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SimplyScripts Screenwriting Discussion Board  /  Questions or Comments  /  Should I be concerned?
Posted by: alffy, September 30th, 2012, 3:48pm
Hey guys, just a quick question.

So I was contacted by a new member a few weeks back about producing one of my shorts.  I replied and said it was of course fine as long I was kept in the loop about progress, changes, got writing credit and so on.  The guy agreed and I was happy.

Anyway I thought I'd pm them to see if he still wanted to run with the project but found he has left Simply, or I assume he has as the pm won't send as the member can't be found.  I was wondering if this was just a normal act by producer who have to join to pm us members and then leave?

I don't want to make a big deal out of a short script but if he was to produce it now I wonder if I would ever know?  Maybe he will see this thread and contact me again?
Posted by: danbotha, September 30th, 2012, 3:55pm; Reply: 1
Ah, the usual hit-and-run... Happens to the best of us, Anthony.

Usually I'd say "don't be concerned, he probably just lost interest" but as you guys have come to an agreement, he's received permission and then disappeared I would be concerned. It's normal for producers to ask for permission and then never appear again, but they don't tend to disappear AFTER they've received permission.

If I got an offer from a producer via pm I would immediately be suspicious. I'd much rather contact via email. Don't know why it just seems more genuine that way.

Did you get his email? If so, try and reach him that way.

Dan
Posted by: Pale Yellow, September 30th, 2012, 6:09pm; Reply: 2
It happens a lot! People contact me weekly about shorts. Only three of them though have ever sent me a contract!!!

So, I wouldn't worry IMO.
Posted by: Electric Dreamer, September 30th, 2012, 6:43pm; Reply: 3
So long as none of your contact can be construed as say...
A verbal or written agreement, you're covered.

Typically, when someone disappears like that though, I wouldn't worry.
But be ever vigilant and keep your ear to the ground.
You never know when someone may just use your script like it was theirs!

Regards,
E.D.
Posted by: Steex, September 30th, 2012, 7:34pm; Reply: 4
I recently had someone contact me about a script, too.
Wasn't sure what to think.
I assumed it was some sort of scam or something.
Who knows.
Posted by: Forgive, September 30th, 2012, 7:45pm; Reply: 5
No. There is no exclusive contract.
Posted by: stevie, September 30th, 2012, 11:21pm; Reply: 6
Yes, you should, alffy...

Palace are crap!  ;D
Posted by: alffy, October 1st, 2012, 12:47am; Reply: 7
Thought about this again this morning and actually if someone wanted to shoot a script they could probably do it without me ever finding out so at least he asked. Maybe he changed his mind or maybe he'll contact me via email? Funny how how your mind works with a bit of sauce in your system lol.
Stevie, why? That's below the belt, and anyway we won again this weekend lol
Posted by: slabstaa (Guest), October 1st, 2012, 1:06am; Reply: 8
I just recieved an email from a girl in Mexico who has a text analysis class on unproduced scripts and she chose mine.  It seems fishy, but I responded just to mess around.
Posted by: DarrenJamesSeeley, October 1st, 2012, 1:49am; Reply: 9

Quoted from Pale Yellow
Only three of them though have ever sent me a contract!!!

So, I wouldn't worry IMO.


I'm flexible with contracts, but it depends on the intent. If the intent is towards exclusive rights for the short (filmed or not) for film fests, webseries possibilities, or exapansion (short into feature) then I require some form of comminication be it through email, Facebook, Skype etc AND a contract of some kind. It does not have be fancy. It could even be the contract release one can get via Inktip.

If I am not given a contract, and I don't hear from them, I figure they moved on for whatever reason - although some have given contracts and moved on, but still communicate with me from time to time, as something could come (back) later. But if I don't hear anything period and/or handed no contract, it isn't exclusive rights.


Quoted Text
if someone wanted to shoot a script they could probably do it without me ever finding out


Not true. Someone always finds out. .



Posted by: nybabz, October 1st, 2012, 11:35am; Reply: 10
TAP. TAP. TAP. Is this thing on? BABZ
Posted by: Alex_212, October 3rd, 2012, 7:59pm; Reply: 11
Hey Anthony,

I have had a number of similar episodes !!!!

I have had many people contacting me requesting permission to produce my shorts, then after an email or two, they vanish.

I put it down too, they love the screenplay, though later realise that the scenes may have a few locations that could be difficult to achieve, permissions and approvals involved, so they realise that a fair amount of work is involved and go cold on it.

For every 20 people that are dreaming, there is one that is going to produce it, you never know which one that may be.

I have in the past sent a stern email asking them, if they no longer wish to produce my short please let me know, so I dont waste my time and their time. I usually do get a response that they changed their mind. TIME TO MOVE ON.

Good luck and if this one does not work out, then maybe the next may.

Alex
Posted by: alffy, October 4th, 2012, 1:47am; Reply: 12
Cheers Alex.

I have received many email's too but it was just that the guy became a member to contact me and keep in touch, then cancelled his account.  I'm hopeful he'll get back in touch as he seemed interested and even commented on how and where things would be shot.  I won't be too disappointed if he doesn't though as it does happen all too often.
Posted by: Alex_212, October 4th, 2012, 2:13am; Reply: 13
Hey Anthony,

I assume all you have is an email address ??

Maybe goggle his name and see what you can find out about him ???
Do you have his full name ???

Alex
Posted by: alffy, October 4th, 2012, 7:38am; Reply: 14
I don't have an email for him, that's the problem.  He pm'd me on here then closed his account so i can't contact him.  Plus I only have a first name.  He did agree to give me updates and writing credit so I guess I'm as covered as I can be and I'll you just wait and see what happens.
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