Anonymous    790237 Fri, 16 Nov 07 03:32 PM Thank you again Caroline and Alan. You've both have provided valuable information and really do appreciate it. I actually do have some contacts in Hollywood believe it or not, and will likely use them as you have suggested above. You both seem to be saying, "SELL MYSELF", whether to an agent, studio, etc., whoever I can get to listen. It's like everything else in life... nobody believes in you like you do! My primary business is advertising, so if I can't at least do that, then I should get out of the business! Ok, last question if I may? As I said, I am in advertising, and have owned my own business for over five years now. About a year or so ago, I opened a DBA called Digital Entertainment Group as a side branch of my company. (Digital Marketing Services, Inc.) Do you guys have a recommendation on whether I should market my scripts/books through the DBA company, or just try to market them as an individual? I'm not looking for tax advise here, instead, what would look better to an agent, studio, etc. from their perspective. Thanks again, Corey Anonymous Careers, Business

	Alan Brooks    790247 Fri, 16 Nov 07 03:42 PM "Thank you again Caroline and Alan. You've both have provided valuable information and really do appreciate it. I actually do ... I'm not looking for tax advise here, instead, what would look better to an agent, studio, etc. from their perspective." As a writer you always market yourself as your self. You might sign a contract under your business name, and if you're business savvy you and your accountant understand why that would be a good thing. But it doesn't come into play while you're promoting your work, and is not worth a mention. Alan Brooks A with an Underwood What happens in accounting stays in accounting. MWSM FAQ: http://www.panix.com/~mwsm/faq.html Filtering Trolls: http://www.panix.com/~mwsm/trolls.html Alan Brooks Careers, Business

	MC    790250 Fri, 16 Nov 07 05:29 PM "As for the agent, I'm sure this has been asked ad nauseam, but humor me if you will. Is there ... I just don't have time to read them all. Too busy making a non-writing living! Any advice is again appreciated." As with all business partnerships put yourself in the shoes of the other party. Agents really can't put the screws to you unless they are the kind who demand reading fees or the like in which case run. They can legitimately make only 10% of what you make, so to put yourself in the agent's shoes for a moment, the question (s)he will ask is this: Can I make any money off Corey Spann? It's up to your writing, and *you* to answer that. It's not just the writing, because you have to project reliability, sobriety and all the good non-primadonna qualities to go with the work. If you're a potential handful, there are writers lined up around the block who aren't. "Anybody can direct. There are only 11 good writers." ‹ Mel Brooks MC Careers, Business

	MC    790264 Fri, 16 Nov 07 05:32 PM "Most writers I know speak very highly of their agents. T" My agent completes me! We don't always see eye to eye, but we're in a long-term business relationship. I rely on him to cut the deals and negotiate with the sharks and unlike some, I never resent writing the commission cheques he earns them. "Anybody can direct. There are only 11 good writers." ‹ Mel Brooks MC Relationships, Careers, Business

	Caroline    790266 Fri, 16 Nov 07 06:28 PM "Ok, last question if I may? As I said, I am in advertising, and have owned my own business for ... for tax advise here, instead, what would look better to an agent, studio, etc. from their perspective. Thanks again, Corey" There are a whole lot of complications that can evolve if/when you try to market your work as a company/corporation. The first and biggest one is that most will *assume* you are a creative entity, and that can involve complications far beyond what you will have as a writer. It will also put many people off. And I have no idea if this is the case, but it's a possibility it could complicate and/or compromise your income as a writer: Is the income yours or is it the company's? My best advice is don't do it. If, at some future time when you have a much fuller understanding of the business and all it would entail, if there are true advantages then, you might reconsider. But if you have no apsirations toward getting into production, there's really no point. Caroline Caroline Careers, Business

	Anonymous    790295 Fri, 16 Nov 07 07:40 PM MC - It sounds like you're very happy with your agent, and believe in their abilities to help you get the best from your works. I'm in agreement. So, how did you go about finding yours? Was it a dartboard or something more scientific? Caroline - I see your point, and sure don't need my business any more complicated or stressful than it already is! Same old story... Too little time, too much work, too many deadlines! Yes, as majority shareholder, the income is mine, though for tax purposes it is better to distribute it in draws than income. If I sold a screenplay through the company, the money is mine, but would NOT take it as regular income. Too much tax! :-) Ok, since the group has been kind, and indulged my juvenile questions, here is another one that is sure to elicit multiple eye rolls from anyone reading. Oh well, here goes... Lets say I find an agent, and a willing accomplice at a studio to buy the script. I have read a lot of different things online about compensation, and realize they're dependant on many, many factors, but surely there must be something that would be considered relatively normal. Now, before your eye rolls make you sick, I am just really wondering what scripts compensation can range from and what is realistic. I don't need the Harry Potter scripts of the World, or the movies you never hear about, but just a run of the mill move. Are there any guidelines for these things? Sorry for so many newbie questions. I've gotten paid for a lot of writing over the years, but scripts are completely new territory for me. Anonymous Apologies, Online, Careers, Business

	MC    790438 Fri, 16 Nov 07 11:09 PM "MC - It sounds like you're very happy with your agent, and believe in their abilities to help you get the best from your works. I'm in agreement. So, how did you go about finding yours? Was it a dartboard or something more scientific?" When was working as a reader a bunch of excellent scripts from different writers came in from him so I made a note of his name and number. When my first sepc was ready I phoned him and pitched it. He asked to read it. And we've been butting heads ever since. So I broke a couple of "rules" by phoning without sending out a query letter, and sending my first spec feature (without anything to follow). But I was already produced as an animation writer and was a member of the guild by virtue of a broadcasting career in an earlier life I was *supposed* to be a member of ACTRA, but for some reason they goofed and put me down as a writer... and when the WGC broke away from ACTRA I became a member of the Writers Guild by mistake. I don't recommmentd any of the above as a good approach but it worked for me. And actually, it does illustrate that no two people ever get in the same way. "Anybody can direct. There are only 11 good writers." ‹ Mel Brooks MC Mistakes, Cartoons, Writing, Numbers

	MC    790439 Fri, 16 Nov 07 11:11 PM "Sorry for so many newbie questions. I've gotten paid for a lot of writing over the years, but scripts are completely new territory for me." There are a bunch of books on the *business* of screenwriting (as opposed to the craft) do a little digging. "Anybody can direct. There are only 11 good writers." ‹ Mel Brooks MC Apologies, Careers, Business