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Cinema Law: Screenwriter Rights

Cinema Law: Screenwriter Rights


Welcome to “Cinema Law,” MovieMaker.com’s all-new blog where you ask the questions of our resident team of legal experts and, each week, they’ll provide the answers to your production queries. Have a burning question yourself? E-mail it to and your question may just be on next week’s blog! Cinema Law is presented as general information only and is not meant to take the place of professional legal advice.

Q: When a writer sells the rights to his script to a production company, I understand that the writer no longer has the right to option his script to other production companies, even if he receives a better offer. That being said, does the writer lose all creative control once he signs his name on the dotted line? Can the production company go ahead and hire whatever director it wants and even change the entire tone of the script without the writer’s approval? Basically, what say does the writer have in a project once his script is sold?

A: The conventional wisdom in Hollywood is that, in film, the director creates his “vision,” but the writers are expendable and easily replaceable. As a result, if you are lucky enough to sell your script, the studio or production company can do whatever it wants with it.

When you sell your script, what you are really selling is the copyright to your creation (or, at the very least, the right to make audiovisual works derived from your script). Copyright vests the author of a work of expression (i.e., you) with the exclusive rights to do a number of things with his work, including the exclusive right to make other creations “derived from” the work (e.g., films). In other words, when you write a script, only you have the right to turn it into a movie. Of course, you probably do not have the money necessary to produce and distribute a feature film, so you must sell that right to a producer or studio that can. And no studio will buy that right without making sure it can make whatever movie it wants out of your script.

“When a writer sells the rights to his script to a production company, I understand that the writer no longer has the right to option his script to other production companies, even if he receives a better offer.” Correct. The production company will most likely acquire an option on your script, which is the exclusive right to purchase it outright, at a set price, within a certain time frame. Until the option expires, you cannot sell your script to someone else even if you receive a better offer.

“That being said, does the writer lose all creative control once he signs his name on the dotted line?” Usually, yes, because there is a difference between selling a literary property to a studio and being hired by that studio to work as a writer on the film. Once you sell the rights to your script, the studio owns it and can do what it wants with it. That will include hiring a screenwriter or screenwriters to write redrafts. If you are a professional screenwriter, the studio may (but is not obligated to) hire you to write another draft of the screenplay. The studio will own that second draft and all subsequent drafts outright, since they will be created as “works for hire” for the studio. If you are hired as a writer, the good news is that you will get more control over your script, and you will get paid for your writing services. The bad news is that the studio can—and often will—hire more writers after you in order to get the script it wants.

“Can the production company go ahead and hire whatever director it wants and even change the entire tone of the script without the writer’s approval?” Yes. Unless you have considerable clout, you will have zero say in crew or casting decisions.

Regarding changing the tone of the script, remember that you are selling the right to make an audiovisual work derived from your work. The studio, as purchaser of that right, may change your original script any way it sees fit. As a current example (out of thousands), consider the recent film The Blind Side starring Sandra Bullock. The film is a sentimental, feel-good tale of a poor youth being taken in by a rich family and “making it” through football. It is based on the best-selling nonfiction book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by journalist Michael Lewis (author of Moneyball and Liar’s Poker), a hard-hitting, journalistic account of the evolution of modern football from passing offenses and pass-rushing defenses to the cutthroat world of college recruiting. The tone of the film could hardly be more different from that of the book, but Warner Bros. paid Michael Lewis handsomely for the right to take whatever tone it wanted.

“Basically, what say does the writer have in a project once his script is sold?” Little to none, unless you are hired as a writer on the film, and even then, not much unless you have serious clout. But that’s the business. Truly, you are one of the lucky ones to have sold a script at all.

Chad Fitzgerald, an attorney at Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump & Aldisert , a high-profile, L.A.-based entertainment litigation firm, specializes in entertainment and business litigation as well as transactional matters for entertainment industry clients. He has represented actors, musicians, professional athletes and production and distribution entities, as well as clients in the toy, apparel, yoga and diamond industries, entertainment guilds, personal and business managers, and talent agents and agencies in disputes in California and federal courts as well as before the California Labor Commissioner and the guilds. Mr. Fitzgerald handles contract, profit participation, financing, distribution, copyright and trademark disputes in the entertainment industry as well as business litigation matters involving contracts, sales, employment, partnership and franchise disputes, fraud, trade secrets, rights of privacy and defamation. He also negotiates agreements for intellectual property rights holders, entertainment industry executives, producers and independent filmmakers.

