I'm curious in general because I know some people/a lot of people here want to be professional screenwriters whether it's working for a studio or writing that spec that sells for $1M. Then there are others that write mostly for fun. I put myself in the latter. I love to write and do it for fun. I like making films and do it for fun too. This is my hobby and to me it's about fun. I could never write for someone else and I would never move to L.A. So, I'm curious what the minimum you would sell one of your babies for?

I currently find myself in a situation where a production company wants to buy one of my features. One of the 7WC scripts. They read the first rough draft that I posted here   :o  :B  It is a low budget production. Less than 100K. They have a great team and excellent equipment and are filming at the studios in Wilmington NC.  They have distribution contracts with several outlets including NetFlix and Hulu. I'm pretty generous with my shorts and let pretty much anyone use my shorts for free. I'm not willing to give away a feature however. I just have no idea what to charge for a feature. I'm not willing to take backend points as I'm sure there will be none. I want money up front. I have also agreed to to rewrite the script to fix some major plotholes.

What would you do and what would you base that decision on?

I'd ask what they're offering first. It might be considerably more than what you would've asked for. Try to weasel one out of them if you can.

Take the back end profits as well. You probably won't get any but have it written in the contract just in case. You don't want to miss out on a Blair Witch Project should you have one (learned that from the South Park guys). No less than 3%.

Anyway, these guys sound like they have some resources so personally, I wouldn't ask for any less than $2,500. However since it's your first feature, I'd be slightly flexible. That said, I've signed four contracts at this point so I feel justified with a going rate of $5,000. This is a figure I've seen Phil throw out quite a bit. Makes sense to me.

But yeah. See what they can put out there first.

You can always ask for points on the end, since it's such a low budget production.  That would probably be the best way to go.  Three percent of production costs (as per WGA) would only get you 3,000 dollars.


Phil

As Phil knows, I've been on this path with a NC company trying to film a feature, and it's probably turning out to be a big mistake. But Pia's situation could be very different. I would consider that if they decide not to pay you, you would probably not be able to do much. It would cost more to sue them. But this isn't really about the money anyway, I think you just want to see your film made. Then the issue is what kind of quality it will be, and how much work they will ask of you for rewrites. A lot to consider.

James, I doubt this is a Blair Witch piece. ;D  I know what you mean though. Your numbers were along my own thinking so thanks.

Phil, this film will be on DVD and then on the mentioned streaming outlets and some other ones I can't remember the names of. I doubt there will be any back end points to be paid.

Kevin, they better not try to use it without paying. I wouldn't sue, but I'd drive up there and scare the crap out of them. I'm good at stuff like that.  ;D

I know where the main guy lives. In a million dollar house in a gated community. I think I'm going to say they can have it for 5K and then they own it and I will ask for nothing else but credit as writer. Even if it turns into a Blair Witch thing, I won't ask for anything more. I'm suspecting he could come up with that amount.

Pia,

Five thousand seems like such a small amount for a feature.... but if that's what you want...

Why don't you ask for five thousand upfront AND 3% of any profits.

That way you'll get your five grand and hopefully more later on.

I know there will be a lot of people either renting it or buying it just because you are the writer. I know I will.

Don't screw yourself out of any money.

Best of luck with this,

Cindy

The company trying to film mine has no experience shooting a film.
Not even a short. The guy does seem to have connections in the industry, mostly in distribution. It seems to me, however, that shooting a feature is a huge undertaking. I can't imagine people doing it with a limited budget and no experience, but maybe I am wrong. I hope the people producing yours have made films before, at least some shorts. If not, you might have to go direct too!

Quoted from leitskev The company trying to film mine has no experience shooting a film. Not even a short. The guy does seem to have connections in the industry, mostly in distribution. It seems to me, however, that shooting a feature is a huge undertaking. I can't imagine people doing it with a limited budget and no experience, but maybe I am wrong. I hope the people producing yours have made films before, at least some shorts. If not, you might have to go direct too!

