OK, it's no secret. I LOVE movies. Yes, I will even shell out the HORRENDOUS amount they're now charging just to sit in a darkened theatre and stare up at the screen for a couple of hours.

On that note, my friend Rich, who is the most talented person I know, has started a website

www.randommovieclub.com

He does reviews, etc. on movies. As youll see, he's also the most hysterically funny person I know. He's sold a couple of scripts, but they went into turnaround hell.

Anyway, I want to promote his site because he's not only talented, but a really good person as well.

Will have to check it out. Thanks.

So when you sell a script that doesn't get produced, obviously you must still make a good amount. But then they have the rights to it forever? Or just for a number of years? Also, if the movie is actually produced, does the writer then get a much larger payment?

I believe they only have the rights to a script for a certain amount of time and when that time is up, they must pay more or relinquish the rights to it. It's called an "Option". Here's a definition.


Option: An option is an agreement which allows a company, a producer, or any other individual, to “run” or pursue the realization of your screenplay before making the actual purchase of the material. Option agreements may be for any amount of money, and span weeks, months, or even years. During the option period, the purchasing entity may approach actors, directors, financing, production and distribution entities in order to turn your screenplay into a viable, produce-able project. Should the purchasing entity manage to do this during the option period, then the purchasing entity will be able to purchase the material outright in order to put in into production.

Oh, and usually, once a writer sells a script, that's pretty much it, unles they do more or they're famous or the studio thinks it's AMAZING, then you can get money on "the back end"

here's a definition:

Back-end: Rather then being compensated for their work entirely up-front, some elements, such as actors, director or even writers may be compensated on the “back-end” in the form of a percentage or “points” from the gross or net revenue. The more high-profile the talent, the better their back-end deal will be. Back-end compensation is usually in addition to up-front payment, and is offered in order to make involvement in the project more financially attractive. In another situation, if a film is produced on a low budget, producers will often negotiate with actors, director and key crew members using points from the back end, guaranteeing that if the film is successful, the individuals involved will receive their full compensation.

Cool site. I hate to tell you but I do not go to the movies. I haven't gone in several years. Not since my kids stop wanting me to take them to see movies like Harry Potter and wanted to go with their friends instead. If I want to see a movie I rent it and I don't do that very often unless it is something for the daycare kids. We just watched Happy Feet. CUTE movie for all of us who love penquins and tap dancing I just don't really find the time to sit and watch movies. When I have spare time I am usually on the net chatting or reading.

Now, you would not believe the afternoon I had. I will tell you in chit chat

Thank you GE !! What a cool site . I love the movies. I try to go every other weekend. If I miss anything I netfix it. I always watch one or two movies in some form over the weekend.

aerwin, sounds like we're cut from the same mold!

I know this 93 year old actress lady who still acts! (she was on the season finale of ER last year and was just on "how I met your mother"). She was also the lady in the first couple in "When Harry Met Sally".

Anyway, she lives in the Motion Picture Retirement Home and they're having a screening of "Amazing Grace" and the producer is going to be there! she invited me and I'm going this Sunday. I'm sure it will be so much fun!

GE that sounds fun!

I watched Volver with Penelope Cruz last night. What a wonderful movie. It is about two sisters going through rough waters. Their mother returns from the dead to help them through. It is not a horror movie. I put all this director's movies on my netflix list.

Aerwin, you won't regret it. His movies are so awesome. He is amazing at character development. They're always very complex .

All About My Mother is on it's way for me! I can't wait.

Although i really like to see movies in a movie theater (especially now that there is a theater close to me...at The Grove...that has seating arranged so that you can sit in a row with nobody in front of you half way back)...I am really making use of these (paid) online places, where you can rent movies. Anybody else use these?
Cinema Now

MovieLink

Amazon Unbox

Frazz, I love the Grove too! Great sound system as well (which is very important to me). It had better be with the prices they charge!

I have not tried those. Only Netflix. It's very rare. I hardly watch movies at home unless they happen to be on cable. I am just so into the movie experience.

I just saw "Notes on a Scandal."

I love watching movies that star women.

But secretly....if it had been Americans, not Judi Densh and Cate Blanchette, I would have thought it sucked. But it was them, so it was much classier than the script.