This is a charityware website in aid of Comic Relief. Please make a donation.
Compilation © Robin Kelly 2001 - 2003
Edited and compiled by Robin Kelly exclusively for Writing for Performance
SHOOTING PEOPLE - UK SCREENWRITERS NETWORK
Supported by The Script Factory
To subscribe, e-mail: writers-join@shootingpeople.org
-----------------------------------------------
From: Dave Eisenstark
Subject: Re: When a script gets optioned
"Is an 'option' something that is simply a legal agreement that you can't take your script to anywhere else while the person who has the option tries to gain interest and funding for it?"
That's part of it. It should also state exactly what happens if the option is exercised. In other words, what's your compensation if they do find funding? This purchase price ought to have a premium attached, since they've had the property for little risk to them for a period of time. They're likely to take your script to numerous companies in search of financing, after which your script will have been "shopped around" and could be unmarketable since there are a finite number of companies which finance films. So take a long, critical look at the people who want to option your script and see if anyone is likely to bet large sums of money on them.
"Can the writer make themselves entitled to a payment for the option etc?"
Yes, you should get ten percent of the purchase price for a year's option. If they balk, offer five percent for six months. But ask for SOMETHING. Too many would-be producers (who must have read the same book) accumulate a stack of free script-options, hoping to attach themselves to something somehow. If you're going to take a chance on them, they should at least risk a couple weeks rent on you. That said, I think it's better to have someone out there hustling your script than not, so weigh the risks accordingly. I once gave a well-known director a free one-day option to take a script to a major studio. No sale, but that's a chance I'd take any day.
Also make sure you have a "no rewrite" clause in your contract. Too often would-be producers decide after not making a sale right off that your script needs "fixing"...by their brother-in-law, "significant other," or similar unqualified individual. Then this butchered monstrosity goes out with your name on it to the people you'd eventually like to be noticed by. Or the producer takes your name off it by then, since "my brother-in-law really wrote it anyway."
All this should be written down. There are standard contracts available on the web and in books and elsewhere. I can probably e-mail one if you need it. If your producer balks at a written contract, walk away. And feel free to rewrite those standard contracts--they're usually written by the production company, intended to protect THEM, not you. It's nice to have an attorney or an agent for this. One good way to GET an agent is to call and ask them to help you negotiate this option.
All the other clauses regarding credits, the right to rewrite, who owns the sequel rights, remake rights, TV rights, you name it, also should be in the contract. In other words, an option is little different than an actual sale as far as the contract goes; both you and the producer should know exactly what you're agreeing to.
I hope this helps. Congratulations--this is a good problem to have.
-----------------------------------------------
From: D Jacobsen, Vista Films
Subject: Options
Please post this addendum to the responses on options:
An option is purely the right to purchase something in the future (with all the details of that future purchase agreed on and included either in the option or in a separate agreement). Contrary to what somebody mentioned on this list, an option does not remove that material from the market place. You may continue to show the optioned
material to other producers etc. You must inform them that the material is under option and for how long. They may wish to be included, co-produce, get in bed with your producer, or buy it from them once the option comes up for renewal.
If in doubt, check with The Writer's Guild and The Writer's Guild of GB.
-----------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------
From: Dash
Subject: US paper
"My advice is: use A4. 1) The yanks know we don't have US letter and don't expect us to go to great lengths to get hold of it. B) It's only very slightly different in size. And C), if you're script is good enough, no-one's going to say, hang on, we can't shoot this, it's on A4!"
While I would agree in part, our files, filing cabinets and copiers are set up for smaller paper. As a Brit living in the US it is infuriating that anything I get whilst in Blighty is too large to fit into my file cabinets, also if I am sending a script out it's a pain to copy from the larger size. Why give anyone a reason to put off reading your work?
-----------------------------------------------
From: Matt Hurst
Subject: paper
I know the US obsesses over stuff like this, but I've heard US producers etc. say that if you're from the UK they'll accept A4, which is after all not *that* different. Still works out at about a page a minute, which I'm guessing is why they've asked for Letter paper. However you could probably get some Letter paper from www.screenwritersstore.co.uk - based in Soho - if you're desperate.
-----------------------------------------------
From: Rinaldo Quacquarini, Screenwriter's Store
Subject: US Quarto Paper
If you do intend sending your unsolicited screenplay to the US, it WILL make a difference if it is submitted in the correct format. And that includes the correct paper size, viz US quarto A4. UK A4 is US LEGAL PAPER size. Not the same thing.
With studios over there receiving thousands of unsolicited screenplays each week, why disadvantage yourself by not following the simplest of format requirements. Golden Rule: It must be US A4, 3 hole punched and bound with "brads" in the first and third hole. Middle one stays open. Read anyone from Syd Field to Cole and Haag on formatting.
There are various places you can get this paper. And before anyone thinks that we're only suggesting you use this so that we can make £1.50 profit by selling you a ream of this paper, even your local stationer should be able to supply you.
Like he said "why give anyone a reason to put off reading your work?" Indeed.
-----------------------------------------------
From: Mark Johnson, http://www.escapepictures.com
Subject: Re: USA letter size paper
The Screenwriters Store has USA size paper with three holes drilled, I was advised to only put brads in the top and bottom hole, leaving the middle one empty (you don't need three anyway - a bit of anal retentivity on the part of the driller I think.
-----------------------------------------------
From: Paul Sattin, Sapex
Subject: US PAPER available in UK from SAPEX
Sapex can supply pre-drilled US Am'Q/8.5x11" paper and covers with window for title.
Please feel free to phone or email us
Our Website has had a major re-vamp - if you have the time,
please 'click' here: <http://www.sapex.co.uk/>
Paul Sattin
SAPEX - The Script House
E.mail: scripts@sapex.co.uk
Voice: +44 (0)20-8236-1600
Fax: +44 (0)20-8236 1591
URL: <http://www.sapex.co.uk/>
Supplier of SCREENWRITER & FINAL DRAFT
-----------------------------------------------
From: Geoff Harris
Subject: USA Letter size paper
I doubt very much if anyone in the States likely to receive a script from a Brit writer will be bothered what size paper it's on!
Hopefully they'll be more interested in what's written on it!
-----------------------------------------------
From: Charles Shell
Subject: USA letter size paper
As far as I can ascertain ready cut USA letter size paper is impossible to buy in the UK. The way round this is to go to any high street print shop who will happily cut down a ream of A2. The cost on top of the price of the paper is usually a couple of pounds. Don't forget that you're going to need those holes punched in the appropriate places so it may be best to get the print shop to do this also. And get a few sheets of cover paper done while you're at it!
I don't think it's vital for a Brit to send letter size paper to the USA but it's probably advisable to present your work in an industry standard format.
-----------------------------------------------
From: Darren Tunstall
Subject: US paper size
Just to throw in my tuppence ha'penny on this subject - before shelling out large amounts of money to get your US A4-size paper from a specialist, you should try what I do: use your local industrial supplier. They will probably be able to cut down a ream of A2 with no wastage, which gives you a big box of paper. I also buy A2 size card stock from my local stationers and cut it to size myself for the covers, I use a single hole puncher, and metal fasteners are not hard to get hold of. It saves money for me because it cuts out delivery costs, and I've been able to haggle with my local supplier to get a reasonable price. It may still work out cheaper for you to use one of the suppliers who've advertised here, but it's worth investigating your local area first.
For the record, American A4 size means 81/2 inches by 11 inches, and you're better off going to the trouble of using it, because it gives them one less reason to reject your work.
-----------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------