Sold it! My screenplay--finalized deal this week!

kylekmd said:
sorry--let me clarify. The script is done, and sold.

I will receive a check this week for $300K (or whatever remains after the attorney gets done with it);

then, under the terms of the contract, I owe them 1 additional rewrite, if necessary. There may not be a rewrite--I won't know until it makes it through Development. But, no matter what happens, I get the first lump sum this week.
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First of all, congratulations and kudos! Way to go!!!

From my experience in the industry (sold one feature, optioned 2 others) there WILL be a rewrite. Actors, producers, directors seem to get the muse once production starts.

But ... be honored that you got the rewrite. That doesn't always happen and speaks well of their estimation of your skills.

Once again, congratulations!!!
 
Awsome

Awsome

Kyle,
This is great. I just stumbled upon this site. Looking for inspiration. Feeling unmotivated at my day job (I am an attorney also like a pp).

Anyway, the fact that you encourage a quick first draft is great. I am writing my first screenplay and it is going so quickly and so smoothly I was concerned that I was doing something wrong.

I don't use an outline, but I don't use them when I write 120 page legal briefs either. I just keep it in my head and then go back and move things a lot!

I am so excited for you! And you don't live in LA, so that is also so great. I want to write screenplays but have no desire to live in or around Hollywood.

I wish you the best of luck! One small question -- do you write for a set time everyday or in random blocks?

-Stephanie
 
Yes, writing the first draft quickly is imperative. It's the VOMIT draft, so just get it done. They always suck, no matter who you are--even if you're Akiva Goldsman.

During rewrites my best work emerges. It's become very clear to me that I'm a much better editor than writer.

From a treatment and beat sheet, I bang out each scene and sequence. When I find myself in a groove, it's because I'm adhering to a somewhat strict schedule (1.5-2 hrs in the morning before work--I am a Radiologist, so I generally have time in the late afternoon to write as well). I have no plans to move; for now, I'm staying out here in the far west suburbs of Chicago.
 
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Kyle,
You would make a great lawyer then. Everyone here is "better at editing." I just had this conversation with a jr. attoney who wants me to first draft everything becasue, he reasons, that I am faster and he is a great editor. I think its just laziness -- not wanting to put the work in. But I am faster.

I started editing random screenplays for people I have met through forums. I don't really have the experience, but I do write for a living (yes legal papers should count!) (and was, a long time ago, a published fiction writer -- small peices). Mostly I am telling people not to describe every character as Beautiful, 28, and a bit sassy.

I just think it is so wonderful that you made your deal. And at a wonderful price for a 10th screenplay, let alone a first. Diablo Coty better watch out -- there is a new kid on the block.

Stephanie
 
slkscarlet said:
Kyle,

Mostly I am telling people not to describe every character as Beautiful, 28, and a bit sassy.


Stephanie
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lol! Are they really writing that? If so, they don't need an editor, they need a paper shredder.

Edit: just to clarify, the line is okay, but it's funny that every character is described like that...

Funny you'd mention Diablo Cody. I came across a page from her latest script. If this page is any measure, she's got another Oscar in the bag. It's a lock.
Check it out: http://www.somethingawful.com/d/news/diablo-cody-screenplay.php
 
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Nice find, Brian. Good reads!

BTW--thanks for reminding me about a paper shredder. I broke mine a few days ago--no kidding--and I have to pick up a new one.
 
Brian,
Yes. In every unpublished script I read. Someone (two ... three) is always 28, beautiful and a little bit sassy. Of course, I think that was the description for Julia Roberts character in "My Best Friends Wedding" and that one worked out okay!

I get the impression that people are pimping me as a free script consultant! Ah, the curses of having once taught English -- the incredible urge to pick up a red pen, gratis, when asked. Of course, you get what you pay for. *wink*

The pages from Coty -- I am at work so I only had a chance to scan them briefly. Is it her script or her comments. Or is it both?

AND ... I wonder if this is a plant to get excitement going regarding the production. The comments seem overwritten (esp. with cartoon characters) and it is weird someone would throw away three pages (in order?). I think she is a pretty crafty woman, and I bet she "forgot" to shred this one on purpose. Note that it is already copyrighted.

-Stephanie
 
Hey Kyle,

At what (if any) point in this process have they asked for other scripts you've written?

For a lot of us, we'd want this opportunity to lead to other opportunities over the long term. Has this come up yet?
 
Congrats! And thanks for lots of info!

I just had a question about the process and was wondering how much you were involved in. The price you were paid for the script, did you have the lawyer just handle that and they got back to you, was there any negotiating? Have you sold any other screenplays in the past? Anything in the process you would have any particular advice to give on?

Again, congrats!
 
OK--now I'm getting into some info that I wanted to withhold for a while, but suffice it to say...

In mid MAR, knowing that a deal was imminent, my attorney had me meet with a few DEs for a pitch session. Went through a handful of story ideas. In my opinion, the whole morning was a bust.

Then, after we had finalized everything with The Lemon Tree, I received a call from my attorney.

And here's the somewhat big news... last WED I turned in a 13-page treatment (yes, 13 pages, like always) for Chicken Trails--a crime thriller/coming-of-age story based on events that occurred in 1978 at a BMX track near my childhood home. A creepy locale situated between an abandoned junk yard, some old railroad tracks and a steep-walled creek.

Today, the trails are completely overgrown and shut off from the daily goings-on of the town. You'd never know they were there. But what happened there that summer will never be forgotton--not by me, my family or anyone else who lived in Rockford at the time.

Now it's just a waiting game... I'll keep you guys posted.
 
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Hazard said:
Congrats! And thanks for lots of info!

I just had a question about the process and was wondering how much you were involved in. The price you were paid for the script, did you have the lawyer just handle that and they got back to you, was there any negotiating? Have you sold any other screenplays in the past? Anything in the process you would have any particular advice to give on?

Again, congrats!
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Yes, there was some negotiation by my lawyer--

He said he got them to change their classification of me--from Baby writer to Typical writer. Sounds stupid, huh? Apparently, around Hollywood writers get a specific title based on their level of experience, and along with that title comes a pay range. If I remember correctly, the others were... Known Commodity, A List, and Marquee writers. I think that's all, but what do I know? I'm still green.
 
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