Writing a pilot: For free, or not for free? Protocol question. - Writers Forum

ryn · 04-03-2007, 02:41 PM

Pardon my newbishness! Not sure if anyone's familiar with the world of screenwriting/tv development, but if a producer's interested in some development writing to get a potential series off the ground, is this the kind of stuff that's routinely done on spec, or is it a major no-no to my writing brethren to do any development work for free?

Anybody know in this particular case?

dindenver · 04-03-2007, 04:14 PM

Hi!
I am ont a professional writer, but I know enough about the odds of getting a show aired to know that you should never do work for free on the promise of more pay if it gets aired.
I odn't know what rate you should work for, but it definitely should not be for free. you could end up writing 10 or more pilots before one gets picked up by a network. If he is a serious producer, whatever price you charge for the screenplay will be nominal compaire to film/talent/location/costume/props/etc... And if he is not a serious producer, nothing may come of it...
No change please

ryn · 04-03-2007, 04:40 PM

Hi Din,

Yeah, I've definitely decided I wouldn't write anything for free. I've got enough of my own work to do that with. Plus I've already sold a few screenplays so working for free is officially a no-no anymore. Anyone know what the going rate for something like this is? I know an answer will likely not be forthcoming, but since I started this thread I feel obligated to ask.

Shawn · 04-03-2007, 05:41 PM

If you've already pitched the idea to the producer, if they want it, they will ask to film a pilot. Usually you get a small advance for it, but nothing large. If the pilot gets good ratings when aired, then you keep writing.

At least, that's all I know... I'm not much of a screenwriter.

mammamaia · 04-03-2007, 06:13 PM

if you're not in the uk, your chances of getting a proposed tv pilot/series of your own even looked, at are nil to none... you'd have to be an established tv writer and/or have an agent with solid gold connections in the industry to get your work read... legal dept's don't allow anything sent in 'over the transom' to even be opened, much less looked at... in the uk, it's not so hopeless...

i have no idea what this means:

Quote:

if a producer's interested in some development writing to get a potential series off the ground

...if a producer has a series in development, s/he's PAYing writers to turn out episodes, not trolling for freebies...

...if someone is claiming to be a producer and asking you to write for free, s/he is a scam artist and/or wannabe pretender, not a real producer...

...fyi, i mentor many aspiring screenwriters and wannabe tv writers, along with all other breeds of the writer's art... if you want any further advice/info on the biz, or help with any writing, feel free to email me...

love and hugs, maia
maia3maia@hotmail.com

ryn · 04-05-2007, 07:18 AM

Thanks for the replies everyone!

Maia; my situation is hopefully not as dire as you make it sound.

I'm currently an animation supervisor on a tv series, have 3 sold screenplays under my belt, and have regular access to the folks that 'do the reading' in these cases.

To be more specific; the case I'm talking about is a long-on-the-shelf project that this producer's looking at doing some development work on, for the purposes of trying to sell. He's looking for someone to do some of *that* writing. I'd just like to know what standard procedure is here. :S

mammamaia · 04-05-2007, 05:46 PM

happy to hear that you're on the inside!... as for 'standard procedure' that may depend in part on whether you're in the us or elsewhere... basically, since you've a raft of credits under your belt, you should never write for free... what is he offering?... if he hasn't said, he should have...

you could legitimately ask for either a flat fee or an hourly rate... doing it on spec, for a piece of the action if it sells, is chancey, as most don't... you could be out a lot of time and effort with nothing to show for it... so, i'd advise going for a token payment up front, at least... with a well-defined share of the action, should it sell...

whatever you do, get it all in writing, before writing a single word!... i'm surprised that you would be asking here, if you're in the business already... why didn't you ask your agent?... that would be the wisest course of action...

best of luck with it... love and hugs, maia