Why Selling a Screenplay is like Selling a Car
June 132010
Ever wonder what it’s like to sell a screenplay? It’s not alway what you might think it is. This videos helps you understand what might happen after you sell your screenplay.
www.fredericklevy.com
to buy my books:
Hollywood 101:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1580631231/hollywood101
Short Films 101
http://www.amazon.com/Short-Films-101-Launch-Filmmaking/dp/0399529497/ref=sr_1_2/104-5270046-4571155?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1189697275&sr=1-2
Duration : 0:4:46
[youtube x1azLJZB8Aw]
June 13th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
But isnt there a …
But isnt there a contract?
June 13th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
I heard the ratings …
I heard the ratings come from a certain place (i canf remember the name sorry) depending on the graphic images but thats the actual movie itself NOT the screenplay.
June 13th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
I’m confused. You …
I’m confused. You continue to say it’s no longer your screenplay once you sell it. Well are you still considered the writer of that screenplay? Will you get the credit you deserve for writing that script?
June 13th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
just paint the …
just paint the car!!!
June 13th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
I missed your …
I missed your presentation at a local bookstore on October 7th in Walpole ,MA. and was happy to find this helpful info on screenplays. What book of yours would be most helpful in this area? I am just starting the project. Would you suggest I purchase screenwriting sofware to format the screenplay? Always nice to see a former Stoughtonite achieve their goals. It might take a few years but I will never give up either. Thanks!
June 13th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
110 isn’t too long …
110 isn’t too long for a thriller. Comedy, in most instances, yes, but not a dramatic piece. Bring your script in at 120 pages or fewer, and you’ll be fine, especially since you’re writing this on spec (once you’re sold and have built a name, you can write longer scripts and people will read them, a la the Nolans and THE DARK KNIGHT).
June 13th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
I went to …
I went to elementary school with Fred. Glad he has done so well… maybe we can flip some baseballcards again someday… TS
June 13th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
Very informative, …
Very informative, Fred. Thank you.
June 13th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
hollywood is …
hollywood is corrupted !!
its all about money people you know !! and steeling ideas and screenplays
they dont pay but steel
June 13th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
Here’s a thought ( …
Here’s a thought (awesome video btw!). If a studio/agency has bought the screenplay from you, but they now want to change the screenplay WHICH was no longer in the initial agreement (what if I am selling them a screenplay saying that any changes that are to be made to it, has to go through me the writer), wont that be wrong? Since MY CREDIT appears on the credits, its my responsibility to kill the main lead because my judgement in this case will affect my future in the business.
June 13th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
but I’m using a …
but I’m using a free screenplay program called Celtx and I feel like the font is too big, but there’s no way to change it and i looked everywhere. As of now my script is 134 pages long and it’s as short as I can make it.
June 13th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
its way to long, …
its way to long, 100 pages is ideal, anything beyond 110 is too long. condense it, move it faster.
June 13th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
great fred
great fred
June 13th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
Frederick, thanks …
Frederick, thanks for this video. I never knew that once it’s bought, it’s not your’s to own anymore. I’m 16 years old and I’m writing a crime thriller and I think that it’s like no other script or movie that I’ve ever seen(ex.Se7en)and I’m serious about becoming a writer. As of now my script is 161 pages and I am a sucker for long thriller movie’s like The Dark Knight. I want to know if I made it too long and what the general page number is for a script dealing with the theme of Crime/thriller.
June 13th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
I’m a new writer …
I’m a new writer but if someone wants to buy my car and run it into a wall I will forgive them for the right price and have my name up on the big screen under “written by–”. I’ll find it in my heart to forgive him. Thanks for the advice.
June 13th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
Other than that, …
Other than that, it’s an excellent analogy. I wanted to say that, but I ran out of characters.
June 13th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
I have quite a few.
I have quite a few.
June 13th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
agents don’t bother …
agents don’t bother with one shot wonders, they want a client for life
June 13th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
very true…and I …
very true…and I like your reasoning….but I’m just trying to give a reasonable analogy!!
June 13th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
is that right?
is that right?
June 13th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
it is whoever the …
it is whoever the producer decides he wants to give the credit to. remember one thing, if you sell a screenplay, it is sold, meaning you don’t own it anymore.
June 13th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
no
when you sell …
no
when you sell it, you no longer own it. if you want creative control, make the movie yourself
June 13th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
depends on cost of …
depends on cost of film. under a million? minimum is about 50,000. over a million? maybe 80,000.
also if you are known, or you get bidders into a bidding war for it, you could make a few million.
‘panic room’ sold for 5 million
June 13th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
if you have only …
if you have only one screenplay, it wont work. you have to have at least 4 done before talking to anyone.
June 13th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
There’s one huge …
There’s one huge difference between selling a script and selling a car (and one minor difference, too).
I put my car on Craigslist and within hours, had 20 people wanting it; I sold it the next day. I wrote a screeplay a year ago and to date, nobody but me has even looked at it.
Also, if you didn’t build the car, you don’t have nearly the feelings for it that you do the script you conceived and brought to life. Someone else created the car – you simply maintained it and showed it love.