I would like to start a discussion about how writers sell scripts for film and television. It is one of the most common questions I get as an entertainment lawyer. My new video blog shares tips I gathered over the years. Let me know what you thing. Watch it here: https://youtu.be/GZJqFH4nAdg
Your Stage : How do you sell a script? by Brandon Blake
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The question I have is, "How much does each streaming service pay for a screenplay versus a pilot?" Comparing a sale, of each, to all of them:
#Hulu,
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#Netflix,
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#AppleTVPlus,
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#Disney+,
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#TimeWarner,
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#Amazon,
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#Quibi,
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#TubiTV
etc.
I'm working towards joining the WGA, but I haven't sold a screenplay, yet. However, I am an award winning screenwriter and a Dean's Honor List graduate with straight A's in Advanced Screenwriting classes.
An experienced, wealthy, screenwriter (who I picked up in my Uber and took to his mansion) told me to ask for $20K up front and 10 percent backend for the sale of my first screenplay.
Does anyone know this information or where I can find this information (comparing all streaming services and how much each one of them pays)?
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Sorry to hijack your post, Brandon, but I like Andrea's question. If you work for a WGA signed producer, or through a WGA signed agent, you get WGA pay. You don't "work towards WGA," you can usually join on the strength of a WGA contract.
Now, I'm no longer in America, I don't know how things work in my new host country. But, unions protect everyone, not just their members. They produce minimum basic agreements.
Producers pay by negotiation, that's the norm for all jobs in the US. I even knew a kid who successfully negotiated his salary as a fry cook.
Because there are so few screenwriters, stats are not regularly kept. But, last I checked, which was years ago, 80k a year was typical for someone in California writing for the likes of HBO or Netflix.
This is the best salary site I could find for America:
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/writers-and-authors.htm
Andrea Calabrese I don't think streaming services pay for screenplays... They pay for delivered content, and often that is done by the independent producer, funded by the service. Having said that... WGA if the production is WGA signatory. Don't assume any production is...
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Andrea, Thanks for following up. First off, yes, streamers (meaning Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, etc.) do pick up scripts. They do not solely acquire completed series or pilots. I would be happy to help consult with you if you were in a competitive bidding situation. However, I don't think that is what you are asking. It doesn't make sense to only submit to the highest paying streamer, because let's face it, it is super tough to get your first script picked up. Also most of them pay comparable amounts to each other. Thanks again - Brandon Blake, Entertainment Attorney
Hi Brandon, I watched your video. I'm in a little different situation. I'm a Producer/Writer and usually have an Entertainment Attorney on our productions. I am used to meeting for lunch with prospective directors on our projects. So not much of that during Covid. Right now we have almost completed post on a feature we shot during the pandemic. We are now looking for distribution. The pandemic is also affecting our planned lines of distribution. Would like to talk about your experience in the world of sales and marketing.