A so-called production company in England (I left their name off this post), has been contacting a number of Simply Scripters, saying they are interested in buying their scripts.  Before they can do so, the script must be reviewed by their script reader... for a price.  

No legitimate company will ask for money from you!  If they do, then walk away.


Phil

++++
Don's edit. I added name of company. I agree with Phil, if they ask for money, walk away.

Why leave their name off the post?

iFilms.

My search isn't pulling anything much. I'm getting the Iranian TV producers... even a Romanian company calling themselves iFilms. There's an ex US company with the same name.

Strangely, nothing UK-based at all.

Besides, these companies are easy to set up... as easy as saying 'I now run a company called so-and-so.' That's it. What's more difficult to hide are names. Chances are, if they're involved in one type of scam to make money, they're also involved with or cooking up fresh ones too.

Quoted from dogglebe ...has been contacting a number of Simply Scripters...

Is it wrong that my feelings are hurt when I did not get the email?

Bastards.

bert,

I'll buy your script.

But first, one of my readers will need...

Shawn.....><

Correction:  It's iFilm Group


http://www.ifilmgroup.com

There's a big discussion on Stage32 about them; they're contacting a lot of writers, claiming they're interested in buying their scripts... but the writer must provide notes from a reputable script reviewer.


Phil

I got contacted. I ignored it after I looked up their site. The movies on there look like crap and the company (Ifilm Group) doesn't show up in their IMDB credits as a producing company.

From Norm,

"... Thanks, this guy is trying to get me to send my script to a company called http://www.bentleymarx.com
to get it script report done, or get it done myself"

It would be interesting to see the response if you sent over a script that already had coverage from someone else.

Don

Quoted Text Script Report £ 109.00 GBP

seems legit

Quoted from Don a company called http://www.bentleymarx.com

Interesting choice of name for a business. Bent is slang for criminal here, also a Mark is somebody that is scammed.

I've googled and they don't exist outside of their website. Their website is also bereft of normal things like an ABOUT US page with photographs of the people running the show. Also this cracked me up:

"We do not except unsolicited material"

I suppose that means they accept unsolicited material.

Forget the script report.  Film Events is for me!

I already have my tickets for their special VIP Cannes Villa Party at this year's Cannes Film Festival.

According to ol' Bent Mark, "...this exclusive red carpet event will be one of the biggest in the festivals calendar."

At only £ 1250.00 GBP, I suggest you act quickly, lest they sell out!  I mean, you can enter your credit card number right there, on their site, so there is no excuse for missing out!

Quoted from Don It would be interesting to see the response if you sent over a scrt that already had coverage.

I'm waiting for just that.


Phil

Quoted from Dustin Interesting choice of name for a business. Bent is slang for criminal here, also a Mark is somebody that is scammed.

Wow... that's bold of them...

Quoted from bert Is it wrong that my feelings are hurt when I did not get the email?

I didn't get one either.  

Thanks for letting me know.

I just got an email from them yesterday, which reads as follows:

Quoted Text Subject: Chupacabra Dear Chris I have recently reviewed your film script [Chupacabra][,] and as head of development for iFilm[/,] I am interested in acquiring your screenplay with a view to producing the film in the near future. iFilm is currently tasked to produce a number of films with our partners / investors. Please let me know if you would be interested in selling the rights and optioning your script?[Shouldn't this be a period?] Best wishes, James Cole iFilm Group (iFilm Ltd) info@ifilmgroup.com http://www.ifilmgroup.com

I checked out their site to see if they were legit, but their slate of movies look like derivative, straight-to-video crap that would make Sharknado look like The Godfather. Their exorcism movie sounds kind of interesting (key words: "Kind of"), but seriously, how many fucking exorcism movies do we need? Can anything ever top The Exorcist, or even The Conjuring?

They even have a sequel to a movie I've never even heard of.

Another thing of note: I don't know how they could have seen my script or emailed me. I've never (publicly) put that info on my title page. I was a little suspicious.

Thanks again, Dogglebe.

Quoted from ChrisBodily Another thing of note: I don't know how they could have seen my script or emailed me. I've never (publicly) put that info on my title page. I was a little suspicious.

It's listed under your profile here, there's a send e-mail option right as you open it. You can hide it under board settings.

