Screenwriting : Beware of Producers asking for money to produce your script by Joe Thayer

If you pay someone they are supplying you a service, you are their customer. This is ass backwards. You write a script. You sell a script. Your customer, the producer may want certain things as part of the sale. Such as rewrites.

Just last week Craig Mazin said “writing should cost you money”.

There are so many scams targeting writers. If someone wants money. They are instantly ignorable in my book.

i see lots of producers offering "exposure" than money. Exposure for writers is the new hustle.

lots of producers with track records but they cant scratch together two nickels.

There was one producer soliciting writers to adapt a book for free, for exposure, and this producer has a track record. The shady part was he was asking multiple writers to adapt without telling the writers- most of them were contest winners, unproduced, always out of state.

Sonita K.w.i I agree :)

Thank you for the heads up.

Lascelles Hemmings that was my purpose for posting - just a heads up. Best of Luck!

I never, ever ask for money from writers (or anyone else for that matter) up front. That's just not the way I do business - but I'm old school. All I've ever need was a word & a handshake. I guess business doesn't work that way any longer. Sad.

Appreciate the advice, Joe Thayer!

This happened to me about 4 weeks ago. Not via Stage 32, but thru a job posting on a fairly reputable site. Went through the whole process: sent writing samples, got a call from the creative, and she asked me to write a short scene from one of three prompts; did that, then the actual Producer calls me. I did my research, he's the real deal. He tells me of several story ideas he has, is looking for a writer to collab with, etc.

We exchange a couple more phone calls, discuss the concepts, and he sends me two files filled with over 20 versions or rewrites by OTHER writers on the concept. My radar warning goes off, I ask about the other writers and he then rants about how they failed, they get nothing, and he just needs the story fixed. I mention the word "agreement" and he goes on to tell me how everyone wants to work with him, I'll make a $100k, get my name out there... blah, blah, blah. I told him no thanks. He blew up and told me I was making a huge mistake and so on.

Don't fall prey to these jerks. They will use your desire to get credit and get noticed so they don't drop a dime and you'll never get a thing.

You might be surprised but it's legit business...you pay, you get movie and claim title in it (executive producer, line producer, actor, etc) There's whole wide world of people without talent or any special abilities for film, but with money on their hands.

.Tim. This is not the same thing you raised on Stage 32 about a month ago. Stage 32 was offering a service for screenwriters. The $300 fee they charge was for feedback on your screenplay. Here he is talking about a producer who wants a screenwriter to pay to produce your script. In this case the producer would just trying to take advantage of a screenwriter.

I think Dan got it right. While the $300 fee might be steep, its for a service, clearly advertised and delivered on. It's for the individual to decide if it is worth it. The pay a Producer to produce your script thing was misleading and a waste of my time. If it was advertised "Pay me $2000 to produce your film" I would have ignored it an not wasted my time. It's the misleading nature that gets me.

Interesting thread. Why are you expecting someone to work on your film for free? Or is it you expect the producer to raise capital and be paid from this along with everyone else?

I’ve primarily produced short form content (films, pilots) that is self financed by writer/director (a few times we’ve raised funds crowdfunding), and I’ve never worked for free. Plenty of times at a much lower rate than usual, but never for free and always, for hire. You wrote it, you own it. It could be that I work with creator from script to festival or pitch or sale - but you always own it.

@Roberta, Thanks for joining the conversation. I always appreciate an alternate perspective. This is not about me producing a feature film I wrote. If that were the case, I'd be a producer and yes, I would be looking for funding and hiring people like yourself (Director, DP, and perhaps other producers, Etc..) and eventually paying myself too. If I wasn't the writer and just the producer (Which is what this person was representing himself as), I would also be hiring a writer, not asking a writer to pay me. What I was pointing out in my post is the equivalent of someone asking you to direct a film, but asking you to pay $2000 to direct it.

So I agree with you, if I was producing my own film, especially a short, I would be hiring others and raising funds myself and I would not expect to be paid. In fact I am doing exactly that on my short film.

I've noticed that many here in the S32 forums ask for an awful lot for free (& they want it now). And they seem to offer nothing of value in return. Can we ever get to the adult side of the pool, or is it hopeless?

You’re welcome, Joe. It’s a great platform and I’m happy to be on it.

Though, I believe the conversation is far more complicated than, “if someone asks to be paid upfront to produce your script, they’re a charlatan.”

There’s so many scenarios where the opposite is true. Think of all the actors who pay people to produce and direct something for their reel, or you are writing/directing a proof of concept, etc.

I charge good money to make your dream come true. I can’t guarantee success, but I can guarantee it will be the best possible end result with the resources we have at our disposal.

