Residuals???

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  • Residuals???

    I just listened to Scriptnotes podcast. John admitted he's made 2.7 mil from residuals off Charlie's Angels. Holy crap! Fo realz? This is an area I'm not well versed. I sold a movie (not mine) for a lot of money. Is there a way for me to learn how much the residuals have been to date? I'm just super curious how much money I made this writer at this point (I get it was 100% them, I just said no to bad offers).

    We basically got half a mil in commission for this particular film, so that tells you what we sold it for.

    This particular film up for Oscar/Globe a few years ago for best pic. That had to help. I know most residuals come in the first few years I just don't know how to specifically calculate this. Again, not trying to grandstand, but holy crap, did I make this person like 7 million bucks? (Don't worry, I'm currently a loser)

    I would have never thought 2.7 mil for Charlie's Angels. WTF!? Seriously??
    Bruh, fukkin *smooches*! Feel me? Ha!

  • #2
    Re: Residuals???

    DVDs used to be lucrative enough to basically support the mid-level market for studios so that number, over 15 years, probably makes sense -- though I did have to rewind it myself just to confirm i heard what i thought i heard (I think it was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory).

    then the bottom dropped out of the whole market with online streaming

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    • #3
      Re: Residuals???

      Originally posted by JoeBanks View Post
      DVDs used to be lucrative enough to basically support the mid-level market for studios so that number, over 15 years, probably makes sense -- though I did have to rewind it myself just to confirm i heard what i thought i heard (I think it was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory).

      then the bottom dropped out of the whole market with online streaming
      You may be right, may have been Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I was like for friggin real? Holy crap!
      Bruh, fukkin *smooches*! Feel me? Ha!

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      • #4
        Re: Residuals???

        I'm still getting Pornhub residuals for penning Charlie's Angels and the Chocolate Factory, fwiw.

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        • #5
          Re: Residuals???

          I love scriptnotes, but man do we need a podcast of up and coming screenwriters... they are so A list and top it's hilarious sometimes when they have discussions and I'm like the 1000 or so writers who actually work are really going to respond to this podcast....

          John just left his agent who he loves for Verve and I found that so funny. He was so matter of fact about it, but it was super weird to me listening since he's WGA board member right now and just seems like bad timing. Also isn't he doing so well that why the hell would you leave your agent for another agent?

          Also since we are at this stage, is Verve allowed to make deals because they signed that piece of paper? Is that the reason? Or can he still not work with the agent he just signed with? Also that's not a great sign that someone on the inside jumped shipped from big 4 agency to smaller place... not to mention an A list person just moved to a lower agency and that moves everyone down the list of the agency. So I love John. He should do what he wants. But it's the first thing John did that gave me any pause to think, wait, was that the right thing to do?

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          • #6
            Re: Residuals???

            Originally posted by Satriales View Post
            I'm still getting Pornhub residuals for penning Charlie's Angels and the Chocolate Factory, fwiw.
            Ha! I've yanked it to that flick many times. Great set pieces!
            Bruh, fukkin *smooches*! Feel me? Ha!

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Residuals???

              Originally posted by Bono View Post
              I love scriptnotes, but man do we need a podcast of up and coming screenwriters... they are so A list and top it's hilarious sometimes when they have discussions and I'm like the 1000 or so writers who actually work are really going to respond to this podcast....

              John just left his agent who he loves for Verve and I found that so funny. He was so matter of fact about it, but it was super weird to me listening since he's WGA board member right now and just seems like bad timing. Also isn't he doing so well that why the hell would you leave your agent for another agent?

              Also since we are at this stage, is Verve allowed to make deals because they signed that piece of paper? Is that the reason? Or can he still not work with the agent he just signed with? Also that's not a great sign that someone on the inside jumped shipped from big 4 agency to smaller place... not to mention an A list person just moved to a lower agency and that moves everyone down the list of the agency. So I love John. He should do what he wants. But it's the first thing John did that gave me any pause to think, wait, was that the right thing to do?
              Agreed! I think the same thing while listening to some of their discussions. I'm like "Who is this particular podcast for? 100 people?"

              While I dig the show (and think Craig is hilarious, and John in his bowtie and knickers kinda way) they're a little out of touch with the up-and-comers IMO. The industry is WAY harder to break into now, and I don't believe it's because our writing is worse than what they started with. I grew up in the "CAA family", at least that's what I was told for years by their agents. I went to their christmas parties, bar mitzvahs, baby showers, cocktail parties, dinner parties, screenings, client signings, client readings (book soup), charity events (painting Venice high School - yeah, that one flower is my handy work), general house hangs, after work drinks with other agents, Oscar/Globe parties, premiers, etc. I knew these super agents when they were little kids still in the mail room. Brian Lord has held the door for me more than once (classy guy), been to Richard Lovett's house. Drop by CAA to hang in my wife's office a billion times. Finally got repped there. Whatever else...

