I need some advice. I don't have the money to consult a lawyer and I don't have an agent or manager to ask either. I'd just like to make sure I'm not letting myself get screwed (and definitely not without the lube of significant upfront cash).
An indie producer wants to enter into a shopping agreement for my script (for a few months, with one possible renewal. Not forever). The details of a purchase price/option price will NOT be stated in the agreement. It's basically just permission for him to shop it around to his connections and see what he can do as far as funding, getting possible attachments (actors, directors, etc.), and interest from prod co's who might buy it.
My questions are:
1). Though non-exclusive, will this preclude me from chasing any other opportunities with this script or subsequent drafts of it? For instance, in screenplay contests, or with production companies (those that the indie producer has not already tried)? The AFF screenplay competition rules state that the script may not have been optioned prior to the contest date. Is a Shopping Agreement too much like an Option to not consider it one for situations like contests? Basically: will this screw me for contests?
2). If the script is sold to a prod co (as the result of a connection the indie producer made during the agreement period), I get to work out a deal for the script between the prod co and myself, without him involved. He also gets to work out his own compensation with them, without me involved. Could this screw my deal up if he asks for too much?
3). Though the agreement does not outright state it (but I'm not an expert in legalese), does this shopping agreement "attach" him to this project, and should I let all others I may enquire with (agents/managers/prod co's) know about this shopping agreement, despite the fact that it's non-exclusive? Will this screw me with finding an agent/manager or interested prod co?
Thanks for reading this. This is my first post, but I have been reading these forums for years, and I really appreciate the wealth of knowledge and experience here.
An indie producer wants to enter into a shopping agreement for my script (for a few months, with one possible renewal. Not forever). The details of a purchase price/option price will NOT be stated in the agreement. It's basically just permission for him to shop it around to his connections and see what he can do as far as funding, getting possible attachments (actors, directors, etc.), and interest from prod co's who might buy it.
My questions are:
1). Though non-exclusive, will this preclude me from chasing any other opportunities with this script or subsequent drafts of it? For instance, in screenplay contests, or with production companies (those that the indie producer has not already tried)? The AFF screenplay competition rules state that the script may not have been optioned prior to the contest date. Is a Shopping Agreement too much like an Option to not consider it one for situations like contests? Basically: will this screw me for contests?
2). If the script is sold to a prod co (as the result of a connection the indie producer made during the agreement period), I get to work out a deal for the script between the prod co and myself, without him involved. He also gets to work out his own compensation with them, without me involved. Could this screw my deal up if he asks for too much?
3). Though the agreement does not outright state it (but I'm not an expert in legalese), does this shopping agreement "attach" him to this project, and should I let all others I may enquire with (agents/managers/prod co's) know about this shopping agreement, despite the fact that it's non-exclusive? Will this screw me with finding an agent/manager or interested prod co?
Thanks for reading this. This is my first post, but I have been reading these forums for years, and I really appreciate the wealth of knowledge and experience here.
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