FOX Teams Up with WRITING PARTNERS
Posted August 15, 2007 10:13 AM
As reported just about everywhere in writing circles, the WRITING PARTNERS, comprised of Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio ("Pirates of the Caribbean," "Shrek"); Michael Arndt ("Little Miss Sunshine"); John August ("Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"); Stuart Beattie ("Collateral"); Michael Brandt and Derek Haas ("3:10 to Yuma"); Tim Herlihy ("The Wedding Singer"); Simon Kinberg ("Mr. and Mrs. Smith," "X-Men: The Last Stand"); Craig Mazin ("Scary Movie 3 and 4"); and Marianne & Cormac Wibberley ("National Treasure 1 and 2") have struck a deal with FOX to bring original spec scripts with strong commercial potential to the studio with the promise that the scribes will become gross participants if the pics get made.
You probably already know that this isn't the first deal of its kind. The first was The Writers Co-Op, which took root under John Wells' producing deal at Warner Bros. Wells enlisted 19 writers that include Scott Frank, David Benioff, Richard LaGravanese, Ed Solomon, Robin Swicord and Nick Kazan. Next up was 1.3.9, a venture that teams 12 writers that include Chris McQuarrie, John Lee Hancock and John Ridley (Daily Variety, May 23). The aim of 1.3.9 is to turn passion projects of big stars into scripts that writers will own and produce. The goal is to give the scribes leverage when they sell the star-attached films to studios.
These are great deals for the writers involved. However, these writers, often referred to as "A" list writers, have leverage that most others do not. It would be great if all writers could have this kind of deal. Ironically, this deal comes at a time when the Writers Guild is struggling to negotiate a new contract with the studios. In fact, those negotiations already broke off for the summer and probably won't continue until close to the current deal's expiration. Will the Writing Partners deal set the stage for revised WGA negotiations? Unfortunately, I highly doubt the WGA will get any deal close to that of the Writing Partners, the Writers Co-op or 1.3.9. It's more likely that there will be a strike. Only time will tell.
For more information on the Writing Partners deal with FOX, go to our article on REELot
1 Comment
Do you think Reelot can put together the same kind of deal with independent producers and investors? I think signing with some of the writers on reelot could offer the kind of support and protection the writers could use. I don't think fox has enough writers to fill a 100 feature film release quota each year? Those writers will need new ideas that they can remix?!