Royalties/Credit

twocik23

twocik23

Veteran
When helping out someone that has a script ready togo, and you're pretty much just the crew, what's the name of the contract (or whatever it's called) that I need to get my side of the credit or royalties, etc.. ?


The gig is for street credit, no pay. So say some big name picks it up, what kind of safety precautions do I take ? Or am I kind of out of the loop because it's not in my name & I didn't write it ?


Please feel free to add any story or helpful advice for a situation like this....
 
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twocik23 said:
When helping out someone that has a script ready togo, and you're pretty much just the crew, what's the name of the contract (or whatever it's called) that I need to get my side of the credit or royalties, etc.. ?


The gig is for street credit, no pay. So say some big name picks it up, what kind of safety precautions do I take ? Or am I kind of out of the loop because it's not in my name & I didn't write it ?


Please feel free to add any story or helpful advice for a situation like this....
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Well... what did you do? If the script is 'ready to go', there's probably not much in the way of credits, since making a few judicious comments does not really change who did the heavy lifting on the script.

If on the other hand you and the 'script writer of record' worked together... well you should have had a contract that specifies such things as 'credits', either both names, yours and the other person, or 'story by', or similar.

Otherwise I don't think there's a 'helped out on a few items' credit category...
 
Nothing just yet.

The guy I'm looking to help has a script, but doesn't know how to or own film equipment. I'm just making sure if I say yes to his movie, what can I do to make sure I get credit for my services that I'm giving for free? I thought I read a post somewhere here on the forum saying something about a contract of some sort, so thought I'd ask.
 
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twocik23 said:
Nothing just yet.

The guy I'm looking to help has a script, but doesn't know how to or own film equipment. I'm just making sure if I say yes to his movie, what can I do to make sure I get credit for my services that I'm giving for free? I thought I read a post somewhere here on the forum saying something about a contract of some sort, so thought I'd ask.
Click to expand...

Yes, you would 'option' the script, say for 6 mo. or a year, with the intention of producting a movie. You would then be in the position of 'Producer'...

If you direct said movie, or run the camera, then you would acquire the credits, of Director or Director of Photography respectively.

But basically it starts with the option contract.

In California, for a contract to be binding, some form of 'exchange' must take place. So, the writer offers their script, and you offer something, perhaps some deferred payment, perhaps just 'written by' credit. Some people think that a monetary exchange must take place, but that is not necessarily so.

If the script is 'good enough' you may want to list some dollar amounts, or at least provision to 'cover costs to date', if the writer should find an other interested party, in order to cancel your option before it expires.
 
Yes I understand what the job rolls mean, well most of them. :) I'm just wanting to know if there's a forum or contract stating ("that can't be erased") what I did (Shot the film) ?
 
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