Just when depression and thoughts of suicide starting creeping in, I (finally) get a positive response from a TV company about one of my scripts!
They want me to write another episode of the script. How long does that give me to write it? Is this like a test to see how fast my writing turn-around time is?
I've never been in this situation before, so am not sure about the process..
Well, there'll be no rush unless they've stated, but I would try not to take six months over it.
Well done & good luck with that Flaner.
Thanks guys. I'll get back in touch with them.
it won't be a test to see how quick you are. Dashing it off would be a bad idea. Take your time with it and don't send it till you're happy.
It's more likely to see if the series has got legs.
To be fair, if they are asking for a second ep, then they ought to be giving you some development cash. They should at least take an option out on it.
be wary they aren't taking the piss.
And good luck.
Get an agent.
You will get an agent if you've been asked to write a second part of a series.
Just say to the agent: 'I've got an ongoing deal here'.
The agent will advise you that you should be paid (and make sure that you do, from what I've been tutored on, a 8-14 page treatment is about a grand to 2 grand worth of work, you do the maths for a 30 page or 60 page episode (if it has legs the agent will probably say that you will have rights to commissions as viewing figures go up).
Get a contract together and DON'T WAIVE YOUR MORAL RIGHT TO BE CREDITED, the rest is by the by; just as long as you get paid for waiving them, you can arrange it that you'll be credited but they will own the material (as a production company does).
You should be paid for re-writes too, just as long as the first draft wasn't rubbish.
If you want I can email you some legal advice that I learned on my MA. Give me your email address.
It's the series producer that is supposed to pay you, he/she gets the money in from the investors.
Countless producers have told me that whatever happens the writers are the ones that get paid even before the producers do. So make sure they don't totally exploit you working for them.
Quote: James Turner @ December 23 2009, 9:23 PM GMTGet an agent.
It's not as easy as all that sometimes; I have a script with the BBC through a major Production company, and even though my producer presented me to three agents, they all turned me down! Of course, it might be because I've just had a bit of luck so far but I'm actually rubbish and they saw right through me. That's a distinct possibility.
I understand man, but it's worth trying and if he's been asked to write for an ongoing series then he has a good chance of getting one.
If you've been shopped to agents you're not rubbish. A lot of it can be celebrity chasing sometimes and what writer is 'in' with a celebrity I've been told.
Try and get a Scottish agent, a lot of them have clout and would like to work in London.
Quote: James Turner @ December 23 2009, 9:29 PM GMTA lot of it can be celebrity chasing sometimes and what writer is 'in' with a celebrity I've been told.
Now come on James, be honest - what you actually mean is 'celebrity f**king' (or vice-versa).
Yep and home improvement shows.
Quote: James Turner @ December 23 2009, 9:37 PM GMTYep and home improvement shows.
Now you're getting all emulsional.
Congrats, Flaner. As said, get more information from them, don't panic, don't rush and good luck. 
Take the pills anyway, Flaner. Nothing like a nice E to liven up Christmas dinner.
Quote: Ben @ December 24 2009, 12:01 PM GMTTake the pills anyway, Flaner. Nothing like a nice E to liven up Christmas dinner.
They're actually 'Senokot' pills...all this rich Christmas food doesn't wanna quit me just yet.
Quote: James Turner @ December 23 2009, 9:23 PM GMTa 8-14 page treatment is about a grand to 2 grand worth of work, you do the maths for a 30 page or 60 page episode
Your upper end is a liitle optimistic - especially for a first timer.
But it is a good idea to get them to make some sort of notional payment - just to show willing.
A grand or so upfront with clarification of the process to follow would be good.
Good luck with getting an agent - I'm not sure 'interest' means you'll definitley get one, but it'll help.
Even if the scripts come to nothing, getting an agent would be a huge step forward