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9/10/01 6:57:17 PM Opening "Chat Log 9/10/01"

HOST WRTR Paul: Jasmine will be Greeting
GeorgeJim: OLA!
HOST WRTR Paul: (via IMs, of course)
JsmnStrm: Yes, IM me!
HOST WRTR Paul: Our guest tonight is Mr GH Lui
JsmnStrm: Hi GH Lui!!!!! WELCOME!!!!
Roy Gugat: Good Evening, Mr Lui
Film Executive: Thanks. Glad to be here.
HOST WRTR Paul: He is an exectutive in a major talent development agenty in LA
HOST WRTR Paul: Handling novels, films, etc--lots of new talent
Roy Gugat: <impressed
HOST WRTR Paul: okay, type a "?" fi you have a question, then wait your turn
Fletcher7: ?
Film Executive: Actually, I'll make the correction and state that we're a Management/Production Firm and not
OnlineHost: “Ivy 62301” has left the room.
Film Executive: an agency. Just a slight difference, heh.
HOST WRTR Paul: ee? We learned something already.
GeorgeJim: ?
HOST WRTR Paul: everyone remember to close your remarks with a "g/a" so I'll know when to move along
Film Executive: For those who are unaware of the difference, as Managers, we're able to be producers..
Film Executive: which agents aren't allowed to be.
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HOST WRTR Paul: Okay, Fletch, go ahead
Fletcher7: hey lui
Fletcher7: i am 24, i went to school for communications, and got a 2 year degree for film
HOST WRTR Paul: (it helps to have your question typed up in advance)
Fletcher7: and i also took writing courses
Fletcher7: anyway, graduated over a year ago, and had to take a job first to pay off bills
Fletcher7: whats the best way to go about getting in with a company ?
Fletcher7: internships?
Fletcher7: im only an hour and a half from nyc
Fletcher7: g/a
Film Executive: Yes, the best way to get in with a company would be to offer your services as an intern.
Film Executive: What specifically are you hoping to do?
Fletcher7: how did you go about doing it?
Fletcher7: i would like to be in script development
Fletcher7: g/a
Film Executive: Okay. The best avenue for you to proceed into that, would be to look into becoming a reader.
Film Executive: A reader is basically someone who evaluates scripts for an agency or production company.
Kathi Smith 116: ?
Film Executive: You can find these mainly by going through your department at school or going through
Fletcher7: i see, could you tell me what your situation out of school was like?
Film Executive: books, such as the Hollywood Creative Directory, locating firms, and sending in your resume
Film Executive: expressing your interest.
HOST WRTR Paul: Fletch, sory, but there are many with questions. :-)
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Fletcher7: ok paul =)
Fletcher7: thankyou lui
Film Executive: You're welcome.
HOST WRTR Paul: answer that, then we'll go to George
GeorgeJim: What is your average time line from taking on a new client to sale of the work?
Film Executive: Okay..
GeorgeJim: sorry
Film Executive: My situation after finishing school was a bit different than most. When I started school I
HOST WRTR Paul: (on the other hand, the rest of you can just watch!) ;-)
Film Executive: was already actively working in the industry.
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SARAJHUB: ?
Film Executive: As for your question, George, the turnaround really depends on a lot of factors.
GeorgeJim: I'm certain
Film Executive: How well the project is already put together, time we need to put in in making it
Film Executive: presentable and market interests.
Film Executive: We've sold projects two months after taking on clients, and sometimes years after.
GeorgeJim: Yes, your website emphasizes presentability
Film Executive: I would say on average though, it takes about a year.
GeorgeJim: Thank you
Film Executive: You're welcome.
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HOST WRTR Paul: sarahj, go ahead
SARAJHUB: Would it be a waste of time to send you an unpublished manuscript?
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Film Executive: No, not at all. As a management firm, we constantly accept unpublished and unrepresented
Film Executive: work. We are always looking for new writers. We just ask that submission guidelines be
Film Executive: followed.
SARAJHUB: such as?
HOST WRTR Paul: (it's all on your web site, correct?)
Film Executive: Yes, all submission guidelines are available on our website.
Roy Gugat: ?
SARAJHUB: thank you g/a
HOST WRTR Paul: (we'll post the link) Kathi, go ahead
Film Executive: I would suggest approaching any agency or company by following their guidelines exactly
Kathi Smith 116: What types of scripts are you looking for? Or what makes a script stand out? g/a
Film Executive: We don't look at scripts based on genre at all. Instead, what we look for are interesting
Film Executive: and unique concepts, tight story structure, and well developed characters.
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Film Executive: Something that's polished. Too many writers submit work that hasn't been polished
Film Executive: and I can't express how important it is that your project be in it's best shape possible.
