You are here:

Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Writing/Producing Collaborative Agreement

Advertisement

Expert: - 2/3/2010


Question
I've been working with an editor/dramaturg for the past year on my script.  We've had two private readings (she set them up with actors she knows).  I've requested some sort of contract for our future collaboration--which she has supplied me.  As a complete novice to this business, the split she presented to me (60/40--me getting the larger amount) seems high--but may be completely within the acceptable range.  This contract spells out that she would be co-producer and her 40% would be for the life of the play.  I've searched the internet and can't find a template for this type of agreement with actual percentages.
Many thanks

Answer
Hi Marilynn,

You probably can't locate that because it is one of those negotiable deals like real estate that it isn't written -in real estate it's not even legal to state that it is a particular set percentage.
It doesn't sound that bad, considering risk on her part too. It really comes down to what time and effort makes it worth doing. Plays seem like an easy thing to put on to laymen, but there is a lot to the business. That's why so many fail: because the numbers don't add up to the cost of production verses box office. You should consult an entertainment attorney to see what they say. At the least, maybe you could put a time limit on the deal that is short enough to bail out on either side with a 30 day written notice. Typically, you can't do anything for that period on either end if you kill the contract. In music, many bands find out that the deal sounded good when they were broke, but once they get schooled by entertainment lawyers that huge amount of cash isn't, yet they are stuck in a deal for longer than they want and without the support they need to grow.

Best,

Taylor

Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Taylor Sheppard

Expertise

I can answer questions: on starting a career in acting, mistakes in acting, etiquette when dealing with industry contacts, finer points on how to act, and things to avoid in the field.

Experience

I have been a professional actor 21 years, with appearances in TV, Film and commercials. I have made good decisions and potentially damaging mistakes. I believe anyone who has a dream deserves to explore it, and I take their aspirations seriously. That being said, I do not pull punches. I try to be tactful, but I will not lie to someone, honesty is more effective. My last film role was in "Teeth" which was picked for Sundance in January 2007. It was sold to Lionsgate and Weinstein Co. for somewhere over 2.5 million. The role was "Mr. Griffith", a sex-ed teacher.

Organizations
Ciao Agency-Austin/Georgetown, Texas. (Formerly known as Donna Adams Agency. Matthew McConaughey was a good friend and fellow member. I also have belonged to agencies in three other Texas cities, but they have since closed.) TXMPA -Texas Motion Picture Alliance. Various other internet networking web rings as well as Actors Access. I was instrumental in advising actress Krista Allen on getting her career in acting started in Austin,Texas (we worked at the same Health Club in the early '90's).

Publications
Previously wrote on a now defunct website such as this one. I enjoyed helping new actors.

Education/Credentials
I have acted for 21 years. I studied under James Nelson Harrell as well as other talented actors at Southwest Texas State University. After college, I have taken classes with Julliard graduate Mona Lee, Bill Johnson, Van Brookes, Marco Perella and others in Austin Texas. I am constantly attending classes to maintain my edge and explore new directions. In addition to attending strictly acting classes, I have also taken business workshops with respected casting directors, such as Shari Rhodes ("Jaws","Close Encounters", "Raggedy Man".) Barbara Brinkley, Jo Edna Bolden and Donise Hardy, (Castingworks LA).

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.