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SimplyScripts Screenwriting Discussion Board    General Boards    Questions or Comments  ›  Contract Question
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Zack
Posted: November 12th, 2019, 11:08am Report to Moderator
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Got a question for anyone who's had experience with agents and contracts.

What kind of question should I query an agency with(knowing that the contract is the only part that needs to be resolved)?
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SAC
Posted: November 12th, 2019, 12:06pm Report to Moderator
Of The Ancients


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Why do you want to query an agency for? Representation? I’m not sure I’m understanding the question.


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Zack
Posted: November 12th, 2019, 1:17pm Report to Moderator
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Quoted from SAC
Why do you want to query an agency for? Representation? I’m not sure I’m understanding the question.


Representation. This is all very new to me. Just trying to make sure I cover my ass.
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SAC
Posted: November 12th, 2019, 1:51pm Report to Moderator
Of The Ancients


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Oh ok. There are others I’m sure are more knowledgeable than me. When I sold my feature this past summer I never sought representation nor did I think I had to. Looking back, it might have been smart to get someone, lawyer at least, to help navigate the contract. They still owe me money (I’ve been paid most of it, thankfully), and it looks like they don’t want to pay the rest.


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Zack
Posted: November 12th, 2019, 2:05pm Report to Moderator
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Quoted from SAC
Oh ok. There are others I’m sure are more knowledgeable than me. When I sold my feature this past summer I never sought representation nor did I think I had to. Looking back, it might have been smart to get someone, lawyer at least, to help navigate the contract. They still owe me money (I’ve been paid most of it, thankfully), and it looks like they don’t want to pay the rest.


That sucks that they shorted ya.

I just want to make sure I'm protecting myself from anything like that happening to me. Lol
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LC
Posted: November 12th, 2019, 6:37pm Report to Moderator
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Looks like they don't want to pay you the rest?

Steve, have you completed all the work for them?

Sorry Zack, didn't mean to sideline.


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Zack
Posted: November 12th, 2019, 7:16pm Report to Moderator
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Quoted from LC
Looks like they don't want to pay you the rest?

Steve, have you completed all the work for them?

Sorry Zack, didn't mean to sideline.


No need to apologize. I'm actually curious, too.

Did you finish the project, Steve?
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SAC
Posted: November 12th, 2019, 7:41pm Report to Moderator
Of The Ancients


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Quoted from Zack


No need to apologize. I'm actually curious, too.

Did you finish the project, Steve?


I’m at work so I really can’t answer in depth. But I’ll explain later on. Maybe I can get a few answers myself.


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SAC
Posted: November 12th, 2019, 10:18pm Report to Moderator
Of The Ancients


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Okay, I'll try and explain this so it makes sense.

This producer, we'll call her Abby. Contacts me, wants to buy the script. Conference call with another producer, the whole bit. Abby sends me start-up money to let me know she's for real - no contract yet - and in good faith. Great! I get the contract - the first of three separate contracts, each one tweaked to include separate things, i.e., rewrites, the balance owed, co-writing credits, and that the final balance owed will be sent to me no later than 7 days after I hand in the rewrite. I sign them all, and ask then to be sent back to me once Abby signs. Not one has been sent back yet.

Still, Abby keeps sending me money periodically. She pretty much paid me almost everything, except what is owed. The script has been sent in - back in freaking August. It's just this damn final balance. I text her every week, then finally, I realize I'm getting the runaround and I get more stern than normal.

So, now she says that the final balance is not to be paid until she signs the "new" version of the contract, which states that I get only a co-writer credit, which was already stated on the other contracts, so it's nothing new.

So here I am. She did pay in good faith, but probably never signed those other contracts, and I feel that I won't get this "new" contact from her lawyer. I think once financing came through she got what she got then figured I'd already gotten enough, so hey, that's that, mattress man.

So, that's where I stand right now. And yes, all work has been completed.


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Zack
Posted: November 12th, 2019, 11:28pm Report to Moderator
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Damn, Steven. That sounds frustrating as fuck. Definitely something I want to avoid.

Back to my original question... Anyone have any advice?
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MarkRenshaw
Posted: November 13th, 2019, 3:57am Report to Moderator
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I don't know how we can answer this Zack. You want a sure fire way of getting everything into the contract so you never get screwed? Is that what you are after? That's tough. You need the advice of a lawyer to make sure you are as covered as possible but there's always the possibility of the relationship going south and it not ending well.


For more of my scripts, stories, produced movies and the ocassional blog, check out my new website. CLICK
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Zack
Posted: November 13th, 2019, 11:11am Report to Moderator
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Quoted from MarkRenshaw
I don't know how we can answer this Zack. You want a sure fire way of getting everything into the contract so you never get screwed? Is that what you are after? That's tough. You need the advice of a lawyer to make sure you are as covered as possible but there's always the possibility of the relationship going south and it not ending well.


