Strangest Requests/Perks For Screenwriters

Okay, we've all heard of some of the perks of being a rock star or actor, but can anyone name some perks (other than pay) that some screenwriters have in their contracts? Also is it uncommon for a screenwriter to request a director's cut copy for a direct to video release?

There are not tons of perks for screenwriters -- at least none that I've heard of. The perks are generally for the actor(s), producer(s), and director.

Perks usually come into play while the film is actually being made -- i.e. a town car with driver, an assistant paid for, a big trailer, a personal cook, plane flights to and from location, first class tickets, and so on.

For a screenwriter two (sort of key) things you could and probably should ask for would be copies of the film on DVD when it is released and also at least two tickets to the main premiere of the film. If there is a chance that action figures or any special merchandise will be made for the film then you could also request "copies" of some of those various items.

What about a director's cut? It's not as though I'm in a position to do/get any of this (just curious), but directors tend to edit and cut stuff out of the film. I was just wondering if any writer was able to get the whole package and not the edited one the public sees because after all it was his/her script. In this case, I'm talking more so in the cheapie direct to video market and not A-list films.

We had an assignment to write a script from a treatment written by two other writers.

As part of their deal, the treatment writers requested hats and jackets from the production. And the right to go onto the studio lot whenever they wanted. And they wanted a meeting with the head of the production company.

The studio and production company got a huge laugh out of that. And, they were also annoyed because the requests struck them as petty and amateurish. They went along with the hats and jackets. They said absolutely no to the meeting. And they agreed that if the movie went into production, the studio would give the treatment writers a year's pass to the studio lot. But then, since it was Universal, it was actually going to be a pass to the theme park.

What can you learn from this story? That you can make an ass of yourself asking for certain things. Those writers were never taken seriously again by the production company or studio. The production company executives refused to take their calls.

If you are doing something for a smaller company and you have a decent relationship with the director then you could bring it up at some point in casual conversation and see; but even then directors' cuts are not passed around much or provided to others -- usually one maybe two copies are made on VHS. Most of those tapes (outputted from an Avid) are just for the director and possibly producer to use reference at home during the cutting process.

And what Minibrain said too.

I got a trip to the frozen tundra of Alberta to go on the location scout for a feature I wrote....and the director of that film bought me a special edition LOTR dvd as a bonus for getting a first draft in on time.

I've had other trips paid for by prodcos, for meetings and such. But other than the plane/train fare and hotel, no other real goodies have come my way. No complaints though, I'm quite happy just getting paid.

I asked for a framed poster - I didn't get it. Since they'd decided to break our deal and not give me writing credit, I kinda didn't want it anyway.


I did get a poster on another movie that got produced, but I didn't ask for it - the exec was a good friend and surprised me.

I can't see a moral to this story.

All I'm asking for now is another job.

The general perception in HW seems to be the writer should count himself lucky to get paid at all.

They can get away with this because once a movie starts shooting the writers job is over, the director and decide little changes to the script if needed. The writer is lucky if they're even allowed on set and for them to have any real say is unheard of. Think of it as selling your house. The new owners pay you for the house, they own it. You can't then demand that they consult you about redocerating. You've taken the money, it's not yours anymore. If you want to keep it, you have to raise the money and produce/direct it yourself.

In TV the situation is different. Series production means the writers job is never over, and the big boss tends to be the head writer. Directors are 'just' hired hands paid a salary and told to shoot the script they are given. The director is not allowed to make any changes because he doesn't know what the writers have planned for the following episodes, a trivial change could screw up a major plot point.

In movies it comes down to how much the studio want your script. The only recent example I have of a writer getting any serious perks and respect is JK Rowling. All the studios knew the movies would be huge and were so desperate to get the rights that she could insist on cast approval, script approval etc.

I can't say from a writer's standpoint--because I haven't been lucky enough to be in the position yet--but as an assistant to directors I've seen writers get a lot of this trivial stuff without even asking. DVD copies, premiere tickets, hats/jackets--the writers have always been given this stuff as a courtesy. If they want to visit the set, they call and get a drive on and that's it. They're always welcome for a visit.

What's not necessarily welcome is creative input at that point, unless they're under contract throughout production. Cast approval and stuff like that--you gotta be a big name and usually be attached as a producer as well.

But all the posters and shirts and key chains--I always see that go to the writers. If that makes your day. Me? I'd be happy enough with my name in the credits and a nice paycheck.

Ele...

Having sat back and said nothing whilst a script I spent three years working on was being butchered to within an inch of its life by an egomaniac of a director, I have to say that the best perk I ever received was being banned from the set after I relented and responded to a desperate actors plea for help with a scene.

NOT being forced to watch a train wreck of a movie being made was simply a relief.