Hi all, I'm working on a sci-fi crime script set in a big city, USA, in 2045. As part of my research, I've been in touch with a guy who is a professional in law enforcement. He has agreed to consult on the script from a LE stand point. He is working his way into the consultation business from LE as his career there winds down. We've been discussing what he should be paid for his consultation. I know what script consultants get and I've mentioned that price range to him. I'm curious to find out if anyone has experience in this area and so has any suggestions. (Obviously, we'll have to be a bit flexible depending on how much work he puts in. ) Thoughts appreciated, Doug Mayfield
Anything Goes : Suggestions for compensation for a specialty consultant by Douglas Eugene Mayfield
Douglas Eugene Mayfield
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Producer, Screenwriter
10 years ago
Suggestions for compensation for a specialty consultant
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As a retired LEO who is an Industry trainer and consultant, you need to understand that the skills and mindset of your LE or my own or others, was acquired after years of a very physically and psychologically dangerous profession. You also need to figure out a sliding rate of pay for him, depending on whether he is providing informational and/or physical demonstrations guidance for your thinking about story, character and action, or actually doing rewrites for you. In any case he should be paid well for his time, as all of us have paid a high price for this specialized understanding. This applies to Military Veterans, Firefighters and Paramedics/EMT First Responders as well, when engaged as Consultants/Advisers. I hope this helps and I wish you great success with your project.
Stephen, Thanks for your thoughts. I will pass them along to aid in our discussion.
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Thanks, Alle. I passed your comments along. When you say 'I always credit them as a consultant on my screenplays', I'm presuming that you have a brief written agreement with them and that you mention their contribution to anyone who may be interested in the script, that is, producers, prodcos, etc. Or do you give them written credit as a consultant on the title page? I have already mentioned to the consultant that I'm reluctant to put his name on the title page but will make sure that anyone who is interested in the script will know about his contribution.
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Good thoughts, Alle. And to answer your question, usually I'm not the least bit reluctant to tell people about someone who has helped me get to a better script. The only time I'm a bit hesitant is in dealing with people for whom the particulars of the attribution of the screen are important. Specifically, I'm thinking about submission to a production company or to a contest where the people involved don't know my name or anything about me. But thinking about it, perhaps a timely e-mail to them would clarify/sort things out.