Anyone SOLD a SCRIPT? Can I ask a few questions????

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  • Anyone SOLD a SCRIPT? Can I ask a few questions????

    I just got an agent, however, I need to know what to do for the next step.

    Not sure how much money to ask for, etc.. or how to really pitch.

    I write both screenplay(usually comedy) and sitcom.

    So, I need to ask someone that has actually sold a script what to do and what to expect.

    Thanks!

  • #2
    Re: Anyone SOLD a SCRIPT? Can I ask a few ?'s????

    umm, you just got an agent, shouldn't you be having this conversation with him? After all it's part of his job to negotiate your deals for you. Not to mention the fact that he knows the market and his compensation is directly tied to yours.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Anyone SOLD a SCRIPT? Can I ask a few ?'s????

      I'm so confused. Is there a specific project in play?
      https://twitter.com/DavidCoggeshall
      http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1548597/

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Anyone SOLD a SCRIPT? Can I ask a few ?'s????

        Originally posted by fouroneone View Post
        I just got an agent, however, I need to know what to do for the next step.

        Not sure how much money to ask for, etc.. or how to really pitch.

        I write both screenplay(usually comedy) and sitcom.

        So, I need to ask someone that has actually sold a script what to do and what to expect.

        Thanks!
        The answer you got about asking the agent is correct. No one who has sold a script can tell you what your deal might be because they are all different and all unique.

        But this is what you can expect if, and it's a BIG if, your script gets any interest.

        Your agent will send the script out and you will get offers of payment, if they they want to option or buy it. Then your agent will negotiate for the best price he can get based on a lot of factors. Union or non union. Size of film budget. TV or Theatrical. To name a few.

        Then, based on what deal your agent can get, you can either take the deal, or not take the deal.

        Or you can ask for more. Then whoever is trying to buy your script can either renegotiate or tell you no and move on. It's not cut and dry. There's no one way. You either trust your agent to do his job or you don't and try to get another one.

        Best of luck to you.

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Anyone SOLD a SCRIPT? Can I ask a few ?'s????

          Originally posted by EdFury View Post
          The answer you got about asking the agent is correct. No one who has sold a script can tell you what your deal might be because they are all different and all unique.

          But this is what you can expect if, and it's a BIG if, your script gets any interest.

          Your agent will send the script out and you will get offers of payment, if they they want to option or buy it. Then your agent will negotiate for the best price he can get based on a lot of factors. Union or non union. Size of film budget. TV or Theatrical. To name a few.

          Then, based on what deal your agent can get, you can either take the deal, or not take the deal.

          Or you can ask for more. Then whoever is trying to buy your script can either renegotiate or tell you no and move on. It's not cut and dry. There's no one way. You either trust your agent to do his job or you don't and try to get another one.

          Best of luck to you.
          +100.

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Anyone SOLD a SCRIPT? Can I ask a few ?'s????

            OK-- as Master Fury mentioned there are a LOT of variables...

            As a first time, non union writer you can expect anywhere from a 'free' up to about 10% of the agreed purchase price for an option.

            I have two writers that just sold their first scripts... one was good with a $200 option and a floor of WGA minimum and a ceiling of 65K based on the budget; whereas, the other writer got 10K against WGA minimum with no budgetary language. The good news is IF these projects go into production they will both be union eligible; however, the only guaranteed income comes from the options and any future extensions of the options.

            The reason Writer 1 was willing to go so low on the option was based on a solid relationship with the buyer (had written for them in the past) and the director attached-- while #2 has much less confidence that the project will move forward and wanted to get as much up front as possible.

            Flip over to an established union writer I worked with who booked an assignment for 75 against 700 (ceiling/budget dependent) and we sold a script to a studio for 25K against 650 (also ceiling/budget dependent)... the fundamental difference between scenarios is, obviously, the union writer had a previous sale (quote) as the base for the assignment and the sale.

            The two non-union writers will now have a quote moving forward, and we can incorporate all customary WGA language and protections in future agreements-- so for their next specs they will probably make at least 10-15% more unless the specs get hot and multiple buyers are in the mix.

            Hope that helps.

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

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Anyone SOLD a SCRIPT? Can I ask a few ?'s????

              He seems to like my sitcom pilot and my screenplay, however, none of the responses mentioned PITCHING.

              Does he pitch or do I pitch? He actually said he would "start pitching it" the sitcom pilot. Which I didn't know if he inadvertently used the wrong word. I thought the writers PITCH, yes????


              Also, I keep hearing $300K for a screenplay, so that was the amount I was hoping to make from the screenplay, especially if it's sold to an established star.

              Thanks to all who responded.

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Anyone SOLD a SCRIPT? Can I ask a few ?'s????

                Originally posted by ProfessorChomp View Post
                I'm so confused. Is there a specific project in play?
                Yes, the specific project is my screenplay AND my pilot sitcom.
                I think that's what you meant.
                So care to offer any advice/suggestions?

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Anyone SOLD a SCRIPT? Can I ask a few ?'s????

                  Originally posted by fouroneone View Post
                  He seems to like my sitcom pilot and my screenplay, however, none of the responses mentioned PITCHING.