Since you're already involved, I'd say play it by ear, man. Nicolas Winding Refn got into filmmaking with no experience and he's about to become the next big thing. I'm also currently writing for a secret feature project in Maryland, which also involves first time producers. So far, so good...

However for future reference, I would flat out not get involved with first time producers who have never produced a short before. I PA'd a feature romantic comedy with a first time producer earlier this year. I have horror stories you wouldn't believe. It didn't even get finished.

There's people in this business who should've quit on day 1 and they're more of them than you think. Be wary of incompetence.

Hard to say where it will go. He does have people with more industry experience to help him. Still seems like a huge mountain to climb. At the time, I had only been writing about a half a year and didn't really have any expectations for that script, so didn't think there was much to lose. Had to feel my way through the process, as I don't have an agent and have never dealt with producers/directors. There probably were not many people out there in the film world less knowledgeable than me. I know a little more now, but still pretty ignorant.

I IMDB's Refn. Looks like he got his start with a film called Push, but he was also a film school guy. That means he had training for a lot of what he needed. Probably did shorts as projects in school, plus built connections that way. So I would''t guess he had no experience.

You wrote a rom com? Wow, not what I'd expect!

Quoted from leitskev Hard to say where it will go. He does have people with more industry experience to help him. Still seems like a huge mountain to climb. At the time, I had only been writing about a half a year and didn't really have any expectations for that script, so didn't think there was much to lose. Had to feel my way through the process, as I don't have an agent and have never dealt with producers/directors. There probably were not many people out there in the film world less knowledgeable than me. I know a little more now, but still pretty ignorant.

That's cool that he's got some people with experience behind him. I hope that serves him (and you) well. Indeed, feature filmmaking is quite the mountain.

Quoted from leitskev I IMDB's Refn. Looks like he got his start with a film called Push, but he was also a film school guy. That means he had training for a lot of what he needed. Probably did shorts as projects in school, plus built connections that way. So I would''t guess he had no experience.

That's not what I heard. I double checked on IMDB and indeed, he dropped out very early on.

Nevertheless, I think film school can only teach you so much. There's some things you only learn on the set.

Quoted from leitskev You wrote a rom com? Wow, not what I'd expect!

Indeed, I did. However that's not the one I worked on. The producer wrote that script (and had the starring role). My rom com's yet to be produced however it did land me another writing gig where I wrote an even better script.

Consequently, I've got an idea for another rom com. Hopefully, I can get to it next year but it's on the back burners for now.

Wilmington NC has a great movie studio set-up. Besides L.A I think it's one of the largest in the country. In fact, when I was doing the reality show we were going to have all our post work done there.

These guys that want my scripts are working out of those studios and they have a TV show streaming on Hulu so I know that they have done stuff in the past. They are shooting this on the Red camera which is not cheap. Hopefully things will turnout okay quality wise.

Cindy, that's what I was curious about. What others would let their scripts go for. I can see a script that someone put a lot of hard work into and feel compassionate/attached about wouldn't sell it cheap, but I figure I've only spent about 60 hours on this one. That's 1.5 weeks at a full time job so if you think about it that way, it's not that bad pay. This script in question is something I don't consider very good myself and I don't really care about it either. But that's me and maybe I'm weird.  :)

Pia,

I don't see any reason you shouldn't ask for the 5k plus points on the back end.  It's a completely reasonable offer and there's no reason to cut yourself out of the back end without even trying.

If they're working on a budget of 100k or less, but still have the ability to get it on Hulu and Netflix, I would go 3 and 3 (3% of budget, and 3% of AGR).  I certainly wouldn't dismiss the back end portion outright when you can get both, and I think it's always better to ask for up front money as a percentage rather than a straight dollar figure.

You guys are probably right. And that sounds good.

I have a new dilemma though. One of them is also a writer and wants to do the rewrite himself. I think I know how this will play out. I've seen it happen before. Suddenly the writer credit lists the other guy first and the original writer last. I wouldn't have any say in what happens to the script at all so now I'm thinking selling it out right and then turn my back to it.  :-/

You can always have in the contract that you are listed first as the writer.


