Is this legit? (Email from “producer” unprompted)

Posted by: AlsoBen, July 24th, 2022, 6:44pm

I got this email from a “producer” overseas unprompted

Screenshots (out of order sorry)

https://ibb.co/LzLcNGz
https://ibb.co/qM5NgLw

I followed up by asking for a CV and other works he’s done, and he has a real IMDB (mostly non-directorial but above the line work on shorts) and his website shows that he’s directed high-level commercials in Europe.

He’s asked for more of my work. I sent him a few. He’s also asked me to sign an NDA.

What do I do?

Posted by: LC, July 24th, 2022, 9:06pm; Reply: 1

Sign a NDA for what?

I don't know... Bit airy-fairy to me.
Did you see an actual show-reel of produced work?
Script-doctor on what?

I know everyone has to start somewhere but it all sounds very vague.

Posted by: AlsoBen, July 24th, 2022, 9:37pm; Reply: 2

Yes it’s very all over the place. And it feels dodgy.

But yes they had a showreel of commercial work on their site. The NDA I haven’t actually seeen, he’s just mentioned it - no mention of compensation.

Posted by: Storey_Matters, July 26th, 2022, 1:39pm; Reply: 3

Usually, the NDA will be mentioned because they are not interested in your work but, rather whether you will be a good fit to write theirs. They tell you their idea (after you sign an NDA) then discuss the terms thereafter. Don't be so suspicious. If they ask you for money, then be suspicious.

Posted by: eldave1, July 26th, 2022, 7:58pm; Reply: 4

1. Looks Dodgy
2. May not be
3. Given what is in their email, I can't imagine what the NDA is for other than if they are going to send you some material of theirs to work on. Then it would kind of make sense.

I am guessing if it is legit they like your style and want you to use it to doctor/improve something they have already written. I would bet that the compensation is going to be something akin to you get $$ if it is produced. Just my gut feeling.

Posted by: AlsoBen, July 27th, 2022, 3:57am; Reply: 5

I suppose. I just don’t understand why they’d write an email with so many red flags (typos, vagueness) if they had something specific in mind. The fact that they’d obviously read the script of mine is a good sign but tbh it’s not even that great of a script, even compared to my others let alone all the specs available

The stopped replying when I asked questions about signing the NDA.

(They also may have seen this thread, so maybe I shot myself in the foot)

Posted by: LC, July 27th, 2022, 6:33am; Reply: 6

I think the big red flag is always when they don't reply to a few reasonable questions.
When something is all one-sided you can bet that kind of working relationship will never be good, even if there's a slim chance they were legit.

P.S. Will post notes on Double-Blind soon. :)

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