question about a producer feedback

bobdole · Jul 14, 2008

hi guys,

I've gotten one of my short scripts (18 pages) into the hands of another producer. I don't know if I should mention his name or the name of the company here or not. The producer read it and gave me pretty useful feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of it. He used to work for a literary agency in New York so he knows what he's talking about. But he also said that he would love to produce the film if I fleshed it out into a full length feature.

The problem is I haven't seen any of his stuff in IMDB. His name is in there for visual effects twice but his company isn't there. The website mentions only 2 short films. Do IMDB update their website often?

I'm still not really sure how much I would be paid if he were interested in the script. (how the hell can I ask him that question). I tried to ask what the budgets of his films usually were but he said that he only speaks about budgets with accountants and executives.

I am a very slow writer. I try to avoid writer's block as much as I can. It'll probably take me 3-4 months to expand this script. It's a buttload of work. I've been writing like crazy this year so I'm not sure I've got that much inspiration left in me to do this. Would it be a good idea to work on it or not? The script is about an aspiring and struggling pro poker player.

thx

icerose · Jul 14, 2008

First a set of questions, do you want to see this short as a feature? Does the story interest you, is it something you want to do?

If you're writing it just for the sake of maybe getting it in the hands of a producer who doesn't have any notable credits as a producer and has already said he won't discuss budgets with you then it's a waste of your time. One really good reason why you need to know at least a ballpark budget. Special effects, locations, and number of characters. Those can all balloon a budget really fast. I would have a frank discussion and this is assuming you're interested.

"I'm interested in expanding this for you, but I need a few things clear. Is this a paid project if you like the script, and what kind of budget constraints do I need to work within?"

If he responds with good answers and you feel okay with it, I would give him an approximate timeline, and keep in touch with him with updates as you move along.

If he isn't willing to answer those two questions, you do not want to work with him, because chances are he's just blowing smoke if he can't give you ballpark figures.

MrJayVee · Jul 14, 2008

Waste of time...

Guys like this are a dime a dozen. Fact is, you don't have a full-length script and he hasn't got the money to pay you anything to write one.

Are you really going to take the next six months (or more) to write a script he'll never actually buy? I kinda doubt it.

If he's serious about this, and if he really thinks you've got talent, then he'll cough up some decent cash and put you to work on a script. If he’s not willing to do this, walk away.

bobdole · Jul 14, 2008

If he's serious about this, and if he really thinks you've got talent, then he'll cough up some decent cash and put you to work on a script. If he’s not willing to do this, walk away.

Pay me while I'm writing the script? That'd be really nice but he's not from a huge Hollywood studio. I sent him another e-mail yesterday about the budget. "Can I use Vegas poker rooms'" you know stuff like that. We'll see what he says but I guess if he can't give me a ballpark figure I won't work with him. I'm interested in the story. I think I found a few cool things especially recently.

One producer today told me he was interested in reading the short. And they could finance the feature with the short, or something like that. I haven't been researching the stats of his past but anyway... thanks again for the help

CACTUSWENDY · Jul 14, 2008

This is not to derail your question....but with the craze now for the poker games your story is a hot topic.

If you ever want to see it done on film i would suggest you get it done and into the hands of a for real person. Hit while the iron is hot, so to speak.

This is just my two cents and something to think about. Good luck and much success.

kullervo · Jul 14, 2008

Producer (n.) - Guy With Business Card.

There's lots of holes to fall in here:

1. Who says he'll buy it if you write it? Who says he'll even option it? Who says he won't be selling Mary Kay by then?

2. If he is not a WGA signatory, he can pay you as little as he likes. He can pay you a dollar.

3. Sounds like you're preparing to let yourself do a half-assed job already. Not sure how much inspiration you'll have? Why bother?

I'd say wait until you are ready to do a spectacular job on this story. There are already a zillion poker-player scripts and movies out there. You've got to nail this, and it has to be unique. And then you have to send it to folks who have actually, you know, made movies.

Blondchen · Jul 14, 2008

Bob,

Bottom line - if you are interested in expanding this short to feature length, do it.

It is impossible for anyone on this board to comment as to the credentials of Mr. Producer Man with the given information. There are plenty of independent and startup production companies that are legit mixed in with garbage out there.

And while Kullervo is right that without being union, they can pay you whatever, YOU have the agree to it. Regardless of what anyone says about this business, you only get taken advantage of when you allow it to happen.

LIVIN · Jul 14, 2008

CACTUSWENDY said:
This is not to derail your question....but with the craze now for the poker games your story is a hot topic.

IMO, we're on the waning side of the poker craze. But, maybe I wrong.

kullervo · Jul 14, 2008

LIVIN said:
IMO, we're on the waning side of the poker craze. But, maybe I wrong.

No, you're right. The craze ended five years ago.

Blondchen · Jul 14, 2008

I'm not sure television ratings reflect the craze as being over. May not translate into enthusiasm for scripted, but cable TV is still hot for poker tournaments.

zeprosnepsid · Jul 14, 2008

bobdole said:
Pay me while I'm writing the script? That'd be really nice but he's not from a huge Hollywood studio.

