Found a few scripts for a short to direct. Still deciding. Have been in touch with the writers, each of whom is willing to give the script over to the project if they can receive a credit and stay involved.
I typically direct my own scripts but I want to interpret new material. We will of course give them a writer's credit but my question is what about future drafts? I want to honor the writer's role in the process however film is a director's medium and as a director, I definitely have ideas on how to do more with the scripts.
Are we obligated to involve the writers in the future rewrites? Do we own the material outright?
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First, this is a legal question and the legal answer depends entirely on the wording in your contract. Nothing anyone says is of real use. But to address the idea generally:
What do you mean by "interpret"? Translating to screen is one thing, but fundamental script changes are another, and again it depends on the actual (written) agreement under which you are producing the script. Artists all have "moral rights" to their work, aside from copyright, which rights allow them some control over how their work is used. (For an example, look up Devil's Advocate and see how a sculptor sued them for their use of his work on screen). So if your agreement doesn't address moral rights, you may not be able to do certain kinds of changes.
And as far as a "director's medium," my take today is different than it was as a much younger director. Back then, I had swallowed the pervasive idea that film being a director's medium justifies him/her doing whatever with the material they have. Through the years my viewpoint has changed, and I will say that the idea the director gets to do what he/she wants creatively with a script was never really a thing (with a few exceptions). That's the material you are hired to bring to screen; it's not other material. Particularly when it comes to a script-writer, why would you buy a script and then rewrite it, unless it's the original writer who writes it? If the script is good, it's good. If it is just a good idea, you don't need the script and there's no copyright in an idea, so I would write your own.
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If you buy it outright, you take title and it's yours to do with whatever you want, otherwise it can get real sticky.
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Perhaps remember the Murder She Wrote "Hooray for Homicide" Season 1 Episode 3 where "Jessica protests when her book is turned into a tacky B-grade horror movie".I believe if Jessica can be upset this represents what writers feel when they hand over their scripts. If allowed use the idea and write your own. Writers make "babies' and they can have parental protectiveness attached. Writers do not want to see their "babies mutilated." when they care about what they wrote from the heart.
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You're not obligated, but you may rob yourself of a fantastic collaboration by removing the writer from the process. I had a chance to work with a young, ambitious director who did as you did - snagged a script from Script Revolution to direct. He and I met with the writer and discussed my notes as a producer and his notes as a director, which gave him ideas for the revision. It was a fantastically energizing meeting that left everyone so much happier with the end product - not because someone took it over but because we were all allowed to contribute to its creation.
Thanks to all for the comments but I have no plans to remove the writer from the process. Collaboration is key. I just wanted to understand if it's assumed they'd be involved in every rewrite and whatever concept is applied to the story to make it work as a film. Appreciate the feedback.
Well first of all, build relationships with writers who are exactly that - writers...
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Nothing is assumed, everything is in writing, including rights and responsibilities, where you could determine how much or little the writer is involved.
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Kirk Sanders As Karen Ross says, no, nothing is assumed. This business works with other people's creative rights and collaboration needs to be set out in writing, if everyone is to be, and remain, on the same page.