Video Tip #32 – Should I Write a Screenplay Based on an Already Established Franchise?
This Video Series is your chance to ask any questions you feel may be holding you back from the screenwriting success you deserve!
So ask away!
Who knows, next week I may answer your question!
And if you have any comments about THIS tip – good OR bad – please leave it below.
May Your Life Be Extraordinary,
Marvin V. Acuna
P.S. – Do me a favor and go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D91jglS9FQ4
Watch this tip there, Rate it, and Comment there as well!
Thanks!
- M
Good morning Marvin,
Great tip! Hopefully this will save many writers precious time.
Thank you for taking the time to answer questions and post your tips. I look forward to viewing them.
Kindest regards,
Otis
Otis Farmer
8 Jul 09 at 6:21 am
M, I appreciate your effort. I would like to know if there is a rule of thumb as to compensation for a screenplay? Thanks, BS
Bob Stewart
8 Jul 09 at 7:55 am
The exception to this rule is the writers programs/fellowships that e.g. Disney, ABC and BBC have. They encourage you to write a spec for an established show/franchise.
So if your inspiration only comes to life within and established franchise, this might be the way to pursue writing.
Jesper
8 Jul 09 at 8:01 am
Hi Marvin
your tip is very informative as always… I wonder if there could be any formula to know the kind of script would be sold. Because I always feel I got the script among the lot.
Can I ask you what would be thrilling to know to a viewer, whether its past or future, as you know they both take you away from present. Its history / future?
2, Do you find any thing called trend in hollywood for the kind of scripts be produced.
I dont know how I sound , may be silly…
Thanks
Prathima
8 Jul 09 at 9:01 am
Marvin, I agree 100%. To use your example of Star Trek… Back in the days of Star Trek: The Next Generation the studio did indeed accept unsolicited spec scripts for the television show. However, exactly because of the legal issues you brought up, this practice was discontinued early in the run of Deep Space Nine. Nowadays I am not aware of any television show that accepts unsolicited spec scripts.
Michael
8 Jul 09 at 9:15 am
Howdy Marvin,
I’m so glad I watched this video, cause you nailed me down.
I want to write a screenplay about Star Trek’s Next Generation.
Now I know that I cannot so this particular story will have to be written about other characters.
I’m so glad.
Thanks a bunch, Marvin and keep up the good work.
evie
evie
8 Jul 09 at 10:16 am
Marvin,
You speak alot of truth here. An established franchise worth mega millions wouldn’t garnish a first look, let alone second. I would prefer to establish something new to begin with. It’s risky, but there are new world’s, characters and stories to tell about. I say; establish your own franchise. Thanks for the info.
Tamario
Tamario
8 Jul 09 at 10:59 am
I don’t get it. I.e. If you were to pitch a Star Trek scipt to Paramount who owns the rights, what is the problem? Paramount would sue itself?
Ramzy
8 Jul 09 at 12:42 pm
Marvin,
How about the following? There is a series of tween books that is written by an established author. Suppose you have an idea for a screen play based upon this series. Would this be a waste of time? Or in other words, would it be possible to sell such a screenplay?
Thank you for your time and consideration.
ken
Ken
8 Jul 09 at 2:52 pm
Marvin,
Thank you, once again,
for helping make my life
a little more extraordinary.
Michael Gallegos
8 Jul 09 at 7:41 pm
Marvin
Thanks for the tip this is a subject I have been wrestling with for a while now, and I am glad to have been set straight and not wasted time and energy on this subject. Nevertheless, if I want to send a spec script to a TV series (Australian for eg: SEA PATROL) would it fall under the same critreia, or would that depend on the parent company SOP? Thanks.
Bruce
Bruce Notman
8 Jul 09 at 8:40 pm