The answers to legal questions provided by the lawyers of Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump & Aldisert, LLP ("KWIKA") are for general education and information purposes only, and are not legal advice or legal opinions. The information provided in the articles is not intended to create a lawyer-client relationship between KWIKA and you. The opinions expressed in the postings are the opinions of the authors and do not reflect the opinions of KWIKA, its employees or agents.

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COMMENTS | POST A COMMENT

Comment by ImageDave on 12/24/09 at 4:50 am

Cool, I learned a few things here, Thanks!

Comment by Brian on 12/27/09 at 4:31 pm

And, lawyers have helped Hollywood, et alia, to rip-off writers financially and creatively.

Comment by Minneapolis Lawyer on 12/27/09 at 10:10 pm

Thank you for writing this helpful post. It’s very clear and well written.

Comment by Scrapbook on 12/31/09 at 12:33 am

One of the better articles as I’ve researched this, thanks.

Comment by Mark on 1/04/10 at 10:58 pm

You can’t sell similar script to other production company.  Once the script is turned over to the production company, the company automatically have full rights to it.

Comment by Brian on 1/05/10 at 11:37 am

Question; Would someone provide a specific instance of a purchaser of a script for motion picture production who allowed the script-writer/seller to retain rights to produce a play or book from the optioned/purchased script?

Comment by Chad on 1/05/10 at 5:16 pm

Brian, sellers (most often authors of books or novels, not screenwriters) are often able to retain certain rights in their work, including the rights to produce stage plays or “author-written sequels” to their book.  It’s all part of the negotiation, and what rights you can retain depends on your leverage and bargaining power.

Comment by Brian on 1/06/10 at 10:06 am

Hi Chad, Thanks for your reply to my question which doesn’t actually answer it.  I know that, theoretically, any arrangement may be negotiated. But, because of the incredible financial and legal power of motion picture producers, the ability of writers, especially those who are non-famous and/or have not previously published in a different media such as a book, to retain rights to their work for other purposes is virtually impossible.  That’s why I’ve asked for a specific instance of a purchaser of a script for motion picture production who allowed the script-writer/seller to retain rights to produce a play or book from the optioned/purchased script.  Is there one and, if there is, who is it and what script and writer was it for?

Comment by Justin on 1/06/10 at 8:14 pm

Chad,

Similar to what Brian has asked, I am not a lawyer but it is almost obvious. That if a non-famous or famous scribe has written a hit-fire script, and he chooses to give up all of the media rights(TV, film, licensing/merchandising, video games.

Except the rights to re-produce his character’s and story for a novel. It’s a high possibility that the buyers will agree...why wouldn’t they? This script is marvelous, could-be an award winner or better yet a tentpole. The buyers wouldn’t sacrifice it and if a percentage is cut in the deal...JESUS! LAWD HAMMERCY. The novel is a promotion and a profit for the movie, concurrently.

...I created a character and screenplay that is iconic…

Scarface Cocaine Icon

Mickey Mouse Theme Park Icon

Jack Sparrow Swashbuckler Icon

My Character (blankicon) E-mail me Chad if you can help me no lie! Just e-mail me dude and let me reveal my Icon. I need representation, guidance and direction my creativity and imagination is all over my house, sequentially. Running in circles, dear.

Thou shall not lie. My iconic project is a completed spec script.

Comment by Justin on 1/06/10 at 8:19 pm

It is copy written(copyright.gov not WGA.ORG. I’ve a certificate and everything. And no knows it exists. This is equivalent to Madonna being a unknown singer in NYC and networking with people at parties. And look at her now superstar! Same thing my project could be superstar, just networking on a forum blog.

Comment by Brian on 1/07/10 at 11:25 am

Justin; Would you please clarify how your posts relate to my question, I’m having trouble understanding them.

Comment by Brian on 1/07/10 at 2:09 pm

Justin; I re-read your postings and now understand them as self-promotion which does not answer my question.  So far, no answer.  Does that mean there aren’t any?