Kathi Smith 116: Define polished?
Film Executive: Proof read for one. That is a major must.
SARAJHUB: ?
Film Executive: Also, something which you've but a lot of thought and re-writing into.
Film Executive: Check for story holes, develop your characters fully and make sure they aren't one
Film Executive: dimensional.
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SteeIBtrfl: Hello everyone
HOST WRTR Paul: (sounds right up our alley!) Here is the link:
HOST WRTR Paul: http://www.aeionline.com/news.html
Kathi Smith 116: ?
HOST WRTR Paul: sara J , go ahead
SARAJHUB: Can you give us an idea of how long it takes to get a response from your organization?
Film Executive: In general, we try to get back to queries within one month. Unfortunately, we often get
Film Executive: overloaded with submissions, and therefore responses can sometimes take a little longer.
SARAJHUB: Must we have an agent before you will consider the work? g/a
Film Executive: No, you don't need an agent. We're a management/production company which means we will
Film Executive: represent your project.
JsmnStrm: ?
Film Executive: Therefore, unsigned writers are welcomed.
HOST WRTR Paul: Kathi, go ahead
Kathi Smith 116: I've heard a lot about how tough it is to break into Hollywood writing. Do you prefer
Kathi Smith 116: writers of particular age groups or experience levels? g/a
Fletcher7: ?
Film Executive: Speaking for my own company, we don't look for any particular age groups when we sign
Film Executive: writers. Nor do we particularly look for any sort of experience.
Film Executive: We do prefer to work with writers who have some training or education in the area
Film Executive: they are trying to break into.
Film Executive: But it isn't a neccesity.
HOST WRTR Paul: Jasmine, go ahead
JsmnStrm: Do you only read scripts or do you take stories? And if you do take stories, what do you do
JsmnStrm: with them? make them into movies?? ga
Film Executive: We are a full service literary agency, therefore we accept all submissions in various forms.
Film Executive: Screenplays, manuscripts, plays, poetry, etc.
GeorgeJim: ?
HOST WRTR Paul: Fletcher, go ahead
Fletcher7: how did you get your start in the industry? g/a
Film Executive: Many of our writers have had their books published and then optioned for film.
Sryope2: ?
Film Executive: I got my start in the industry when I was 17, in my Senior year of high school.
Film Executive: A producer with a production company read some of my work and asked me to join their company
Film Executive: as an analyst.
OnlineHost: “JES No Time” has entered the room.
HOST WRTR Paul: George, go ahead
GeorgeJim: Apart from actually seeking the services of Writer's Lifeline, what out-of-pocket expenses
Film Executive: I built from that experience and worked my way up to my current position while attending
Film Executive: school.
GeorgeJim: would a new client expect to contribute to their development with AIE?
Film Executive: As a client, you are not asked for any compensation until after your project has sold.
Film Executive: After your project is sold, AEI would take a percentage, and you would be expected to
Film Executive: reimburse the company for the amount for duplication and postage, etc.
Roy Gugat: Did you miss my ? ?
Film Executive: If your project does not sell, you would not be expected to pay any costs.
Film Executive: And I suggest strongly that no one join an agency/firm that charges a fee.
OnlineHost: “SteeIBtrfl” has left the room.
GeorgeJim: Again, apart from WL, does the company provide editing services persuant to sale ?
Film Executive: If you are accepted as a client, we work strongly with you on a one on one basis in the
Film Executive: editing of your project before we take it out.
GeorgeJim: Excellent, again, thank you
HOST WRTR Paul: Roy? I must have . . . sorry. You can go ahead.
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Roy Gugat: I want thank you for the link to your
Roy Gugat: website. -- also wanted to let people
Roy Gugat: know that Writing Basics is doing a
Roy Gugat: session on Editing and Correcting on Wed
Roy Gugat: Night. Do you accept copies of published
Roy Gugat: books for submissions?
Film Executive: You're welcome.
Film Executive: What would the circumstances be in sending a project that is already published?
Roy Gugat: to make a film
Film Executive: If it's the film rights in which you are hoping to sell, we would most certainly take a look
Film Executive: at it. But in general, a script usually accompanies the work.
Roy Gugat: ok
HOST WRTR Paul: Sryope, go ahead
Roy Gugat: ga
Sryope2: how many books have you had published for clients? Made into films? do your clients get a
Sryope2: percentage of gross or net when their books are made into films.
Sryope2: also what are the usual compensations, etc. ga
Film Executive: We have had over 30 manuscripts published in the past two years. I don't have a total number
Film Executive: in the entire history of the company.
Film Executive: As for films, we've had 6 films in production in the past two as well.
SARAJHUB: ?