That doesn't matter. Most small production companies still pay writers for script when they're on assignment. And this, technically, is on assignment. I wouldn't write this for him without a contract. Money upfront shows they are actually interested.

If he doesn't have the money to pay you to write it, how would he have the money to buy it when you're done? They are the same exact amount of money. Say he'll pay you $1000 if he wants to buy it, since this is technically an assignment, he should pay you that $1000 now to write t. It's the same amount of money, just paid upfront, since you are doing this at his request.

I wouldn't do this without a contract.

And if his website only shows they've produced short films, why won't he produce your film as a short?

zeprosnepsid · Jul 14, 2008

Blondchen said:
I'm not sure television ratings reflect the craze as being over. May not translate into enthusiasm for scripted, but cable TV is still hot for poker tournaments.

It got big on cable, then they tried to capitalize on it with poker movies, poker movies failed (it's not very cinematic really now is it) and now no one will touch poker movies. There was no evidence that people watching it on TV (which are enough people for cable to justify showing it, but not enough people to justify making million dollar movies -- that's a big difference in audience size) were converting it into people watching it at the movies. It's a dead trend. I mean, they still show the Spelling Bee on TV too and it gets good ratings but we're not going to see anymore Spelling Bee movies either because the first ones failed.

You could make a poker movie for a niche poker audience -- a smaller film. But you're not going to see anyone in their right mind greenlight a good sized budget poker film any time soon.

zagoraz · Jul 14, 2008

zeprosnepsid said:
That doesn't matter. Most small production companies still pay writers for script when they're on assignment.

It would be nice if this were true. But more and more these days even large, established, legitimate production companies are asking writers to work on 'spec' with the hopes of selling to a studio. This happened to me less than two months ago. Met on the lot with a major prodco with a first-look deal with one of the top studios. They had read a spec of mine and liked the voice and thought I could be right for a certain project they had in development. This nice young exec (and his hungover assistant) pitched me the project they were working on, thouroughly trashed the current draft (and the writer that wrote it), then informed me that they didn't have development money for the project right now but would love to hear my 'take' on it. If they liked the take, they wanted me to spec it for no money up front.

I politely passed.

nmstevens · Jul 14, 2008

zagoraz said:
It would be nice if this were true. But more and more these days even large, established, legitimate production companies are asking writers to work on 'spec' with the hopes of selling to a studio. This happened to me less than two months ago. Met on the lot with a major prodco with a first-look deal with one of the top studios. They had read a spec of mine and liked the voice and thought I could be right for a certain project they had in development. This nice young exec (and his hungover assistant) pitched me the project they were working on, thouroughly trashed the current draft (and the writer that wrote it), then informed me that they didn't have development money for the project right now but would love to hear my 'take' on it. If they liked the take, they wanted me to spec it for no money up front.

I politely passed.

There's nothing new about this. It's what's known as "exploitation" and, as I recall, it's actually been around for some time now.

The basic principle is -- if you get someone to do it for free rather paying them -- do it.

If you can get them to do it for less rather than for more -- do that.

This, of course, also includes the corrolary that both flattery and promises not in writing are both "free."

NMS

bobdole · Jul 14, 2008

Thanks for the replies guys. I've read them all but I think I'm gonna go with another producer for the script. This guy has a few credits in IMDB (director, writer, cinematographer, producer, etc...) he's produced two films one short and one feature and he's only living one hour away from my place so that's cool.

But what about the frickin' money? I mean, I am suppose to just give the script to him no questions asked?!? I want dough! I need dough! I'm gonna give him a call tomorrow. We're suppose to meet to talk about it. bye. bob.

icerose · Jul 15, 2008

bobdole said:
Thanks for the replies guys. I've read them all but I think I'm gonna go with another producer for the script. This guy has a few credits in IMDB (director, writer, cinematographer, producer, etc...) he's produced two films one short and one feature and he's only living one hour away from my place so that's cool.

But what about the frickin' money? I mean, I am suppose to just give the script to him no questions asked?!? I want dough! I need dough! I'm gonna give him a call tomorrow. We're suppose to meet to talk about it. bye. bob.

If you're looking at scriptwriting to get you quick cash, you'd better get in a different field, I've been in it for over two years and I'm just now making money and not very much. I'm working on changing that, but it's a difficult field to get into the well paying positions. You're going to need a whole lot of patience.

Good luck.

bobdole · Jul 15, 2008

yeah but still would it kill him to give me 500$ or 1000$ for a good month's worth of work? I don't wanna be Bill Gates tomorrow but I still think I should be paid for the short script.

question about a producer feedback

bobdole

icerose

Lost in School Work

MrJayVee

Pro scribe

bobdole

CACTUSWENDY

An old, sappy, and happy one.

kullervo

minion

Blondchen

Honey Badger don't give a shit.

LIVIN

kullervo

minion

Blondchen

Honey Badger don't give a shit.

zeprosnepsid

zeprosnepsid

zagoraz

nmstevens

What happened?

bobdole

icerose

Lost in School Work

bobdole