Comment by Justin on 1/09/10 at 12:53 am

Brian,I don’t know of a example but what I have wrote previously does relate to your question tremendously. 
Your question is:

Is there a script writer/seller who retain their rights for other mediums other then the script they are selling.

And I wrote that if the story is VERY, VERY, VERY GOOD then no matter what, the STUDIO will most likely allow you to keep the rights to the other mediums. Also that novel or play concept has to be brilliant, because the studio won’t risk for you to screw up their movie, which means you’ll screw up their money.

They will also probably would like to receive a percentage from your novel or play venture. But that should be fine, like Chad said, you should be glad you sold the script. Remember Brian. The story. Theme. character’s. Elements. Turning points. Structure…

Everything has to be right in order for the studio to consider the fact you are taking the same story they just purchased from you, to other mediums.

Well Brian Self-promotion will be your pitch to retain your rights dude, if you sell your first script, demanding things just to do so and no benefits for you or the buyer. Then that will be ill-advised and you’ll be heading in the wrong direction as a first-time screenwriter by your reps. You can risk being dropped by your reps if the deal is blown.

The bottom line is, you need to give the studio or producer a reason to why they should allow you to take the same material to another medium concurrently with their planned movie derived from your script.

They are paying you big bucks, so if you can convince them that your idea will double or triple their big bucks spent and you’re creating a icon or something than clout doesn’t matter, you will be able to retain your rights. 

Don’t worry about “real situations” like if there previously was a script and a writer who sold that script and if there is, which one was it, blah, blah, blah. Who cares, you could be the first.

Did Buzz Aldridge and Neil Armstrong cared about who landed on the moon before them no! They just did their job and found out that they were the first and only human beings Globally to step foot on the moon first.

Just do what you do, and have fun. Good luck!

Comment by Brian on 1/09/10 at 12:43 pm

Justin; I appreciate your views but I did ask for a specific answer to a specific question which hasn’t been answered yet.

Previous financial success of a movie which adhered substantially to a script may confer potential copyright clout to the original script writer/seller for subsequent work but, even so, producers still onerously wield their power over successful script writers because they, except possibly for already succesful print media writers such as Agatha Christie and J.K. Rowling, have the superior financial ability to do so.  Consequently my unanswered question is still waiting for an answer.

Comment by Brian on 1/09/10 at 12:48 pm

In my previous comment, I forgot to add that Agatha Christie and J.K. Rowling are not script writers which disqualifies them from being answers to my question.  My question refers to writers who wrote the original script before that work (plot/theme/etc.), or a derivative work, appeared in a medium other than film/video.

Comment by Justin on 1/10/10 at 7:41 pm

Brian, since I couldn’t answer your question which I gave it my all. All I can suggest is go to johnaugust.com the screenwriter who wrote Charlie’s Angels and How to eat fried worms.

His website is very informative and he answers each and every question down to a tee, and gives you what you’re looking for. He has many contacts and he most likely has a friend who wrote a original script and was able to retain their writes for other mediums. That’s the best answer I’ve...and the only way your answer will be answered is by asking a professional screenwriter.

Keep me posted! E-mail me at I’m curious to know the answer myself lol!

Good luck.

Comment by Brian on 1/10/10 at 11:28 pm

Justin; Thanks for your guidance.  I’ll follow up and keep you posted as to what I am able to discover.

Comment by Justin on 1/11/10 at 4:58 pm

Brian you are writing two different questions.

The original question was a example of a writer who retained rights to their script to adapt in other mediums after they had successfully sold it to a producer and they allowed them to keep it.

I think this is why we are having difficulties answering your question: On 1/09/10 at 12:48 pm

You said my question refers to writers who wrote the original script before that work (plot/theme/etc.), or a derivative work, appeared in a medium other than film/video.

If that is your question. Then the answer is yes!

Who: James Dalessandro author of 1906 he wrote 1906 as a spec script he reached no success, so he writes and publishes 1906 as a book.

Also Dancin’ with the wolves it was written as a script first no big wigs were interested in investing into the pic. The writer goes to Kevin Costner and he encourages the writer to take his story and characters to the novel medium. Which he did. And Kevin Costner optioned the rights to adapt the novel as a movie and direct it as well.

Comment by Justin on 1/11/10 at 5:02 pm

Let me know if that helps.

