Has this happened to you.

[PAUL C]

I have recently been approached by a new organisation who want to make movies, or at least video shorts, of some of my stories. (I prefer the term movies).

Has anybody else been approached in this way?

They seem very genuine people but it has occured to me (belatedly) that it might be a well know scam of some kind that I might be blundering into in my innocence.

Any thoughts anyone?

 

[Closet Desire]

tread carefully...

...if they ask for money, ask for you to "invest", or ask you to "contribute" walk away. I've not heard of this in relation to videos, but it has become even more common in printed books.

 

[PAUL C]

Tread carefully

Thanks for that CD, I will.

They have not, however, made any suggestions that I put up any money. Instead they have stated that they may be prepared to pay up front for certain rights.

It all seems too good to be true and in my, albeit limited, experience, when something appears to be that, it normally is.

 

[Mickie]

Caution is definitely advised. However, if this is legit, then congratulations! Just remember, money should always flow toward the author, not away. If it were me I'd ask for a contract before agreeing to anything, and have a lawyer look at the contract before signing it. Perhaps even an agent to handle it for you if the money amount is significant. There are far too many scam artists out there prepared to rip off the unwary.

Good Luck (and let me know where to get the movies if they end up on the market!)

Mickie

 

[PAUL C]

Thanks Mickie.

here is some of what they sent to me:

Hello:

Your MANY stories caught our attention and we wanted to know if we could use
one or a few. Allow me to elaborate:

We are an up-start company looking to make better films than what is
currently out there. We would like the films to range in length, style, and
interest. For stories that are too long, we intend to break them into bits
and air them as a series. All this will be shown online through streaming
video.

The company is broken into two sections, we just handle the filming aspect
and are currently looking for new and interesting stories to transform into
scripts.

Compensation is generally offered as a percentage of the profits we get from
the film. In some cases, an upfront monetary payment can be arranged.

If you are interested, please let us know. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

New Wave Entertainment


Then this.

Paul:

There won't be any cheesy moaning and bad scenary and things like that.
Imagine it this way: Ever watch a movie that has a "love" scene in it, but
all the good stuff is covered up or they fade to black? We'll be producing
films like that but with a little more "love" scenes and the scenes will be
more detailed each time.

We also intend to have some serials and we're toying with have a live chat
with a sex therapist. There will also be talk shows where you can see
interviews with others in the business. We're going for a "Playboy Channel"
type of thing but we'll be offering more and different things.

Everything we do will be done in the best taste and with the best equipment
to give the audience the best shows we can.

Hope that answers your questions, but should you have any more, please feel
free to email us.

New Wave Ent

In a later email they speak about approaching many people as they need a lot of material.

I thought they would have been in contact with others on this site so I only started the thread in the hope that if there were we could compare notes.

____________________________

 

[Mickie]

It all sounds pretty good, of course. However, I'd want to know more about the actual business deal. The money needed to make this kind of project float. If they're up and coming, they need to devise a contract for this. Handshakes don't work very well over the net.

Get a look at whatever they have for a final contract and decide if the deal is right for you. That's the easiest way to see the details.

Good luck!

Mick

 

[JUDO]

Money, up front

PC-

Get an agreement on how, when, why the material will be used. Get paid up front for sure. Get paid on the back end if the material makes beyond a certain amount of money; more money for you over $100,000, over $500,000, over a million, etc.

Get an independant agency to watch the dollars made, or get a contractural agreement to receive the monthly audited statements of the company's expenses. Believe me, they have an accountant.

Do all of the negotiating through a lawyer.

Remember, almost no one has made money through on-line video on demand and some of the best in the business...Speilberg, Paul Allen, etc...have tried and failed.

They may have the greatest intentions, but your contribution is the story. Get paid for it.

ONLY in this way, will you not regret it later.

- Judo

 

[PAUL C]

Out of my league

from what you all say I am getting out of my depth.

When I wrote my stories it was to fill a need in me then for others. Never did I really think that anyone would be that interested in them. ( Well I did daydream).

