How does ''rebuying" your screenplay work?

V

victortiti89

I've read that if you sell a script to a company, but it doesn't make it into a movie, you can " buy" it back so you can send it somewhere else, if you want to... How does this work? What if you don't have enough money for this? Is there a way to avoid this situation? Thanks for answering!:)
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
Depends on the terms of the initial contract. I haven't heard of a contract with a buyback clause though I suppose it is possible. Usually it's an option that lapses after a while.

If it was an outright sale and there is no provision in the contract that stipulates this option, then it comes down to what you can or cannot negotiate.

Good luck.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Let's put it this way: if a script is put out there to get talent and funding, it becomes known. If it then, for whatever reason, fails to become a film, it'll have a big smear all over it as a failed project - this is why producers prefer to "option" scripts, buying them if full funding is secured.

If you were paid upfront for a screenplay that never went ahead, unless you were given a ridiculously small fee, I'd advise that you bragged of being a professional and started work on something else.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
victortiti89 said:
I've read that if you sell a script to a company, but it doesn't make it into a movie, you can " buy" it back so you can send it somewhere else, if you want to... How does this work? What if you don't have enough money for this? Is there a way to avoid this situation? Thanks for answering!:)
Click to expand...
The rights to a script are no different than any other commodity; they
can be bought and sold. I would ask where you read this but I know
you never answer follow up questions. I suspect you are asking
about an option agreement which is different. But I don't know. I
don't hear much about a buy back agreement - but I'm sure it
happens.

How it works is if the company doesn't make it into a movie and they
agree to sell it back to you you buy it back from them. They set the
price. If you don't have enough money for this then you cannot afford
to buy it back. You can avoid this situation by saving the money they
paid you so if you want to buy it back you have the money. If you don't
have the money then you cannot buy it back.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top