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Comment by Brian on 1/12/10 at 6:08 pm

Justin; I was not referring to any script writer who was unsuccessful in selling their script, first, to a film/video producer who then published in a different medium.  James Dalessandro and the author of Dances With Wolves are not examples of that, they are examples of writers of unsold/unoptioned spurned scripts.

I was, and still am, referring to any script writer who did, first, sell their work, which was originally a script, to a film/video producer and was able to retain rights to that intellectual property to subsequently produce/publish it in a different form/medium such as book, internet, radio script, etc.

Comment by Camping on 1/14/10 at 2:33 pm

Wow, didn’t realize this much was involved.

Comment by Justin on 1/15/10 at 11:25 am

Curious is this for academic purposes...a teacher lesson you are preparing...hmm no, you write scripts? What are you? Because because you are making this bigger then what it seems. I want to know the weight of importance here to have your question ANSWERED. 

That’s all. Then go to johnaugust.com

Peace!

Comment by Brian on 1/15/10 at 2:03 pm

Justin; Not for merely “academic” purpose, it is important generally to anyone who writes for a living and to script writers specifically because retention of intellectual property rights (IPR)for publication in different media is fundamental to financial success for them.  For example, there’s a big battle going on over over the publication of work on the internet which was originally published in hardcopy as books which publishers are doing although their contracts with authors never included conferring that right to the publisher because the internet didn’t exist when the contract was negotiated.  Now, devices such as the Kindle are being used to provide the content of books in electronic format but authors didn’t contemplate that use in the contract.  Now, the film and video game industries are merging which has the potential for a film script being used for a video game or vice-versa.  I can imagine the film Avatar being turned into a video game where the players create avatars as characters in the game sort of like a scripted Second Life.  If the script writer sold off all their rights without including compensation for that type of use, they would receive nothing.  The movie and video game industries whine about being ripped off for their intellectual property but it is usually the writers who are, the producers are really complaining about not making “enough” money which is really about greed.  There are plenty of examples of people who were ripped off for their work which made others wealthy, how about an actual answer to my question?

Comment by Portale vacanze on 1/19/10 at 4:49 am

Good article! The job of screenwriter is hard!

Comment by Justin on 1/19/10 at 1:01 pm

Makes sense. There are most likely thousands of people who got ripped off, and people became wealthy because ot it...if I have time I will look for real situations. It is not right dude, when it happens, everyone deserves success, especially if they worked hard for it.

Comment by Grim Reaper on 1/20/10 at 9:35 am

Justin; Yes, unfortunately, most creators of intellectual property, such as writers, musicians, visual artists, inventors, are ripped-off by agents, managers, producers, dealers, predatory investors, etc.  There are TV programs such as Dragon’s Den and Shark Tank which are about greed disguised as investment.  It will be interesting to know what you discover.

Comment by James on 1/26/10 at 1:10 pm

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Comment by nike dunk on 1/27/10 at 9:28 pm

Justin; Yes, unfortunately, most creators of intellectual property, such as writers, musicians, visual artists, inventors, are ripped-off by agents, managers, producers, dealers, predatory investors, etc.  There are TV programs such as Dragon’s Den and Shark Tank which are about greed disguised as investment. 
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Comment by adams on 1/30/10 at 5:01 am

Once the script is turned over to the production company, the company automatically have full rights to it.

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Comment by Citytour Budapeste on 2/03/10 at 11:43 am

Wow! this article is interesting i have never thought that once you sell the rights you don’t really have a say. I can’t understand this.

Comment by Alison Hicks on 2/06/10 at 5:42 am

Being ripped of in this business several times,it is nice to read this blog knowing I’m not the only one! Amazing how many Producer’s out there can threaten personal property which is my biggest loss and disbelief over the years of trying to get a based on true story made into a feature film. That is about as low as a person can go. Keeping personal photos, letters, documents, court papers, medical records, etc., is and should be against the law. This shows that our Movie Business can be a real scam and hurtful. This must be exposed. Fortunately, this producer left this threat in writing!!! Now what is my next step?

Comment by Brian on 2/06/10 at 11:51 pm

Alison; How did the producer get posession of your documents?  Is there a receipt for the documents you gave the producer.  Do you have a letter, agreement, or contract which stipulates the documents are only for reference, not to be used for any purpose, and to be returned to you by a specific date or upon request?  What threat was made?

