In theory an option deal should be a % of the presumed sale price for the script.
E.g. if they were to go ahead and make the movie, they pay you 50k for it (purely an example), so the option gives them exclusive rights for the agreed period to try and get the budget, cast etc together to make the film...
Twenty years ago % used to 10%, but these days it can be whatever you agree with them, sometimes as little as a dollar (a dollar option). I'd swerve dollar options and make it something tangible, also be careful with long otpion deals as it just ties your script up. Also, if they want to extend the option at a later date, this should be at additional cost to them. |