              POINT: The industry is SUPER, SUPER, SUPER different since those two broke in. I saw the evolution from a unique insidery perspective.

              Yeah, hearing John's story of how he sorta just slipped over to Verve I was like WHAT?? For two reasons. 1) I'm trying to get with Verve now, if John has to call in a favor for an intro, dude, I stand zero chance. 2) Why is he repping up right now? Odd timing IMO. Agreed, moves like that make it WAY harder (IMO) for us to get signed there. If I'm Verve and people like that are coming to me, I'm not gonna sign 'nobody' writers. I don't mean to be a d!ck, but I think John kinda fukked us with that move.

              Here's what I think should happen: There should be a secret list that goes out to the shining star newer young agents asking who wants to start their own boutique agency. I think the timing couldn't be better for a mutiny.

              Resolution didn't work because Jeff Berg spent WAY TOO MUCH poaching people who didn't really want to work hard. My ex was one of them. She'd get home and be like "I don't get what's going on, all the million dollar agents are playing on facebook all day." He literally DOUBLED everyone's salaries. Or close to it. You're making 500k at CAA and he offers you 800k? Dude, bye! Yet the whole time I'm like "Bruh, this agency is dead in a year. Guarantee it!"

              So... not that. Talking a young and hungry agency. And make it known you're gonna hustle ass!
              Bruh, fukkin *smooches*! Feel me? Ha!

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              • #8
                Re: Residuals???

                Oops... meant to also agree that I would dig a podcast done by people on the cusp. We have WAY different problems than A-list writers. We're walking (most of us) into a room with zero produced credits. Meaning, no one trusts us. That's a far different place to begin a meeting, general or otherwise. I'd like to hear how these cusp writers are networking, who they're pitching to, etc. Just generally the obstacles they're facing, because I am certain they are very different obstacles than Craig and John.

                Like... do producers ghost them? I doubt it.
                Bruh, fukkin *smooches*! Feel me? Ha!

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Residuals???

                  Originally posted by GucciGhostXXX View Post
                  Yeah, hearing John's story of how he sorta just slipped over to Verve I was like WHAT?? For two reasons. 1) I'm trying to get with Verve now, if John has to call in a favor for an intro, dude, I stand zero chance. 2) Why is he repping up right now? Odd timing IMO. Agreed, moves like that make it WAY harder (IMO) for us to get signed there. If I'm Verve and people like that are coming to me, I'm not gonna sign 'nobody' writers. I don't mean to be a d!ck, but I think John kinda fukked us with that move.
                  I'm not sure why you guys think this was "odd timing" on John's part. Verve signed the CoC, they're the only game in town right now, and if writers like John begin defecting from other agencies to Verve, it'll put immense pressure on the big four to make a deal with the Guild. That's why he did what he did: he doesn't "need" an agent, no, but it was a way of walking the walk in the name of solidarity.

                  And as to the other part, Verve reached out to me, and believe me, I'm nowhere neeeeeeeear John August status. So they're not just going for A-listers. Within the bounds of their taste, they want to rep as many working writers of all levels as they can handle.

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                  • #10
                    Re: Residuals???

                    Originally posted by AnyOtherName View Post
                    I'm not sure why you guys think this was "odd timing" on John's part. Verve signed the CoC, they're the only game in town right now, and if writers like John begin defecting from other agencies to Verve, it'll put immense pressure on the big four to make a deal with the Guild. That's why he did what he did: he doesn't "need" an agent, no, but it was a way of walking the walk in the name of solidarity.

                    And as to the other part, Verve reached out to me, and believe me, I'm nowhere neeeeeeeear John August status. So they're not just going for A-listers. Within the bounds of their taste, they want to rep as many working writers of all levels as they can handle.
                    Hmmm IDK. I get what you're saying. And it's true there's so many angles to this mess.

                    But... what's his ex-agent think now? I'd be like "Seriously dude? 20 years and you're gone? Bro, I've been through hell with/for you! WTF!? I didn't do this, the partners did." Agents take it very personally when you leave, especially if they've essentially built you. We had a writer client bounce literally ONE MONTH after making them the biggest deal of the year. I couldn't believe it. The reason given "under serviced." You have got to be frigging kidding me. We just got you 3 mil 30 days ago. Whatever, I know the real reason, and that ain't it. Just saying, when people leave it stings, a lot!

