SimplyScripts Discussion Board
Blog Home - Produced Movie Script Library - TV Scripts - Unproduced Scripts - Contact - Site Map
ScriptSearch
Welcome, Guest.
It is March 28th, 2024, 5:46am
Please login or register.
Was Portal Recent Posts Home Help Calendar Search Register Login
Please do read the guidelines that govern behavior on the discussion board. It will make for a much more pleasant experience for everyone. A word about SimplyScripts and Censorship


Produced Script Database (Updated!)
One Week Challenge - Who Wrote What and Writers' Choice.


Scripts studios are posting for award consideration

Short Script of the Day | Featured Script of the Month | Featured Short Scripts Available for Production
Submit Your Script

How do I get my film's link and banner here?
All screenplays on the simplyscripts.com and simplyscripts.net domain are copyrighted to their respective authors. All rights reserved. This screenplaymay not be used or reproduced for any purpose including educational purposes without the expressed written permission of the author.
Forum Login
Username: Create a new Account
Password:     Forgot Password

SimplyScripts Screenwriting Discussion Board    General Boards    Questions or Comments  ›  So I got an email...
Users Browsing Forum
No Members and 1 Guests

 Pages: « 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 » : All
Recommend Print
  Author    So I got an email...  (currently 6018 views)
AnthonyCawood
Posted: July 12th, 2017, 3:53am Report to Moderator
January Project Group



Location
UK
Posts
4319
Posts Per Day
1.14
Totally agree Pia... and I don't think there's ill intention from anyone, just unrealistic expectations of what is required to make a film.


Anthony Cawood - Award winning screenwriter
Available Short screenplays - http://www.anthonycawood.co.uk/short-scripts
Available Feature screenplays - http://www.anthonycawood.co.uk/feature-film-scripts/
Screenwriting articles - http://www.anthonycawood.co.uk/articles
IMDB Link - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm6495672/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Logged Offline
Site Private Message Reply: 30 - 60
LC
Posted: July 12th, 2017, 4:16am Report to Moderator
Administrator



Location
The Great Southern Land
Posts
7581
Posts Per Day
1.34

Quoted from Nate
Hi everyone, chiming in here to provide some insight from the perspective of someone who actually sold a script to TDG and am now a little unsure of my decision. Like MarkItZero mentioned, I wrote that script called the Cabin, and TDG reached out to me and offered to buy it for the same IP catalogue that many of you noted above. almost the same email in fact.

The only difference is that we went back and forth a few times and I requested "Written by" credit as part of the contract. Of course, since they now own the IP, they could do what they want with it and claim it's re-written enough to not warrant the "written by" credit, but still, it's an added provision that at first made me feel a little safer.

When it comes to payment, they offered a little more (not much) than the prices discussed above and offered to pay it either by wire or by check. Fearing the same things you all noted, I asked for a check, which they did send and which did cash with no issue. Never requested routing information, account numbers, or anything like that, so there's no feasible way they could be stealing from me in a literal sense.

That being the case, I'm a little unsure as to what the potential scam could be. I had the same concerns as many of you, but now my biggest worry is that this may just be a case of a newly formed company being overly optimistic without having much of a realistic plan in place. I've seen it happen before where a company will be well intentioned as to their plans, but overall can't follow through and so the script becomes eternally tied up, and I'm worried that's the case here.

Did I jump the gun? Probably. But at the same time I have some money in my pocket for a script that probably wouldn't have seen the light of day otherwise. It's not a huge return, but so far I haven't been able to figure out what the scam could be if there is one.


Nate, I hope very much that you were well compensated for a feature length script.



Logged
Private Message Reply: 31 - 60
Nate
Posted: July 12th, 2017, 8:22am Report to Moderator
New


Location
Boston, MA
Posts
6
Posts Per Day
0.00

Quoted from AnthonyCawood
Totally agree Pia... and I don't think there's ill intention from anyone, just unrealistic expectations of what is required to make a film.


I think this pretty much sums it up for me as well. Good intentions, but probably unrealistic expectations.

This thread has been really helpful!


Logged Offline
Private Message Reply: 32 - 60
khamanna
Posted: July 12th, 2017, 8:52am Report to Moderator
January Project Group



Posts
4194
Posts Per Day
0.79
what's the minimum we should ask for a frature then? I've heard about 3% of the total budget but shouldn't there be a minimum? I'd think no less than $3,000, but please don't throw rotten tomatoes at me. Russians say 4 by the way - I asked and that's been the answer several times.
Logged Offline
Private Message Reply: 33 - 60
ReneC
Posted: July 12th, 2017, 10:20am Report to Moderator
Old Timer



Location
Vancouver, BC
Posts
1435
Posts Per Day
0.31
3% is generous. 1.5% is more realistic. As for a minimum, there's no standard, it's whatever you can let it go for.


Logged Offline
Site Private Message Reply: 34 - 60
eldave1
Posted: July 12th, 2017, 10:28am Report to Moderator
January Project Group



Location
Southern California
Posts
6874
Posts Per Day
1.95

Quoted from khamanna
what's the minimum we should ask for a frature then? I've heard about 3% of the total budget but shouldn't there be a minimum? I'd think no less than $3,000, but please don't throw rotten tomatoes at me. Russians say 4 by the way - I asked and that's been the answer several times.


Hmmm. It's complicated I think.

So, there are Writers Guild Minimum ranges -check out page 1 here:

http://www.wga.org/uploadedFiles/writers_resources/contracts/min2014.pdf

But those are for WGA members and for producers who honor the WGA agreement. At least it gives you a sense of the ranges.

