I was contacted by a producer today interested in optioning "Complete" and working with me to make some "modifications" to make it "marketable." I Googled the production company and found an official "website," only there was nothing there. Just a Coming Soon and an email. I asked the guy about it and he said it's only been around for a few months and that he is currently working on three projects right now. He made a point of telling me that it might be a while before the script is "marketable" and that the details of the option depend on me to an extent.

My main concern is the lack of information on the website and, even more, the fact that this guy's working on three productions already, one of which is still being written. It'd seem to me this guy might be stretching himself too thin.

Perhaps nothing would come from turning down the option but I'm certain nothing would come from being off the market for 6 months or what have you while the guy is working on his other projects. Also, if a producer chooses to exercise an option, is the writer obligated to sell or can they still turn down the offer? I imagine budget would be sparse distributed amongst four projects and while I'm a realist when it comes to writers having to change their scripts, I'm concerned as to the extent of these "modifications." At the same time, the prospect of "Complete" being produced is an exciting one.

Figured I'd run this by you guys, especially considering that most people seem to be contacted by producers looking to focus on one project at a time.

Thoughts?

Talk to him and ask him exactly the same questions you asked here.

Congrats btw!!  

Quoted from Grandma Bear Talk to him and ask him exactly the same questions you asked here. Congrats btw!!

Thanks Pia! You've just provided us with one helluva line of dialogue!!!  

Sandra

Hmm. I'm weary of producers that take on too many projects at once.  I think you'd have to hash out a really good contract for yourself.  Especially seeing as you can't really verify any of this guy's work.

PM is on the way.

Quoted from James McClung Also, if a producer chooses to exercise an option, is the writer obligated to sell or can they still turn down the offer?

If you sign an option agreement and the producer exercises the option, you can't back away from the deal.

Is there up front money on the table? That's one of the best ways to know if the guy is for real.

You can also pick his brain in order to know what kind of changes he wants to make. If his notes are good and you feel that, with his input, your material can be developed into something better... That's also a deciding factor.

Congrats, and good luck.

Thanks for the feedback, guys! Wrote the dude back with some pertinent questions. Might've scared him off but perhaps it's too soon to say. We'll see what happens...

Good job as always, James. I think it's fair that the writer has all concerns and questions answered before signing any sort of contract.

There are many writers who sign away their rights and never see it produced, or timelines shifted, or what not (myself included).

Good luck!

Stew

Be weary of filmmakers working on several projects at once.  They generally are biting off more than they can chew.  The guy that contacted me about one of my zombie shorts mentions three different projects on his website.  This guy couldn't even return my call.  I've had this happen with other scripts in the past.


Phil

So it seems this guy's disappeared on me which is fine because I was ready to turn down the option. I have my doubts that this guy had the resources to actually make the film. I also find it strange that he only disappeared after I mentioned I'd had scripts produced before. Maybe he was looking for someone who doesn't know the score.

Anyway, it was cool just to have been offered and I now feel more confident in regards to handling these kinds of propositions. No loss, frankly. The script's just about good to go for Shriekfest.