                    I'm not sure it helps the cause. I think his ex-agent is probably like, well screw it then. Let's not sign it. Let's just not rep writers and dig in hard to keep packaging. In fact, that wouldn't surprise me if the bigs just say "Okay, new game, we no longer rep writers. Happy? We win!"

                    Okay, so you're with Verve. You say you're no where near JA level, but you have to be somewhat heat worthy if THEY'RE gonna reach out to YOU, no? Out of curiosity, was this before this mess or during? I'm guessing you're staffed on a good show or hot off the blacklist or something? Or are you beyond that... showrunner?
                    Bruh, fukkin *smooches*! Feel me? Ha!

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Residuals???

                      Originally posted by GucciGhostXXX View Post
                      Hmmm IDK. I get what you're saying. And it's true there's so many angles to this mess.

                      But... what's his ex-agent think now? I'd be like "Seriously dude? 20 years and you're gone? Bro, I've been through hell with/for you! WTF!? I didn't do this, the partners did." Agents take it very personally when you leave, especially if they've essentially built you. We had a writer client bounce literally ONE MONTH after making them the biggest deal of the year. I couldn't believe it. The reason given "under serviced." You have got to be frigging kidding me. We just got you 3 mil 30 days ago. Whatever, I know the real reason, and that ain't it. Just saying, when people leave it stings, a lot!

                      I'm not sure it helps the cause. I think his ex-agent is probably like, well screw it then. Let's not sign it. Let's just not rep writers and dig in hard to keep packaging. In fact, that wouldn't surprise me if the bigs just say "Okay, new game, we no longer rep writers. Happy? We win!"

                      Okay, so you're with Verve. You say you're no where near JA level, but you have to be somewhat heat worthy if THEY'RE gonna reach out to YOU, no? Out of curiosity, was this before this mess or during? I'm guessing you're staffed on a good show or hot off the blacklist or something? Or are you beyond that... showrunner?
                      As to what John's agent is thinking, I mean, the guy works at an agency that can no longer represent writers because it refuses to put clients' interests ahead of its own. So he didn't lose John to Verve last week; he lost him April 12th, just like all conflicted agents lost all clients on April 12th. If he wants to rep people like John, he should move to a signatory agency.

                      And I think this disaster fantasy that agencies will "not rep writers and keep packaging" can be safely ignored, since... that doesn't really seem to be an option? With rare exceptions, studios have steadfastly refused to pay fees on packages that didn't include writers, and I can't imagine any reason they'd decide to change that policy anytime soon. Basically, the agencies' choices look like they'll be, a) rep writers and don't get packaging fees, or b) don't rep writers AND don't get packaging fees. This made-up third option ("they'll package without us!!") so far only exists in the minds of certain dyspeptic contrarians in the Guild.

                      And re: Verve: I didn't say yes or no! I took a meeting, but I'm not ready to commit to a new agency yet. And in terms of my situation, I have some modest heat, have been on Lists, have done some studio jobs, etc., but I'm not on fire (and no, I've never run a show).
                      Last edited by AnyOtherName; 07-10-2019, 07:31 PM. Reason: Typos

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                      • #12
                        Re: Residuals???

                        Originally posted by AnyOtherName View Post
                        As to what John's agent is thinking, I mean, the guy works at an agency that can no longer represent writers because it refuses to put clients' interests ahead of its own. So he didn't lose John to Verve last week; he lost him April 12th, just like all conflicted agents lost all clients on April 12th. If he wants to rep people like John, he should move to a signatory agency.

                        And I think this disaster fantasy that agencies will "not rep writers and keep packaging" can be safely ignored, since... that doesn't really seem to be an option? With rare exceptions, studios have steadfastly refused to pay fees on packages that didn't include writers, and I can't imagine any reason they'd decide to change that policy anytime soon. Basically, the agencies' choices look like they'll be, a) rep writers and don't get packaging fees, or b) don't rep writers AND don't get packaging fees. This made-up third option ("they'll package with out!!") so far only exists in the minds of certain dyspeptic contrarians in the Guild.

                        And re: Verve: I didn't say yes or no! I took a meeting, but I'm not ready to commit to a new agency yet. And in terms on my situation, I have some modest heat, have been on Lists, have done some studio jobs, etc., but I'm not on fire (and no, I've never run a show).
                        Well... I'ma go back to my original fix. Someone start a new agency(s).

                        Beyond that, I don't see a clear resolution. Because you're right, it seems the agencies don't care. Then again, doesn't seem like the WGA does either. So...?

                        Pulling out for the macro view... the entire thing is childish.
                        Bruh, fukkin *smooches*! Feel me? Ha!

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Residuals???