Out of curiosity, why not put an email on your title page? Wouldn't it be important for anyone that is interested in a script of yours/you as a writer to be able to get in contact with you easily?

Quoted from bert Is it wrong that my feelings are hurt when I did not get the email? Bastards.

Indeed. I thought the same. Don't these people know who we are? For the love of Godot.

Quoted from Angry Bear I didn't get one either.

And then I did get one.

I can only describe the feeling as like the empty numbness you get when you buy a another feckin' lottery ticket and check the numbers. Only to find you didn't win again. Not even close.

Or when you're expecting an important call. Then that Indian bloke rings telling you your windows isn't working. I asked him if it was because the curtains are closed. He seemed more concerned my router was sending out thousands of emails. I said I was amazed as it wasn't even plugged in at the time. It's in the garage beside the drill and the chisels.

I then started telling him about the terrible time I had down the shops. He rang off! But don't worry, I'll be sure to finish the story the next time he rings. I'm looking forward to it. I'll open the curtains, especially for him.

R

Thanks for the heads up - as an American - I only want to be scammed by American companies. It's the patriot in me

Ifilmgroup.com and bentlymarx.com are two of a number of domain names registered to a James Colbey aka James Hore aka James Cole of Mayfair, London.

They have send me a couple of emails asking me to remove this post. I have asked that they have their legal team contact me so I can make sure they are taking steps to ensure that notify their clients that SimplyScripts is in no way associated with nor endorses their service and that the mention of SimplyScripts.com in no way is to imply a relationship.

Don

More info on
https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/iFilm-Group-iFilm-Ltd

The Mayfair London thing is a fake address. You can rent office space by the day. They could be from anywhere in the UK... and the names are probably fake.

I was really hoping on seeing James Coles' response to my notes....


Phil

Hoping the $65,000 check from James Cole goes through, as planned.  I'll let you guys know.

I got contacted by them. Sad it's not real... . Just junked it

I got the email too, though heck, they could have chosen a better script to claim they wanted. Here is a copy of their emails (start reading from the bottom):

Hi David

It's more like the first report in style. We simply know this as a script report or Film Ready Script Report. The purpose is to have an independent report to add additional weight to our recommendation when passing this up to our partners. Hope this clarifies things for you.

Best wishes,
James Cole
iFilm Group (iFilm Ltd)
info@ifilmgroup.com
http://www.ifilmgroup.com

Subject: Re:__Dee_Dee
From:
Date: Mon, April 13, 2015 9:37 am
To: "info@ifilmgroup.com"

Hi James,


Just a quick question. What is the purpose of the independent script report?


I can get one that assesses the artistic quality/storyline/formatting/style of the script, or a Script Clearance Report that analyses the legal difficulties inherent within the script (names/brands/places/defamatory references etc.). Let me know if you need a simple script assessment type of report.


Cheers,

XXXXXXXXXX


Sent from Windows Mail


From: info@ifilmgroup.com
Sent: &#8206;Monday&#8206;, &#8206;13&#8206; &#8206;April&#8206; &#8206;2015 &#8206;9&#8206;:&#8206;20&#8206; &#8206;a.m.
To: XXX@XXX.XXX


Hi David

OK in that case we can escalate your script up to our partners but we would need an independent script report attached too. If you get this done by a script editor we will arrange Rights which are negotiable around ï¿¿25K. If youï¿¿re unfamiliar with script editors we can recommend some.


Best wishes,
James Cole
iFilm Group (iFilm Ltd)
info@ifilmgroup.com
http://www.ifilmgroup.com




-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re:_Dee_Dee
From:
Date: Sun, April 12, 2015 2:27 pm
To: "info@ifilmgroup.com"

Hello James,


Yes I am interested in selling the rights to the script.


I look forward to hearing from you.


Please note that my contact details have changed.


Regards,


XXXX XXXX


XXXXXXXXXXXX



Sent from Windows Mail


From: info@ifilmgroup.com
Sent: &#8206;Sunday&#8206;, &#8206;12&#8206; &#8206;April&#8206; &#8206;2015 &#8206;11&#8206;:&#8206;57&#8206; &#8206;a.m.
To: XXX@XXX.XXX


Dear David
I have recently reviewed your film script as head of development for iFilm. I am now interested in acquiring your screenplay with a view to producing the film in the future. iFilm is currently tasked to acquire over 50 screenplays with our partners / investors. Please let me know if you would be interested in selling the rights to your script?