Phil

I signed an option for a movie with a similar budget (around 100k). It was 3% upfront and 3% back end.

As Phil says above - I also received first credit in the contract and I also added first right of refusal for any additional rewrites (in otherwords, they couldn't go anywhere else for a rewrite without asking me first).

thanks,
Stew

Looks like we have a deal. They are sending me a contract tonight. Thanks for your input. It helped me form my terms.

Some things will be changed with the script as there are some plot holes....The main character's age will be changed too so that he has just graduated from law school.

They have already started a script breakdown and actors have been attached!!!! Some name actors I'm told, but that means nothing to me since I'm sure I would never have heard of them.They are working fast. I didn't know. They want it finished by April. They just got one of there other projects into Wal-Mart which means a minimum of 200 000 copies. That's apparently big and I remember that from the documentary I worked on, Women With Wings. If you can get your stuff into Wal-Mart or Target you're doing good. They also have Video On Demand distribution deal for the feature. We'll see how it turns out. Might be a big pile of crap in the end, but I'm celebrating tonight because even if the dollar amount is low, it's my first where I actually got paid.  :)

Congrats, Pia!  


Phil

Sweet! Sounds like a good deal. Did they originally find the script here?

Oh dayum, girl! ;D

Good on you!

Bust out the bubbly and the SS mugs!

You gonna make Wal-Mart your biotch!

E.D.

That's awesome, Pia. You know I'm behind you 100%.

YOU GO GIRL!!!!!

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Party! Drinks are on Pia! Congrats!  :)

....Z.....yes, they are on me. I'm generous!  ;)

Kevin, I think they found it here and that lead to them finding my website. I would say 90% of my scripts being produced have been found at SS. Probably more people look at this place than most think.

E.D. Wal-Mart sells 60% of all DVDs in this country...

Not Hollywood, but I've always known I was better suited for the cheap bargain basement.  ;D

Forgot to mention, they already have a shooting date! 12/28/2011.

CONGRATS, Pia!!!   ;D

Congratulations, Pia! They want it finished by April? Wow, you got fast tracked. Look forward to the movie.

Pia is my collegue, do you know? :-D

congrats, blondie!

Sounds great Pia!!!

Well done.

As it happens, I have a tendency to buy horror DVDs from Walmart (Asda in the UK).

Seems like a very credible market. I'll pick up a copy of your film for sure.

Nice work, Pia.

The other writer scenario's not all that unusual.  As far as the credits go, if they go through everything the proper way, it would be subject to WGA arbitration, and any subsequent writers after you would have to do a significant amount of work to get credit, let alone bump you out completely.

Congrats!!

Congratulations Pia, and good work.  Something I can look forward to keeping on the shelf right next to Brush With Death ;D

Congrats Pia! I can't wait til it comes out! I'll surely buy a copy!

You're awesome!

Congrats Pia! Well done.

Congratulations, Pia! You deserve it!

First thing I'd do is investigate them. See if they're a legitimate

production company, and if so, I'd ask for some samples scenes from some of their films to see what the quality is like. Then I would investigate the possibility of needing and acquiring an agent. Contracts are great, but it might be best to have a middleman, someone who can work out the finer details. I know an agent would get a percentage, but if your percentage is sizable, then it's a win-win.

WOW, a feature being produced. Must feel good.

Well done Pia and thanks for sharing not only this, but also the Them That's Dead.  I find all of this to be fascinating and really appreciate you sharing with us.

I hope everything works out well.

Pia,

It's wonderful news that you're movie is going to be at Walmart. ;D That is huge! With all their stores here and overseas.

I surely hope you added the 3% back end.

Please keep us informed.

When it arrives, I will have to tell everyone at our morning meetings to buy it.

I'm so excited for you.

Also, how is filming going for bert's short?

All the best,
Cindy

Fantastic news. Congratulations Pia - you definitely deserve it!

Thanks!....I need to clear some stuff up though.  ;D

The Wal-Mart deal was for another of their projects. The one involving me is supposed to go to NetFlix, Hulu and VOD, but the fact that they already have an in with WM doesn't hurt. I hope.

