Hi All.

I'm newish, 3 years in script writing. I notice a good few SS's short scripts get produced / filmed. Doe's one get paid for your script to be filmed or do you pay them to film it??  

Most likely neither.

But that’s not to say folks aren’t occasionally payed, although I think it’s fair to say it’s highly unlikely and even when they are it’s probably just a token amount. Mainly because there’s very little money in shorts.

As for paying someone to make it—then that would be taking on another role as well as that of writer, and if you aren’t working with people directly I’d suggest not going that route.

It depends how I feel about the short. I usually let people use my shorts for free unless they want exclusivity, in which case they have to buy it from me. I never sell a short for less than $200. If I really like the short and believe it has great festival potential, I'll ask for more. The only time I've spent money to have a short made is the ones I've produced and directed myself.

Never paid anyone to film one.

Have sold one for as cheap as $50 and as much as $1,000.

80% of the time though I allow free use and retain rights to the script.

Max, Grandma Bear and Eldave1. Thank you for your info.

I know you all busy, but if I may ask. How does one get their shorts out there.. Any of you have a list I can send my shorts to? My PM is:  scriptwriter.barryjohn@gmail.com - Would be much appreciated.

Thanks again,
Barry John

Well I think a lot of people would agree this place is a great way to get their work out there.

It can take time though.

Max

Quoted from BarryJohn Max, Grandma Bear and Eldave1. Thank you for your info. I know you all busy, but if I may ask. How does one get their shorts out there.. Any of you have a list I can send my shorts to? My PM is:  scriptwriter.barryjohn@gmail.com - Would be much appreciated. Thanks again, Barry John

I host my shorts 1) here, 2) Script Revolution 3) My own website.

I've gotten hits (people interested) from all three platforms. I would also add that if you want to start getting stuff produced, strategically you should be writing shorts that can be filmed on a very modest budget.

Thanks Guys

Hoping to get at least 2 shorts filmed (no charge) for exposure to sell my features.

Eldave1 - Website is a good idea, Ta.

Thanks again

Having some writing credits will help, but it’s worth bearing in mind that even a great short script might not be picked up for years (if at all). Not wanting to pick apart your game-plan here, but I think it’s best to have realistic expectations of probable outcomes.

Max

--The wait. Good thing I'm still very young - 50  ;D

If you’re willing to make the investment, proof of concept shorts have worked to sell features. Take a scene or make a trailer from your best feature script. You’ll probably have to play producer and find filmmakers in your area. Then on top of that you’ll probably have to foot the entire expense. Could be thousands for someone who’s not a filmmaker to pay everyone else, but it has worked before. The Babadook, Whiplash, District 9, Mama, Lights Out, Sin City... just to name a few.

James

I think I get paid for roughly 60% of my short scripts, from nominal amount to 000s depending on who is buying and what for.

The one thing I always do is ask the simple but often awkward question "Do you have a budget to purchase the script?" and then go from there.

Good luck

Hi Anthony

Thanks for posting.
A question --If they going to pay you $?? Why is whether they have a budget or not a concern to you? Is it because you don't want your name on the titles on a poorly produced film? I know that's my concern. Or is it.. ?    

Again, I'm newish, for all trying to get one of my shorts filmed.

Thank you.

Hi Barry,

No, I don't ask them if they have a budget or what it is for the film itself.

I specifically ask them if they have a budget allocated for the purchase of a script, i.e. can they pay me anything for my work.

If the answer is no then that's down to me to assess if they have enough experience and commitment to make the film. As one of the problems I've found with selling scripts, or optioning them, is that the script is then tied up with a film maker for whatever the agreed period is.

Quality of the film is another matter entirely, my working attitude now is that I won't worry about what I can't control - life's too short.

Best

Hi I was wondering if anyone here could help me to negotiate a short term option I’ve been offered for a screenplay. All feedback will be appreciated. Cheers

Quoted from Stoneyscripts Hi I was wondering if anyone here could help me to negotiate a short term option I’ve been offered for a screenplay. All feedback will be appreciated. Cheers

John,

Make this it's own thread - Help with Short Term Option

This may be useful to a lot of folks.

- Don

John, this might help. Dave posted it a while ago.

Let me know if you want more info.

https://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-BOSOandC/m-1503855043/s-0/

Actually that's 'free' use.

What specifics are you after?

Thanks Libby.


That helps enormously atm. I'm not sure what they will come back with but they have stated in their email that they want a short term option to produce the script Two Moons.

I am pretty much a novice in this field but I would not expect to rent out the script for free.

So i do hope they offer something in return and not just a credit.

Also being so far away from LA I would need somethibg in writing - obviously. However, I have done my research and they are a creditable production company with thirteen directors on their books. I will see what they come back with. Thanks for your help. John

John,

Dave and Ant and Pia have way more experience with Options than me - I have a little experience compared to them so I hope they'll chime in. Read through that thread and you'll see how much they have sold/optioned for some of their scripts.

It's entirely up to you what you negotiate. Don't feel railroaded; this is your baby and it depends on the worth you put on it yourself. Is if Feature length or a Short? You wouldn't ask a an overinflated price for a Short. And of course how in demand it is is a factor.

Sometimes we give scripts for free to Students - these don't appear online, YouTube etc., or get entered into Film Festivals, and they are non-exclusive - meaning we can still Option it to other filmmakers. If the filmmaker wants to air their film publicly they need to Option it or Buy it outright. You might or might not want to sell it. Again, up to you. You might offer a six month Option for a Short for a few hundred dollars. It depends on a lot of things.

I never offer long exclusive Option periods. Most times nothing comes of it and it only means your script is off the table to anyone else. Really disappointing.

I had a young unproven filmmaker who wanted to make one of my scripts and he had big plans for not just a short film but a feature in the future - and, in the end he wanted to be able to use the character from the first script I'd written and maybe make a series as well. His plans for himself were big, but he wanted a very lengthy Option (to begin with) and then he wanted to buy it. He quibbled over the price I wanted for weeks on end. I'm condensing here but trust me his demands got ridiculous to the point I ended up just turning him down. It was a case of Writer on the bottom rung of the ladder and him coming off as super entitled. Also, not a good idea to insult the writer when you want their story. :D

This is why it's a good idea that you set the terms if you can or counter offer what you are first offered based on proper calculations - ask them what their budget is etc.

Be prepared for the fact most or a lot of Options (even in the world of bigwigs with money) never see the light of day.

This is a good article (below). Some of it may not be relevant but it explains a lot really well.

Oh, and if you want to offer them an Agreement/Contract, instead of them giving you one - I have a few good templates, given to me from Dave & Ant over the years. If they're a professional operation they'll have their own.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/industrialscripts.com/screenplay-option/amp/

Good luck with it!

I have never optioned a short. I let filmmakers use them for free unless they want exclusivity and then they have to buy them.

Grandma I don't think Two Moons is a short at 74 pages.

I looked at the thread title. I don't know any specifics about your script.

Hi Don. Thanks for that. But how do i do this?

Quoted from Stoneyscripts Hi Don. Thanks for that. But how do i do this?

You can start a new thread on this board.
https://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-BOSOandC/

Quoted from Stoneyscripts Hi Don. Thanks for that. But how do i do this?

To start a new thread, go here:

https://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-BOSOandC/

(as Pia said) - look to the top right hand side you'll see New Thread - click on that, give your thread a title - I would include the script title so it can be accessed easily. Example:

Two Moons - Option/Sale help...

Something like that.

I think I replied to this in the new thread...