Comment by Alison Hicks on 2/08/10 at 2:53 pm

Hi Brian,

I gave the producer documents to write, produce, promote, etc., my movie “BackSPIN. Yes I had a contract which was FRAUD. The threat was he would not return my document unless I paid him an invoice for $1,200. I spent thousands on this project! Steve Wargo From Swat HD TV fired me today and said Goodbye. Won’t return any phone calls. Now what. He got lot’s of free advertisement from me for Controversial Films.

Comment by Brian on 2/09/10 at 9:11 am

Alison; Why does the producer think you owe any money?  Looks like a scam like the ones for modelling and acting which charge for “auditions”. Did your contract state that you are “hiring” the producer to develop your story and that you are paying for that work?  You should pay but get a signed and dated receipt which states what you are paying for (not your property, whatever “work/services” the producer did or money they paid on your behalf) and that you’ve paid in full.  Afterwards, if you think you have a bona-fide case of fraud/extortion, sue in small claims court where you don’t need a lawyer (not Judge Judy, a real court).

Comment by Brian on 2/09/10 at 9:23 am

I forgot to include; Make sure that you get a statement from the “producer” that all copies of the documents, pictures, etc. (include a list if possible) will be destroyed by a specific date and that no one is allowed to use them in any way without your written and signed permission.

Comment by Riu Resorts and Hotels on 2/10/10 at 10:46 am

Thanks for the clarification.. It’s really good to have some article like this when I learn very important things..

Comment by Photography Lighting on 2/16/10 at 9:53 am

But there are some movies that still give credits to the writer right..?

Comment by Alison Hicks on 2/17/10 at 7:26 am

I’m stuck because I paid this procuder for raw footage, documents, court papers and photos, etc. HE WOULD NOT SIGN OFF ON PROJECT BACKSPIN MOVIE. Now he is still a partner. Can you believe he wanted this break up of partnership, took the money, ended everything and now won’t sign off of what I wanted as an ending to this partnership as it was his idea to end it in the first place. He never turned in the contract. Red flags were everywhere. I was happy to pay and end this LCC that never was filed. Now he has papers signed and acts like we are still partners. I have so much other interest in people that want my movie BackSPIN. It’s the hottest topic out there due to Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s latest trouble. It’s based on true story and I have the rights. Now what do I do?

Alison Hicks

Comment by Brian on 2/17/10 at 9:41 am

Alison; You will have to consult with a very good (and expensive) lawyer.  The mistake many people make is to not do the due diligence up front before signing anything.  That “producer” is very savvy and, instead of developing your project, wants to sell his interest to the highest bidder whether or not it’s you.  If you don’t have the financial resources to buy out his interest in the project find another party who is but you may have to give up some of your percentage as well to achieve that.  Alternatively, you could offer to sell your share of the project to him, get this behind you, begin work on a new project (maybe a script based on this experience) and, in your next dealings with others regarding your new project you’ll be more effective in protecting your intellectual property rights.

Comment by Ignacio Perez de Vargas on 2/25/10 at 1:53 am

One of my favorite things to do is write. I have been told that I am very good at it. One of my best friend’s and my dream is to become a screenwriter/director team. We want to go to the USC film school.

Comment by ben on 2/25/10 at 5:21 am

It’s really good to have some article like this when I learn very important things

Comment by ucvhost on 2/25/10 at 5:21 am

But there are some movies that still give credits to the writer right..? great stuff

Comment by Alison Hicks on 2/25/10 at 1:33 pm

I didn’t receive all the personal property back of raw footage from Steve Wargo that was paid for in full. As I mentioned he would not sign off on BackSPIN Movie. I believe I can go forward with another REAL Promotional Production Company which would like to take BackSPIN on with no problems. Since Steve never filed the LCC paper work I believe I’m in the clear even though all three partners signed. How do I get an expensive attorney? Just wanna get this great story out.

Comment by Jordan on 2/27/10 at 12:05 pm

I always thought the writer got the most rights, but thenagain what do i know, good read very educational thanks.

Comment by Brian on 3/01/10 at 6:32 pm

Alison; Expensive lawyers are easy to find, the good ones aren’t.  The lawyer who is the author of this particular blog would be a good start at finding one.

