Comments on: 10 things to think about when you option your screenplay

By: melanie

melanie — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:34:42 +0000

Hi, im writing as i have entered a contract for a production, that says they can terminate my contract whenever but nothing stated from my side. I want to leave as I am unable to commit after all. So I can just leave right? There is nothing stating my terms if I want to end the contract.

By: ilya rozden

ilya rozden — Tue, 07 May 2013 06:30:55 +0000

Hi there,

Do you have links to any legal templates for options on scripts?

By: Edward Amaral

Edward Amaral — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 22:30:57 +0000

Sorry but I left out one thing…. 99% of the incidents actually happened… This change anything?

By: Edward Amaral

Edward Amaral — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 18:05:43 +0000

Thanks. Chip

By: Chip Street

Chip Street — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 23:26:31 +0000

Sorry, Edward, but I really don’t know… a lawyer would.

As a non-lawyer, I would guess the answer is “no” you don’t need rights. But if you use the “based on true events” angle to pitch it, the first question from a prodco may be “do you have the rights” and then what?

I’d ask a legal expert.

By: Edward Amaral

Edward Amaral — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 17:45:19 +0000

On my last post. I know what you would say. Talk to your lawyer. Im more interested in your professional opinion on weather I should seek all rights since I spent a year of my life writing it and if so do you think I would run into legal issues based on the scenario I described.

By: John F. Gonzalez

John F. Gonzalez — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 18:29:00 +0000

Thanks for the Heads Up Chip your the Greatest! It is always awesome to run into much needed knowledge,we do not always know it all! There will always be those who will try to “prey” on the innocent that may not know what a good and smart approach should be to get to the next level.Thank you once again,I appreciate the information and I will keep it close by…Sincerely yours, John F. Gonzalez. http://www.MyFamilyvsMarineCorp.com

By: Edward Amaral

Edward Amaral — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 19:09:54 +0000

Hey thanks for the reply. I checked out the link and read the story. That story sounds far more believable than the underdog story.

By: Edward Amaral

Edward Amaral — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 23:30:59 +0000

I just finished a script in which the entirety is based on true life story events of two individuals that I know. However time chronological order of events have been changed and 75% of what actually happens and 99.9% of dialog has been fabricated and embellished along with name changes to protect anonymity. Would an option or rights to story still be in order to the real life individuals on this scenario? Please advise.

By: Chip Street

Chip Street — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 20:42:30 +0000

It’s unclear if Stallone turned down early offers or held out for the starring role. Much of the “Rocky lore” may be an apocryphal tale, as generated by the studio.

http://www.hollywoodtoday.net/2006/12/20/rocky-story-revealed-a-studio-myth/ (I’m still looking for corroboration for this story)

According to American Film Institute, “Stallone was awarded one percent of the gross for writing the film and two percent of the gross for acting in it.”.

http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=53862

That equity may be where the 350K figure comes from. But it doesn’t amount to a cash payment of “35% of budget”. It amounts to possibly a zero dollar purchase (until one of us can find a reliable source indicating an up front payment) against an equity stake.

So it was a great “gamble”, not “investment”, for Stallone. The studio, on the other hand, took no gamble. They got an automatic greenlight on any project under 1MM, and a small enough budget to sell to TV if they needed to, and still recoup their losses. Star or no star. Assuming the above story is accurate.