Writing with a partner

Fuji · 06-03-2010, 12:07 PM

I wrote a screenplay a few years ago that is starting to get some interest. At one point I asked a friend to help me out with it. He contributed two short scenes, which I have left in, then he lost interest and we have never spoken about it since.

Over the years I have continued to rewrite and market the screenplay, and what I'm wondering is, if an offer for an option or outright sale is made, is he automatically entitled to 50% since he did contribute a bit, or can he and I work out a deal where he gets say, 10% of the sale/option?

Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Centurio · 06-03-2010, 12:26 PM

Umm...ask him?

Fuji · 06-03-2010, 12:38 PM

You think he's going to know if he's legally entitled to 50%?

RGF · 06-03-2010, 01:16 PM

I doubt he'd be entitled to 50%. If he's not interested in the project just do what you want with the script. If he contributed 3 pages out of 100 and you get and option or sale...be a nice guy and send him 3% of what you make. This acknowledges his contribution, keeps a friendship, but doesn't attach him to the script as a writer, or co-owner. When it comes to chain of title, the producer will need to know you are the only writer. Your deal with your friend can be written as a side-deal just between the 2 of you.

Fuji · 06-03-2010, 01:34 PM

Thanks for the good advice, RGF.

He's a good friend, but he's taken up other interests, and that's fair, I have no problem with that. I just wanted to make sure that legally we could work out a side deal...and I think that's the road I'm going to take, I'm sure he'll see be fine with it as well.

MrEarbrass · 06-03-2010, 02:11 PM

I would strongly recommend working out your side deal now. Strange things sometimes happen to people when they see an opportunity... better to have that locked down before anyone shows interest in the script.

CColoredClown · 06-03-2010, 02:22 PM

Did he write the scenes after giving you feedback on the script? Isn't there something in the Guild regulations that say that anything that comes from a critique or group setting would still belong to the author if the new scenes are born from the source material? Like if I took a script to a writer's group and they gave me notes, that doesn't mean that they're suddenly co-authors.

Fuji · 06-03-2010, 03:44 PM

No, this wasn't part of a review. He and I wrote another script together, but when it came to the second script, his interests changed and he only wrote about two scenes.

MrEarBass, I agree. I'm meeting him on Monday to hash things out.

Ravenlocks · 06-03-2010, 07:35 PM

Get it in writing.

Ronaldinho · 06-04-2010, 11:12 AM

Yeah, I want to second the voices that said talk to him NOW, and get it in writing. Even getting it in writing, I would encourage you, from an ethical standpoint, to rewrite the scenes he wrote - but so long as he's telling you that it's yours, free and clear, then you should be fine.

06-03-2010, 12:07 PM	#1
Fuji New User Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 9	Writing with a partner I wrote a screenplay a few years ago that is starting to get some interest. At one point I asked a friend to help me out with it. He contributed two short scenes, which I have left in, then he lost interest and we have never spoken about it since. Over the years I have continued to rewrite and market the screenplay, and what I'm wondering is, if an offer for an option or outright sale is made, is he automatically entitled to 50% since he did contribute a bit, or can he and I work out a deal where he gets say, 10% of the sale/option? Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks.

06-03-2010, 12:26 PM	#2
Centurio Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 452	Re: Writing with a partner Umm...ask him? __________________ If a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball and saving an infant's life, she will choose to save the infant's life without even considering if there are men on base. Dave Barry

06-03-2010, 12:38 PM	#3
Fuji New User Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 9	Re: Writing with a partner You think he's going to know if he's legally entitled to 50%?

06-03-2010, 01:16 PM	#4
RGF Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kicking around on a piece of ground in my home town. Posts: 754	Re: Writing with a partner I doubt he'd be entitled to 50%. If he's not interested in the project just do what you want with the script. If he contributed 3 pages out of 100 and you get and option or sale...be a nice guy and send him 3% of what you make. This acknowledges his contribution, keeps a friendship, but doesn't attach him to the script as a writer, or co-owner. When it comes to chain of title, the producer will need to know you are the only writer. Your deal with your friend can be written as a side-deal just between the 2 of you.

06-03-2010, 01:34 PM	#5
Fuji New User Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 9	Re: Writing with a partner Thanks for the good advice, RGF. He's a good friend, but he's taken up other interests, and that's fair, I have no problem with that. I just wanted to make sure that legally we could work out a side deal...and I think that's the road I'm going to take, I'm sure he'll see be fine with it as well.

06-03-2010, 02:11 PM	#6
MrEarbrass Regular Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 235	Re: Writing with a partner I would strongly recommend working out your side deal now. Strange things sometimes happen to people when they see an opportunity... better to have that locked down before anyone shows interest in the script.

06-03-2010, 02:22 PM	#7
CColoredClown Regular Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 367	Re: Writing with a partner Did he write the scenes after giving you feedback on the script? Isn't there something in the Guild regulations that say that anything that comes from a critique or group setting would still belong to the author if the new scenes are born from the source material? Like if I took a script to a writer's group and they gave me notes, that doesn't mean that they're suddenly co-authors.

06-03-2010, 03:44 PM	#8
Fuji New User Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 9	Re: Writing with a partner No, this wasn't part of a review. He and I wrote another script together, but when it came to the second script, his interests changed and he only wrote about two scenes. MrEarBass, I agree. I'm meeting him on Monday to hash things out.

06-03-2010, 07:35 PM	#9
Ravenlocks Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Not where I was before. Posts: 2,130	Re: Writing with a partner Get it in writing. __________________ 1% inspiration, 99% perspiration, plenty of deodorant.

06-04-2010, 11:12 AM	#10
Ronaldinho Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 816	Re: Writing with a partner Yeah, I want to second the voices that said talk to him NOW, and get it in writing. Even getting it in writing, I would encourage you, from an ethical standpoint, to rewrite the scenes he wrote - but so long as he's telling you that it's yours, free and clear, then you should be fine.

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