I just want some guidance/advice, Dude. This is completely new to me. Have no idea how to even approach an agent/lawyer. I just want to do everything in my power to make sure I get a fair contract.
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SAC
Posted: November 13th, 2019, 11:56am Report to Moderator
Of The Ancients


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Without going for representation, I’d make sure of price. Will you get money up front, money when completed and paid in full after a certain time after you’ve handed in the script. Then, of course, make sure you and them BOTH sign the contract and that you have proof. If they falter in any way, like they do not send you back a copy of the signed contract, then a red flag should go up.

Basically, if something “seems” amiss it usually is.

Perhaps you could find a lawyer who’d look over the contract for you. Doesn’t necessarily have to be an entertainment lawyer, but at least they have knowledge with contracts and such.



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SAC  -  November 13th, 2019, 12:09pm
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eldave1
Posted: November 13th, 2019, 12:08pm Report to Moderator
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Zack: Going to post a series of responses here due to length.

There are several types of agency query letters. One is a body of work type. i.e., You are trying to show an Agency that you have a lot of stuff available (versus being a one-shot type of thing). Here is a sample I wrote:


Quoted Text
My name is David Lambertson.  I am an amateur screenwriter who has done very well in screenwriting contests. I am looking for representation to help in the journey of achieving commercial success.

I write character-driven stories in all genres. I have completed six features, including:

Title: The Beginning of The End and Then End
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Logline: A battle of wits ensues when an arrogant divorce lawyer moves into an office next door to a strong-willed marriage counselor. A building fire ultimately interrupts their battles while at the same time sparking a relationship.

This script won the silver prize for the PAGE 2017 Screenplay competition.

Title: The Last Statesman:
Genre: Dramedy
Logline: An old and cranky local politician goes publicly bananas in an effort to draw attention to an important social issue. This inadvertently puts the career of his son, the Governor of California, at risk.

This script was a 2016 PAGE Finalist as well as a Nicholls’ quarterfinalist.

Title: Dark World
Genre: Thriller
Logline: In order to stop a serial killer, an FBI Agent must convince his colleagues that the murders that only he can see on a virtual reality game are real.

This script made the 2017 SHORES semi-finals.

Title: La Loteria
Genre: Drama
Logline: A missing grand prize lottery ticket is the key to solving a series of murders in a gang-infested Los Angeles neighborhood.

This script made the 2017 PAGE semi-finals.

I would be delighted to meet with you to discuss representation or to send any of my work for your review.  I can be reached at:

dlambertson@hotmail.com
714-xxx-xxxx.

Thank you in advance for your consideration.


Conversely, you could write a query that highlights a specific script. Here is an example:


Quoted Text
My name is David Lambertson.  I would like to submit my feature-length script to you for your consideration. This script one the Silver Award in the 2017 PAGE International Screenwriting Contest.

Title:  The Beginning of The End and The End.
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Logline: A battle of wits ensues when a jaded, arrogant divorce lawyer moves into an office adjacent to a strong-willed marriage counselor. Ironically, a building fire that interrupts their battles sparks a relationship.

Comps to other Films.

A more condensed version of When Harry Met Sally. It has the witty dialogue of that film along with the physical comedy of Bridesmaid.

Production Considerations

The film should be able to be produced on a modest budget.  It is based in Los Angeles and most of the film takes place in a single location (Emily and George’s Offices). No special effects.

Target Audience.

A romantic comedy for adults. Suitable for either the big screen or small screen.

A brief synopsis of the story follows. I would like to send the script to you for your consideration. I can be reached at:

dlambertson@hotmail.com

714-xxx-xxxx

Thank you in advance.



I posted the above to give you a sense of standard query letters for contrast. You seem to be in a different spot. Most agencies are getting queries from folks who want to use them to help sell their scripts. You seem to be in place where you essentially have a solid offer for the script and merely want the agent to help finalize/negotiate terms. So, I think your query email should be something akin to:


Quoted Text
Title: SEEKING AGENT TO FINALIZE CONTRACT.

My name is XXXXXX. I have received a formal offer from XXX to purchase my feature length screenplay:

TITLE xxxxx
GENRE xxxxx
LOGLINE xxxxx

I am now seeking representation for the purposes of finalizing this contract as well as to assist me in future endeavors. I have - SAY A WORD OR TWO ABOUT YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND THE NUMBER OF SCRIPTS YOU HAVE READY.

Please contact me at XXXXXX if you are interested in negotiating this contract for me.
Thanks in advance for your consideration.

Or something like that.

More to come:


My Scripts can all be seen here:

http://dlambertson.wix.com/scripts
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eldave1
Posted: November 13th, 2019, 12:13pm Report to Moderator
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Part II.

Now, who to send your query too? A good source is IMDB - I would join. Almost every Agency, Manager and Production house is there. Google is also an easy tool.  

Many agencies will not respond to an unsolicited query. So once you get your list together, you need to go to each agencies web-site to determine their solicitation policy.  Research five - send queries to them - then move on to the next five - rinse and repeat.



My Scripts can all be seen here:

http://dlambertson.wix.com/scripts
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