Had a great meeting w/two of my three producing partners on this Sunday nite. Here’s the text of an email one of them is sending to the filmmakers who have contacted her. It should give you a clearer idea of how things are firming up on this.
I would be interested to hear your thoughts on the payment model we’re looking at. Since there is absolutely no money up-front from any of the outlets we’ve got open to us initially, it seems the best way for all of us to “share the risk, share the reward!
Cheers,
Calix
Hello Filmmakers,
Victoria Jackson and Doug Jones have agreed in principle to serve as co-hosts of “God’s Shorts”.
We will be selecting the films (for broadcast) and filmmakers (for interview) this and next week for the first 10 episodes.
It is crucial that you have complete clear chain-of-title for the product you submit, including all applicable union releases, complete music clearance, etc. We will require this paperwork before final acceptance of your films.
The way the pay structure is going work is as follows:
We will pay an up-front licensing fee of $1 for all rights in perpetuity throughout the known universe in all media for use in this show and all derivative product, non-exclusive.
In simpler English - this means that we will be allowed to exhibit the show in any and all media (including domestic television, foreign television, Internet, cell phone and any other pipeline) under this agreement, and you will be allowed to do anything you want, without limitation, with your own short film(s) as well outside of the show.
As we find paying outlets for this show, you (the filmmaker) will receive a pro-rated share of 15% from first dollar of the producers pool for the individual episode that your film airs on. That is, if your film is the only short film in a given episode, you will receive 15% of the producers pool. If your film is one of three equal length films in a given episode, you will receive 5% (and the other filmmakers will receive 5% each.) The producers pool will be defined as the gross receipts from which the producers derive their percentages - that is, you’ll be getting your cut under the same definition we get ours!
Please note - these are tentative numbers and definitions, and are in no way legally binding to the specifics of the eventual deal memo and/or licensing agreement which will be the official documents of the license. We’re still working out the details, and will be quite clear as to the specifics as we move forward.
This will all be defined and clarified in a deal memo before the shoot, and in a more specific contract before the first airing.
We are looking at a tentative shoot date of August 21, 2010.
If you are interested please let me know ASAP!
