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Posted by Bill Farnsworth on 07/12/06 22:56
<kona302@hotmail.com> wrote
> I'm sorry if this is not the right newsgroup to ask this question.
> There seems to be quite a few professionals on here so I'm hoping I
> can
> get some insight into what to do about my dilemma. Here it is...
>
> There was a small up and coming network that became interested in an
> idea I had for a show and they wanted me to do 13 shows for them
> with
> the arrangement that I would not be paid for the content but would
> instead be given a certain amount of commercial air time that I
> could
> sell.
>
That's not unusual. In fact it is fairly common.
I shot a series on drag racing with Don Garlits about 20 years ago.
The stations that picked it up had half the commercial time which they
sold to their clients. That's how the stations made their money with
the show.
The other half of the commercial time was owned and sold by the series
producers with the understanding that the commercials must meet the
approval of the stations. This included image quality, format, length
and content. (standard stuff)
The producers paid for the series by seeking out "sponsors" who were
willing to pay the producers for a portion of or all of the commercial
time that the producers owned for the show.
The "sponsors" (one was Lave Soap) provided the commercials to the
producers to air during the show. (this is fairly common too)
But we shot a commercial spot or two using our race footage and
product shots.
> I went to a lawyer and he said they were most likely trying to take
> advantage of me and trying to get a show for next to nothing. He
> asked
> me some details about the show I want to do and expressed interest
> in
> helping me pitch my show to some networks. He told me I needed to do
> a
> treatment and write up a business plan (among other things) and that
> he
> would hook me up with a producer.
>
I think you should get a lawyer who is interested in lawyerin' for you
and not becoming a pitchman or a partner.
If you don't, then you'll need another lawyer to cover your ass.
> My question is, as a show creator/newbie producer should I acquire
> an
> agent? I've read someone state that some lawyers are in bed with the
> networks and might get kick backs from them if they help the network
> get a more favorable deal. With this in mind, would an agent come in
> handy as a precaution to prevent that from happening?
>
See what I wrote above.
> Or maybe when/if I get an offer, I could show what's on the plate to
> another lawyer for a second opinion to make sure I'm getting a fair
> shake before making a commitment?
>
You won't need a second opinion if you just hire a lawyer to look out
for your best interests only in the first place.
Run.
Bill F.
www.billfarnsworthvideo.com
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