India Jenkins's Lounge Discussions

If you want to act as producer on your project, then you might consider paying another producer to put the package together, line up investors, etc. But if you have little experience, it’s easy to get fleeced by bad people.

If you’re just looking to sell your script, they shouldn’t be charging you.

I just read your post again. Maybe I have it backwards. Are you talking about a producer paying the writer to use their work? I’m confused by your wording.

I mean a writer being charged a collaborator's fee by a producer who is "interested" in your script.

Never heard of this.

As per Matthew Kelcourse, that smells like a very common scam. You should never be paying a producer.

Joe Thayer, thanks for posting. This just happened to me today and I went searching for confirmation of what I already suspected. It was from a Stage 32 producer and she has subsequently deleted her profile, so, there ya go.

And still, there are "producers" on here who want to charge a fee. Not mentioning who, but this is a quote from a recent email to me: "Kindly note, if your project meets my requirements, I charge a small fee to help facilitate the development and production of the project." This is from someone on Stage32 who initially approached me, expressed interest in one of my projects... and then this happened. I'd sent him some material but it's all © material and all of my colleagues know about it, so not really an issue there. But seriously, producers, please at least pretend to match the hundreds of hours I put into a project for free by not making me pay for you to TRY to "develop" it.

They tell you that you should be honored to work with them, simply because they are so brilliant. Of course, you will do all the hard work. And you should pay big money to bask in their glory...same story, different villians.

After 24 years in the screenwriting trenches here is the truth. If you ever expect to see your material produced- do it yourself. Raise the money. BEFORE you do that realize that NOBODY in Hollywood buys screenplays from unknown writers. If you are not related to somebody already IN, you will stay OUT. UNLESS you have distribution connections EVEN if you create a film, you will ONLY have a FILM with nowhere to sell it. If you are 40 or reaching age 40 forget EVER optioning or selling a script in H'wood. There is a well- known age discrimination in ALL major writing contracts. Financing your own INDIE film production and securing distribution are your only 2 choices. Good luck.

This is happening to me right now. This producer wants a $1475 "collaboration" fee. I'm sorry, but last I checked, producers don't charge writers if they're interested in a script.

Glad to have you here, @Nadir!

I'm glad to see you too!

Welcome!

Thanks!

Welcome. You can learn a lot from the various lounge posts.

Congratulations!!! That’s super awesome!!! Keep up the hustle!!!

Well sweet Jesus! Congratulations Dirk!!! I'm very happy for you. Hey is the contest still going or has it closed?

India, they start a new cycle monthly.

This is amazing, Dirk, huge congratulations!

Wow, congratulations!

Hello everybody. Please to introduce myself to all of you out there. I am new and I want to enter the industry as a Screenwriter. I already written a few screenplays (also writing a crime thriller now) and looking to network with you. I was born, raised, and currently living in South Florida.

Hey, Rodrigo Portela! Great to meet you, and welcome to the community! Congrats on your feature film screenplay! What are next steps for you? Are you looking for financing? Or are you in pre-production already?

Oh, man, serious spaghetti-western vibes from Rango! LOL I'm sure you've already discovered the Filmmaking Lounge (https://www.stage32.com/lounge/directing), but I'd love for you to check out the Post-Production Lounge (https://www.stage32.com/lounge/post_production) as well.

Keep in mind that these lounges are like the VIP Filmmaker's Lounges at Film Festivals, so this is where you can meet the people doing the work, get advice on anything you're working on, and/or give back to those who may need advice. We're a very supportive and encouraging community! I think you'd also enjoy my blog post on how to get the most out of the Stage32 Community:

https://www.stage32.com/blog/SocialSaturday-Mining-for-Gold-in-the-Stage...

Enjoy exploring the lounges, and don't forget to comment and respond to others’ posts, too! It's the best way to really connect!

Thank you Karen! I hope I can find some great advices and connections in here... Thank you for your message!

You are most welcome!

Spike Lee and Quentin Tarantino

I don't really think that way when I write but my first script was written with Spike Lee in mind. The only other project I ever seriously thought about the director was a script I haven't taken the time to write that would only work if directed by someone who can get away with a lot of nonsense like James Gunn.

Steven Soderbergh or Scott Frank.

I think I'd go along with Greg McLean but only on my latest one, being somewhat inspired by one of his own films...my next script is already booked for a specific director (sorta speak) as we did some work together before and I've pledged him exclusive preview.

Great answers, everyone.