Screenwriting : Contract to rewrite a script by Jennifer Stewart

Jennifer Stewart

Contract to rewrite a script

I'm negotiating a contract to rewrite a full feature script. The producer agreed to my quote but wants to break the work up into four stages and only guarantee payment of two of them (treatment and 1st draft), which will be 50% of my quote. He wants to reserve the option of 2 more drafts, each with payment attached. Effectively this means he could get the rewrite from me at half price so I don't want to agree to it. Can anybody with experience in this advise me?

Kerry Douglas Dye

Well, I get where the producer is coming from. He wants to cover his rear if he doesn't like your writing. I'm sympathetic to that. What you need is an agent or lawyer negotiating for you. Maybe 50% becomes 70%... Maybe one more payment is guaranteed... You want to push the envelop a little, but without souring your relationship.

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