Hello Forum...
Here is our situation. Our company has recently written a script that has an Oscar winner attached. We are trying to get private financing to make the film. Someone (have intentionally removed last name for his privacy etc.) is interested but it is not clear as to what they can actually do. We will talk tomorrow to him. Below is the agreement he wants us to sign. I am trying to find out if this is a standard deal in filmmaking or if his rates/requests are unreasonable. Please respond if you have legal knowledge on the matter and not just an "opinion" though I value both. I am mostly concerned with his % rate as it seems high to me. Also he wants a % on 2 future projects it seems that he has nothing to do with...is that normal? Initially I wanted to talk to this guy about investing, but it seems like he wants to take the role of agent/manager? I am not sure exactly. Also, please respond if you know what a typical "investment deal" would be like. Our intended budget is about 3M. Let's say somebody (one or more parties put up the funds at a minimum of 100K blocks); what percentages does everybody get? How is it usually broken down? How much of the % do we keep and how much goes to investors and distributors in typical deal?? Any info/help would be appreciated. Please look at his proposed "contract" below. Again, if this is standard and typical, by all means let me know...thanks for any info you send....
Business Agreement
This agreement between “WRITER” and Greg states the following:
Greg has permission from “WRITER” to inform and notify any producers, literary agents, and/or film executives of the volume and content of work “WRITER” has created.
Any producers, literary agents and/or film executives that Greg introduces to “WRITER” that directly leads to a production deal and/or film option Greg shall receive 15% (fifteen percent) of said option deal and/or payment directly related to that contact. Another 15% (fifteen percent) of the next two production deals that “WRITER” acquires directly through the initial contact provided by Greg, will be paid to Greg.
Both parties have agreed to the terms of this contract.
Name ______________________ Name_________________________
Signature _________________________ Signature______________________
Date____________________________ Date__________________________
Here is our situation. Our company has recently written a script that has an Oscar winner attached. We are trying to get private financing to make the film. Someone (have intentionally removed last name for his privacy etc.) is interested but it is not clear as to what they can actually do. We will talk tomorrow to him. Below is the agreement he wants us to sign. I am trying to find out if this is a standard deal in filmmaking or if his rates/requests are unreasonable. Please respond if you have legal knowledge on the matter and not just an "opinion" though I value both. I am mostly concerned with his % rate as it seems high to me. Also he wants a % on 2 future projects it seems that he has nothing to do with...is that normal? Initially I wanted to talk to this guy about investing, but it seems like he wants to take the role of agent/manager? I am not sure exactly. Also, please respond if you know what a typical "investment deal" would be like. Our intended budget is about 3M. Let's say somebody (one or more parties put up the funds at a minimum of 100K blocks); what percentages does everybody get? How is it usually broken down? How much of the % do we keep and how much goes to investors and distributors in typical deal?? Any info/help would be appreciated. Please look at his proposed "contract" below. Again, if this is standard and typical, by all means let me know...thanks for any info you send....
Business Agreement
This agreement between “WRITER” and Greg states the following:
Greg has permission from “WRITER” to inform and notify any producers, literary agents, and/or film executives of the volume and content of work “WRITER” has created.
Any producers, literary agents and/or film executives that Greg introduces to “WRITER” that directly leads to a production deal and/or film option Greg shall receive 15% (fifteen percent) of said option deal and/or payment directly related to that contact. Another 15% (fifteen percent) of the next two production deals that “WRITER” acquires directly through the initial contact provided by Greg, will be paid to Greg.
Both parties have agreed to the terms of this contract.
Name ______________________ Name_________________________
Signature _________________________ Signature______________________
Date____________________________ Date__________________________