Producing : Producers asking for upfront $$...scam? by Laurel King

Don't pay him a damn dime. It's his job to take your script (after you sign an agreement) and get it out there.

Scam

Exactly what I thought!! Thank you so much for your feedback, it's nice to know my gut instinct is still intact haha

Glad you asked this question, Laurel King. It sounds like the answers helped you, and you posting this will help other writers.

It depends on what “start a working relationship” means. When a producer is attached to a project, he or she might negotiate payment of a development fee as an advance against his or her producing fee. This is compensation for services performed in developing the project. Since many projects are developed but few get produced, this fee could be the only money the producer receives. As others have suggested here, this certainly could be a scam. But more info is needed. Reading a proposed contract and checking the producer’s industry reputation would be two ways to investigate further.

Hi Laurel - this is an important question and I’m glad you’ve raised it for the community to discuss. Here is a link to our producing education that may give further insight into best practices and what a producer’s job and process entails - I hope this is helpful: https://www.stage32.com/webinars/tag/producing

Everything's a scam except "here's money for your effort/product"...it's that simple...

there's been a few of these type of producers that I'm aware of that they offer to 'connect you with' someone and to 'get you where you want to be' and also claiming that 'they can get you want you want because of their previous track record, etc.'. I would be wary of them and would do a lot of research before considering paying them a retainer fee. the good ones would willing to do "paid after being connected' mentality. Many of these producers will also claim that they have years of relatipnship built and that they know the industry and that their time is $ etc. Well time is $ but they would willing to get paid after goal is met.. just like other said, be careful and do your due diligent as well.

I agree with Dane Johnson. It depends on what the fee is, if it is a true development fee then that is your decision if you have a budget to go towards development costs, often times that does go against the producing fee if the project gets made. In a situation like this you may be paying for the producer to put together your budget, your decks, pull on their agency casting relationships, etc. That is not uncommon in this town, and Dane is right, sometimes that may be the only fee the producer receives. But, you need to do your due diligence and analyze the validity of that person's credentials. We do need more info, though.

Thanks Amanda Toney. Screenwriters and other creative talent should absolutely not pay upfront for someone who promises them fame and fortune. But my point is that it’s far too simplistic to just say everything is a scam. If you want to make it in the industry, you should spend time learning how the business works along with the time you put in perfecting your craft.