Comment by Alison Hicks on 3/01/10 at 6:42 pm

I wish I wouldve met you before I started this project. Where and how can I hire you? I’m still getting screwed. Still didn’t get raw footage and main DVD for Promotions of BackSPIN. Steve Wargo’s assitant is in tears, because I mentioned a lawyer. Well? I’m right. Let’s talk. I wanna WIN AND THE RIGHT LAWYER ON MY SIDE.
ALISON A. HICKS.

Comment by Brian on 3/02/10 at 4:12 am

Alison; The second last paragraph of this blog’s writer’s post has information about him and the law firm he works for.  Here’s information about him from this blog article: “Chad Fitzgerald, an attorney at Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump & Aldisert , a high-profile, L.A.-based entertainment litigation firm, specializes in entertainment and business litigation as well as transactional matters for entertainment industry clients.” You can contact him at the law firm he works for or, at the top of this blog, you can click on his name which will enable you to send him a message.  Good luck.

Comment by Martin on 3/15/10 at 4:45 am

I do completely agree with the idea of an existing a blog being able to answer different difficult at a glance questions needed professional interpreting. Of course such notions as to sell-to buy in the sphere of art sound to some extent strange, we know that real artistic masterpieces could not be sold traditionally before; they could be presented or even stolen but not sold.  And the fate of an artist was not easy. As a rule one suffered from lack of money, understanding, suitable conditions for work, etc. But nowadays the given situation has been changed totally, i.e. effective and convenient means of purchases exist and they satisfy predominantly all. Laws regulate litigation, artistic elite keep within it and it is winningly to both sides. So, advantages of this law have been certified undoubtedly.

Thank you and good luck

Comment by Subprime on 3/15/10 at 11:49 am

I wrote a script, called a producer stated I would fund it. They took the script gave it to a director/writer and he rewrote it. I lost writing rights and am now only the Executive Producer. They screwed me in stages, slowly and methodically. Made me pay a partial fee upfront for a rewrite then sent be the rest of the bill afterwards. NEVER trust a Producer even after you have signed an agreement it all changes in stages. I will walk away from this mess with a loss. Anyone want details email me..

Comment by Brian on 3/15/10 at 12:00 pm

Your ability to defend your intellectual property rights is only as good as your ability to pay to defend them.  Litigation costs a LOT of money which few individuals can afford, that’s what the ripoff “artists” depend on.

Comment by buy leopard on 3/25/10 at 12:08 pm

That a production company can go ahead and hire whatever director it wants and even change the entire tone of the script without the writer’s approval is interesting.

Comment by buy links on 3/25/10 at 12:13 pm

Sure thing: studio or production company can do whatever it wants with it.sold is sold.

Comment by Alison Hicks on 3/25/10 at 1:34 pm

If the production company put in writing they wanted out of project, never turned in the signed LLC as promised and were completely unworkable regarding topic of script when taking on the project, can they come back and take it over behind my back? I’m concerned due to the signed LLC and he hasn’t notorized a copy of a paragraph backing 100% out of BackSPIN Movie as he said he would do.

Comment by Brian on 3/25/10 at 1:43 pm

You have to get a release of all rights to BackSPIN from the production company.  It has to be signed by someone who has that authority, preferably the person(s) who signed the original contract and it has to be signed by a reliable (for you) witness.

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Comment by Turkish Grand Prix on 3/30/10 at 8:10 am

Thanks for this article, but I haven’t still understand exactly one point for example; I wrote movie, sold to movie company, can I earn money later if movie company sells it’s rights to second or third companies, like cola companies for promotion, ?

Turkish Grand Prix

Comment by Brian on 3/30/10 at 10:13 pm

Turkish Grand Prix; It depends on your contract as to whatever residual rights you have.  Most production companies want all or nothing deals except for proven writers such as James Cameron (Titanic, Avatar).

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Comment by Club Penguin on 4/02/10 at 5:27 pm

It seems unfair that Hollywood can do *anything* with the script once they buy it. Seems as if the studios have too a lot of power over the writers.

Comment by ev dekorasyon on 4/15/10 at 5:00 pm

Turkish Grand Prix; It depends on your contract as to whatever residual rights you have.  Most production companies want all or nothing deals except for proven writers such as James Cameron (Titanic, Avatar).

