Just wanted to put this out there. I've recently turned down several film makers, students, to film one of my shorts. Because I just basically always say yes to the first person who asks me for permission. Guess I just want to see me ideas come to life on screen. Whether it sucks or not.

What's wrong with giving anyone who wants to film your script permission? So long as you tell them in advance there's no exclusivity to it. There may be other versions.

I understand if you're working with a film maker you've got an established relationship with. But, my shorts are not my baby. Love to see 50 different versions of them. Just wondering what people who've had experience in having their scrits shot think.

Obviously, if it were a costly short and someone wanted to put the effort, $$$ in, I could see reason for someone to want to have exclusive permission to shoot it. But, if it were an easy short. Two talking heads type in an easy location. Wtf would it matter to me as a writer to say this is public domain. Anyone shoot away.

James

Anyone who wants to enter your short in festivals will be asking for exclusivity.  The reason is very often festivals have strict rules about when a film was produced and whether it's premiered elsewhere.

That being said, most students won't be entering it in festivals and probably want it to complete a class requirement.  In which case giving them a non-exclusive deal will work fine for them.

A couple of people on this board always give a non-exclusive yes to every filmmaker that wants to make their short.   And that's fine because at least half of them don't make them, another half of that are embarrassed by what they made and never show it to you, another half of that are in different geographic locations and would never enter the same festival circuit.  But if they do, then you have a problem on your hands - not an insurmountable one but a problem nonetheless.

For me, the way I work it, is that I have a couple of scripts I'm really fussy about letting people make.  I will only deal with those script via an exclusive agreement.  

My other ones I consider non-exclusive and say yes to any requests from students to make them.  But I have one caveat and that is no distribution (no YouTube).  It's for educational use only.  I always ask for a copy - but never seem to get one - so who knows if they make them or not.  

There's no right or wrong. It depends on what you're trying to achieve and even what your views on life are I suppose.

If you've written a script that is just for fun and you'd enjoy seeing lots of different versions, then there's no reason not to let anyone you want film it....the enjoyment you get is a reason in itself. Plus you get to build relationships with different people, any that seem to have some talent, you can work with again.

However, the final film will reflect your quality as a writer. Your sharp, witty dialogue, full of intrigue and subtext on the page will be clunky, over the top, downright weak in the hands of a poor director and actors. Most people will assume that the writing is of the same level because they won't read the script and make an objective assessment.

Also, as MC says, a lot of filmmakers will be put off if the film already exists, so you run the risk of alienating better filmmakers who have a serious plan for it.

I don't think I gave anyone exclusive rights to any of my scripts and I'm glad I didn't.  Two of my earlier produced pieces never went anyone.  The producers never entered them in any film festivals (though they were good enough, IMHO).  

A third script is only a week away from its fourth anniversary in post production.  Four years, they've been fucking with this!  Funny thing is that the producer asked for full writes of the script after they started shooting it.


Phil

I just got an e-mail from a film student asking if they could use one of my shorts for "practice".

I said sure why not. And I would hope to see the final product as well.

I'm assuming its not a bad move. I really dont mind how many people make it. The more the better IMO.