And I feel honorable and transparent about that.

I would like to add to your post that, if a producer asks for a fee, ensure you check their previous work, it’s completion, and market success, AND talk to previous creators as to their experience working with that person.

In everyone should get paid solidarity,

Roberta

Roberta. I believe the person who posted this is talking about something different. Obviously if a screenwriter has a spec screenplay and they wanted to hire a producer to make it into a movie they would have to pay the producer. Most if not all screenwriters here are trying to sell their spec screenplays and or are using them as calling cards. They aren't hiring hire producers.

@dan agreed and correct on my meaning

@Roberta no one here said “if someone asks to be paid upfront to produce your script, they’re a charlatan.”. I am of the nothing is that simple mindset. However like I tried to explain in one of my comments this was not an upfront proposal from a producer to produce my script for me. Nor did I seek out his services. He pretended to love my script and want to/be able to produce it and then turned around and asked me for money to do so. If he could produce a feature script with a 2million+ budget, he wouldn't need my two grand to do. So my only purpose in posting was for people to be aware.

Hey Joe - of course! I absolutely understand the difference, and sorry I didn’t acknowledge that earlier. There are a lot of people out there, some good, some not so much, who either don’t understand the process or are only seeking to make a quick buck. It sucks, and it’s also demoralizing for us writers. You think you’ve found yourself an outstanding producer only to realize they’re only on board for a fee.

Nice, appreciate the advice ! thanks

There are a million what ifs and what abouts. I described a very specific situation. A misleading solicitation. That's different than hiring someone to produce a commercial, trailer or POC, etc... I never said producers shouldn't make money or be paid for their work. Everyone should get paid for their work, that includes writers.

Joe. Yes there are different what ifs. Some will ask a screenwriter to give them their screenplay claiming they will receive a screenwriter's credit. That is BS because if they don't have the money to option the script they will never get the movie made. Unfortunately a lot of screenwriters will fall for it. I never heard of a producer asking a screenwriter for money to produce their movie but I am sure it happens because there is no shortage of crooks in this business. The best thing a screenwriter can do in that situation is turn around and run the other way. I am glad you bought this up because I hate seeing fellow screenwriter getting ripped off.

I'm with you Joe. I'm a writer, not a fund raiser. If my story is good enough it will be Optioned or Sold. If not, it won't be. There are too many cons out there preying on writers desperate to be successful.

The only thing I spent money on was on a software program, two how to books and some stamps.

Dan - I spend money on book, on computer programs (Final Draft), on a long-term script consultant, and on good movies that I want to learn from. Takes money to make money!

Gilberto. There is nothing wrong with spending money on script consultants and stuff but I am not someone who is willing to do that sort of thing.

Dan - if you bought some stamps, you must have bought some brass brads too (how else were you sending out scripts in those days).

Joe Thayer, I agree, simply because I experienced it when I was new to the industry. I was excited, he "loved" the script. I wanted to see my dream come true. I paid him. And I never heard from him again. When you know better you do better. I will pay for coverage/feedback and education. You're right, when they're all in they cover financing/secure funding for your project.

A producer asks for money, my reply would be, "Where you want it sent? San Quentin or Riker's?"

Scams galore. Everywhere. Assume the worst unless proved otherwise.

Joe Thayer, thanks for posting. This just happened to me today and I went searching for confirmation of what I already suspected. It was from a Stage 32 producer and she has subsequently deleted her profile, so, there ya go.

And still, there are "producers" on here who want to charge a fee. Not mentioning who, but this is a quote from a recent email to me: "Kindly note, if your project meets my requirements, I charge a small fee to help facilitate the development and production of the project." This is from someone on Stage32 who initially approached me, expressed interest in one of my projects... and then this happened. I'd sent him some material but it's all © material and all of my colleagues know about it, so not really an issue there. But seriously, producers, please at least pretend to match the hundreds of hours I put into a project for free by not making me pay for you to TRY to "develop" it.

They tell you that you should be honored to work with them, simply because they are so brilliant. Of course, you will do all the hard work. And you should pay big money to bask in their glory...same story, different villians.

After 24 years in the screenwriting trenches here is the truth. If you ever expect to see your material produced- do it yourself. Raise the money. BEFORE you do that realize that NOBODY in Hollywood buys screenplays from unknown writers. If you are not related to somebody already IN, you will stay OUT. UNLESS you have distribution connections EVEN if you create a film, you will ONLY have a FILM with nowhere to sell it. If you are 40 or reaching age 40 forget EVER optioning or selling a script in H'wood. There is a well- known age discrimination in ALL major writing contracts. Financing your own INDIE film production and securing distribution are your only 2 choices. Good luck.