Is this too much to pay a screenwriter?

[kid_filmmaker]

Is $600,000 a lot to give or pay to a screenwriter on an indie film project?

 

[kid_filmmaker]

okay then, sorry i wasted my time. I'll try to remember for the future.

You felt like you wasted your time because I thought the way you responded was kind of on the attitudeish side?? O-k, well if that's how you feel, can't change that, hope you have an awesome day though!

 

[Filman]

Will he still be top motivated, if you cut the 60% that you've promised? I mean, it he can make a great difference, it's potentially a lot of money that you with this approach would declare as unreachable for him, no matter how well he'll do.

 

[Sweetie]

Is $600,000 a lot to give or pay to a screenwriter on an indie film project?

I told my screenwriter that if the film makes a profit, I'd give him 60%
he would get $3000 up front

Yes. Even if he managed to write the best script ever written you'd have pissed away your $3k and you would have ruined ALL chance you had of gaining any finance for your film. Even if you had your writer on a lower tier on your recoupment schedule, you'd still be screwed.

Well you don't have to be rude

He's not being rude about it. If you want to see rude, put this deal inside a business proposal and take it to a shrewd investor. You'll see what rude looks like.

sole screenwriting credit

Be careful with this. What would happen if you take the script, someone else from the WGA re-writes it. You may then be in for a legal nightmare.

Good luck with your film.