Getting Paid Page 2

Quote: catskillz @ January 4 2011, 12:50 PM GMT

Wouldn't a writer get any kind of bonus, if the film was a massive hit? I mean, take 'The Blair Witch Project' for example, it cost peanuts to make, but obviously made a huge amount.

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Depends on the contract, screenwriters (especially in America) are often offered a profits/percentage deal as opposed to a lump sum up front.

Within the first deal, certain bonuses can be triggered if a film reaches/surpasses a 'magic number', say, $100 million.

Writers (in theory at least) can ask for whatever they like, whether they get it of course, is an entirely different matter.

Quote: catskillz @ January 4 2011, 12:50 PM GMT

Wouldn't a writer get any kind of bonus, if the film was a massive hit? I mean, take 'The Blair Witch Project' for example, it cost peanuts to make, but obviously made a huge amount.

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Though the writers actually made that one themselves anyway, didn't they? So they probably did make a lot off it.

Totally agree with James Cary - it's a very bizarre situation. I used to get paid for 90 mins hacking around in a football team about 10 leagues down the non-league structure (and some players were both useless and hungover yet still got paid), yet a top comedy writer can get paid zero for several weeks of work.

Sitcom Geek is an essential read for comedy writers imo.

That's a cracking blog post from James. I've had that realisation dawn on me many times in meetings. The "hang on... but *you're* all getting paid for this!" epiphany doesn't just seem to strike once in a lifetime, unfortunately. Hmph.

Yeah but they have to turn up everyday and work there. 9 to 6 or sometimes lots lots later. And they are not really being paid for shows that don't happen - unless they are the BBC of course. But you are right there should be a development budget and writers should be part of that. It's all about putting a value on something. Professional gamblers don't bet every race - they put their serious money down and commit to a few.

Quote: Matthew Stott @ January 3 2011, 12:44 PM GMT

It's a weird situation. As a nothing, the money doesn't even come into it, I'm always a little taken aback when money is actually brought up, it never having crossed my mind. But when you think about it, that's wrong, you should be paid if you're working. I had a sitcom recently, with a major prod company, that went through about eight drafts, then was pitched to channels, and was ummed and ahhed over for quite a while at the BBC, and I never recieved a penny. It never crossed my mind during the whole thing that I would get any money, but you read articles like the one above and you can't help thinking that it's wrong, you should get paid something.

Of course, having said all that, I'll do it all again for not a bean.

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Did the production company not take an option out on it?
That's pretty hardcore.
The only upside is thay have no rights over the thing - even the changes they suggested are 100% your property.
Get it really, really developed, with everyone about to say yes then take it elswhere.
F**kers.

Quote: Lazzard @ January 5 2011, 9:28 AM GMT

Get it really, really developed, with everyone about to say yes then take it elswhere.
F**kers.

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Quote: Lazzard @ January 5 2011, 9:28 AM GMT

Did the production company not take an option out on it?

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Nope. I've had a couple of things developed to the point where they're pitched to channels, but the production companies haven't asked me sign an option or anything, which seems odd.

Does seem odd. Perhaps they saw you as a soft touch, someone who could be exploited.

Happens all the time. Sadly.

Quote: Matthew Stott @ January 5 2011, 9:46 AM GMT

Nope. I've had a couple of things developed to the point where they're pitched to channels, but the production companies haven't asked me sign an option or anything, which seems odd.

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If they can get away with paying you nowt, they will. I've had the same thing happen to me. And a friend of mine who has two sitcoms under his belt and a BAFTA in his office had a sitcom optioned last year by a major Indie for a pound. No joke. All the companies are pleading poverty. Doesn't stop them throwing swanky champagne parties for their showbiz chums though...

That's a fantastic name for a sitcom...

Dan

Quote: swerytd @ January 5 2011, 3:26 PM GMT

That's a fantastic name for a sitcom...

Dan

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My friend Chris made a documentary feature with that name that got sanitised for its cinema release...

http://www.starsuckersmovie.com/

The other reason you should push for an option is they come with a time limit,a year being the norm. So called 'dollar options' are not uncommon but a) come with a time limit and usually a proper option fee if they want to go into a second year b) usually off-set by some sort of re-write, revisions fee, so whilst the option if for a quid you get something for the work you put in (might only be £500 but still...)
The time limit means they can't just dither about - yeah, you can have my idea for nothing but after 12 months you either put up or shut up.
If you don't ask you don't get.
Plus, the more people who work for free the harder it is for everyone else to get paid...