The Saga Continues........

[MargoChanning]

Hi guys,

Hope everyone here is well and thriving.

Re my previous post about the producers who want to make my film, asking me to find a director:

I submitted a list as they asked. After a week, they've responded that they don't have time for development, and want ME to contact the directors and copy them on the emails. If I garner interested, they will produce the screenplay.

As nuts as this sounds, I'm going to do it, as I'm very good at making connections, and pretty fearless when it comes to contacting these people.

That said, I don't have the slightest idea of what I'm supposed to tell these directors. If you could help me with the following, I'd really, really appreciate it as I'm floundering, to say the least.

If the producers want to be copied -- do I point out in the email that there is serious producer interest or is that self-explanatory as I've copied them?

How the hell do I articulate: "Look, if you show some interest in this project, the producers are all in?"

Do I mention the coverage? ("Strong Consider") Which was on the producers' tab, by the way. I'm not that green. No one's asked me for a dime.

Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.

(Has anyone else had this experience, or am I the only idjit?)

[muckraker]

This doesn't sound substantively different from the old "find the funding and then we'll be happy to produce your film," except in this case they want you to attach bankable talent which makes funding it much easier for them. Basically they want you to do their job for them at this early stage. And by copying them on email you create a situation that makes it very difficult for you to break from these producers if you do manage to attach a director and then decide to take your game elsewhere, because you should be entitled to since you will have done all the work.

I won't go so far as to give advice whether you should do this or not (sounds like you are up for it), but it just sounds sucky to me.

[Bunker]

Originally Posted by muckraker

And by copying them on email you create a situation that makes it very difficult for you to break from these producers

Yep. This is the risk you're running. They might actually end up adding baggage to the project instead of value. People are loathe to pick up projects that have deadbeat producers attached. And, sure, they may not be officially attached, but it's still going to take some lawyer fees to get them untangled.

Only you can decide if the risk is worth it. It really depends on how many doors you feel this producer's name can open.

[JeffLowell]

These people are not producing your screenplay. I would move on.

[grumpywriter]

Originally Posted by JeffLowell

These people are not producing your screenplay. I would move on.

I agree. They're not producing it. They're asking YOU to produce it. Hence -- as I mentioned in your previous thread/post on this topic, they are not legit. producers. The Hollywood producing community is like 99% fakes, scam artists and desperate novices, and 1% legit. Hard to get through to the legit. ones, but if/when you do, those are really the relationships you need to find a way to nurture.

[amandag]

What Jeff and the others said. If you were to somehow find a marketable director on your own, these producers would be rendered useless. They add nothing of value.

[DangoForth]

It's one thing to ask who you like.
Doing THEIR job is a totally different thing. They're not serious. They probably have 5-10 other screenwriters also doing this for them. If one actually does succeed, they'll drop everyone else.

Be like Jeff...

[Crayon]

Originally Posted by MargoChanning

the producers who want to make my film

...

don't have time for development

ERROR - DOES NOT COMPUTE

[EdFury]

Originally Posted by JeffLowell

These people are not producing your screenplay. I would move on.

Absolutely this. And to be honest, this was probably a pass. Smells like one. They left themselves wiggle room if you managed to interest a bankable director, which they know is close impossible without funding in the bank. In fact, you'd have a hard time getting past their reps who routinely reject offers with no money attached multiple times daily.

Just keep trying and don't give up. All it takes is one person to say yes. Wish you the best.

[MargoChanning]

Originally Posted by EdFury

Absolutely this. And to be honest, this was probably a pass. Smells like one. They left themselves wiggle room if you managed to interest a bankable director, which they know is close impossible without funding in the bank. In fact, you'd have a hard time getting past their reps who routinely reject offers with no money attached multiple times daily.

Just keep trying and don't give up. All it takes is one person to say yes. Wish you the best.

Thanks, Ed and everyone else. I've already decided this is bogus crap and am not going to take part. Fvcked over, again.

Now, I'm just trying to figure out if I should tell them, or just let it ride. It's probably best just to walk away. Silently. Best for my sanity, anyway.