Producer doesn't option scripts

[streaker12345]

A producer read one of my scripts and likes it. He thinks he can get it made into a film but doesn't option scripts. He said he spends all his money of development. Does this sound right? Should I be expecting any kind of cash up front? Any thoughts?

[nathanq]

So then what is he asking of you? To buy it outright, or does he want exclusive rights to the script without paying a cent?

[wcmartell]

Plus - who is the producer and what have they produced?

I can get business cards made that say I'm a producer for about $20.

- Bill

[sbbn]

Originally Posted by wcmartell

Plus - who is the producer and what have they produced?

I can get business cards made that say I'm a producer for about $20.

- Bill

I can get you a better deal on business cards. I can make you a producer for about half your current $20 rate.

[SabreScribe]

You can either enlighten the man by letting him know that optioning is part of development, or you can tell him he can go right ahead and work his magic, but meanwhile you're going to keep looking for a producer who likes the script enough to put his money where his mouth is.

Money is trust.
Money is commitment.
Money is incentive.

If you're ramen-for-blood desperate, there's always a pay-or-play type penalty clause you could sign, but that's like bringing an ostrich to a drug deal - it's not often practiced in this situation, if things go to sh!t it's not going to save you, and frankly it shouldn't come to this in the first place.

[SoCalScribe]

Originally Posted by streaker12345

A producer read one of my scripts and likes it. He thinks he can get it made into a film but doesn't option scripts. He said he spends all his money of development. Does this sound right? Should I be expecting any kind of cash up front? Any thoughts?

I'm a little confused by his position. How does he develop material if he doesn't acquire the rights to develop it? Part of the development process is optioning the rights in order to have the right to develop the material.

I would raise the following two issues:

1. If he spends his money on development, is he going to pay you to rewrite your own script which he has not optioned? (That's a legitimate development expense.)

2. If he doesn't option the rights, do you retain exclusive right to your script and any subsequent versions that are written at his direction? (The answer should be yes.)

IMO, it's incredibly stupid for a producer not to option a screenplay because it means he then has to negotiate with you later on a purchase price if things move forward, and that gives you significant leverage in the negotiation. Sure, maybe the odds are in favor of nothing happening, but if he's serious about the project why would he hamstring himself by not tying up the rights for the property he's developing?

But hey, if he can give you a clear rationale and is willing to pay you to write without securing the rights... that's all upside for you.

[Kwinnky]

Originally Posted by streaker12345

A producer read one of my scripts and likes it. He thinks he can get it made into a film but doesn't option scripts. He said he spends all his money of development. Does this sound right? Should I be expecting any kind of cash up front? Any thoughts?

This is me when I read this.

[Manchester]

Originally Posted by Kwinnky

This is me when I read this.

Are you the kid or the fish?

[Kwinnky]

Originally Posted by Manchester

Are you the kid or the fish?

Yes.

[JimVines]

If a producer is legit -- if he's sincere in his desire to get your script off the ground -- if he has any respect whatsoever for the writer -- he'll come up with some option cash.

Here are a couple of pertinent entries from my blog that might be of interest:


http://theworkingscreenwriter.blogsp...ar-option.html

http://theworkingscreenwriter.blogsp...?q=option+deal