Shark Alert

[twobradjoe]

Just thought I'd pass on an experience I had this week. After months of trying to sell my script, I posted it on craiglist. It's the last step before I give up on a screenplay.

I received interest from a producer almost immediately. She was very complimentary about the script and said she had investors/talent that it would be perfect for. Then she requested $5k to "develop" it. Sigh

It's funny. I saw it coming but I played along anyhow. She was just too glowing and gushy from the first email. Big red flag. It took her a while, she was always careful to leave encouraging words and vague promises of contacts without any details, but she finally asked for some $'s.

Is it okay to post the names of these preditors on here or is there a rule against it?

By the way, I did get a couple read requests from serious producers so don't write off craiglist completely.

Thanks

[doubler83]

You didn't pay any money did you?

[sasqits]

After months of trying to sell my script, I posted it on craiglist. It's the last step before I give up on a screenplay.



This is going to make a lot of people here laugh. Months?!

Sure go ahead and post the names.

[twobradjoe]

You didn't pay any money did you?

No. No. Like I said, saw it coming from the outset. Treated it like a learning experience. There has been several threads about this type of scam before and this one seemed pretty typical. But it was interesting to watch it unfold.

[rockridesva]

I think we should ALL always try to post names. I can understand times when legally we simply can not, but if we are truly a board of writers out to help each other, or even just know there are others out there, I think we should always try to post names/experiences, etc. I know I've always posted names when I could, and I try to make an effort to assist when I can because people did it for me on my way up. And just to be sure it never shows up on a google search (though google doesn't pick up the boards does it Will?) put a space between the name. Example Cli nt East wood.

And thank god you walked away from that. Because there is always an unfortunate amount of people that don't know any better and fall into it.

[ComicBent]

My advice would be not to post names.

It would be like naming a couple of Huns in Attila's army. There will be legions of these people lurking out there, waiting to con somebody into paying money.

[rockridesva]

My advice would be not to post names.

It would be like naming a couple of Huns in Attila's army. There will be legions of these people lurking out there, waiting to con somebody into paying money.


But why not name some of them??

[Cesahr]

Name it! Where did you post your ad, just curious? In which category I mean?

[twobradjoe]

I'm Canadian so I posted in the Vancouver and Toronto film/TV/video jobs section. The producer was from LA though. Her name is Gwen O'Donnell (http://www.warehamodonnell.com (javascript:ol('http://www.warehamodonnell.com');)).

[billmarq]

Will is the final arbiter of such things, but I believe the rule is that if you choose to name someone, the protocol is to say what happened, and not post something like, "Watch out for So-and-so, he is a crook."

But, as Comicbent says, in cases such as this it isn't really necessary. The thing is to avoid ANYONE who asks for money from a writer. I believe that is even illegal in California for licensed agents, but management companies can get away with it. Don't fall for it.

[Marine66]

Welcome to LA. Lot's of companies advertise that they can get you into acting, modeling, broadcasting, etc. You're flattered by their initial interest, then you find out the first thing they want from you is $$$$. It's not at all uncommon. I'd be careful about calling anyone a crook on the Internet.

[TwoBitHack]

Hey Joe- as you already know, you were definitely be set up for a con if she was asking for $5K. That is outrageous. Your screenplay can be developed much more cheaply. I would be glad to do it for $3K. Keep that bogus $2K markup for yourself.

[CITIZENWELLS]

Got same problem with some guy I thought was serious...He had credits on IMDB, has been an important exec for FOX... Was really excited about it. I asked my attorney to talk to that guy and found out he wanted big bux upfront. I was not sure I sent the script but in his email he was like he loved it. My attorney got back to me telling me he didn't read the script!

[gesztenye]

It would be like naming a couple of Huns in Attila's army.

like Nemere or Gyölte? those were fine men. they go nowhere near to people preying on hope.

[BROUGHCUT]

Watch out for Stephan Grey, he is a crook.