Du Jour Films

[peasblossom]

Just got a request to send a script of mine to them (I did a shot gun query to a lot of sites a few months ago). Have read all I can find here at Done Deal about the company. Wondered if there is any more up-to-date info about them? On their site they seem to have a lot of films "in development". Any recent info from anyone here?

Thanks!

[cabbagewater]

Yes peas you are not alone. They just requested my script from a query dated May 2008. Anybody have any info on them?

[KENTA]

Yeah, me too. What's the odds of that?

[sppeterson]

INT. DU JOUR FILMS - DAY

DEVELOPMENT EXEC
Oh! That's how you check email!

[Tom72]

Me, too. They requested all three queries I sent them in November. According to IMdb, they're a management company whose parent compnay Gypsy Entertainment has only one credit for a short. Their website has a release coming out. It's a period piece set in the Medieval ages.

[peasblossom]

Sppeterson - liked your intuitive glimpse into their day - to - day office work flow. So, I guess a five month turn around on e-mail isn't standard?

[cabbagewater]

Look at their "In Development" section, that says it all for me. I'll pass on sending them a hardcopy.

[peasblossom]

Yup - that's what I've decided as well. I may be a dreamer ( to quote Lennon) but I still have high hopes for my script.

[LIMAMA]

Word to the wise: I've been advised that this outfit asks for a "retainer fee" of some kind to "package" material....

[josephdluna]

LIMANA, you beat me to the punch. Just heard from someone else that they ask for "hundreds of dollars upfront to "offset" their costs of packaging your script, raising funding, etc."

They haven't asked me for money yet, but they want a hard copy, so I will ignore them this time.

I'm glad I have a few other read requests, some even legit.

[Mac H.]

They have all the hallmarks of scammers. Or incompetent dreamers.

The deal seems to be that you pay them $350, and in return you also give them a 30 day exclusive option.

It is so poorly thought out it is painful to think about. I certainly hope they are scammers. The alternative is too horrifying.

The list of projects 'In Development' is frankly embarrassing. They can't even spell simple words. Are they based in a non-English speaking country?

It would explain it.

Mac

[jcr62]

Yes peas you are not alone. They just requested my script from a query dated May 2008. Anybody have any info on them?

Same here! I sent a query letter mid 2008. Six month's went by and I got an e-mail saying they would like to read the screenplay. I sent it. Four weeks later I received another e-mail saying that they thought my work has "commercial potential." They included an agreement for me to sign and return to them with a check for $350. I questioned the up front money and inquired as to their track record (past success.) I received a 3rd e-mail fully explaining what they do for your $350 but not one mention of any past success. I passed! It's a scam, in my opinion. I also read on another message board where a writer sent them 3 scripts and all 3 were deemed "comercially viable." What's the chance of that?

[jannychan]

well I sent them my script and got an automated reply with a contract attached that I was supposed to sign and return to them.

When I replied to them that I expected any (legitimate) company that was interested in representing me to contact me by phone before expecting me to sign a contract I got a flaming response

"Or…since you have questioned and insulted the integrity of our company you may choose to ignore our interest in shopping
your script and move on to find another source which I believe in your case would be the best course of action for all concerned.

I was happy to have my first instincts confirmed by this discussion board.

[Robert L. Miller]

Hopefully, this will give you a better understanding of why we require a retainer for our services.

If you or another party can perform what’s listed below, we will waive the retainer and shop the screenplay on spec.

1. Write an above the line budget
2. Research every line and scene of the screenplay to find possible, product placement and or merchandising.
3. Attempt to obtain from vendors LOI’S for possible product placement and possible merchandising.
4. Write a Business Plan with a full budget (only for independent production and or private financing projects)
5. Create a talent wish list, e.g., director and main cast, and make contact with the talent or their reps to obtain their LOI’s
6. Research and compile, the demographics and comparables, in relation to the project
7. Put together a distribution strategy with P&A
8. Define financial projections, US and foreign, theatrical, DVD, cable, internet etc.
10. Duplicate a minimum of 5-10 scripts, script binding, package and deliver the scripts via: In Person-Messenger-FedEx-USPS.
11. Arrange for, and take meetings with individuals who can move the project to “green light”
12. With independent productions, there will be a much larger retainer for the creating of a Business Plan and writing a Full Budget.

