I possibly may be investing in an independent film and was told that I was not able to see the script for legal reasons. They said that the script could change during shooting. I've been around the block enough to assume that they mean that I could withdraw funding or protest somehow if the script deviated from the original script I read and invested in. But I feel as though I am being asked to invest in a business without being shown a business plan. They said they could send me a presentation kit instead.
Is this normal, to not show a script to a potential investor?
Not only is this not normal, I would find it extremely unacceptable.
They want your money but you can't read the script? Because it might change? Of course it's going to change!
I hope the people making this movie are good freinds of yours - if not, you should get out of this fast!
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
Indeed. I wouldn't even put ten cents into a movie where they wouldn't show me the script beforehand.
A generic "legal reasons" arguement is absurd. There are only two legal reasons why people are hesitent to show other people scripts:
1) to avoid having their idea stolen
2) to avoid being sued for supposedly stealing someone's idea
If you are an investor, neither of these situations apply. You're hardly going to steal an idea that you're interested in investing in; nor are you going to expect to be sued by a filmmaker you are giving money to.
Your comment about investing a business without seeing a business plan is spot on. Whilst it's certainly possible that the script may change a little in the final film, there's no way it should change so radically that the project no longer resembles the thing you signed up for.
I'd say be very wary of dealing with these filmmakers as they don't sound like they know what they're doing.
Ben C.
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filmmaking.net
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Please note the opinions expressed here are those of the author only and do not constitute legal advice. The author cannot accept and liability whatsoever for inaccurate or outdated information contained within.
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Benjamin Craig
Editor-in-Chief, filmmaking.net
Were the filmmakers by any chance 13 ? Or did you notice that their business cards were written out in crayon ? This is very unprofessional. Don't invest a penny.
=Ryan=
My guess is they are trying to get the money lined up before they have a decent script finished. Otherwise they know they would never get money if they showed the script. Either way it seems dodgy.
RJSchwarz
