Re: Management contracts
+1 on what everyone said, deal sounds terrible. My limited but good experience with a well known management company is 10%, handshake (really just discussion), and no automatic attachment, including up front conversation that though they do produce, mgmt comes first, always.
But on to your question, you said your other project is in preproduction; meaning that they've actually started casting, the director is hired, a shooting start date is looming ... theoretically, and perhaps only in theory, you should've been paid already. So no 10% (or highway robbery 15%) to take. But maybe this is a different preproduction, where there's still a lot to be done, and money hasn't changed hands yet, and it's more in development than active preproduction...
But, as you'll hopefully pass this guy up, let's say a great, legit manager comes around the way and you haven't been paid yet. Once you bring him/her up to speed on your in-preproduction project, a legit, well connected manager is going to start working all the angles--calling the producer, letting them know they deal with him/her now, helping negotiate if you haven't already (yes, I know mgrs don't legally negotiate), etc.
I met an executive, on my own, the same time I met my manager. Many months later I had drinks with the exec, not set up by my manager, not a general, just friendly ... and pitched her an idea which my management company had reviewed and didn't shine to. She loved it, now we're meeting on it.
First thing I did after the meeting? Let my reps know so they are in the loop, and I have no problem with them getting their 10% on this one ... because first thing they did was called the exec to say hello, and started working the angles (reaching out to the attached talent's management, etc.)
Here's the simple thing to remember: a good manager is going to do so much for you that you will agree they earn that 10%, even if the idea or connections predate them. Good managers move things forward.
Bad managers, on the other hand, demand to be attached as producer to everything, charge 15%, etc, etc.
Good luck.
Originally posted by bobloblaw
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But on to your question, you said your other project is in preproduction; meaning that they've actually started casting, the director is hired, a shooting start date is looming ... theoretically, and perhaps only in theory, you should've been paid already. So no 10% (or highway robbery 15%) to take. But maybe this is a different preproduction, where there's still a lot to be done, and money hasn't changed hands yet, and it's more in development than active preproduction...
But, as you'll hopefully pass this guy up, let's say a great, legit manager comes around the way and you haven't been paid yet. Once you bring him/her up to speed on your in-preproduction project, a legit, well connected manager is going to start working all the angles--calling the producer, letting them know they deal with him/her now, helping negotiate if you haven't already (yes, I know mgrs don't legally negotiate), etc.
I met an executive, on my own, the same time I met my manager. Many months later I had drinks with the exec, not set up by my manager, not a general, just friendly ... and pitched her an idea which my management company had reviewed and didn't shine to. She loved it, now we're meeting on it.
First thing I did after the meeting? Let my reps know so they are in the loop, and I have no problem with them getting their 10% on this one ... because first thing they did was called the exec to say hello, and started working the angles (reaching out to the attached talent's management, etc.)
Here's the simple thing to remember: a good manager is going to do so much for you that you will agree they earn that 10%, even if the idea or connections predate them. Good managers move things forward.
Bad managers, on the other hand, demand to be attached as producer to everything, charge 15%, etc, etc.
Good luck.
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