Is it Even Worth it?

[shutterspeedfilms]

Here's the latest situation with my producing saga, which I'm hoping a few of you can help me sort out.

I wrote a feature script at the beginning of the year, which I had been trying to develop myself. After talking with a potential DP, he passed my contact information along to a development guy at a production company. We negotiated an option agreement for the material, and the papers are now on their way.

Talked to the development guy tonight and I'm having second thoughts about this deal now. The deal includes a clause where I would be attached as a producer; however, it sounds like they expect me to do all of the legwork for them.

Basically, I would have to either come up with some seed money, or I would have to attach an A-list actor to the script in order for the company to greenlight the movie.

My thought is: WHO WOULDN'T GREENLIGHT A SCRIPT WITH A-LIST TALENT ATTACHED?!

Is this deal even worth it? It sounds like what I'd pretty much be doing on my own anyway--I just wouldn't get to enjoy the full payday from it.

The only benefit I can see from accepting such a deal would be the ability to tell potential actors and crew that "such and such name production company is currently optioning the material."

What do you guys think?

 

[mrWr0ng]

this is pretty typical, if you can do the work for them and they don't have to pay anything until you show up with a ready-to-go package, why wouldn't they? It reduces the risk they have to take. Right now is a bad time to try to get films made anyways, as the WGA is going on strike which could put a hold on a LOT of film productions, since there'd be no rewrites available as it goes on.