Optioning vs. Selling your script

Collapse

Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Optioning vs. Selling your script

    I wonder if someone can explain (in excrutiating detail as like to a child) the difference of the basic option, say a year option with THE MOST standard terms normally seen (and a little bit of cash on the table), compared to selling a script outright?

  • #2
    Re: Optioning vs. Selling your script

    I have some links that are worth the read:

    http://chipstreet.com/2010/02/02/ten...n-your-script/
    and, part 2:
    http://chipstreet.com/2010/02/14/11-...script-option/

    Outright sales are just that, and are very rare indeed if they're for much money.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Optioning vs. Selling your script

      Almost all sales you read about are actually options. The only time I've ever outright sold a script was to Blumhouse because they don't spend a cent on a script until they're positive they can go straight into production with it within a matter of weeks.
      https://twitter.com/DavidCoggeshall
      http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1548597/

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Optioning vs. Selling your script

        conceptually, granting an option is like letting a producer lease your script for a certain term. during which, the producer will then take it out to prospective buyers (prodcos, studios, etc) to set it up for production.

        selling it outright you're just turning it over to the buyer for all the cash up front. and then they can do whatever they want with it (subject to any applicable terms of the WGA minimum basic agreement, if the buyer is a WGA signatory).

        the wrinkle with options is they can go on for a long time, with renewals, and leave an optioned script in limbo if it isn't set up relatively quickly, i.e., getting jerked around by a less-than-diligent producer for not a lot of money

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Optioning vs. Selling your script

          Originally posted by SBdeb View Post
          I wonder if someone can explain (in excrutiating detail as like to a child) the difference of the basic option, say a year option with THE MOST standard terms normally seen (and a little bit of cash on the table), compared to selling a script outright?
          It's not like a writer has a choice. Options are the norm. Free options if they can get them. You agree on a sales price and a payment schedule in the option agreement. If it's a WGA agreement, it's pretty standard. If it's non-union, it's a little like the wild west, a freeforall. You negotiate whatever you can based on their offer. But 99% of all sales start as options. I've only sold one script outright, and that was sold as a pitch in the perfect storm of situations. A total surprise. So... forget sales. Think options, which 5% of the time turn into sales.

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Optioning vs. Selling your script

            Thanks a ton, guys -- you're the best!

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Optioning vs. Selling your script

              Here's another good one I found in my favorites list, re: regular vs. shopping options:

              http://www.movieoutline.com/articles...creenplay.html

              The purpose of all of this advice? Make sure you have a lawyer, and be sure to explain to your lawyer what it is you're looking for.

              In other words, don't let the other side (or even your lawyer) shoehorn you into a standard boilerplate deal - unless of course you're just fine with that.

              Yeah, those may be the easiest for your attorney to make his/her 5% on, but remember that until you've signed the dotted line you are the boss. It is the other side that desperately wants your intellectual property.

              Comment

              Working...
              X