Things are happening.
Woody The Producer and I applied for, and received, a travel grant from Film Victoria. This means that he and The Precinct are going to an event called MIPTV in Cannes, France. MIPTV is a big-arse television market. International distributors and networks go there every year to check out which programs they might be interested in sinking money into/showing to the public. So Woody’s being there to sell the concept to bigshots in person could help us get this thing moving faster.
We are looking at perhaps co-producing the series with a Canadian company, which supposedly delivers tax benefits to both sides. I’ve never personally spoken to the Canadians in question, so that’s something needs doing before we go any further with them…
Being that I have no experience in this field (dealing with companies, being a company, doing things that aren’t making cartoons or eating a parma) I canvassed a few people whose opinions I respect on how a deal with, say, a large American Hollywood concern might unfold. These varied slightly:
· “You will be anally ruptured by the entertainment industry.”
· “You will be anally ruptured by specific representatives of the entertainment industry.”
· “You will be anally ruptured, then paid for your discomfort.”
But seriously — the outlook appears bleak for the (relatively) young, inexperienced TV series creator who wishes to have their series produced and yet keep a hand on the tiller of their creation.
· “When a PROPER writer is brought in, you may be allowed to contribute.”
· “[They]’ll pay you out.”
· “You can’t expect final say [on anything].”
· “After development…[snip] fired… [snip] lawyers and money.”
· “Anal.”
So this has led me to think about what it is I want as far as The Precinct and myself. Unfortunately, this is an idea I really like, so I’m bound to be somewhat precious about it. If I was smart I’d come up with a shit idea I have no personal attachment to and try to sell that.
But since we’re here now, here is what I would most want from an ideal deal: the freedom to write my own show, or to delegate the writing to people chosen by myself. Input welcomed and encouraged from absolutely anyone — producer, co-producer, distributor, network, asshole emo kid with eyeshadow I saw at Grill’d — but final say on what goes to air.
Is that greedy? Does anyone get that? Will the money man always be able to force me to change my show to live-action and my characters to tweenage hairdressing students?
For now I have faith that, having made the right deal/s with the right people, I would be allowed to make a good, silly cop show without enormous interference.
Shoot me down!
An exciting grant – fantastic! As far as your outlined ideal situation, maybe it will happen and maybe it won’t. But you’re taking steps in the right direction and people obviously believe in what you are doing, so kick back and (try to!) enjoy the process.
Hey Lisa
I’m real happy with how things are going, and if they continue this way I’ll have nobody but myself to blame if the show stinks. Just a matter of keeping my eyes and ears open to what’s going on around me, I think.
It’s a funky adventure.
Generally, the way it works is that your work is a ‘property’. And the rights to adapt that property are bought. That’s why we have ‘The Simpsons’ and not ‘Life in Hell’. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_in_Hell
That’s how the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were lightened and brightened up. The original comics veer pretty far from the actual cartoons and films.
In the current system, creators have rights in comics, because it’s a one-man show. But the idea of creators rights in mainstream media have a long way to go.
Well, yeah, that’s it — with comics you can do it all yourself, and without funding up front.
To make an animated series you need to either work for years by yourself and go insane or allow other people to be involved and acquire funds for its production.
And everyone supplying you with cash has a piece of the returns, and a say.
Can you live with it?
WAHOOOO!!!!!!!
It would be great if you can tag along and sell yourself and possibly shoot some people in Cannes. But still, CONGRATS!!!
May the force be with you…or with Woody.
Don’t worry, think of it this way, if the show is a go and they completely rape the show, try and get as much money as possible in the process, then make a “director’s cut” self funded. =D
SHOOT people?…
The problem with losing control of your show/intellectual property is that you can be legally prevented from making that director’s cut…
It’s a scarey world out there!
Artists need smart producery peoples to represent their interests in this kind of situation..
Good luck!
Yep, for sure. Not that you want to be out of the loop with regard to all the weirdo business stuff that’s happening…