Breanne, I think they are doing this in a hurry because the deal they have with the online streaming networks is for them to add two films in 2012. It's a little weird though how it seems they've been working on this before I was ever asked.  :-/

Congrats Pia.

It all seems legit. Just as long as you got your Christmas check.
As for the "other writer" I'm not too alarmed with this. Sounds like a polisher to me. Probably go uncredited, having only to change a line or two, depending on the shoot.

Maybe they had something else lined up and it fell through for some reason. But they already had studio time booked, camera crews, etc.

Darren, I think her concern is they will polish and use that as an excuse to not give Pia proper credit.

I have sent them a .fdr version of the script and they are going over it now. I'm not worried about the credit anymore. I try to be excited instead. I usually cringe when I watch films I've written. Not because the filmmaker did a bad job or the actors. I just don't like seeing and hearing stuff I wrote. Weirdo, I know.  ;D

Keep me posted.

Just wondering, will anyone be able to buy it when it's finished, or

will be just be able to view it?

Cindy

I hate bumping old threads, but I'm rather dizzy and excited at the moment so maybe you'll forgive me.

This thing happened so fast, I don't really know what hit me. I'm stoked to tell you guys that the script has been sold and contracts signed. They started shooting Dec 28th and today I got to see the first cut of the trailer/promo. It looks awesome!! They shot it on the Red One camera which those of you into filmmaking will know as a GREAT camera. This looks really really pro! I even thought the dead girls looked awesome! There are some actors in it that even I recognize like C. Thomas Howell as Detective Slayter. Bill Oberst as Rommel. Really weird feeling to see people you recognize acting out what I wrote....most likely in a dark corner at night with a beer next to me.  ;D  They are rushing this because their goal is to have it on NetFlix and Hulu by April.    8)

AND...we are currently talking about them doing Finders Keepers as well!! They really liked that one!  

Congrats! :)  Any chance of seeing the trailer?

This is beyond exciting!  Congrats!!!  Can't wait to see the finished product!!!!!!

You da man, Pia!  Oh wait...sorry...   ;D ;D ;D

You da woman, Pia!!!  Congrats!  We're all very excited for you.  Keep 'em coming!

The trailer is not finished yet. What I was watching was a first cut of it. It had music, but all the other sounds had not been added yet. It is on Vimeo with PW protection right now, but I'm really dying to show you guys.

Very exciting for sure.  Shows you what can happen with a 7WC.  ;D

Congrats, Pia!

Been following it on fb but thought I’d show my support here, too.

This is fantastic news!


Breanne

Wow, Pia, that's great! You deserve it.
You never know where that big break is gonna come from! ;D

Keep us posted!

Regards,
E.D.

I can't wait to see the movie, Pia.
I'm very excited for you. :-)

Cindy

Thanks Cindy, because I was just to write "I'm very excited by you, Pia".

So, here is the right words:

I'm very excited for you, Pia!
cheers
Helio

Oh, wow.
Wow, oh wow.
This is so cool.

Considering how many scripts get optioned and fall through.
Or production gets greenlit, which also falls through.
Or the whole thing gets cast and shot, but never gets edited.
Or the finished product sits in release h3ll.

This is cool, Pia.
Oh, so very cool.

Congratulations.

Unbelievable news Pia! You are now a screenwriter with a feature to your credit, and no one is ever going to be able to take that away from you. Congrats - it's great to see hard work and dedication pay off, and you're continuing to inspire all of us here...

AJR

Pia,

not only well done - thats an understatement - but thank you. Why? i can now say i have just been in a competition with a produced feature film writer!! WOW.

As they say, or something like it as i have had a couple of beers, "A rising tide lifts all boats" -- your success helps more than just yourself.

Thanks for sharing.

Awesome news, Pia.  The guy from E.T. and Red Dawn is in your movie!  Can't wait to see this thing.  Your hard work pays off big time.

Congrats, Pia. That’s fantastic news! I have to say I'm not too surprised after reading some of your work.

Good luck with it.

Steve