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Turkish Grand Prix; It depends on your contract as to whatever residual rights you have.  Most production companies want all or nothing deals except for proven writers such as James Cameron (Titanic, Avatar).

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Comment by AJ on 6/06/10 at 10:01 pm

Hi Alison, Brian

I too got lured into a fraudulent situation like yourself, Alison. The person was from the U.K and I am in New Zealand. I emailed them a manuscript and a got a reply to pay money to get it promoted etc. After extensive research, I found out they were a scam. This was 18 months ago and although I tried battling them at the time, I am only 22 now, with nowhere near enough funds to sue them etc, if they amount my script into anything. I’ve prayed thus that they don’t, and until I have enough money to back myself, am now relying on other work I’ve created since to do well.  Hope this helps?
I know what it’s like to lose a great peace of work to a fuckwit

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Comment by hanniya on 6/17/10 at 5:06 pm

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Comment by hemoroid on 6/22/10 at 3:45 am

hemoroid tedavisi konusunda piyasad abulunan ve sizi sorundan ömür boyu kurtarak tek ürün hemorixirdir.
hemorixir sizin tüm sorunlarınızdan kurtulmanızı sağlayan en kaliteli üründür.
basur konusunda tüm sorunlarınızdna kurtulun. hamilelikte hemoroid sorunları her kadının yaşadığı ortak konulardan birisidir. sizlerde gebelikte hemoroid sorunundan hızlı ve etkili biçimde kurtulun. çocuklarda basur oluşumu zaman içerisinde kendiliğinden düzelmediği gibi ilerleyen dönemlerde daha çok sıkıntı veren bir hale gelebilir.

Comment by منتديات on 6/26/10 at 2:53 pm

and a got a reply to pay money to get it promoted etc. After extensive research, I found out they were a scam. This was 18 months ago and although I tried battling them at the time, I am only 22 now, with nowhere near enough funds to sue them etc, if they amount my script into anything. I’ve prayed thus that they don’t, and until I have enough money to back myself, am now relying on other work I’ve created since

Comment by Alison Hicks on 6/27/10 at 7:26 pm

comment to 6/26/10 I had a similar problem and did sue. His name was Harry Weed, Marketing Movies. Long Beach, CA. He stole all my documents, personal phots, etc. as it was a based on true story. Harry Weeds daughter is Leah Weed. They only did one movie in there entire life called Buffello Soilders renamed the Red White and Black. Marlene Weed is Harry Weeds new wife. Harry now is about 88 yrs. old. He is, was and always will be a con in this business. A thief is more like it. Good luck to you. I lost almost a million dollars and the hurt won’t stop because of this man.

Comment by Cricket Balls on 7/01/10 at 1:33 pm

Good ideal. Legal action is always best avoided. Jaw jaw jaw is better than war war war!

Comment by zayıflama lida fx15 ve biber hapı zlfvbh on 7/05/10 at 5:52 am

and a got a reply to pay money to get it promoted etc. After extensive research, I found out they were a scam. This was 18 months ago and although I tried battling them at the time, I am only 22 now, with nowhere near enough funds to sue them etc, if they amount my script into anything. I’ve prayed thus that they don’t, and until I have enough money to back myself, am now relying on other work I’ve created since

Comment by High quality battery on 7/13/10 at 8:12 pm

hemoroid tedavisi konusunda piyasad abulunan ve sizi sorundan ömür boyu kurtarak tek ürün hemorixirdir.
hemorixir sizin tüm sorunlarınızdan kurtulmanızı sağlayan en kaliteli üründür.

Comment by Wholesale battery charger on 7/13/10 at 8:13 pm

It depends on your contract as to whatever residual rights you have.

Comment by Alison Hicks on 7/13/10 at 8:48 pm

Thanks for the advise and Backup on Sandra B. film academy award winner Blind Side. In final stages of BackSPIN Movie and interests are high, people get petty. The story will change on the set being filmed so why are some writer’s against minor changes? Almost feels like they are jealous when going to a bigger company when in turn it would benefit everyone involved to get this story about Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s Corruption in Maricpa County Exposed on the Big Screen.

Comment by Australian Tourist Visa on 7/23/10 at 11:48 am

This is really great, I am pretty sure that there are a lot of screen writers who have a lot to ask.

Comment by kozmetik on 7/25/10 at 9:30 am

Article Nice verry

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