producer has disappeared...what do I do now?

A

afriendofjerry's

Member
Hey Guys,
I have been writing screenplays for almost 3 years and sold my first this year (an indie short). So while I'm familiar with the business, I haven't dealt with any 'big' producers yet.
About a month ago a very reputable producer contacted me by email about my latest work (a feature). He said he loved the script & wanted to talk with me over the phone. :) His partner, another producer, was yet to read the script. I emailed him back to say that I would love to talk with him about said project. That was 3 weeks ago and I haven't heard anything since. :huh:
Have I been given the brush off?
I have since sent 2 emails (over 2 weeks) to ask if he is still interested, but I've gotten no reply.
I know, I know - take a hint! right? But I just don't understand why he would email me out of the blue saying he "just loved" my script and was interested in it (so much so that he requested a phone call with me), and then never reply.
Has this happened to anyone else? If so, how did you handle it & what was the outcome?
I know that producers in LA are extremely busy, but what's one lousy email saying "yes, I'm still interested but can you wait?"? or "no, sorry. I re-read the script & made a HUGE mistake, so see ya later."
Like I said b4, he's reputable as I've checked him out (has a movie playing in cinemas right now).
Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated :dankk2:
 
Something seems out of whack here. If he truly was "calling you out of the blue" how would he even know you'd written a script or had your script in his possession unless you sent it to him?
 
You might be experiencing what is called a 'silent pass'. Maybe after the partner read the script, they decided to drop it and move on, and yes - I'll venture to say 80 to 90 % simply will never contact you again.

I have gone through it many times, from big to small producers. It's just the nature of the biz. After a few emotional outbursts, I stopped taking it personally.

On the upside, they may just be haggling over some details before giving it the green light, which is also a common scenario.

The silence is painful.

Hope it's the latter, but if you have not hear back in another month, I'd start shopping it around again.

aw
 
Yes, the "silent pass" is one of the more insulting experiences that the biz has to offer. I'll never fully understand it, except that it probably confirms my increasingly cynical view of human nature. I just feel like a "thanks but no thanks" isn't so damn hard to do, and so much more respectful to the poor writer who sent the script.
 
craigbowman said:
Something seems out of whack here. If he truly was "calling you out of the blue" how would he even know you'd written a script or had your script in his possession unless you sent it to him?
Click to expand...

I had the script on Inktip. Sorry, I didn't mean he just called me up out of the blue without even knowing I was a screenwriter - god, how freaky would that be!
Thanks for all your advice, guys. I'm already shopping it around as a friend of mine (in the biz) told me to keep marketing it until I get a solid option/sale. But I will keep you informed as to how it turns out. Maybe it's the pessimist in me, but I think I've been shafted.
 
Hi AFOJ,

Congrats, with reservations. Hopefully, you've got a balanced contract that protects you. Did you go with an exclusive deal and, if so, get some up-front money? Hopefully, you're not dealing with a one-sided contract if they shelf your script...

Good luck,

Michael
 
This is very interesting. Is there anymore info you can give out? No names or anything, just your side of things. The producer saw your script on Inktip and then got back to you, how did the option process go?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top