Film Executive: As a writer, you are not given net or gross points on a film. You're given a flat fee when
Film Executive: your project is bought.
Film Executive: Writers don't generally see net or gross amounts from film.
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Sryope2: why then are there so many writers who sue when they get net
Sryope2: and the producers say there was no profit
Sryope2: ga
Sryope2: oh, and what is the range of compensation. sorry. ga
HOST WRTR Paul: saraj, go ahead (my you eWorlder folks are quiet tonight!)
Film Executive: Those writers are generally ones who have had multiple projects sold and are extremely well
HOST WRTR Paul: opps
Film Executive: established.
HOST WRTR Paul: please answer first
SARAJHUB: Would it be possible to know at least one of those films' title?
SARAJHUB: g/a
HOST WRTR Paul: (check the web site!)
Film Executive: Yes, we've just completed two projects, "Joe Somebody" starring Tim Allen
Film Executive: And "Life or Something Like It" with Angelina Jolie.
Kathi Smith 116: ?
HOST WRTR Paul: Kathi, go ahead
Kathi Smith 116: Just out of curiousity, how did you procure those films?
Kathi Smith 116: Did the writers send you scripts? g/a
Bauda: ?
Sryope2: ?
Film Executive: Well, we represented the writer. We then took the project out to various studios..
Film Executive: A bidding took place, and Fox Studios purchased it.
HOST WRTR Paul: Bauda, go ahead
Kathi Smith 116: Can you give us a range for what the writers made?
Bauda: would it be easyer to sell a script if I have a director or actor attached to it?
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Film Executive: For that particular writer, projects were sold at over 1.5 million each.
Kathi Smith 116: <thud>
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SARAJHUB: ?
JsmnStrm: And that's what the writer got?????????????
Film Executive: No. In most cases, the studios do not want to see a script if a director or writer is attach
Film Executive: attached.
Bauda: Why is that?
Film Executive: Unless it's a Major talent, and most likely, they would be producing it themselves.
OnlineHost: “Nasdaquero” has left the room.
Film Executive: Yes, that is the writer's amount not considering fees and AEI's percentage.
Bauda: Thank you.
Bauda: Ga
Fletcher7: ?
OnlineHost: “Mz Pooh Bear” has entered the room.
HOST WRTR Paul: sryope, go ahead
Sryope2: I still would like to know how much a script goes for -- for novices that is. Also are you
Sryope2: selling the book or the script when you say project
Sryope2: ga
Sryope2: thanks
HOST WRTR Paul: (tough questions, but we can handle that!) ;-)
Film Executive: Projects can range in sale price, depending on what the project is.
Film Executive: You can go from $100,000-Millions..
OnlineHost: “Mz Pooh Bear” has left the room.
Film Executive: And as for project, it can go for either manuscripts or screenplays.
Film Executive: Screenplays obviously sell for higher.
Sryope2: so you might shop an unpublished novel as a basis for a screenplay?
Film Executive: Yes, we have done that before. In fact, we have a bidding war for the rights to one of our
Film Executive: manuscripts which has yet to be published.
Kathi Smith 116: ?
HOST WRTR Paul: saraj, go ahead
SARAJHUB: But that's a one-time-only monitary deal?g/a
Film Executive: Sorry, Sarah, is what a one-time monetary deal?
SARAJHUB: I mean if he/she sells the manuscript for a film, the writer
SARAJHUB: can never use that work again and hope to get money?
SARAJHUB: ga
Sryope2: ?
OnlineHost: “Shayk1951S” has entered the room.
Film Executive: It is usually a one time payment. Unless the writer is asked to write for the project.
Film Executive: But once you sell the film rights, they are sold.
SARAJHUB: I'm sorry, I mean for instance if the work is used in Europe, will the writer see any profit
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GeorgeJim: ?
SARAJHUB: g/a
Film Executive: Again, once you've sold the rights to the work, they're sold. Regardless of where they are
Film Executive: used.
OnlineHost: “Shayk1951S” has left the room.
HOST WRTR Paul: Fletcher, go ahead
Fletcher7: do you ever go on location?
Fletcher7: of a shoot?
Fletcher7: g/a
OnlineHost: “SARAJHUB” has left the room.
Film Executive: Yes, we have recently been to Canada, Washington, New York, and Minnesota for various
Film Executive: projects.
HOST WRTR Paul: Kathi, go ahead
Kathi Smith 116: If you buy a novel then develop it into a screenplay, does the author get paid for the
Kathi Smith 116: screenplay or just for the novel? g/a
Film Executive: Most likely, we would work with the writer to develop the project into a screenplay and
Film Executive: therefore, there would be monetary compensation for the writer when it is sold to a studio.