                          I'm very surprised no agents have left to form their own Verve or more just become managers. How are the big 4 keeping everyone going at work? i guess with the huge loads of cash they have.

                          Yeah maybe John is thinking, I'll leave and eventually my agent will join my at Verve or something. I don't know.

                          And Craig is funny -- but what I always found more was how crazy smart he is. And how much **** he knows and JA knows too. I'm like I'm dumb as sh%t and can't speak nearly as well as these two. That's what I noticed. I'm like this guy who is like a genius is writing comedies? It has been a subtle punch in the face as I go into meetings and been told "this was one of the funniest meetings of all time" but that doesn't matter -- because you have to be a stone cold killer to get these jobs. So you have to be "funny" but a great writer and even better at navigating this crazy business which is a skill you can only learn by doing. I used to hear The Simpsons only hiring funny harvard guys which sometimes is Conan who is both smart and funny, but often it's just smart people who are so smart they can literally figure out how to make jokes like's it's E=MC2. What I'm saying is, maybe like the funny people that aren't as smart write some of the comedies. Please. I have nothing else. You can write dramas! Like Craig just did! Probably what he always wanted to do!

                          Look I'm getting old, so I know I'm not going to make it, but I still try stupidly. However, I was close, so I think I can do it. But then I think maybe this business isn't for me in 2019... but man I would have done great in the 90s when I feel they had more insane people writing!

                          I don't even know what I'm talking about anymore. But I'm going to start a podcast called WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW and I'll just spend 30 minutes each podcast saying how dumb I am and how I don't know ****. And of course I'll get stamps.com to be a sponsor.

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                          • #14
                            Re: Residuals???

                            Originally posted by Bono View Post
                            I'm very surprised no agents have left to form their own Verve or more just become managers. How are the big 4 keeping everyone going at work? i guess with the huge loads of cash they have.
                            Same! This is one of those times it'd be interesting to still have that insider ear to know what's really being said behind closed doors at CAA. Oh well, you get a divorce and you lose all your agent friends.

                            Originally posted by Bono View Post
                            Yeah maybe John is thinking, I'll leave and eventually my agent will join my at Verve or something. I don't know.
                            Could be. But, it would seem weird that if that's the plan the agent wouldn't leave first and just take clients with them.

                            Originally posted by Bono View Post
                            And Craig is funny -- but what I always found more was how crazy smart he is. And how much **** he knows and JA knows too. I'm like I'm dumb as sh%t and can't speak nearly as well as these two. That's what I noticed. I'm like this guy who is like a genius is writing comedies? It has been a subtle punch in the face as I go into meetings and been told "this was one of the funniest meetings of all time" but that doesn't matter -- because you have to be a stone cold killer to get these jobs. So you have to be "funny" but a great writer and even better at navigating this crazy business which is a skill you can only learn by doing. I used to hear The Simpsons only hiring funny harvard guys which sometimes is Conan who is both smart and funny, but often it's just smart people who are so smart they can literally figure out how to make jokes like's it's E=MC2. What I'm saying is, maybe like the funny people that aren't as smart write some of the comedies. Please. I have nothing else. You can write dramas! Like Craig just did! Probably what he always wanted to do!
                            Agreed. They're booth hella smart guys as well being a source for comedic relief in this industry. And you have a point, could be some writers are surgeons of comedy and not actually funny people. I feel like it might have been Craig who said something to the effect of "All the comedy writers are miserable and suicidal and all the dark drama writers are walking on sunshine because they get out all their demons."

                            Originally posted by Bono View Post
                            Look I'm getting old, so I know I'm not going to make it, but I still try stupidly. However, I was close, so I think I can do it. But then I think maybe this business isn't for me in 2019... but man I would have done great in the 90s when I feel they had more insane people writing!

                            I don't even know what I'm talking about anymore. But I'm going to start a podcast called WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW and I'll just spend 30 minutes each podcast saying how dumb I am and how I don't know ****. And of course I'll get stamps.com to be a sponsor.
                            Meh... I thought you made perfect sense. But agreed, wish I would'a thought of doing this way back when I was 20. I think (no I KNOW) it was easier back then.

                            I will listen to your podcast if you get one tho, because I can relate to the theme... LOL
                            Bruh, fukkin *smooches*! Feel me? Ha!

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Residuals???

                              My problem is I did think about doing this since I was 8... and found screenwriting before college around 17-18... so I did discover this early I just failed a lot in 20 plus years! Fun!

                              But man I was very very close a few times... And I know in my heart that I am as talented as most screenwriters who made it. So that hurts even worse when you know you can do it, but they won't let you do it.

                              Pity party table for one. WHAT THERE ARE NO TABLES???

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