Producer asked for my script.

Jennifer Robins

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Got a request for my movie script and they wanted a release form signed saying I had all rights to it and would not hold them liable for scenes that are of usual happening that they may have used in other films.
I have my script listed on Ink Tip and it came from there. Don't know what to expect, I'm new at this.

Jennifer Robins
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I don't know how to delete this. It was a mistake, I have another one here like it.
 
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NikeeGoddess

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send them the script
wait 3 or 4 weeks then call them up... say, "i'm jr calling for <<insert name>> about the status of my script <<insert name>>.
make sure you get the person's name you speak to and keep it on file.

if they're still reading it then either they haven't gotten to it yet or good, they're passing it around. ask for a specific date when you should call back.

if they've finished reading it they'll say, "we're passing" and then make sure you ask why and get specific reasons so you know what to do to make your next time that much more closer to success.

if they want the script then congratulations. ask them what to do next.

good luck and don't stop writing and rewriting to wait for an answer.
 

Jennifer Robins

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I did send them the script and they replied with a name of a the producer's either wife or daughter, it was a female name and the producer is a male, and the person was very nice. they could not open the file in rtf so I had to convert it to PDF and send it again.
they liked the synopsis and the log line and that is why they wanted the script. Thank you for your help.

Jennifer
 

NikeeGoddess

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you should invest in some real screenwriting software. most producers have both final draft and movie magic and you won't have to worry about converting anything.
 

dpaterso

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PDF is pretty much standard for electronic submissions. Everyone can read this format without problems.

Asking you to sign a release form is pretty standard too, although the "common things" you mention like car chases seem a little unfocused, usually release form wording is more general, concerned with your accepting that any duplication of ideas and stories and characterization with existing properties the prodco is already handling is entirely coincidental.

If they come back and ask you for any money, to cover admin or reading fees or suchlike -- don't. Come back here and tell us. (A family member writing to you sounds kinda odd, and prompts me to mention this.)

Lastly -- good luck!

-Derek
 

Jennifer Robins

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Both the producer, male, and this woman who responded had the same last name so I assumed they were related some how.
The car chase I mentioned was just an example. The release form did have what you said about coincidence in it.
I was thinking about getting the soft ware, but I'm not sure if I will continue to write script. I am a novelist and write novels but this was so much fun, I really liked doing a script. In fact I have another one listed at Ink Tip also.
Thanks for your advise and good wishes.

Jennifer Robins
 

RainbowDragon

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send them the script
wait 3 or 4 weeks then call them up... say, "i'm jr calling for <<insert name>> about the status of my script <<insert name>>.
make sure you get the person's name you speak to and keep it on file.

if they're still reading it then either they haven't gotten to it yet or good, they're passing it around. ask for a specific date when you should call back.

if they've finished reading it they'll say, "we're passing" and then make sure you ask why and get specific reasons so you know what to do to make your next time that much more closer to success.

An alternative to calling to follow up is to e-mail or snail-mail--whatever mode they contacted you initially is probably best to follow up with. Calls tend to be discouraged unless specifically invited.

A lot of producers take longer (sometimes much longer) than 4 weeks to know whether your script is a pass or consider, and if it's a consider (or a pass, for that matter), you may never hear back from them. Keep trying to get it into more people's hands. You can follow up every 4-6 weeks with a courteous e-mail, but it's not likely to make much difference. If they love the script they'll be in touch with you.
 
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cynicallad

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Congrats! Are they signatory to the guild? Watch your six on that.
 

Jennifer Robins

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Congrats! Are they signatory to the guild? Watch your six on that.

I don't understand what you mean. This producer looks for scripts on Ink Tip and other places like many producers do there. It is where I have my work listed. All communications start through Ink Tip. I now have a direct contact with the production company, that is to say, now that they asked for my script, they contact me direct and me to them.
It is done through email right now.
Thanks again to all of you.

Jennifer Robins
 
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NikeeGoddess

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don't worry about being a member of the wga. it's a catch-22 you have to sell something first to become a member.

and i do prefer the phone call to emails - it's nice to have conversation about your script. they don't mind. phones are still used. and they pay someone to answer them. in 4 weeks - make the call.
 

workingwithletters

Inktip is kind of like shopping at a flea market, there are gems to find but there are more vagrants shopping than good stuff to buy.
 

cynicallad

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don't worry about being a member of the wga. it's a catch-22 you have to sell something first to become a member.

and i do prefer the phone call to emails - it's nice to have conversation about your script. they don't mind. phones are still used. and they pay someone to answer them. in 4 weeks - make the call.

What I mean is this - are they signatory with the writer's guild of america? Being (verifiably) a WGA signatory is the first litmus test of legitimacy.

And yes, you get into the guild if you sell something, but only if you sell it to a guild signatory producer. If you set something up with a non-guild producer, it doesn't count.

Check out www.wga.org.
 

Jennifer Robins

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cynicallad, I didn't know that but I did register my script with WGA. I don't have the producers phone number, but will try to get it after some time goes by. The only thing I wonder about, is they don't have a very large budget, $400,000 from what they listed in there search and my story may need some special effects, in fact I'm sure it will but with today's tech, that may not be a problem. It is thriller/horror.


Jennifer Robins
 

Hillgate

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You can make a thriller/horror for US$400,000 but it will have 'low production values.' I don't mean it will be a bad film - look at Blair Witch - but it will be a certain type of film.

Even if you're not yet a WGA member you can still ask for a WGA contract which I would do (ie a contract which incorporates the relevant WGA provisions).

Don't sign away your option for too long though: if it's US$400K give them 12 months to make it: at that level they won't have any name actors or expensive kit: sounds like DV so they'll be able to do it quickly. If you think yours is a US$3m script then you could hold out for a bigger budget prodco. They'll cheat some of the effects in post or 'cheat' it in the shoot because that's cheaper than trying to set them up for real (eg shooting scenes at night and showing part of what you've written).

Bottom line though: if they're serious movie-makers and have the money, go for it! do they have distribution links or distribution plan (even straight to DVD) yet? Worth asking as a litmus test of their seriousness.
 

Jennifer Robins

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I found the producer on the internet and the site lists the films he has done and the films he has directed for other production companies. It also had some of his other works listed and those in production right now. Some of it had ratings and they were all good. I did think mine would take a larger budget but I don't know enough about that to be sure.

Jennifer
 
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