PREAMBLE

There is an agreement below. What is means in plain language is that you get to make a film from my script for free. However, I retain ownership of the script unless at some time in the future you decide to pay me for the script and I decide to accept your offer. It is crafted in a way to allow students and new filmmakers a chance to film something at no cost for the written material.  Here are the terms:

AGREEMENT
I, David Lambertson,  grant  (name of student or producer) permission to use my screenplay (title of script)  for purposes of creating a film version of the story.  No payment is required for this permission.

This permission is not intended to transfer rights to the script or otherwise create an “option” to own the script. It is simply intended is permission to film the story. This means:
•     The script remains the property of David Lambertson.
•     David Lambertson at his sole discretion may allow others to use the script.
•     David Lambertson may sell the script at any point in the future.
•     At any time, David Lambertson may submit this script to contests at his discretion and any and all proceeds from contest awards are 100% his.

Nothing in the above is intended to impede or restrict the filmmaker’s (insert name) ownership of their completed film or infringe on their rights to that product. In other words, if they (insert name) complete a film based on the free permission granted to use the script,  any subsequent use,  sale or option of the script by David Lambertson to any party does not infringe on (insert filmmaker’s name)  use of the script for their film.

Unless otherwise indicated below, (insert name of filmmaker) is entitled to all proceeds and awards from festivals that the completed project is submitted to other than any and all awards that directly relate to writing. Those belong the David Lambertson.

David Lambertson will receive sole and full writing credit for the script and will be recognized in the credits as the sole writer on the filmed version as well as in any future marketing efforts, submittals to film festivals, IMDB profiles and all other public displays of the script or the film.
No changes or modifications to the script will in any way create a co-writer credit. David Lambertson is the sole writer.

The filmmaker (insert name here) agrees to complete the film within (indicate time frame) of receiving this permission and will provide David Lambertson access to the completed project through either a hard copy (DVD) version or a link to a web-site hosting the film.  

The filmmaker (insert name) may at any time within (insert timeframe) tender an offer to David Lambertson to option or purchase the rights to this script. Whether to accept such an offer will be at the sole discretion of David Lambertson. Should the film not be completed within (insert timeframe) the permission to use the script is revoked.

Thanks guys. you concurring to my thought of... walk away.  

This is a no-brainer NO.  What possible reason would you have to do this?

Think of it this way. Someone asks to borrow your car for free. As part of this favor you are doing for them, they would like you to waive your ownerships right to the car. Would you ever, ever do that?

Just FYI - here is the agreement for free use that I developed.



I would NEVER NEVER EVER EVER give away my rights to my work for someone who did not pay for it.  

That looks like an excellent agreement for a free option, though I'd be leary of using language that transfers the rights for my script to some David Lambertson character ;)

If they're optioning the short, they don't have the money. They're begging for time to raise the money. It's up to you if you want to give them that time in the hopes of making the eventual sale.

I'd have a tough time letting someone option a short of mine. It's not a big price tag. If they can't afford to buy it outright, how are they going to afford to produce it? But a 20+ page short is a substantial amount of money. I could sympathize with first time producers who want to make their first big project.

But I wouldn't option it for free. Options are usually around 10% of the purchase price, if they're serious about it I'd ask for the $100 option fee.

But I wouldn't option it for free. Options are usually around 10% of the purchase price, if they're serious about it I'd ask for the $100 option fee.

Renec. Excuse my ignorance, 10% of purchase price ~ what how is purchase price determined?

Thanks all for your input.

RENEC  
[QUOTE] [i]

I'm thinking of informing them: The option is off the table, and the script (full rights) is for sale at $1,000.

  

WAY too low. If you have something they could turn into TV ... way way too low. Don't give it away

You mention a 'platform' do you have a website?

Googling 'woaccelerator' doesn't seem to find anything.

Anthony - I found it here:

https://woaccelerator.com/#/

I actually can't tell what it is they specifically do.

Just had a look, it's really vague. If I was explaining this company to someone who had no idea what they did, I wouldn't know where to start.

just fyi, but years back I had people express interest in a script of mine only for it to be a ploy to get me to pay for some sorta feedback service. As a result now, anybody that expresses interest must pay me to respond to an email.

You mention a 'platform' do you have a website?

Googling 'woaccelerator' doesn't seem to find anything.

Just had a look, it's really vague. If I was explaining this company to someone who had no idea what they did, I wouldn't know where to start.