Stage 32’s founder and CEO, Richard “RB” Botto, shared two videos for Coffee & Content this past Sunday.
– It Was A Sh*t Show | Independence Day (1996)
– RBWalksIntoABar | Protecting Your Project on a Film Slate
Has anyone ever wanted to option/buy your project or hire you without a contract? How did you handle it? Or how would you handle it?
I used to take on jobs without contracts (way back when I was a new screenwriter), but now I get everything in writing.
And here’s the link to the blog if you missed it: www.stage32.com/blog/coffee-content-protecting-your-projects-when-the-in...
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A Canadian TV star asked me to revise his pilot script that was tied up at 20th Century Fox's story department. I weaved my magic, and suddenly the script had U.S. TV stars attached. Suddenly, my "friend" was taking credit for the writing. My name was nowhere to be seen. I threatened to sue. The project then died. When I became a casting director for a horror feature film, he wanted me to get him work on the film so he could get a U.S. work visa. I made sure the part went to another, worthier actor. My "friend" continued to chill out in Vancouver. But we mended fences, until we hand another falling out. No more writing without a contract, collaboration agreement.
Sorry that happened, Matthew Gross. The TV star taking credit for the writing and the second falling out. I'm glad to hear you only write with a contract or collaboration agreement in place. Verbal agreements can work, but I won't do them anymore. Thanks for sharing.