Stupid Question about Script Sales

[santino2699]

Do ALL script sales get listed in the trades?

Also, for people who have actually sold a script...how long does it usually take for a studio to notify the trades of a signed contract? Is it the day that they buy it? Or more like 2 to 4 weeks after they have inked the deal and done their own background checks on the idea. (I.e. make sure that it is not copywritten by someone else, etc.)

Any response is greatly welcomed.
thanks
S

[Done Deal Pro]

All script deals are not reported by any source. It's impossible to track everything. There are tons of small deals (options, sales) made for scripts, ideas, etc. everyday that no one will ever hear about it. Or in some cases people just don't want you to know about the story they have found.

For the most part the notices usually show up at least a couple of weeks after everything has been taken care of. Sometimes the deal might be listed quickly if there was a bidding war and the winner wants to brag. Or in some cases it may be months before word ever gets out. Just varies. I had an insider report a deal to me one time that I didn't list right away because they couldn't give me quite enough info to make it worth reporting. Three plus months later it was reported in the trades along with the logline they couldn't tell us about at the time. That's when we finally listed/logged it.

And for this reason, we use "Logged" rather than "Date" for each deal we list. "Logged" indicates when we reported/heard about it. It'd be too tough to ever try to figure out when the deal truly was completed without seeing the contracts.

[Minibrain]

No, a significant number of deals never get reported in the trades.

Anybody can call up a trade and report a deal. Studios actually don't do it a lot. Agents and production companies make most of the calls. Then, the trade reporter confirms the deal with the studio.

And nobody waits until the contracts are signed. Deals are announced when the terms have been agreed to.

The contracts are sometimes signed months later.

[santino2699]

Good info, guys. Thanks.

In a related issue, how long has it typically taken those of you that have sold things to receive payment?

I'm assuming that's closer to a month or so?

S

[SCRYPTREADER]

Good info, guys. Thanks.

In a related issue, how long has it typically taken those of you that have sold things to receive payment?

I'm assuming that's closer to a month or so?

S

payment times vary and are often negotiated and scheduled. my wife works on many feature films and in most cases she does not receive her first check until 3 weeks in to a 10-12 week shoot... this check however may be for 1/3 orf the total.

when she does commercials, she usually receives payment within one week of the shooting date. in tv, she gets paid weekly after the fourth week.

i on the other hand am finding out for the very first time about option money and such... i have reached my deal in principal and will receieve the agreed upon amount the day i sign the option agreement. i have no idea if that is standard or not. i am told the publicist for the buyer is anxious to get the word out that the buyer is in possession of this and another project. everyone likes to see their name in print.

finally, as for announcement dates, obvioulsy the previous responders know what they are talking about and to the tiny extent that i know, i agree with everything that has been said. as an addendum i would offer that another engine that drives the "announcement" date train are publicists... if a studio or buyer believes it is advantageous to announce on a certain date or in a certain way, publicicsts often help make that happen.

i know it aint much but its all i got. good luck.

[Minibrain]

Purple's exactly right.

Getting paid in a month? That would be a record for me. Generally more like three months from the time the deal's agreed to.

But on one project, it was a full year.

Contracts can go back and forth for months -- even when nearly everything is settled.

And when you're trying to close a deal that has several major producers involved? Oh boy oh boy, just get going on another project. You've got a while to wait.

Another great thing about series TV -- it tends to move along fast.

[santino2699]

Thanks for the info guys.

Purple..I pm'd you, too.

Later
S