Amazon Studios

[Todd Bradley]

I just learned about this earlier this week.  Amazon has a new venture where they're trying to help filmmakers get their films made, through prizes, marketing, etc.  It's called Amazon Studios.

http://studios.amazon.com

It sounds interesting, but they are only interested in scripts and "test movies" for feature-length dramatic films.  No documentaries, no shorts.  But it seems worth checking out, or at least keeping an eye on.

[Jim Brennan]

I'm skeptical...but then again I am a skeptic. I think that John August's blog (Something screenwriters should be reading anyway) sums it up for me.

http://johnaugust.com/archives/2010/on-the-amazon-film-thing

There are some great ways to get legitimate and qualified feedback on your script without the kind of risks this has. And if your screenplay really kicks ass, contact some managers in LA. If it's great they will want it. If it isn't, putting it on the Amazon factory line won't make it that way.

But Lord knows I am wrong all the time. Just ask my wife.

[Eileen Agosta]

I'm assuming anyone who would enter this contest understands and is OK with the whole people-can-revise-and-rewrite your script part, since it's clearly stated that that is a big part of it, so I'm not going to say anything about that... other than to be sure to read the fine print and make sure are comfortable with the potential copyright issues, as well as the credit/compensation issues.

 

Something to be aware of those is that once you upload a script, for the next 18 months Amazon has the EXCLUSIVE right to option all rights to your work as well as an EXCLUSIVE development option.  This means that you can't do anything with your script - shop it, sell it, or even make it into a film yourself.  And they retain the right to automatically extend those 18 months by another 18 months at their sole discretion.  They also get the sole discretion in determining what, if any, credit you get, and what, if any, payment you get - if someone else takes YOUR idea and rewrites it, they can choose to give most, if not all, the credit/compensation to THEM.  It says it right in the fine print.

 

I'm not saying this contest is necessarily bad... I have no intention of entering any of my writing, and IMHO, after reading the development agreement, I think it sounds like a horrible idea and anyone considering it should run as fast as they can in the opposite direction. But it might be appealing to some, and I certainly won't pass judgment on anyone who does enter - I'm just saying to be aware.  :)  And be absolutely sure you read over every word of that Development Agreement and Option Agreement before you upload anything!


http://www.deadline.com/2010/11/that-amazon-studios-screenplay-cont...

http://filmmakermagazine.com/news/2010/11/thoughts-on-amazon-studios/

http://nffty.org/explore/your-say/amazon-the-movie-studio-yeah-right

[Jim Brennan]

Great points Eileen.

[Stan M. Strawn]

Yeah, I can't stand it when I'm telling someone about our film and then they start saying stuff like; "Yeah, and then you should have so and so say this and they could go to...blah, blah, blah..." I hate that. I always have to say, "sorry script is done" or at least; "yeah, but that would make the whole movie not make sense because"...

Why would I want a bunch of glom-ons to mess with my vision anyway...especially one's I've never even met!?

Sounds dumb to me.

[Haylar Garcia]

They are casting a net, don't be the hungry tuna.