Film Executive: However, if the rights were the only thing sold, with no other involvement, you would only
Film Executive: be given money for the rights.
HOST WRTR Paul: sryope, go ahead
Sryope2: do you protect your writers from screenplay canibalism -- I hear that's rampant. Where a ma
Sryope2: management company keeps files of lots of scripts and then mines them for ideas when a studi
Sryope2: studio is looking for a certain kind of script and the original authors get no compensation.
Sryope2: Also don't you sell options as well as rights so that when
Sryope2: something isn't produced after a few years the author can resell?
Sryope2: ga
Film Executive: Well, the problem with that is that there really is no protection for that because ideas
Film Executive: cannot be copywritten. If large chunks of a script are used, then there would be a cause for
Film Executive: a lawsuit. But if similiar ideas are taken, there isn't much that one can do.
Film Executive: And yes, options, which are different from rights are often done, usually at the studios
Film Executive: discretion.
Sryope2: do you then recommend registering scripts
Sryope2: before submitting
Cyncity 1: ?
Sryope2: ga
HOST WRTR Paul: george, go ahead
GeorgeJim: obviously some here are interested in learning the art of the movie deal, points, backend...
Film Executive: I recommend getting a script copywritten before submitting it.. but that doesn't protect the
Film Executive: "idea" only the product.
GeorgeJim: I'm interested to learn the size of your staff
JES No Time: ?
Film Executive: Our major staff in L.A. is condensed of about 10 people in our offices here.
GeorgeJim: Affiliate?
Film Executive: We do so in order to be able to work personally with our writers.
Film Executive: Worldwide, our company employs approximately 80
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GeorgeJim: Which, I must say, is very attractive to me in reviewing your site.
HOST WRTR Paul: Cyndia, go ahead
Cyncity 1: i thought when something is written it's protected..that's why agents don't like the
OnlineHost: “Librettist01” has left the room.
GeorgeJim: Thank you, sir.
Film Executive: I'm glad as it's intentional. We feel that that's one of the most important things.
Cyncity 1: copywrite symbol...sign of an amateur/ga
Film Executive: It's also what has made us the top 10 in what we do.
HOST WRTR Paul: (we're nearing the top of the hour! We'll take Jess's Q for sure)
HOST WRTR Paul: jess, go ahead
JES No Time: Are there any limits to how long a manuscript you will accept? ga
Film Executive: It is copywritten to an extent, but it's better to register it with the copywrite offices.
Film Executive: And the c symbol and agents thing is a myth.
Film Executive: No, there are no limits to length. Our primary concern is the content and how well it moves.
JES No Time: Even up to 700 pages plus?
Film Executive: If that is what it takes to tell the story, but in most cases, it's not.
HOST WRTR Paul: (Tolkien's is what, 2000 pages?)
JES No Time: Like S. King.
JES No Time: Thanks ga
HOST WRTR Paul: And that's a wrap!
HOST WRTR Paul: (Did I sound like a director?)
OnlineHost: “Roy Gugat” has left the room.
JsmnStrm: Great evening!!!!!!!!! Thanks Mr Lui.........
Kathi Smith 116: I was impressed, Paul
HOST WRTR Paul: Mr. Lui, and further comments?
JES No Time: Lights, camera, action!!
OnlineHost: “Kathy2655” has entered the room.
JsmnStrm: :::Clap:::::::
Kathi Smith 116: Thank you, Mr. Lui.
Film Executive: You're welcome. Hopefully I was able to provide some information.
JsmnStrm: You were very informative...
JES No Time: VEry interesting meeting
HOST WRTR Paul: Anyone who's interested in our critique group online, please email me.
Film Executive: If anyone ever has any further questions, I'm in these rooms a lot, so feel free to send a
Film Executive: message.
JsmnStrm: Yes, paul Knows Everything!!!!!!!!!!!
JsmnStrm: LOL.. :)
JsmnStrm: Thanks Mr Lui....
JES No Time: Under this name?
GeorgeJim: What a pleasure it has been...
Film Executive: Also, in the future, I'd like to develop some sort of contest for submissions, if theres
Fletcher7: thankyou lui
Film Executive: interest.
Film Executive: Yes, under this name.
Fletcher7: appreciate your answers
HOST WRTR Paul: (I will work on that with Mr. Lui in the days to come)
Film Executive: Thank you all for your time and your questions.
HOST WRTR Paul: (not sure of the particulars at all, at this stage . . . )
GeorgeJim: Our privilage.
JsmnStrm: Thank you for coming to our group....................
Film Executive: Most welcome.
JES No Time: Thank You!


9/10/01 8:14:32 PM Closing "Chat Log 9/10/01"

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