A question of fees

[seansshack]

Forgot about him. Hopefully never have a need to use it.....

[ScriptNurse]

There's one already reserved ... Allan Smithee.

[seansshack]

Thanks Don,

He sent me a few mails last night - usual big rush to get to final draft as a storyboard artist was starting.

All smells of amateur night (not that I'm a professional). But can't see this getting off the ground, never mind released.

Thanks again all.

It was the credit that interested me. But light Don said, worthless if not completed.

Not to mention if it is really bad I might have to change my name!!!!

[FLM]

What Don said...forget the money and run the other way.

[ScriptNurse]

My take is this that this man is not serious. Let him know that you are. YOU set the price you'll do it for, tell him and that's it. If he wants his schlock-laden crap cleaned up, it's gonna cost. Period. I wouldn't do it for less than $1000 + credit ($500 due before you begin work, the balance on delivery). The promise of a credit is worthless unless a film is (a) MADE and (b) RELEASED. If you think it'll take 40 hours, it's more likely to take 80 hours ... that's always been my experience.

[seansshack]

This offer came back as the guy in question passed on a "finished" 122 page feature script. Already there have been 2 other script writers involved.

I read it through as it is half a shooting script and half a spec script (camera angles, slow mos etc). Voice over at start, not in middle and back at end. Character problems, dialogue issues etc etc

So I picked a key scene and polished it up. Passed it back with a page of comments.

He loved it and wants me involved for a fee of (wait for it) $300 + credit because money is tight.(like they all say when its time to pay the writer).

One one hand: first time director + 3 writers = mess (would you want your name attached)?

other hand: credit if it gets shot might be useful (despite the work and lack of money).

But to be fair it would take a good 40 hour + of work and I don't want to do it fast and cheap (with my name on it).

Gut feeling is too walk away and do my own stuff!!!!

[seansshack]

Good one to remember.

[ScriptNurse]

Personally, if I'm patching up someone else's garbage, I'd charge double ... once for them and once for you.

[seansshack]

Thanks,

He is waiting to what his first writer produces and then I'm sure dump it on me if it isn't up to much.

So may be used to patch and fix, nothing else.

Same old working conditions....

[ScriptNurse]

Who is  going to direct this movie? That seems to be conspicuously missing. If your man is planning to do that too ... he's going to need guerrilla help ... http://www.webfilmschool.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=965 ... there's also an audio version and, of course, you can attend in person.

[uncle_al]

If I get any more details will let you know. But was excited at the idea, but after comments here, I'm more cautious.
Which is a better approach.

The quote goes, if I remember correctly ha! don't bet on it:

"Reply in haste, repent in leisure"...

Or some such thing of that nature.

Al B.

[seansshack]

thanks all.

Haven't read any of it as yet, so no idea of quality or volume.

He wants to have a video/web/conference, so I think I finally pick up a web cam for the old laptop, as will he handy for other projects (should be easier that emails + live chat).


I think he is funding this himself and has never done one before. So he is going to find it tough, because I feel it is an expensive way to learn.

He might be concerned with the tight time line, but won't let it bother me. Working blind under that time just leads to producing rubbish and better not to be associated with.

He sent me a very rough couple of pages a few months back and as an exercise (for myself) I wrote him a couple of scenes based on it. My location in the world went against me, but my work seems to have been better than what he is getting. Since it was only a couple of hour works (but didn't tell him). I "may" have a call and read what's done.

I have worked on fixing/rewriting peoples works before and it is often easier starting from scratch.


If I get any more details will let you know. But was excited at the idea, but after comments here, I'm more cautious.

Which is a better approach.

[ScriptNurse]

Have you read the beginning and ending? Are they any good? Does this man have a clue? Why does he have a beginning and ending, but no story? The usual reason is that the story was never planned or outlined and he (or someone) had what they thought were "cool" scenes and they just started writing, but since there's no story, there's no Act II either. This looks like a disaster in the making to me.

Can he tell you the story in 500 words? That is, what his movie is about? If he can't, he has no story. No story = no script. In other words, you're starting from scratch on a tight deadline.

Why does he have to have it on August 1st? What happens if it's not done?

Does he have funding or a budget? What is it?

Where does he plan to shoot this movie?

Are YOU comfortable writing in this genre? If not, bail.

[uncle_al]

Any fool could "fill" a screenplay but if you want it that good.....

The usual quote is thus:

"Do you want it good, or do you want it Tuesday?"

"Yes!"

Sometimes it's like bailing water with a fork.

Al Bouchard

[seansshack]

Thanks everyone - starting to sound like a lot of work on some one else's vision....

here is his latest - very ambitious to say the least:

"What are your rates? I'd like a complete script August 1st. I've got beginning and the end of the movie complete. I need it to be filled with diffrent scenes.

I'm looking for a theme such as goodfellas - sopranos This is a mobster movie."

Nice easy to write script like goodfellas and the sopranos (gulp) and by 1st august. Any fool could "fill" a screenplay but if you want it that good.....