Dream Scale", but your original comments confused me, in that you said a $50 Million movie that grosses $120 Milllion would lose $10 Million.

That does not make sense to me.  In my mind, that would be a scenario in which everyone would be very happy.

So, let me put it this way...how much would a $10 Million movie need to gross World Wide) in its theatrical run to be considered a success?  Am I crazy to assume a $15 Million gross would be considered a success?

I wish I would be able to provide numbers, but I can't. All I can say is that having a budget for our reality show is a complete nightmare. I don't see how anyone can make any sense out of it. Different people, investors, creators, writers, producers, different production companies and so on and so on all get paid different amounts and get different deals. Different percentages of net and gross profits, different salaries, union, non union....  It's soooo complicated you have now idea.

I do believe though, that the "important" people for any project do come out ahead, unless the film/TV show totally bombs...

I once read that every Hollywood film of a certain level spend the same amount on marketing as the cost of the film - so a $50m film would actually cost $100m, so in your scenario Jeff, it might make a small profit.

Of course, nowadays, DVDs and other markets pay a huge part in making a film a success or not, so that it's initial theatrical run is not always seen as reliable indicator of it's profitability.

In the UK, the Writer's Guild minimum for a film budgeted under £750,000 is £18,900 - but this is paid in installments starting at £1,350 and obviously whether you get the full amount can depend on circumstances including whether you are still attached to the project when it makes it to principal photography!

Currently, filming of a script of mine is scheduled for March 2010. The targeted release date is projected for November 2010 but expected to be January 2011.

I finished the script in December 2005 and the production budget is $4.5mil.

Some actors, a DOP and the director are attached and the producer has a cinema release and DVD  distribution contract for the US, Canada and Europe and the distributors are a co-producer.

The target cinema and DVD income before a profit is $18mil.

But in the budget, which has been raised, everyone receives their fees on the first day of principle photography.

About 30% of the budget comes from tax credits.  

Here are a few fighting statistics a non-studio film that grosses $18mil brings in an income of about $8mil.

Legal fees account for 25% of the budget.

Currency exchange rates delayed shooting of my script by eighteen months.

The original producer rejected a deal with another producer I introduce him to, who was willing to raise the budget to $15mil and bring on board two top ‘A’ listed stars because it would push the target required for him to make a profit to $80mil gross.

The time taken up with finance and distribution negotiations adds to the final cost of making the movie, which is why until first day of principle photography, every thing hangs by a thread and can be cancelled at a moments notice.

Walt Disney Company announced last Friday it was restructuring Miramax in a move that will cut the number of films the specialty division puts out annually from the current level of six to eight down to around three.

“Disney has a first-rate marketing and distribution team operating globally,” TWDS president Alan Bergman said. “This restructuring maximises operating efficiencies and provides significant cost savings while allowing Miramax to focus on its greatest strength; the creation of high-quality entertainment.”

The film industry is one of the most vulnerable there is and to make money in it is as finer line as that between madness and genius.

I was offered 40,600 but am awaiting more details as he has to figure out if he can shoot my script with the budget he has in place.

Quoted from Plummer25 I was offered 40,600 but am awaiting more details as he has to figure out if he can shoot my script with the budget he has in place.

Pesos? Euros? Dollars? F'n take it.

Do they have any verifiable credits online?

Yeah I looked him up online and spoke to him twice.  He seems legit and loves our script.  He stated even if it doesn't fit into his plan for his 1st movie, he wants to do it for his 2nd film.  I'm excited and nervous at the same time as there are still a couple question marks.  I'm more excited that someone actually like the script.

My only advice would be to get some money up front. Let's face it, I could email you and tell you I will pay you £40,000 - it doesn't mean I have it!

As to whether he has verifiable credits - he could have won an Oscar, it still doesn't make him trustworthy!

Just call me a cynic - but I don't trust producers or directors!

If he wants buy your script, a purchase should mean payment before he goes into production of your script and you release title.

Then as far as you are concerned you’ve been paid and as much as you would like to see your script produced it does mean you’ve been paid.

The reality of the industry is less than 17% of all scripts purchased are produced.

If he can’t pay you up front then offer him an option for 10% of the writer’s fee he has promised you with payment of the balance of the fee on first day photography.

The purpose of the option is to protect you both, as in reality if he likes your script someone else might like it also, but under an option you are obliged to cease marketing your script and he has to state a purchase figure and a purchase time frame.

If he doesn’t conform to the agreement then the script reverts to you so you can offer it to somebody else and you keep the option payment.

At the moment you sound like a couple of amateurs pissing in the wind.

Ron, obviously he's an amateur, or he wouldn't have started this thread in the first place, asking for help.  He also doesn't have the knowledge to put togther an option or any kind of legal agreement.  He needs help!

OK, so Plummer, I'm confused here, and I want to help you, if this is a serious situation.

How did this person come across your script?  Did he offer you this amount of money out of the blue, or was there discussion about it going on for awhile?  Where are you located and where is the "buyer" located?  have you met in person?

What is the budget of the film going to be?

$40,600 is nothing to piss away...it's serious money, but if this is somehow going to be a movie with a budget north of $5 Million, it's not enough.

Whatever the deal, you need an agent or lawyer before you agree to anything.

Sorry to say, but the fact that this guy is tossing 40 grand on the table right off the bat tells you he is not to be taken seriously, Plummer.

I am just telling you straight.

He sounds like Kazzurie -- if anybody remembers that guy -- who got people around here all worked up with talk of $25 million budgets -- and in the end he probably had two nickles to rub together to keep himself warm.

Why do people feel the need to do this kind of stuff and play people this way?  Maybe it makes them feel important?

Who knows -- anyways, sounds like you got one.  

It should probably be said that any reputable Producer (if there is such a thing! ) would most likely want to deal with your agent/lawyer rather than be emailing you direct!

Also, this being the age of the internet fake, the fact that he says he is so and so does not mean he is!

Of course, tomorrow you may tell us that you've just had $40,000 paid into your bank account - which will make us all look a bit foolish!

Thanks for all the replies guys!  I really appreciate it.  He is supposed to call me back sometime this week so I'll keep you updated.  I think I'll get a lawyer involved if I ever see a contract because it sounds like you've all seen this before.  He is a producer/writer/director who is in the process of making his first full length script.  He ran into trouble as he is not going to be able to finish writing his script and needs to start shooting soon.  Not exactly sure where he found my script as I have it several different places.
I'll do my homework on this as it sounds too good to be true but still at least someone's reading it and liking it.  I can't get anyone to read it on here.  LOL.