Producer Rep Fee? What should I do?

Ok, so I had a rep. from a producer rep group contact me through facebook and say they wanted to see my wonderful film (exact words) that had recently made a film festival. So I sent them a copy of it, and then about a month later they contacted me and said they wanted to represent me but for a retainer fee of $2,500. I told them I couldn't afford it and would have to pass on their offer. They called back and said they'd lower it to $1,500 and make up the $1,000 difference in the distribution deal they'll get for the film. So now I'm considering it, since they were willing to lower the fee. Since they lowered the fee they've been contacting me a couple times a week, really pushing for me to sign a deal with them telling me my film has a really good chance to get distribution in the international film market, and that they want to start getting it out at some really good opportunities at the beginning of the new year.


Does this sound legit? Or am I being bamboozled?
 
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Have you done any research on this group? Are you willing to post the name of the company? There are some great researches on these forums, and they'd probably be able to dig up anything on them. I'm skeptical on anyone wanting money up front for anything. What have they done? How are they getting you distribution? Are they putting this in writing? Will they allow you to have your lawyer look at the contracts before you sign anything? What films have they gotten distribution for in the past? Are they willing to let you contact people they've represented in the past? How are you suppose to pay the, via Western Union?

You may have done some or all these things, but before part with your money, you need to check them out. Don't just take their word they can do what they claim.
 
I've done research, but can't pull up anything on them. It sounds like only 2 or 3 people are running it, like it's fairly new or something. I'm hesitant to mention them cause I don't want their name to be online in a negative way if they're actually legit and trying to help us. But I suppose someone can't take offense if you're honestly just trying to help legitimize them. So here it is, they're call film marketing services:

http://www.filmmarketingservices.com/


We've been talking with Peter Greene, who seems like a pretty good guy.
 
Always check if the adress makes sense. They list an adress for an executive business suite, yet you have to actually send you post somewhere else.

When you do a search on their suite, you can easily find out that it is currently for rent, under a "rent today, move in tomorrow" label. That means its empty right now.

Fishy. Very fishy.
 
Pass on the deal.

You're better off using a sales agent of your choice (for doing the films of your genre and type) or retaining a very good entertainment attorney that can meet you up with the right people.

they've been contacting me a couple times a week, really pushing for me to sign a deal with them telling me my film has a really good chance to get distribution in the international film market

Hell, for $1500 I'll tell you a story too... so long as I don't have to sign any performance clauses.

Most of the advice I've seen tells you to be wary of any sales agent (especially unknowns) wanting up front fees. They want your cash, not to help you distribute. If they were really interested in helping distribute your film and they thought it'd go great guns, they'd offer you a percentage deal.

One more question: If it was so good, why did they wait a month?
 
Thanks for sharing this.

Got a similar email yesterday (right down to the "wonderful film" part.) Although mine was from "Evan Greene" (Hrmmmm...)

Not on the up-and-up.
 
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Thanks for sharing this.

Got a similar email yesterday (right down to the "wonderful film" part.) Although mine was from "Evan Greene" (Hrmmmm...)

Not on the up-and-up.

Yeah one of the things that stood out to me was how generic the email seemed. Several of them were very generic, one even saying something like "we're very interested in your films"....Films? I only have one I'm trying to distribute? What are you talkin about? Although things have appeared sketch, I've tried to be courteous the entire time, however after all these great comments by folks on this message board, this does appear to seem completely bogus.
 
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Ok, so I had a rep. from a producer rep group contact me through facebook and say they wanted to see my wonderful film (exact words) that had recently made a film festival. So I sent them a copy of it, and then about a month later they contacted me and said they wanted to represent me but for a retainer fee of $2,500. I told them I couldn't afford it and would have to pass on their offer. They called back and said they'd lower it to $1,500 and make up the $1,000 difference in the distribution deal they'll get for the film. So now I'm considering it, since they were willing to lower the fee. Since they lowered the fee they've been contacting me a couple times a week, really pushing for me to sign a deal with them telling me my film has a really good chance to get distribution in the international film market, and that they want to start getting it out at some really good opportunities at the beginning of the new year.


Does this sound legit? Or am I being bamboozled?
You should never PAY for a rep, agent or any of these people. There's a whole "industry" of Hollywood bamboozlers who make great money CHARGING desperate filmmakers, script writers, actors, etc. When you have something of quality, the legit people don't charge you.
 
Thanks everyone for your advice, it's been very good! However, I am now being threatened by Jon Gursha and Peter Greene, that if I "do not take this post down," they will bring legal action to me, and will not stop harassing me until I bring this post down. Can you bring legal action against someone for simply asking in forum if their company is legit? What in the world are they talking about? They basically said in the email that they WILL NOT leave me alone until this post is gone.

They want me to give them $2,500, but come at me with LEGAL THREATS when I ask an open question on a forum about them? So according to Peter Greene and Jon Gursha, it's illegal to ask a question about a company, especially when that company wants thousands from you.
 
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