                  Does he pitch or do I pitch? He actually said he would "start pitching it" the sitcom pilot. Which I didn't know if he inadvertently used the wrong word. I thought the writers PITCH, yes????


                  Also, I keep hearing $300K for a screenplay, so that was the amount I was hoping to make from the screenplay, especially if it's sold to an established star.

                  Thanks to all who responded.
                  I'm still wondering why you don't just talk to your agent and ask these questions. That's his job.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Anyone SOLD a SCRIPT? Can I ask a few ?'s????

                    Originally posted by markerstone View Post
                    OK-- as Master Fury mentioned there are a LOT of variables...

                    As a first time, non union writer you can expect anywhere from a 'free' up to about 10% of the agreed purchase price for an option.

                    I have two writers that just sold their first scripts... one was good with a $200 option and a floor of WGA minimum and a ceiling of 65K based on the budget; whereas, the other writer got 10K against WGA minimum with no budgetary language. The good news is IF these projects go into production they will both be union eligible; however, the only guaranteed income comes from the options and any future extensions of the options.

                    The reason Writer 1 was willing to go so low on the option was based on a solid relationship with the buyer (had written for them in the past) and the director attached-- while #2 has much less confidence that the project will move forward and wanted to get as much up front as possible.

                    Flip over to an established union writer I worked with who booked an assignment for 75 against 700 (ceiling/budget dependent) and we sold a script to a studio for 25K against 650 (also ceiling/budget dependent)... the fundamental difference between scenarios is, obviously, the union writer had a previous sale (quote) as the base for the assignment and the sale.

                    The two non-union writers will now have a quote moving forward, and we can incorporate all customary WGA language and protections in future agreements-- so for their next specs they will probably make at least 10-15% more unless the specs get hot and multiple buyers are in the mix.

                    Hope that helps.

                    M
                    "75 against 700", are you referring to hundreds or thousands? And can you elaborate on the "25K against 650"? Is the 25K an option and 650 is the purchase price?

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Anyone SOLD a SCRIPT? Can I ask a few questions????

                      I ask about the project because a lot of this depends on the nature of the project, as others have mentioned. Offers come to you, and you respond to them - it's not really about setting your own price beforehand (unless you're established and have a quote as a jumping-off point) - it's about the market. If it's a brilliant, high-concept comedy that sparks a studio bidding war, you might be talking hundreds of Ks. If it's a small indie comedy that a boutique production company gets interested in, you're talking free- $5k for an option.

                      To echo everyone, these are really questions for your agent, since he/she knows the project and its potential. It's hard for us to predict what you'll get paid - the market (and # of offers) will dictate that, though there's still the giant and difficult step of selling it first. If your agent is talking about pitching scripts that are already written, he's probably talking about himself making the calls to see who digs the idea and wants to read them. That's just a guess though. Good luck!
                      https://twitter.com/DavidCoggeshall
                      http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1548597/

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Anyone SOLD a SCRIPT? Can I ask a few questions????

                        Option vs. total purchase price...
                        "The most terrifying thing is to accept oneself completely." ~Jung

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Anyone SOLD a SCRIPT? Can I ask a few questions????

                          I'm trying to NOT inundate the agent with a bunch of amateur questions and wanted to hear it from someone on my side of the fence that has been there, done that. I f that answers someone's questions about me asking the agent.

                          I'm trying to handle the agent with white gloves if you understand that.

                          So, anyone that has sold a screenplay for a solid asking price (i.e. $300,000 etc) the first time out, I would enjoy hearing from you.

                          Thanks!

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Anyone SOLD a SCRIPT? Can I ask a few questions????

                            Originally posted by fouroneone View Post
                            I'm trying to NOT inundate the agent with a bunch of amateur questions and wanted to hear it from someone on my side of the fence that has been there, done that. I f that answers someone's questions about me asking the agent.

                            I'm trying to handle the agent with white gloves if you understand that.

                            So, anyone that has sold a screenplay for a solid asking price (i.e. $300,000 etc) the first time out, I would enjoy hearing from you.

                            Thanks!
                            Dude, what are you asking? You've gotten a bunch of useful responses here.

                            The takeway is there is no way to determine how much you might get offered for you scripts (assuming someone wants them). That's it. You are not selling a used car with a definitive blue book value to go off of.

                            I have no idea what you're asking anymore .

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Anyone SOLD a SCRIPT? Can I ask a few questions????

                              Originally posted by fouroneone View Post
                              I just got an agent, however, I need to know what to do for the next step.

                              Not sure how much money to ask for, etc.. or how to really pitch.

                              I write both screenplay(usually comedy) and sitcom.

                              So, I need to ask someone that has actually sold a script what to do and what to expect.

                              Thanks!
                              Regarding projects which the agent has signed you off of, to answer your questions:
                              1. You don't negotiate the sale price, the agent does. So you don't have to worry about that.
                              2. You don't pitch the projects, the agent does. So you don't have to worry about that.

                              Now, if you are meeting with folks and you are talking about your projects, that's fine. If they want to read them, you refer them to your agent.

                              If he agent circulates the projects, and people like them, then you will have a round of meetings as a result, at that point, you will go and pitch new ideas.

                              Comment

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