Morning, all -- Would anyone know a ballpark for what an average option fee is these days? I just sent off a script to a potentially interested producer, and while I of course hope it just sells outright, I wanted to be prepared in case I'm offered an option on it instead. Thanks!
Screenwriting : Current Option average? by Reay Jespersen
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Hey Reay, if you don't have any previous credits, take whatever they throw at you. If it gets produced and makes money, you can then ask for a decent price on the next one. Good luck.
Thanks, but do you literally mean whatever they throw? I get what you're saying, but like, if they offer me $50, do I really take that and accept that I can't send it to anyone else as part of that deal?
Not that low though if they throw $1,000 for the option, I would take it.
Gotcha. Thanks!
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Often options are 10% of the fee they intend to pay for the script.
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my friend and fellow consultant just wrote this piece for scriptmag on free options that you might find interesting. There's also a link to another article tht outlines option fees. http://www.scriptmag.com/features/the-dollar-options-another-viewpoint?u...
Great share, Ruth! Thank you!
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Interesting stuff -- I read the piece on taking a free option and then the one that says you shouldn't. Personally, my takeaway is that a free option might work for a script that you've been shopping without any luck for a while, but for something new, high concept, generating a lot of initial interest, etc., you should go for some option money (1K maybe being a good floor). There's something about a producer expecting to get a script for less than the price of a cup of coffee that frankly does rub me the wrong way. And having been fortunate enough to be paid for my first option, it's hard to picture giving a freebie now. But I can imagine circumstances it which it would make sense. Hope that helps.