So, I recently had a stroke of fortune and I am now developing a short I wrote into a feature that hopefully is going to shoot in September this year. I received a contract from the production company yesterday and have someone from the local writers guild looking over it to give me advice on if it's all above board and how I should be moving forward.
In saying that though, as a writer who's constantly hoping for the next sale/production, what's my next step from here? Query blitz to managers? Agencies? Any advice would be appreciated.
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doesn't hurt to advertise. Any named Talent or known Staff on production?
This is when location matters; being in a city with a large film & TV community. When I shot my first feature in Los Angeles, I had an introduction meeting with a CAA mailroom junior Agent.
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Get an entertainment lawyer to look over the contract.
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Congratulations!!!! KEEP WRITING is my advice.
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As you've progressed as a writer, have you been keeping a wish list of agents/managers you'd like repping you? If so, get their contact info on IMDBPro and start calling them, saying something like "Hi, my name's Matthew Corry. A producer just offered to buy my new script and I need someone to close the deal on the contract. Would (name of agent) be interested in helping?" A free 10% to 15% on a sale is a great calling card!
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Congratulation Matthew.
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GREAT advice, Erik!!!
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Write the script. It doesn't sound WGA so just make sure you protect your credit and maybe have the right to remove your name. I take it is not give up full time employment paycheque. So do a super job. Build a rep from this. Agents, managers etc maybe. But I look at Guns & Roses in situations like this. They had sold 100,000 copies of their first album before signing a deal. Success guaranteed they had a good position. Be successful and reps will find you.
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I agree with Craig. A short is to showcase your talent and it isn't about the money. And like he said make sure you don't let anyone Hijack your writing credit and register right after you finish it with the LOC or at least with the WGA.
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So you can register your script with WGA and not be a member? That's what it seemed to indicate on their website, yes? Or did I misunderstand?
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A writer isn't qualified to review a legally binding contract. A lawyer, preferably one with film industry experience and knowledgable in contract law is.
I agree with JD and it is illegal for them to give legal advise if they are a lawyer.
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Arial, yes register your completed script with WGA. No, you don't have to be member to do that. After you copyright it.
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if this is a work for hire, there is no need to register anything. Story belongs to the employer. Put in the contract your name goes in "first position" in the Writing credits... and you want the movie to go into production , regardless if you're fired before.
Money is never fully paid until day 1/week 1 of shoot.
This is a non-wga production, overseas company? USA based and is it for cable TV market or theatrical distribution?
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Congratulations on your script sale.
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Dan M. A screenwriter should register their screenplay even if it is a work for hire. There is a place where you put yourself down as the screenwriter and how hired you.
If the project doesn’t go as planned and I don’t get paid I want clear title to the script when it dies in development hell. Also, if there are a lot of rewrites I want a record of what I wrote so the producer doesn’t give his friend or himself writing credits for work I did. I might be skeptical but I don’t trust very many people in this business especially when it comes to producers.
https://www.wgaeast.org/script_registration?rm=instructions_main&cookie_...
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Thanks for the advice everyone. I think once it's actually started filming I might do a query blitz to managers to see if I can get some interest. The contract is being inspected by the legal team at the WGA in Australia, not just a writer. I'm going to be given "story by" "written by" and looking very likely to have a producer credit due to how much they're liking my input in terms of the direction of the story as this was a short I wrote that we're developing into a full feature. I'm very happy that I'm going to have a produced feature under my belt. It will be low budget but the director has worked on multiple TV shows and features featuring some A list talent as an assistant director or is it second director? I'm not sure of the actual titles but I've checked out his IMDB page and he's very experienced.
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Is Aussie WGA the same $$$ rate and rules as American WGA?
If you're making wages equal to USA, I would follow Erik's advice, call up a Rep and pony up Commission fees. WGA member card gives you credibility, health insurance and residuals.
A produced film with a WGA signatory company is huge for your career.
Congrats on the deal! What's your next project?
It's just one script sale. It will help but still doesn't guarantee you anything. I've sold 3 features (in the process of selling my 3rd) and 11 shorts so far. It gives me credibility when trying to find work etc, but I still have to work at it. You could do this one film and that be it for years... or, especially if the film is successful, it could be a springboard onto better things.
To sum up, you still have to keep doing what you've been doing. The only difference is you will have something for your resume that will help, not just in getting you more work, but also with your confidence. Good luck with the film.