ESTEBEVERDE
Veteran
Do both. It's in the best thespian tradition after all.
You can even get a cheap tattoo to commemorate it if you like.
Couldn't possibly imagine what you mean.
Are you saying it's no big deal or that they have no chance of going theatrical?
Either way you are 100% completely wrong. But you do seem to make a slight comeback as you contradict yourself in the remainder of your post.
Oh... I see.. you are saying you are not going to be able to make it.
Neato!
I want to borrow your crystal ball when you are done so I can pick the winning Powerball numbers! (well actually use it as a paperweight since it is completely useless for anything else.)
And besides, no one needs to worry about "forms" a.k.a. legal contracts.
No big deal right?
From the Very Story YOU have quoted:
"the three stars of the 1999 low-budget blockbuster "The Blair Witch Project" are heading to court, claiming that the film's distributor Artisan Entertainment used their names and likenesses without permission in connection with the film's sequel, "Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2."
"At the center of the dispute are the simple nine-paragraph acting agreements that Donahue, Leonard and Williams signed with Haxan. The documents, known as deal memos, are short-hand agreements that often precede or replace longer contracts.
In this case the memos were copied from a book by Haxan producer Gregg Hale without the help of an attorney. "
What in the world are you talking about?
Where did you get the notion Blair Witch was a SAG project!?!!?
All accounts I have read including the one you just provided said that it was not a SAG project.
!?!?!?!?!?!?
Further more:
"The compensation they finally received was not unsubstantial," he said. "I think they were quite pleased. If Artisan had never used them in the sequel there never would have been a lawsuit."
The Blair Witch franchise has had its share of legal troubles already, with Artisan paying the makers of the original a reported $25 million to $30 million last year to settle a dispute over profits. And while its no Oscar, this latest round of litigation may be a Hollywood distinction worth having.
"If you have a successful film you are going to have lawsuits," said attorney Schuyler Moore. "Lawsuits are a badge of success whether you are a big studio or a small studio."
And again... no mention of SAG whatsever.
Just talk about those "forms" you are giving everyone advice to ignore and not worry about.
So, now you are saying forms are a big deal? and that only SAG actors can act!?!?!? Now forms are such a big deal that you are going to the SAG workshop. (In BOLD TYPE no less!)
It's good to go to the SAG workshop.
But asking SAG if their contracts are a good deal is just like asking a used car dealer if he is giving you a good price.
"Sure Sure Sure..." he'll reply! :cheesy:
Also, I would caution that SAG contracts with SAG actors don't cover location releases, music releases, prop clearance....
But according to you no worries as the distributor will "just take care of it"! :happy:
What do you mean!?!!??
If you have proper clearance you won't have problems regardless if you use a SAG contract or not. But, again, there is much more to be cleared besides the actors contracts.
If you don't worry about proper paperwork you won't get cleared, you won't get E&O, and you won't get distributed.
Plain and Simple.
Glad that you now realize there are opportunities to get distribution if your work is up to par.
But again, Ultra Low Budget and SAG are not mutually exclusive.
You can make an Ultra Low Budget movie and not use a SAG contract. Even if you use SAG actors.
This is insane.
You do not under any circumstances have to use SAG contracts unless you are a SAG signatory.
PERIOD.
YOU ARE NOT OBLIGATED TO USE SAG IN ANY WAY.
You do need good contracts and you do need good will. These are good points.
But, anyone can sue you at anytime for any reason.
Whether the case has merit or not is a different story.
All you have to be concerned with is keeping your ducks in a row and maintain compliance with civil and criminal law. That is where the little bit of worrying about a little bit of paperwork comes in handy.
I would say take a few minutes to calmly and carefully think and plan things out and you will go very very far in minimizing any trouble in the first place.