To perform the above takes time and cost money. Taking into fact that, this is a very competitive business and there are no guarantees of the success in getting a deal we require a minimum retainer of $350.00 for us to prepare and shop your project.

We do not act as your agent
We do not act as your manager
We do not option your script

If paying a retainer troubles you, please don't question our integrity and degrade us. Just move on...and find someone to work for you on spec.

Learn the business and the mechanics of this business

Pass this on to your Entertainment Attorney and or Literary Agent as well as your blogging buddies.

Robert L. Miller, CEO
du Jour Films and Entertainment

[Ruprecht]

Hopefully, this will give you a better understanding of why we require a retainer for our services.

If you or another party can perform what’s listed below, we will waive the retainer and shop the screenplay on spec.

1. Write an above the line budget
2. Research every line and scene of the screenplay to find possible, product placement and or merchandising.
3. Attempt to obtain from vendors LOI’S for possible product placement and possible merchandising.
4. Write a Business Plan with a full budget (only for independent production and or private financing projects)
5. Create a talent wish list, e.g., director and main cast, and make contact with the talent or their reps to obtain their LOI’s
6. Research and compile, the demographics and comparables, in relation to the project
7. Put together a distribution strategy with P&A
8. Define financial projections, US and foreign, theatrical, DVD, cable, internet etc.
10. Duplicate a minimum of 5-10 scripts, script binding, package and deliver the scripts via: In Person-Messenger-FedEx-USPS.
11. Arrange for, and take meetings with individuals who can move the project to “green light”
12. With independent productions, there will be a much larger retainer for the creating of a Business Plan and writing a Full Budget.

To perform the above takes time and cost money. Taking into fact that, this is a very competitive business and there are no guarantees of the success in getting a deal we require a minimum retainer of $350.00 for us to prepare and shop your project.

We do not act as your agent
We do not act as your manager
We do not option your script

If paying a retainer troubles you, please don't question our integrity and degrade us. Just move on...and find someone to work for you on spec.

Learn the business and the mechanics of this business

Pass this on to your Entertainment Attorney and or Literary Agent as well as your blogging buddies.

Robert L. Miller, CEO
du Jour Films and Entertainment

I will do all this except for number 10. Like Pam said on "The Office" this week, "If I make the copy then I will become the girl who always makes the copies and then I am a receptionist again." I am paraphrasing. I will get you coffee though. So, do we have a deal.

[Robot17]

Pass. Moving on is an excellent idea.

I'm tired of this topic and it's been covered here and elsewhere.

Bot

[wcmartell]

I don't understand.

The list of things are what producers *do*. They option or purchase your script, and then put together the package and find financing. I've done this dozens of times - no producer has ever asked me for money or anything... the money is paid *to* the screenwriter. If a screenwriter were to do these things, it would make the screenwriter the producer... and then why would I need Du Jour Films?

If I pay the $350, does Du Jour *guarentee* that the script will be produced? Will they commit sepuku if they fail to find the financing within 30 days?

So, what movies have they produced? Film producers produce films. It's always fair to ask for credits or even a screener copy.

- Bill

[Robert L. Miller]

To the “bloggers” and “haters” who have put down our company (du Jour Films and Entertainment) because we refuse to extend our services to them for free.

In order to prepare and shop a screenplay there has to be time and money expended by someone.

Why should we spend the money and take the risk to prepare and shop your script? Unless your screenplay is the “Golden Grail” or something of similar value, it has NO VALUE to anyone other than to you, (the author), your friends and your family.

If we select to shop your screenplay it is only because we believe that your screenplay has a “commercial value” and that we can refine it, and add the “juice” to it, to make it marketable and attract the interest of a buyer so it will be read and moved to the next level and then hopefully get the greenlight for production.

Most of the “bloggers” and “haters” will not move beyond the vacuum that they now exist and thrive in. Their bloggers 'blogs" will probably be the only thing that they write to ever be published.

But there are some, who have the talent and the perseverance to become successful screenwriters. To those, and only those, may you succeed and realize your dreams.

