Hi

I got the following email today...

Hello Stephen Brown,


I'm a student in Virginia who bumped into your script called BIG STAKES. My friends and I would like to make your script into a film. We wondering if it is okay with you if we filmed this project. May I also say, that your script really captured me to keep reading and we're hoping to do the same with the film.


Hope to hear from you soon,


Joshua Berent
Hopke Productions

This sounds a little like it's a cut and paste job, where they've just entered the name of my script. Any suggestions on how or if I should reply to this?

Thanks

Ste

Tell them to go ahead and shoot it. Tell them all you want is full writing credit and a copy of the final product. If they do film it... YIPEE! If not, don't worry about it. I get one of these every other week, and so far only one of my scripts has been produced. Not trying to shoot you out of the sky or anything, I'm just saying that there are a bunch of "film students" who bail out on projects.

~Zack~

Cheers Zack

That's pretty much what I thought. Was just wanting to double check.

Ste

Also, research them. And ask them if you can see any of their works just to see if it best suits your script.  

Gabe

Cheers Gabe

I've already replied to them just saying they can and asking for credit and a copy of the film.

Googled his name and the HOPKE Productions part but didn't come up with anything. Nothing to lose I guess.

Yeah Ste listen to Zack, if they want to produce your script then check em out and if everything seems ok, go for it.  Of course they could just do it without telling you and you'd probably never know so it's always good that they ask.  Also try not to get to excited, I too have a had enquires on a few of my shorts about being produced by studenst and they always fallen through...or been done and they didn't tell me lol.

Good luck with this mate and really hope they produce it.

A lot of times, a film student will drop a project without even telling you.  I've had this happen to me numerous times.

A couple of rules that you should agree on it, if this filmmaker wants to do your short:

1.  You get SOLE credit for writing it and no changes are made on the script without your consent.

2.  You retain the rights to your script.

3.  You get a hard copy of the finished work.  No downloads.

4.  You have the right to reproduce the finished work for personal use.

You should also ask for an idea when they need to have the production finished.  If they say a year from now, it'll never get done.  If they say in the next month, it's more likely that they'll do it because they don't have much time to look for other scripts.


Phil

Cheers Alffy/Phil.

I'll check if I get another email from them, if not no worries.

I couldn't find anything on them online. Hopefully, it gets done but if not then fair play.

I seem to remember reading a few comments from Shelton about students just dissapearing so not getting carried away.

Ste

Got another email from this guy last week. He says they're still planning on filming this, starting shooting in June. They are still casting at the moment.

Gives me a bit of hope that after a month or so they're still planning to do it and that they replied to my email. Will let ya all know if it does get filmed.

Ste

Hey Ste, that's good news.  Fingers crossed for ya and hopefully we'll all get to see it when it's done.

That's really cool Ste. I hope everything works out for you!

Good luck Ste!

~Zack~