Distribution deal for two of my short films?

[jebouchard]

I have a distributor/broadcaster offering to show two of my short films, and distribute them worldwide. Since I know nothing about industry standards in distribution (other than it's painful and unpleasant), I'd like to check with people who have signed distribution deals to find out whether these terms are commonplace:

They get 50% of all revenues, minus expenses (copying, shipping, marketing, up to 25% of gross revenues). They also ask for
"the right to edit and modify the Film, use excerpts of the Film and combine the Film with the work of others for the purposes of time integration, censorship, insertion of commercials, creation of compilations, and promotions of the Film and Distributor and its affiliated and related companies and licensees and assigns, and Producer hereby waives any moral rights it may have in the Film".

This would be a four-year non-exclusive contract.

Is it really that bad?


J.

 

[GregWilliams2175]

That deal sounds fair. Send them a counter offer, you can possibly get even better.

 

[ChipG]

What kind of distributor are they and how are they going to distribute your short? Internet? Pay per click or view type deal?

 

[bill totolo]

Make sure you retain all overseas revenues, otherwise it may be considered a sucker's deal.

 

[Clint Nitkiewiz Hernandez]

congrats on that

congrats on that

I have a distributor/broadcaster offering to show two of my short films, and distribute them worldwide. Since I know nothing about industry standards in distribution (other than it's painful and unpleasant), I'd like to check with people who have signed distribution deals to find out whether these terms are commonplace:

They get 50% of all revenues, minus expenses (copying, shipping, marketing, up to 25% of gross revenues). They also ask for
"the right to edit and modify the Film, use excerpts of the Film and combine the Film with the work of others for the purposes of time integration, censorship, insertion of commercials, creation of compilations, and promotions of the Film and Distributor and its affiliated and related companies and licensees and assigns, and Producer hereby waives any moral rights it may have in the Film".

This would be a four-year non-exclusive contract.

Is it really that bad?


J.

Congrats on your deal there, 50% is not bad, but I always heard that paying you up front is better, to just buy it out, because what is the known method of tracing what money they receive?

I really want to know how one would find out how much money it makes, to ensure you get your fair part.

Also would you mind sharing how you got this deal? I never got a distribution deal, and am working on my first film now, did they contact you, did you contact them? Did you walk into an office wearing a suit and meet other people in suits, and they laid that paper in front of you and told you to think about it over the weekend, or how does it work, would you mind walking us through it?