These are our guidelines as to who is not... and who is...required to pay us a retainer:

If you are a production company or director with DGA membership and have a history of successful film productions or a screenwriter with WGA membership and a track record of successfully produced screenplays, we will waive the retainer and shop the screenplay on spec with your participation.

If you are not any of the above or do not have any of the above credentials and qualifications we will require a retainer to prepare and shop your screenplay.

OR

If you or another party can perform what’s listed below, we will waive the retainer and shop the screenplay on spec and you pay our out of pocket expenses.

1. Research every line and scene of the screenplay to explore product placement and or merchandising possibilities.

2. Attempt to obtain LOI’S for possible product placement and possible merchandising.

3. Create a talent wish list, e.g., director and main cast, and make contact with the talent agents, managers and in some case direct contact with the talent personally to obtain their LOI’s.

4. Research and compile, the demographics and comparables, in relation to the project.

5. Put together a distribution strategy including P&A.

6. Define financial projections, US and foreign, theatrical, DVD, cable, internet etc.

7. Write an above the line budget

8. Duplicate @ Fedex-Kinkos a minimum of 5-10 scripts, script binding, package and deliver the scripts via: In Person-Messenger-FedEx-USPS.

9. Arrange for, and take meetings with individuals who can move the project to “green light”

10. For independent productions and or private financing projects, there will be a much larger retainer considering that we must create a Complete Business Plan and write a Full Budget.


This is a very competitive business and there are no guarantees of the success in getting a deal on any project and especially a project if the writer in unknown with no track record or credentials.

We do not act as your agent

We do not act as your manager

We do not option your script

Kevin
du Jour Films and Entertainment

[Mac H.]

This is in rebuttal to the “bloggers” and “haters” who have put down our company because we won’t extend our services to them for free.But that is just attacking a straw man.

The objections to your services also include the fact that the list of projects 'in Development' are rather amateurish - to the extent that it looks like a poorly though out Nigerian scam.

Logline: (Title) depicts the triumph of good over evil and examines the lives of two individuals who fall victim to the disreputable cunning and greed of Peter Devour, the V.P. of Master Mind Productions, who has stolen the screenplay of screenwriter Sheena Anderson. Sheena will not rest until she brings him to justice and she joins forces with other victims of Peter Devour and they ban[sic] together to regain what is rightfully theirs and to enjoy the fruits of their labor.You have to admit that this logline is very poorly written ... certainly not of professional caliber.

You are taking $350 from people, yet didn't even have the basic competency of reading it first? If these are the kind of loglines you are sending out, it isn't surprising you haven't had anything made from your '$350' service yet!

If we select to shop your screenplay it is ONLY because we believe that your screenplay has a “commercial value” This is the bit we don't believe. Look at the example above. EVERY professional I have heard talking on the subject agrees that this kind of subject isn't commercial. Yes, I'm sure that they got a $1 option for it, but we both know that it isn't a good return on $350. If you are deeming badly written loglines about screenwriters as 'commercial', then it seems that you really don't have a good eye for what 'commercial' really is.

But there are some, who have exceptional talent and who deserve to have your screenplays read and moved on to green light.So, how many projects have been made ? Is there a single person who has paid you the money and ended up with a professional film made? ($1 options certainly don't count!)

Mac

[wcmartell]

This guy gets sillier with every post.

I'm interested in their "history of successful film productions" are.

Why should I pay $350 to them if every other producer - including a whole bunch with a history of successful film productions - charge nothing... in fact, they *pay you*. What am I getting for my money?

And - was that a real longline? That sounds like complete crap - no high concept, inside baseball story, no drama, not compelling in any way... it's like the worst logline I can imagine. But, I guess if you pay $350 they'll push anything.

And it's *Holy* Grail and Golden *Goose* (actually golden egg, but we won't quibble). Of course, a producer's job is to know what material is worth the investment of their time and option fee. But the "green light" thing makes me think Du Jour is just going to skip that step and go straight to production. They must have the millions just sitting in the bank waiting to make the film!

Who the hell are the "bloggers and haters"?

I'm really interested in their "history of successful film productions" are.

- Bill

[Code7Films]

Hopefully, this will give you a better understanding of why we require a retainer for our services.

If you or another party can perform what’s listed below, we will waive the retainer and shop the screenplay on spec.

