Hello, I was in a kind of Isolation as a writer and completed two feature screenplays. NOW I am in a kinda shock ... Can you guess why?
My first written screenplay ever, THE SPONSOR, a romance dramedy was just AWARDED as Best Evolution Island Screenplay in Mallorca. What means, the set must be mainly be at the Baleares Island. It is a 120 minute feature.
Can you imagine HOW thrilled I was, when two nights ago at the Closing night in Palma they dropped my name.
NOW, when I have to move it and two awarded directors ask me if I can sent it to them I wondered what is better. To sell it or to keep my rights, which I registered.
I have NO CLUE what a price for a feature screenplay is. What budget you need to make a film.
Do I need an Agent? A media attorney? A manager?
I am thankful for any helpful advises.
xxx Sophie
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Send it to the Directors. They will want the rights. They are going to be pour time and money into the project, so they will want the profits, which is standard.
Each director (if they are interested) will make an offer or ask you want you want. There is no minimum price as such. In the USA this (minimums) is controlled by the WGA agreement. This is 2.5% of the production budget. So if you think it is a million dollar budget ask for $25,000.
Yes you will need lawyer. I sold a script into Eastern Europe in that contract we had a sale price and a clause that stated, if there is a budget increase an additional payment will be made to me at the end of production.
One thing to consider with your first sale is, who will do a better job, who will get in made.
Have a finished film is great for your career and a well made film is even better.
Well done.
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Sophie--Just get it out and there--try and see where any interest goes - just because someone reads it doesn't mean they will like it -also you can get it optioned a dozen times over --it means nothing until someone says they are interested in putting it into production- and sends you the paperwork - with figures on --even then it still means nothing until the cameras roll.
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Congratulations on THE SPONSOR winning, Sophie Von Rheden! I hope the directors like your script and one of them options or buys it.
Craig D Griffiths gave you some great advice to follow.
An agent can get your script to people/production companies/studios that you might not be able to reach alone, but having an agent isn't a requirement in screenwriting. A lot of writers find jobs and projects without agents. Here's a blog about the difference between a manager and an agent: https://www.stage32.com/blog/managers-vs-agents-top-industry-reps-explai...
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Im the opposite advice. Write more. Cannot have just one screenplay and go full send into a feature movie. (It does happens though). Why didnt the contest company and their ppl help you? What was the prize winning? You got two directors requesting. Send. Reps will return calls if there are $ offers
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Firstly, congrats and well done.
What you need to take from this more than anything else is validation and the motivation that comes with it because it should empower you to keep writing with the voice you've expressed early on.
When it comes to selling/option/assignment prices, it's wise not to focus too much on what the top 1% of the industry is paying. It's not representative. Many writers early in their careers have to take $1 options and ~$5,000 sales to get on the first few rungs of the ladder. Be prepared for that reality.
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Major congrats and well done Sophie Von Rheden !
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Congrats Sophie Von Rheden! I agree with a lot of the advice above, you don't "need" reps, but definitely keep writing and networking. As you meet people and they want to read your stuff, you'll be ready to give them something. If you want, you could also pitch your scripts here on Stage 32 or submit for coverage (though you might get a different response depending on where you submit). And depending on the budget of your project, you could team up with someone and produce it independently. I think the first step is probably figuring out your long-term goals before taking your next step. Hope this helps!
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Thank you so much CJ Walley, Jo Games and Emily J and sorry for my delayed answer.
YES, indeed I completed my second screenplay and soon I am going for my third.
The Sponsor, my first screenplay is just been requested by an awarded Director and her producer assistent is reading my screenplay.
Today she told me that she read already the half from my 120 minute feature and is intrigued to know the development of the story.
At least it did not end up in the trash. Her words inspired me to keep writing!
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CJ Walley I don't have any exaggerated expectations, whereby these are rather sobering. Thanks for the helpful information.
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Congratulations on the script request, Sophie Von Rheden!
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Hi Sophie, congratulations on everything going on in your career! All of the advice on this thread is really strong. Keep up the great work!
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Congrats! Sophie! I would feel the same way! hope this helps you and all of us here...for budgeting topic. Every filmmaker's main issue is the budgeting...I myself...have to work hard for every project and try to avoid using credit any credit card unless we all know that the R.O.I. is sure. https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/Budget-you-story
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Congratulations!
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Congrats, Sophie!
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Great job! Congratulations!
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Well done and bravo Sophie. Hope it's the start of many more :)
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Congratulations Sophie.
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WOW that sounds awesome! Were you writing before you get into screenwriting?
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Congraulations. Impressive for a first script and makes me a bit jealous.
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God, reading this, the excitement tingles hit my fingers for you!! :D What a feeling this must have been! Congratulations!! I can't offer any practical advice, since I'd be in the same boat as you when one of mine gets picked up... but I am here being the Jamie Lee Curtis to your Michelle Yeoh at the Globes!! :D
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Sophie Von Rheden congratulations.
“I have NO CLUE what a price for a feature screenplay is. What budget you need to make a film.”
There is no ‘price’ for a feature length screenplay. The money you get for selling a screenplay is dependent on the budget for the film.
Here’s a helpful article on advancing your career.
https://www.stage32.com/blog/the-questions-up-and-coming-screenwriters-n...
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@Geoffhall Thank you for the link and all the others for your sweet recognition
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Sophie Von Rheden you are welcome, Sophie. How is it all going. Did the two directors get back in touch with you?
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@geoffhall Yes!. However, too big budget and she recommended me to look more in my area. She was a great director from Denmark. Probably I should look in Spain, where I live and write scripts with lower budget !
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Sophie Von Rheden okay, Sophie. Yes that makes sense. It’s not usually the Directors that have access to finance, but Producers. Keep us posted on you developments, please.
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You can search the Browse Section for directors and industry pros in Spain, Sophie Von Rheden. www.stage32.com/people?name=&location=spain&roles=
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Maurice Vaughan nice one, Maurice.