Asked to not send to anyone else for 3 months!

[jenvon]

I just got a script request from Marty Katz Prod.-- Their submission release form kind of took me back as it stated (pasted below) if I submitted to them, I COULD NOT submit to anyone else for a three months! :eek: Is this normal? I just started sending out queries a few weeks ago and have had about 8 script request so far--I don't want to put a halt to that in exchange to have someone just read it. Has anyone else seen this in these forms?


[We agree not to submit the submitted material to any third party for three months after submission to Marty Katz Productions.] The submitted material has not been submitted to any third party and will not be submitted to any third party unless we give you 30 days written notice of our intent to do so.

[seh]

Keep submitting.
If someone else wants it, Mr. Katz will just have to move quicker.

[LIMAMA]

And you have to give them notice in writing? Uh, no thanks.

[RGF]

Ignore them and keep submitting. Everyone in town knows that you never stop submitting. The worst you can do is screw up the .000001 chance that they might want to option it.

[hscope]

Ask Marty how much he's proposing to pay for this three month option.

[sppeterson]

One trick you can use to sidestep this is to include a standard release form, such as the one on Absolute Write:

http://www.absolutewrite.com/screenwriting/release_form.htm

-- instead of MK's release form, and then submit normally.

[phatgirl]

Just be up front and honest - tell whoever requested that the script is already being read by others so you can't agree to that item. Then cross it off the release form.

[jenvon]

I actually called them to make sure I was reading that line correctly. I explained to the lady on the phone that I've had several script request and I've just started sending out queries--this was something I did not want to do. She said, "well, if nothing happens down the road, you might want to send it to us...we would love to read it." Huh?!? So, let me get this straight, they have a "system" (through their freeze on your script clause) that basically weeds out any script that that is getting a response--only the desperate need apply. This seems counterproductive to me. :confused:

[phatgirl]

That's ridiculous. Problem with this tact is that if you do tell them that everyone else has passed, then they won't want to read it.

I'd do what they asked though. Hold off on sending your script to them. Then if everyone else passes, sign the release form and send them the script (w/o mentioning that others have read and passed. They won't remember your phone call.)

[Clyyde]

Just tell them Eddie Kritzer already has a lock on the next 3 months...

But seriously speaking, I wouldn't even bother sending the script.

[ChipC]

That's weird. If you have that many other read requests I'd tell them no thanks. If you agree to that I wonder what other strange stuff they will come up with.

[La Femme Joyeuse]

He doesn't have a lot of credits but one is Reindeer Games, in 2000. I'd give them a pass; why would you work with a prodco which is going to hang onto your work, essentially freezing you in place for three months - with no money attached?

[SBScript]

He doesn't have a lot of credits but one is Reindeer Games, in 2000. I'd give them a pass; why would you work with a prodco which is going to hang onto your work, essentially freezing you in place for three months - with no money attached?

Love Ranch Producer
Revolver Destination Films, Samuel Goldwyn Films Producer 2005
The Great Raid Miramax Films Producer 2005
The Four Feathers Paramount Pictures Producer 2002
Impostor Dimension Films Producer 2001
Reindeer Games Dimension Films Producer 2000
Mr. Wrong Buena Vista Pictures Distribution Producer 1996
Man 2 Man Buena Vista Pictures Distribution Producer 1995
Lost in America Producer 1985

I would never agree to something as preposterous as they're asking, though.

[seh]

Ask Marty how much he's proposing to pay for this three month option.

This is PERFECT.

Post of the week, IMHO.