So, as newbie writers and more than likely newbie producers - the above ranges are probably not going to apply. My researched has indicated that 2.5% to 3% of budget is pretty common.  . I have only negotiated one option. The key points I added negotiated were as follows:

- I receive sole writing credit (I did not want someone making changes and all of a sudden they could be considered a co-writer).

- Included Reversion rights (rights go back to me if film is not made with xx amount of time).

- 6 month option period with another 6 month extension available AT WRITER'S OPTION. i.e., production company could not unilaterally extend.

- Option exercised = 2.5% of budget plus a 5% share in the Producer's Pool.

Note: a good article on the different "pools" is here:

http://www.producersguild.org/.....nd-Preferred-Returns

Of course - after I win an Oscar I will set my own rates


My Scripts can all be seen here:

http://dlambertson.wix.com/scripts
Logged Offline
Private Message Reply: 35 - 60
khamanna
Posted: July 12th, 2017, 11:30am Report to Moderator
January Project Group



Posts
4194
Posts Per Day
0.79
Yeah WGA minimums would be nice - I'd like myself some of that)

I guess I'm taking that "minimum" talk from Russian culture. And I think it's a good thing they have there. Granted I know a girl who just gave away her script - but from there to here from here to there funny things are everywhere.

I really like your negotiation points. Especially Reversion rights clause. Thanks for sharing.

And characters remain your property at all times, right? That's how I sold a few shorts. Never sold a feature, so wouldn't know.
Logged Offline
Private Message Reply: 36 - 60
eldave1
Posted: July 12th, 2017, 11:37am Report to Moderator
January Project Group



Location
Southern California
Posts
6874
Posts Per Day
1.95

Quoted Text
And characters remain your property at all times, right? That's how I sold a few shorts. Never sold a feature, so wouldn't know.


Only up to the point that the sale is consummated - after that - it's theirs (other than the reversion should they not make the film).


My Scripts can all be seen here:

http://dlambertson.wix.com/scripts
Logged Offline
Private Message Reply: 37 - 60
Athenian
Posted: July 13th, 2017, 6:06am Report to Moderator
January Project Group



Posts
203
Posts Per Day
0.06

Quoted from eldave1
My researched has indicated that 2.5% to 3% of budget is pretty common.


How can a screenwriter be sure about the budget, though? Are the numbers provided by the producers reliable?
Logged
Private Message Reply: 38 - 60
eldave1
Posted: July 13th, 2017, 9:29am Report to Moderator
January Project Group



Location
Southern California
Posts
6874
Posts Per Day
1.95

Quoted from Athenian


How can a screenwriter be sure about the budget, though? Are the numbers provided by the producers reliable?


It it tough. One can set a minimum if they want. e.g., XX% of budget but in no case less than $$$$$


My Scripts can all be seen here:

http://dlambertson.wix.com/scripts
Logged Offline
Private Message Reply: 39 - 60
ajr
Posted: July 15th, 2017, 5:54am Report to Moderator
Old Timer



Posts
1482
Posts Per Day
0.28
Negotiating with them now - hopefully it results in a deal...


Click HERE to read JOHN LENNON'S HEAVEN https://preview.tinyurl.com/John-Lennon-s-Heaven-110-pgs/
Logged Offline
Private Message Reply: 40 - 60
AnthonyCawood
Posted: July 15th, 2017, 6:29am Report to Moderator
January Project Group



Location
UK
Posts
4319
Posts Per Day
1.14
Any negotiation is just that... so ask for what you'd like, but consider what you'll move on and what you wont move on... Dave has suggested some good ones to consider.

Minimums... there are none, as it all depends on what you are willing to accept. If you are convinced that a producer is going to make your film would you do a deal based purely on % of profits? Technically you'd have nothing but a credit and the slim possibility of some money down the line... but if it's your first feature... would you do it?

Personally my two optioned features are both % of budgets with estaimated budget ranges already discussed... and of course they could go nowhere, that's just the reality of film making.

AJR - best of luck, keep us posted.


Anthony Cawood - Award winning screenwriter
Available Short screenplays - http://www.anthonycawood.co.uk/short-scripts
Available Feature screenplays - http://www.anthonycawood.co.uk/feature-film-scripts/
Screenwriting articles - http://www.anthonycawood.co.uk/articles
IMDB Link - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm6495672/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Logged Offline
Site Private Message Reply: 41 - 60
eldave1
Posted: July 15th, 2017, 9:49am Report to Moderator
January Project Group



Location
Southern California
Posts
6874
Posts Per Day
1.95

Quoted from ajr
Negotiating with them now - hopefully it results in a deal...


Best of luck


My Scripts can all be seen here:

http://dlambertson.wix.com/scripts
Logged Offline
Private Message Reply: 42 - 60
ajr
Posted: July 17th, 2017, 3:30pm Report to Moderator
Old Timer



Posts
1482
Posts Per Day
0.28
Ultimately we couldn't work out a deal. So I can't say positive or negative at this point.


Click HERE to read JOHN LENNON'S HEAVEN https://preview.tinyurl.com/John-Lennon-s-Heaven-110-pgs/
Logged Offline
Private Message Reply: 43 - 60
Cacutshaw
Posted: July 21st, 2017, 7:09pm Report to Moderator
January Project Group



Posts
177
Posts Per Day
0.07
I got one too today. Same email, different company though.
Logged Offline
Private Message Reply: 44 - 60
 Pages: « 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 » : All
Recommend Print

Locked Board Board Index    Questions or Comments  [ previous | next ] Switch to:
Was Portal Recent Posts Home Help Calendar Search Register Login

Forum Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post polls
You may not post attachments
HTML is on
Blah Code is on
Smilies are on


Powered by E-Blah Platinum 9.71B © 2001-2006