I still do not know if they want to use them. If they read all of this they may well run a mile as it is.

I was hoping there was safety in numbers. I didn't want to be alone in this.

Thanks for your support.

 

[Guest]

Indeed Paul...if it is legit, go for it. And if and when you find out it is...let me know. I've had a number of people tell me already they'd love to see some movies made out of my stories...

<ewg>

Thesandman

 

[JUDO]

Typical BS

PC-

You're not over your head, this is business as usual.

If they are not willing to agree to a written contract...if they are not willing to negotiate with your legal representative...if they are not willing to pay for your creative work...

They have a good reason for it.

Typical BS lines from people who want to leave you "hangin' in the wind":

- We like to run our business like a family, there's no reason to bring in lawyers.

- Hey! No problem! We can work all that out later, when the money flows in.

- Don't you trust me?

If the person uses any of this stuff, or a reasonable facsimile...just run.

The only other recourse they have to money is equity. In which case, look over the company (given a full disclosure of assets) and use your best judgement to see if it's worth it. Oh, and by the way...the equity agreement would still have to be in writing with an attorney.

Necessary evils, Paul.

- Judo

 

[Debbie]

It sounds really exciting! I would love this opportunity to have my stories recognised this way. It's a big compliment. But I can understand your apprehension.
I had a guy email me who said he wanted to use my stories on his pay audio site so I tentatively asked questions to establish if he was for real. He seemed to be so I gave him permission to use my stories. Since then I have emailed him regularly and have had no response. I can't access the site to see if he has put my stories on the site. So who knows what's happened except I was silly to give him permission without having some sort of contract.

So I wish you luck, just be careful.

 

[cymbidia]

Is anyone but me wildly impressed with Judo's biz acumen and lawyerly ways?

 

[PAUL C]

I am

I am, and he likes my poetry.

He has a lot going for him.

 

[cymbidia]

pssst...

Judo is a she.

 

[PAUL C]

Never

She's so sensible and has such good taste she could almost be a man.

 

[JUDO]

Children, children!

P & Cym-

In this corner, we have the world famous Pain Lady! (wild applause) And in this corner, we have the challenger Paul, the C!(token cheers, applause).

Okay, you two. I want a fair fight. Cym, you can use your nails, but no hitting below the belt. Paul, no hair pulling or scratching (too feminine), but you can threaten her with your wit. (Psst! Good luck, pal. You better come out swingin'.)

At the sound of the bell, commence the round! DING!

- Judo

PS - Also, remember, I live in the town of and work in the business of weasels and sharks, so you learn quick.

 

[PAUL C]

Thinking

Let me think about this.

I'm only allowed to use my wit, or was that wick?

I think I'll lose.

 

[Nudemodel]

If they want money, forget it. But they seem serious later in this thread. In that case, register your story with the US Copyright Office. Costs $30. But you're protected and they're protected. As I understand present copyright law, you have an automatic copyright as soon as you tap something on the keyboard. But you can guess how that could go. Nudemodel

 

[JUDO]

Sorry...

NM -

Copywright law today only really benefits lawyers who are trying to build a case and large corporations who can afford all the damn litigation.

If you want a legal copywright, do a "poor man's" copywright. Send the material to yourself through the post office, registered/receipt.

An authorized government agency has verified the date with return-receipt notification of when the envelope was given to you. If the envelope is sealed and never opened...presto! Proof of ownership!

Also, just to talk to a producer is fine, but to send your creative material to them is a little more dicey.

There is a lot of legal precidence in previous court cases that make it much safer for you, the writer, if your legal representative sends it to them for you. This can be an agent (hard to get) or easy to get, an attorney. Get reccs for the shark, by the way.

Also, there is a pretty good book published about all this garbarge. It's called "The Writer Got Screwed (But Didn't Have To)." Look for it.
http://writerscomputer.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/store/info/writer_got_screwed.htm?E+writers



- Judo