Have any of you ever given out options on the same script at the same time? Have had directors in two different countries, one in the U.S., one outside, asking to option a short script. I'm not concerned about compensation -- it's a minor script, after all, I'd just like to see it get made, and it might even be interesting to see different takes on how two different directors in two different countries see the script. Given that there's not a lot at stake here (other than wanting to see a quality short made), would you give out one option with U.S. rights and one with foreign rights?

Gary

Hey Gary,

Yes I have done it with one short 6 times.

You just have to give them a non-exclusive option.

Regards Alex

What Alex said, and polite to let the film makers know that more than one person is making it.

Anthony and others, if I may ask, have you optioned any shorts for money? In general, what terms are usually included in such option deals?

Manolis

Yiasou Re Manolis.

Generally shorts are free though a very rare few do get paid.

Option agreements usually outline the conditions though I have modified and added my own as they are usually very vague.

Alex

Thanks guys!

I've recently optioned one of my shorts to two different producers.

However, one asked if I could re-write as a feature, so now they're pretty different.

If no money is changing hands, an option has no point.  You simply give permission.

Any option, however -- even the $1.00 option -- implies exclusivity.  It is a binding agreement.

They want to ensure no additional copies are out there, which is particularly important if they are seeking to go the festival circuit.

If you are actually accepting cash, having more than one option floating around would be questionable, at the very least, to a serious filmmaker.

Yeah I agree with Bert. Giving somebody permission to film it is a whole lot different to having an option. Once permission has been granted, that's it. A copy of the film and a credit... also the right to call yourself a produced writer. Which is probably the best thing when it comes to pitches.

What does it say in the contract? Usually the company optioning the script want to make sure they have exclusive rights for whatever time you agreed on. Most of mine have been for 6 months, but with my latest SLEEP, I'm only going to go with 3, because lots of people are tugging on that one.

Quoted from Alex_212 Yiasou Re Manolis. Generally shorts are free though a very rare few do get paid. Option agreements usually outline the conditions though I have modified and added my own as they are usually very vague. Alex

Yiasou Alex! :)

Like Bert, I'm not sure about the difference between a "non-exclusive" option and a simple permission. Personally, I tend to just give permission and retain the rights, but I'd definitely prefer a more specific kind of deal. There would be many more chances for a script to get made if the director/producer had to comply to certain obligations.

Manolis

Quoted from Athenian I'm not sure about the difference between a "non-exclusive" option and a simple permission.

It gives them the right to shop your script around and try to secure financing -- while you and anybody else can shop the same script around and try to secure financing.

It is not even an option, really.  It is barely a "deal" at all, for anyone involved.

Quite frankly -- barring some exceptional circumstance -- any filmmaker that thinks this is a good idea is probably not qualified to do your script justice in the first place.

Anyway -- since so many people seemed to be advising hawkeye to do this, it just seemed prudent to let him know that not everybody agreed with that advice.  

Quoted from Leegion ...when I say optioned I mean given the shorts to multiple parties.

Then that is not an Option Agreement.

Hawkeye is inquiring about a very specific type of legally-binding agreement.

I am certainly no lawyer, but some of you guys clearly need to read up on this stuff before advising others.

Another nod to Bert's points.

I don't even bother with formal options on short scripts unless the filmmaker wants exclusivity. I don't see the point. I've met so many filmmakers over the years and the overwhelming majority never actually get a film made. If they just want to make a practice film or whatever, I usually just give it to them with the understanding that anyone else can produce it as well. If they want exclusivity, they need to work out a deal for it. They'll either have to pay me or show me there's a chance I can make money from it in the future. Otherwise, it's just not worth it.

Thanks guys -- I think with how this is going to work, and I working over the details at the moment, is that I will likely give the exclusive rights domestically to the director located here (which I believe he is fine with), and permission to film (with some minor conditions attached) to the foreign inquirer. The likelihood of getting any money out of the deal with the foreign guy was nil, and it's very likely it'll be nil on the US version as well, but he might want to enter it in a contest and he'll pay the entry fee, which to me is as good as getting paid.

Gary