I'm currently in talks with a producer about him purchasing my feature script. In the past I have had scripts optioned but never sold one outright. What is a reasonable asking price, considering the budget is looking to be around the 150,000 range. Any advice would be welcome. Thanks in advance.
Screenwriting : Script sale fee? by Christian James Hearn
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Hi Christian, that's good money
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purchase price is usually 3-4% of the budget but on a micro budget feature like 150K, non-WGA, its not gonna be much...
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Did the producer already suggest a price they would buy it for? According to the WGA anywhere from $500 - $600,000. According to the UK WGA, it is based on page count. I would suggest you decide how long it took you to write it, the page count, and to make sure the producer does not sell it to someone else for more money than they paid for it. In addition, it would be what you are comfortable with selling it for. I would think the price would be anywhere from 10-20% of what you and the producer knew the budget would be. Best of luck!
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Look at the quality of their other productions. Look at the quality and success. Will be attached to this type of production give you value. Will it move the needle on your career. It may be worth factoring that in if the offer comes in a little low.
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Likely, you will be offered aboit 5-10K plus maybe some backend points, as if thats a thing anymore. The above comment about it not including anymore drafts is important - if they want you to keep fixing it. then that should cost extra.
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The old rule of thumb was 2-3% of production budget, exclusive of insurance and other add-ons. This is more nebulous now, with dynamic changes in production and distribution models. Also, low-budget productions usually have a flat-fee line item script budget that they want to keep fixed. Still, I think the 2-3% is a good benchmark.
As someone already mentioned, rewrites are not included for free. And I would add that since you're probably going to be low-balled, don't take any deferments in payment; get it upfront and in one lump sum. Negotiate backend, but accept that at this budget range, you won't see any.
So... I would strongly urge you to consider whether the deal is worth it. Once this low-budget team buys it, it's gone. Did you write it for low budget? It's apparently marketable, or they wouldn't want it. But do they have distribution in place? Just saying: the production and distribution should be worthy of the script, or your work is forever burned.
... Unless you just absolutely need the money or want the (possibility of) a produced credit. And there is nothing wrong with that.
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It's kind of a "how long's a piece of string" question within this budget range.
Check this out; A Screenwriter’s Basic Guide to Analysing Early Offers