As long as this deal leads to you guys writing screenplays with stories that compel us to go the movies and buy the DVDs I’m all for that!

You guys need to get adults back into the cinema and that means movies like Touch of Evil, Chinatown, Point Blank, Deliverance, stuff like that..

Good luck with this…

Kevan

I didn’t join in the discussion on Craig’s board. Precisely because of posts like these. Can we stick to informed debate rather than guesswork and ad homen attacks?

That is the big danger to my mind. I fully appreciate that this deal is for one script and you can go elsewhere and still get your full quote. But what if ‘elsewhere’ disappears? The rest of the studios begin to think ‘Hey, why are we paying six and seven figures when a precedent has been set for A list writers taking on the risk of non production?”

Human nature being what it is of course they are going to try to persuade writers to take a small up front in return for what will be, for most writers, a mythical back end.

I think this is a great deal for A listers. I sincerely mean that. No doubt I will be accused of jealousy but them’s the breaks. I just think we are entering dangerous waters when writers take on risk. Actors and directors on back end deals are slightly different. They know the movie has a good chance of being made and have done little or no work until it is greenlit. Not to mention star actors still get a hefty wedge up front and a back end deal.

Then I’ve given you your response to them, right? “Sure, I’ll take the 300K just as soon as you guarantee me the 2.5% fdg that goes with it.�

I would definitely give that a go Craig. But consider the likelyhood of my script being produced as against yours? I might be able to negotiate the same deal, but I’d argue the chances of your deal paying off are much greater than mine. I’m not complaining about that. ‘A’ listers have earned that status.

We can’t all be ‘A’ listers and given how many scripts are bought and never produced I can see a case for the non A lister preferring a bird in the hand in the form of a bigger up front payment. Whether this will be available or not is something that your deal could have a direct bearing on. I’m not saying it will, just saying it could happen. We shall see in the fullness of time.

The best of the deal: great writers writing original scripts! My prayers have been answered!

Why are you Anonymous? I don’t understand why you’d expect anyone to continue a debate with you when you won’t give your real name.