Best wishes,
James Cole
iFilm Group (iFilm Ltd)
info@ifilmgroup.com
http://www.ifilmgroup.com

Quoted from drnoblet I got the email too, though heck, they could have chosen a better script to claim they wanted. Here is a copy of their emails (start reading from the bottom): Hi David It's more like the first report in style. We simply know this as a script report or Film Ready Script Report. The purpose is to have an independent report to add additional weight to our recommendation when passing this up to our partners. Hope this clarifies things for you. Best wishes, James Cole iFilm Group (iFilm Ltd) info@ifilmgroup.com http://www.ifilmgroup.com Subject: Re:__Dee_Dee From: Date: Mon, April 13, 2015 9:37 am To: "info@ifilmgroup.com" Hi James, Just a quick question. What is the purpose of the independent script report? I can get one that assesses the artistic quality/storyline/formatting/style of the script, or a Script Clearance Report that analyses the legal difficulties inherent within the script (names/brands/places/defamatory references etc.). Let me know if you need a simple script assessment type of report. Cheers, XXXXXXXXXX Sent from Windows Mail From: info@ifilmgroup.com Sent: ‎Monday‎, ‎13‎ ‎April‎ ‎2015 ‎9‎:‎20‎ ‎a.m. To: XXX@XXX.XXX Hi David OK in that case we can escalate your script up to our partners but we would need an independent script report attached too. If you get this done by a script editor we will arrange Rights which are negotiable around ï¿¿25K. If youï¿¿re unfamiliar with script editors we can recommend some. Best wishes, James Cole iFilm Group (iFilm Ltd) info@ifilmgroup.com http://www.ifilmgroup.com -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re:_Dee_Dee From: Date: Sun, April 12, 2015 2:27 pm To: "info@ifilmgroup.com" Hello James, Yes I am interested in selling the rights to the script. I look forward to hearing from you. Please note that my contact details have changed. Regards, XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX Sent from Windows Mail From: info@ifilmgroup.com Sent: ‎Sunday‎, ‎12‎ ‎April‎ ‎2015 ‎11‎:‎57‎ ‎a.m. To: XXX@XXX.XXX Dear David I have recently reviewed your film script as head of development for iFilm. I am now interested in acquiring your screenplay with a view to producing the film in the future. iFilm is currently tasked to acquire over 50 screenplays with our partners / investors. Please let me know if you would be interested in selling the rights to your script? Best wishes, James Cole iFilm Group (iFilm Ltd) info@ifilmgroup.com http://www.ifilmgroup.com

Which script editors did they recommend?

Don

Hey Don,

They did not recommend any specific script reviewer, though Google search came up with another London-based business, Industrial Scripts, at the top of the results.

What got my doubts raised was the fact they wanted me to essentially tell them if the script was any good.

Heck, I could get a mate to do the script review and they would know no difference. Surely they have their own folk who can read? Seemed odd.

Quoted from drnoblet Hey Don, They did not recommend any specific script reviewer, though Google search came up with another London-based business, Industrial Scripts, at the top of the results. What got my doubts raised was the fact they wanted me to essentially tell them if the script was any good. Heck, I could get a mate to do the script review and they would know no difference. Surely they have their own folk who can read? Seemed odd.

Thanks,

That is odd.  Please keep me posted if you, for whatever reason, pursue working with these folks.

Don

No, I do not think I will be following-up with this. The first thing I did was check out who they were, get an idea of their portfolio, average film budget, who's who. Very poor quality productions which immediately signalled that their budget would be under 1m, which has big impact on my fee. I wouldn't even bother referring them to an agent for what it would be worth to me.

You know what they say about if something seems too good to be true...

But I do think their company (iFilms) could do with a good screenwriter to help them out... hmm.

The biggest evidence against them is that both sites are operated by the same people and reside on the same server.

They may have changed tactics with the 'we can recommend one for you.' thing in the hope that the mark, so enamoured by their attention, automatically goes with their option. The marks that don't go into the bin pile.

A producer sent my script for a pro report once and organised it himself. I didn't pay a thing... and I got the report back afterwards. The real deal too, 2-3 pages.

Trying to create a job for themselves...

Tell them you have had coverage and done the changes and it is ready to sell...

You won't hear from them after that.