Comments on: To Write a Screenplay On Spec or Not? http://www.screenwritingu.com/blog/2010/selling-your-screenplay/to-write-a-screenplay-on-spec-or-not-please-rt Professional Screenwriting Articles Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:41:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: CanDoDreamz Kazza http://www.screenwritingu.com/blog/2010/selling-your-screenplay/to-write-a-screenplay-on-spec-or-not-please-rt/comment-page-1#comment-14 CanDoDreamz Kazza Mon, 08 Feb 2010 02:36:52 +0000 http://www.screenwritingu.com/blog/?p=131#comment-14 Cool Hand Hal writes another insightful Blog.. I found it most informative and very helpful. Love the new site. *smiles* Thanks for giving what I want and need. Kaz Cool Hand Hal writes another insightful Blog..

I found it most informative and very helpful.

Love the new site. *smiles*

Thanks for giving what I want and need.

Kaz

]]> By: admin http://www.screenwritingu.com/blog/2010/selling-your-screenplay/to-write-a-screenplay-on-spec-or-not-please-rt/comment-page-1#comment-11 admin Mon, 01 Feb 2010 21:00:10 +0000 http://www.screenwritingu.com/blog/?p=131#comment-11 Thanks for the comments. To Tbone: None of this article actually talks about the other side of the equation -- Do you and the producer have a good working relationship? If the guy is truly a jerk, that would change everything -- especially since you're working on spec. In that kind of deal, I'd only work with producers you can build a relationship with, because that is a big part of the benefit for you; completing this with the possibility of something bigger in the future. To CJ: Congratulations on your deal. You're going to get some great experience. Also, you should email me the details for the PSA buzz page. To Evangeline: In general, the producer will get you an option agreement. Everything there should match whatever verbal agreements have been made when you talked about it on the phone. It should cover length of the agreement, option price, up front money if any, rights being optioned, credit you'll receive, where arbitration would take place, and others that you both agree upon. If you use an attorney, make sure they are an Entertainment attorney. Other attorneys often try to put in clauses that cause more problems than they solve. The most important thing to remember is that this is an agreement between the two of you. If there's something in the contract that you don't agree to, ask the producer to explain or change it. Everyone has their own option agreements and while similar, they're all different...and changable to fit your deal. Again, I'm not an attorney, so I won't go any farther. Just make sure what is on the contract is what you agreed to..and then get to work. Hal Thanks for the comments.

To Tbone: None of this article actually talks about the other side of the equation — Do you and the producer have a good working relationship? If the guy is truly a jerk, that would change everything — especially since you’re working on spec. In that kind of deal, I’d only work with producers you can build a relationship with, because that is a big part of the benefit for you; completing this with the possibility of something bigger in the future.

To CJ: Congratulations on your deal. You’re going to get some great experience. Also, you should email me the details for the PSA buzz page.

To Evangeline: In general, the producer will get you an option agreement. Everything there should match whatever verbal agreements have been made when you talked about it on the phone. It should cover length of the agreement, option price, up front money if any, rights being optioned, credit you’ll receive, where arbitration would take place, and others that you both agree upon.

If you use an attorney, make sure they are an Entertainment attorney. Other attorneys often try to put in clauses that cause more problems than they solve.

The most important thing to remember is that this is an agreement between the two of you. If there’s something in the contract that you don’t agree to, ask the producer to explain or change it. Everyone has their own option agreements and while similar, they’re all different…and changable to fit your deal.

Again, I’m not an attorney, so I won’t go any farther. Just make sure what is on the contract is what you agreed to..and then get to work.

Hal

]]> By: Evangeline http://www.screenwritingu.com/blog/2010/selling-your-screenplay/to-write-a-screenplay-on-spec-or-not-please-rt/comment-page-1#comment-10 Evangeline Sun, 31 Jan 2010 15:23:33 +0000 http://www.screenwritingu.com/blog/?p=131#comment-10 Fantastic piece and very timely as I have been thinking about this lately. Thank you! I have one question I hope you or your readers can answer: >> Even on a spec deal, you should get the agreement in writing. Would you be able to point me to a good example of this type of agreement or at least list essential points that should be in this agreement? Fantastic piece and very timely as I have been thinking about this lately. Thank you! I have one question I hope you or your readers can answer:

>> Even on a spec deal, you should get the agreement in writing.
Would you be able to point me to a good example of this type of agreement or at least list essential points that should be in this agreement?

]]> By: CJ http://www.screenwritingu.com/blog/2010/selling-your-screenplay/to-write-a-screenplay-on-spec-or-not-please-rt/comment-page-1#comment-9 CJ Fri, 29 Jan 2010 23:10:38 +0000 http://www.screenwritingu.com/blog/?p=131#comment-9 Great advice, Hal! I've been asked to write a spec that currently has no funding, but I'm excited to do it. Like you said, by saying yes, I at least have a chance of seeing it developed - with a credit. If I were to say no, there would be no chance of anything! My goal is to be in a position to wonder if it's worth my time :) ! Even then, if it's a passion project, I might go for it. Great advice, Hal! I’ve been asked to write a spec that currently has no funding, but I’m excited to do it. Like you said, by saying yes, I at least have a chance of seeing it developed – with a credit. If I were to say no, there would be no chance of anything!

My goal is to be in a position to wonder if it’s worth my time :) ! Even then, if it’s a passion project, I might go for it.

]]> By: Tommy http://www.screenwritingu.com/blog/2010/selling-your-screenplay/to-write-a-screenplay-on-spec-or-not-please-rt/comment-page-1#comment-7 Tommy Fri, 29 Jan 2010 04:00:44 +0000 http://www.screenwritingu.com/blog/?p=131#comment-7 This made a lot of sense, it covered the whole issue. We need to ask questions, blanket answers never allow us to move forward. Another analogy might be; This producer is an ass. I would never work with him/her! This statement lays the blame on the producer alone. Maybe the screenwriter had issues, that we're incompatable? All offers are individual. We all sail our own ships. Learning from others mistakes is a wonderful lesson.But having all of the facts may alter many decisions person A and person B make. I love talking with others and getting advice and info, it is a classroom with plenty to learn from. However,when it's your life, it's your decision. We all try to make the best of the ones we make. All the Best~ Tbone This made a lot of sense, it covered the whole issue. We need to ask questions, blanket answers never allow us to move forward. Another analogy might be; This producer is an ass. I would never work with him/her!

This statement lays the blame on the producer alone. Maybe the screenwriter had issues, that we’re incompatable? All offers are individual. We all sail our own ships. Learning from others mistakes is a wonderful lesson.But having all of the facts may alter many decisions person A and person B make.

I love talking with others and getting advice and info, it is a classroom with plenty to learn from. However,when it’s your life, it’s your decision. We all try to make the best of the ones we make.

All the Best~

Tbone

]]>