1. Write an above the line budget
2. Research every line and scene of the screenplay to find possible, product placement and or merchandising.
3. Attempt to obtain from vendors LOI’S for possible product placement and possible merchandising.
4. Write a Business Plan with a full budget (only for independent production and or private financing projects)
5. Create a talent wish list, e.g., director and main cast, and make contact with the talent or their reps to obtain their LOI’s
6. Research and compile, the demographics and comparables, in relation to the project
7. Put together a distribution strategy with P&A
8. Define financial projections, US and foreign, theatrical, DVD, cable, internet etc.
10. Duplicate a minimum of 5-10 scripts, script binding, package and deliver the scripts via: In Person-Messenger-FedEx-USPS.
11. Arrange for, and take meetings with individuals who can move the project to “green light”
12. With independent productions, there will be a much larger retainer for the creating of a Business Plan and writing a Full Budget.

To perform the above takes time and cost money. Taking into fact that, this is a very competitive business and there are no guarantees of the success in getting a deal we require a minimum retainer of $350.00 for us to prepare and shop your project.

We do not act as your agent
We do not act as your manager
We do not option your script

If paying a retainer troubles you, please don't question our integrity and degrade us. Just move on...and find someone to work for you on spec.

Learn the business and the mechanics of this business

Pass this on to your Entertainment Attorney and or Literary Agent as well as your blogging buddies.

Robert L. Miller, CEO
du Jour Films and Entertainment

Go away and take your scam with you. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[Robert L. Miller]

To the “bloggers” and “haters” who have put down our company (du Jour Films and Entertainment) because we refuse to extend our services to them for free.

In order to prepare and shop a screenplay there has to be time and money expended by someone.

Why should we spend the money and take the risk to prepare and shop your script? Unless your screenplay is the “Golden Grail” or something of similar value, it has NO VALUE to anyone other than to you, (the author), your friends and your family.

If we select to shop your screenplay it is only because we believe that your screenplay has a “commercial value” and that we can refine it, and add the “juice” to it, to make it marketable and attract the interest of a buyer so it will be read and moved to the next level and then hopefully get the greenlight for production.

Most of the “bloggers” and “haters” will not move beyond the vacuum that they now exist and thrive in. Their bloggers 'blogs" will probably be the only thing that they write to ever be published.

But there are some, who have the talent and the perseverance to become successful screenwriters. To those, and only those, may you succeed and realize your dreams.

These are our guidelines as to who is not...
and who is...
required to pay us a retainer:


If you are a production company or director with DGA membership and have a history of successful film productions or a screenwriter with WGA membership and a track record of successfully produced screenplays, we will waive the retainer and shop the screenplay on spec with your participation.

If you are not any of the above or do not have any of the above credentials and qualifications we will require a retainer to prepare and shop your screenplay.

OR

If you or another party can perform what’s listed below, we will waive the retainer and shop the screenplay on spec and you pay our out of pocket expenses.

1. Research every line and scene of the screenplay to explore product placement and or merchandising possibilities.
2. Attempt to obtain LOI’S for possible product placement and possible merchandising.
3. Create a talent wish list, e.g., director and main cast, and make contact with the talent agents, managers and in some case direct contact with the talent personally to obtain their LOI’s.
4. Research and compile, the demographics and comparables, in relation to the project.
5. Put together a distribution strategy including P&A.
6. Define financial projections, US and foreign, theatrical, DVD, cable, internet etc.
7. Write an above the line budget
8. Duplicate @ Fedex-Kinkos a minimum of 5-10 scripts, script binding, package and deliver the scripts via: In Person-Messenger-FedEx-USPS.
9. Arrange for, and take meetings with individuals who can move the project to “green light”
10. Forindependent productions and or private financing projects, there will be a much larger retainer considering that we must create a Complete Business Plan and write a Full Budget.

This is a very competitive business and there are no guarantees of the success in getting a deal on any project and especially a project if the writer in unknown with no track record or credentials.

We do not act as your agent
We do not act as your manager
We do not option your script

[cdn]

Was that guy's post done on a Commodore 64 ?

He doesn't get the old adage that it takes money to make money. Credibility = zero. I hope they close this thread soon.

[Done Deal Pro]

There's been enough on this topic. Please find something new to talk about. Thanks.