Produced to death

[unixronin]

I've written 19 films that were carelessly slapped onto celluloid: 3 for HBO, 2 for Showtime, 2 for USA Net, and a whole bunch of CineMax Originals (which is what happens when an HBO movie goes really, really wrong).

Screenwriter Bill Martell talks about the Hollywood production process, and how it destroyed the movie that was originally going to be called Nottingham.

Comments

[lwj2.livejournal.com]

From what Martell wrote, it would seem that the producer(s) had not only a ballectomy, but complete removal of the spine also.

I think that were I one of the writers who developed the original screenplay, I'd be telling the studio to remove my name from the credits, thankyouverymuch.

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

Same here. I understand most screenwriters have registered alternate noms de plume for this purpose, that they use for projects that they believe have gone sour and that they don't want their real name associated with. (J. Michael Straczynski, I understand, wanted to use Eiben Scrood, but the screen writers' guild wouldn't allow it.)

[lwj2.livejournal.com]

Pity, I like that.

I gather, then, that it has to have the scriptwriter(s) name on it even if it's utterly borked by the re-write/director.

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

I'm not 100% clear how it works. I think the screenwriter needs some kind of name on it for screen credit in order to get residuals. (Not that they amount to much.)

[lwj2.livejournal.com]

Hmm. Hadn't thought of that. I'd figured it'd be a matter of contract, but that might be a clause in such a contract.

From what I've read about Hollyweird's accounting practises, (GAAP, according to one accountant I worked for, doesn't exist for them) I believe I'd regard residuals as a pleasant surprise if they arrived.

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I believe JMS has mentioned getting $80 residuals checks for a series that ran for nine years.

[polaris93.livejournal.com]

Sounds like one less movie to watch at whatever point. Which is great, given how the economy has tanked. :-/