Writer/Producer

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  • Writer/Producer

    I know titles don't cost anything, if that's the case how does a writer also get a producer credit ? Is this common ?

  • #2
    Re: Writer/Producer

    Your agent/lawyer would negotiate any credits beyond "written by" with the buyer. Always ask for this one, but be prepared for the standard 'Associate' or 'Co-producer' your first time out.

    M
    "The most terrifying thing is to accept oneself completely." ~Jung

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    • #3
      Re: Writer/Producer

      I'm not trying to be a wiseacre, but you could also always produce something that you've written. It's really not that hard if you've written a script that you like and you can find one or two trustworthy people to co-produce your project with you.

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      • #4
        Re: Writer/Producer

        Originally posted by CrissCross View Post
        I know titles don't cost anything, if that's the case how does a writer also get a producer credit ? Is this common ?
        It depends. In simple terms, you negotiate it.

        In practical terms, you have a proven track record of bringing value beyond that of just a writer, or you, you know, actually produce the movie.

        Producer credits, in and of themselves, don't mean very much. There are a lot of producers on a movie who did very little. Negotiating a producer credit on its own doesn't actually mean anything.

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        • #5
          Re: Writer/Producer

          Originally posted by CrissCross View Post
          I know titles don't cost anything, if that's the case how does a writer also get a producer credit ? Is this common ?
          If you're responsible for bringing any signifiant lead cast attachments or funding to the table then you have some actual bargaining chips to get the title and a producer's fee. Outside of that it's based on track record and relationships.
          One must be fearless and tenacious when pursuing their dreams. If you don't, regret will be your reward.

          The Fiction Story Room

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          • #6
            Re: Writer/Producer

            Keep in mind, there is also the matter of negotiating for contractual "producer's definition" producer credit vs "writer's definition" producer credit, which will play a role in how and when you get your disbursement of whatever backend net (most likely) profit participation you manage to have managed to secure.

            Producer definition means you are more likely to actually see that net money (in theory), because you get paid when the producers do - not after, as you would with "writer's definition."

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            • #7
              Re: Writer/Producer

              If producer credit meant nothing, Best Picture Oscar would be awarded to whomever… but that's not how that works, is it...? Right now there is a real move towards cutting "vanity or meaningless" producer credits and shifting those who just want the title to AP, co-producers or "special thanks", which is the right thing to do. You don't want some producer taking credit on your script just because they gave you notes, right?

              Look at the PGA list of requirements - this is what the Academy and most major festivals now go by to determine producers on record. Do you meet any of those?

              You can probably negotiate if there is something that you can bring to the table that will qualify you as producer. If you are dealing with a studio, you will get a "no thanks" in most cases unless there is a precedent or you managed to deliver a something more than just a script to the table.

              If your financing comes outside of US, financing governing bodies have a say as well. We actually agreed to give vanity producing credit to a director on one of my films once, but the commission of a country that gave us a big chunk of money did not approve it because they determined that his contribution did not qualify him as producer. That said, this does not happen often to directors. Financiers without creative contribution and "friends and family" get booted much more often.
              Last edited by PoisonIvy; 08-12-2015, 11:06 PM.

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              • #8
                Re: Writer/Producer

                Originally posted by PoisonIvy View Post
                If producer credit meant nothing, Best Picture Oscar would be awarded to whomever... but that's not how that works, is it...?
                Not everybody who is listed as a producer gets an oscar.

                The Academy limits it to (I think) three people, and does research to see which of the people who have producer credits actually deserve the oscar. Producer credit does not mean you get a little statue.

                The PGA is trying to reduce extraneous producer credits, and you'll see on many films that some credits have a little "(PGA)" after them. Those are the real producers. You'll also notice that there are LOTS of other producer credits, even when some of the producers have a PGA tag.

                Those other people are people who managed to negotiate themselves a credit, but aren't actual producers, for the most part.

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                • #9
                  Re: Writer/Producer

                  This is hanging tho...

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