UR TV CAST

He got his wish.A realised that he had no chance of fulfilling his dream without development money. So B put up $50,000, enough for A to devote himself to searching for the real money. B was prepared to kiss that money goodbye – so he argued that 15 per cent of the producer’s revenue (if it ever existed) was fair. After all, 15 per cent is what agents charge.A then found C and D who liked the script and said they would put in $100,000 (if the picture could be shot in Canada). In return, they only asked for 20 per cent of the producer’s profits And so the process builds. We don’t need to do A to J, but I will say that there was this actress who could turn the deal with a distributor (and H was owed by the actress – don’t ask). Then F made a crucial introduction to G (this was the turning point) – it was only a dinner party – but F asked for 3.5 per cent of the gross, first dollar.”That’s a lot,” said A.”Listen,” said F “I know G You need G The dinner is on my plastic All I’m asking is points off the gross There’s no gross, I don’t see a dime.

Do you want your picture made?”So, eventually the picture got made, but the distributor was startled when they heard that F had the first 3.5 per cent of the gross, so they put the distribution fee at 47.5 per cent.A was never that good at maths, and he was desperate to make this picture. With the result that he never quite realised that he could be in trouble if it was made. Because he had actually dealt away 112.5 per cent of his profits The more the picture made, the more he’d be in debt. So he made a deal with a lawyer, Z, who advanced him $2m at prime plus 13.5 per cent. This has enabled A to move to Los Angeles – where he can really operate But the rental on his office/ house is $10,000 a month. And the divorce settlement (you remember that actress) is going to hit him hard. A got a nomination on the picture, but he is in a lot of trouble.You see, he thought he was making a picture – whereas he was really making deals.I daresay on My Big Fat Greek Wedding that things will work out.

With foreign income and video, plus the publicity of the suit, as time goes by a little money is going to show. After all, this kind of investment doesn’t pay off immediately Returns get confirmed slowly Profits are paid later still. Then there could be a withholding because of law suits pending. Actually, it’s not unknown for A – eventually – to settle for a nice flat sum, payable in 90 days, if he’ll just relinquish all claims and rights and undertake not to talk to the press.