Hey Scott -- I've never totally understood how these deals work.

When a script sells for $2mil -- is the writer receiving a check for $2mil, or is it a promise to pay $2mil if the picture goes into production?

If it says $2mil against $3mil, is the writer receiving a check for $2mil and then another $1mil if the picture is produced?

Thanks!

j

Wow, some of those scripts turned into really bad movies. I'm Guess those paydays include rewrites, polishes, etc.

Even many of the produced scripts turned into mediocre movies.

I read Steinbeck's Point of View a few years back and couldn't believe it sold for as much as it did. I'm not at all shocked it's never been produced.

I'm not terribly familiar with many of the other unproduced specs. I am surprised that EuroTrip was such a huge sale, but coming from former Seinfeld writers maybe that makes sense.

I also know of at least one $1 millon spec that isn't on that list, so I wonder what a truly complete list would look like, and what the produced/unproduced ratio on THAT list would be.

@Zampana: A deal for $2M against $3M means the $2M is guaranteed and paid out for purchase price and writing services, versus another $1M if the movie commences principal photography (that amount can vary depending upon writing credits).

If the trades mention a deal being worth one figure, that's almost always the all-in figure (including production bonus).

A good chunk of these were bad or mediocre at best. It's not good for a spec writer when an exec sees this. Gives them more reason to pay a writer less.

Another interesting/sobering way of cutting these figures would be to look at them by date - just to see how the spec sales market has changed.

"Hel-lo! A President. Having sex with a cooooooowwwwww."

Sounds like an Archie Barksdale classic!

@RonC: Hoo boy, you're right! Precisely the type of really dumb idea Archie would perceive as sheer brilliance!

To all those who are interested in the history of spec scripts and the current state of the spec script market, be sure to check back next Monday.

@Scott -- So a quote single price for script might be a couple 100k option (or less) with the final contract, including prod bonus, being the stated amount...

Thanks! Good perspective...

j

$2.25 million for The Break-Up? I wouldn't even pay $10 for the dvd.

What the hell is wrong with Hollywood?