Etiquette: Prodco sniffing around but not yet biting.

I would just sit back and wait. If they're a prodco that's required to abide by the WGA minimums you don't have anything to worry about, when they hand you a contract though you'd better have a lawyer lined up because they can and will screw you six ways from Sunday if they get the chance.

scriptwriter74 said:

I am looking to poll some individuals here about the etiquette for moving forward with a prodco. I have a WGA prodco who has said they like they script, and "are going to make this happen" and have even stated they think they already have a director because the script is "his cup of tea. I have had 7 personal emails so far with the owner of the Prodco, but no $$. What is the etiquette at this point? Do I lay back and wait for their move, or do I try to press them on when they might make a decision about an option? Do I pull the, I need an update because I have another potential lead?
How long does it realistically take for them to determine a rough enough budget to decide on an option. I am assuming it will be the WGA minimum anyway, as a first time writer.

Thanks for any opinions.

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Here is a fundamental rule.

You never wait on anybody. All the "interest" in the world isn't an offer, and until somebody has made an offer, there's no offer and no reason for you to slow down at all in your continued efforts to sell your script -- the goal of which isn't to get people "interested" or to get people talking about making offers or calculating budgets or all the rest -- but actually making you an offer -- hopefully one that involves them reaching into their pockets and giving you money, which is real, as opposed to promises and deferments and "interest," which are smoke.

If you have a lead, follow the lead. If you have five leads, pursue all five.

If one of those leads makes you an offer, then you have a real offer.

The other company didn't get there first, because they haven't made you an offer. They're just thinking about it -- and they'd love nothing better than for you to essentially pull your script off the market, as if their interest were the equivalent of an actual option.

It isn't. It's nothing. Even the offer, unless you accept it and the terms on both sides are actually executed, isn't anything.

They'll do what they'll do, based on what they consider to be in their own best interest.

You do the same. If somebody has expressed interest -- show them the script.

NMS

Rushing someone into a decision might have the opposite effect of the one you intended, so I personally wouldn't force them into a decision unless the other prodco's turn you down. I'd use the time to get a lawyer lined up.

I would keep in touch and keep it friendly, but ask "When's it gonna happen?" Don't feel bad about asking. This is the game. They want the ability to send the script around with no strings attached or money spent and you want to get cash or at least something in writing saying you will someday. It's a stupid game. No one will ever say "I love it and want to make it so here's money." They will always opt out for "I love it and lets see if I can get it made and then and only then give the writer cash."

Doesn't hurt to ask. They expect you to. They won't ask you and that's for sure.

I would email and or call them up and say I want an option so you can lock them into working on the property, otherwise tell them straight out that you will continue in sending it out and do so. don't wait for them to buy it. Send the script out and if someone else wants to buy it then go back to the others and tell them.

NOTE: Never, ever let a producer, director, prod co, etc... make suggestions on changing your script and then make those changes without an option, because once you incorporate any changes that someone suggested they are attached to the project and no longer need any option. Like it or not, that's the way it is...