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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Amazon Studios, a newly launched online business from Amazon.com.

chrislancaster

chrislancaster

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http://mashable.com/2010/11/17/amazon-studios-movies/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+Mashable+(Mashable)

a clip from the article

"Aspiring filmmakers and screenwriters now have a new avenue for trying to get discovered — Amazon Studios, a newly launched online business from Amazon.com.

Through a monthly and annual Amazon Studios Awards program, the new venture will offer a total of $2.7 million to the top submissions received by December 31, 2011. It will also work to develop the top projects as commercial films through a deal with Warner Bros. Pictures.

Here’s how it works: Writers can add scripts, while filmmakers can add full-length test movies to Amazon Studios. The test movies — which must be more than 70 minutes long — can be made from an original script, or from any script submitted to Amazon Studios. These tests aren’t expected to be made at a “full budget” level, which means they don’t need to have theatrical-quality production values. Amazon Studios’s Getting Started page currently features five test movie samples, in different styles and genres."



What do you guys think?


also does any one use google alerts to stay current on industry news?
 
Steven-Marc C. said:
Who would shoot a full-length test movie? What's the point?
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I guess you take every opportunity you get especially from a name like Amazon .. I'm sure someone will make something out of it
 
Is spending at least 50K and a year of your life on a "test movie" then handed over to a studio under shockingly sucker terms really an opportunity? Is dealing with anyone without an agent all that good of an idea?
 
Rob Ruffo said:
Is spending at least 50K and a year of your life on a "test movie" then handed over to a studio under shockingly sucker terms really an opportunity? Is dealing with anyone without an agent all that good of an idea?
Click to expand...

why 50 k? El Marachi, you know that story.

some kid will go out with a 5d or red one and shoot something with friends and add in some after effects and make something of himself

while other people sit around thinking of why somethings a negative situation
 
Okay I reinstate my point here, any type of high end company such Amazon and or WB do this kind of
programs just like many other Film Festivals do, mostly are pure SCAMS to earn money off the thousand
of attendees, and participant, or to take advantage of material for FREE, while the end user, US the
filmmakers, make an entire project out of pocket, they take al the profits form anything that your work
will turn out!!

PURE TRAPS!!

HOWEVER...

There definitely something there for the desperate to hope for, as if His/Hers film is then chosen even so
He/She might only get literally PINATS in return, if the film gets distribution, and IF it is agreed that
both Distributing companies do give CREDITS, then this could still be a platform to the World for that
Individual.. sorry I just don't believe in it at ALL!!
 
yougottabefuckinkiddinme
 
Some see this as a hand around the neck, while I see it as a hand up. I have no easy-in to Hollywood Studios and was planning on making just such a movie (demo movie) to show my pitch instead of talking it. As it turns out, my main project probably couldn't get done by the deadline so I'll likely turn an old idea into a script and submit that. The fact it is Amazon doing this is reassuring.

Still, I am hanging on to my best ideas for a time when I can negotiate more creative control over my projects.
 
Jeff Kilgroe said:
yougottabefuckinkiddinme
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this is such a random statement ... if you dont think its a good idea then state why like ketch .. we all learn and say "oh, that makes sense" or w/e and we move on with our life


such drama as always .. why people so uptight here? is it waiting on epic ?

I mean I run it to know it alls, everyday damn day thats never accomplished anything .. how can you be a moderator with such a bad attitude?
:rolleyes:
 
Uh -
vested (including, without limitation, for the full term of copyright protection everywhere in the world and any renewals thereof). * No breach by us will entitle you to equitable relief, whether injunctive or otherwise, against or with respect to the Content or any other works created pursuant to the rights granted hereunder or their exploitation, and you acknowledge that your remedy of money damages is adequate. - basically ALL RIGHTS. Just another scam for amateurs - something Amazon can use to sell more consumer grade cameras. Probably costs them the price of a web developer and an intern or two.
 
Steven-Marc C. said:
I would recommend reading the contract you're agreeing to before uploading any work: http://studios.amazon.com/help/development-agreement It is very clear on what rights you are handing over to them.
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Steven, as you suggested I did read the contract (whew, my brain is all out of breath) and there were a few things that troubled me. One in particular was the 6.6 "similar content" section. If I read that correctly, if someone has had access to your material beforehand, (even though it may have been registered with the WGA?) you apparently give up your right to any and all recourse against that other submission, unless there is verbatim usage. There were one or two other parts that I cannot remember at this time which also gave me pause, but I generally view the agreement as just an iron-clad protection for a large corporation.

I agree that someone who has reason to believe they have a marketable story and can see a pathway to getting that story considered using other avenues, should explore those other avenues.

However, I do see this as useful to those trying to find their way as scriptwriters or first time Indie film makers.

But I'm now thinking I may turn my own previous idea into a play instead of submitting it as a script. Plays seem to have less lawyer oversight.

I will definitely keep my best ideas close to the vest.
 
this is basically where commercial contests are heading..

someone gets thousands of entries of free scripts and "test movies" then they can pick which to finance..

abusing the talents of the film makers under the guise of "get your foot in the door"
 
From Amazon Studios synopsis of agreement

From Amazon Studios synopsis of agreement

So for 18 months after you create a project at Amazon Studios by contributing an original script, you cannot display, sell or license your script elsewhere, or withdraw it for any reason. However, when the option period ends, if we haven’t exercised our option and purchased all rights in your script, you get back rights to your script (but we still have the right to distribute your original script and scripts and movies based on it as described above). Rights in scripts and movies based on your script stay with us.
Click to expand...

If you submit something to them, they can rewrite or alter it and they own the derivative work. If a movie is made from your script before 18 months are up...they own the movie.

They don't have to compensate you for any of that if they do it before 18 months are up. And they have "sole discretion [of] your credit, if any, in any film or other work". So they don't have to credit you.

It gets worse from there.

I'll stick with hoping one of my $5,000 films catches fire, or if I want something with slightly better odds, I'll buy a Powerball ticket.
 
chrislancaster said:
this is such a random statement ... if you dont think its a good idea then state why like ketch .. we all learn and say "oh, that makes sense" or w/e and we move on with our life


such drama as always .. why people so uptight here? is it waiting on epic ?

I mean I run it to know it alls, everyday damn day thats never accomplished anything .. how can you be a moderator with such a bad attitude?
:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Um.... What's wrong with my attitude? I've looked over everything and I said exactly what thought crossed my brain after taking it all in. No drama intended. A little bit of twisted humor, perhaps. I'm sorry if it was a little too randomly ambiguous for your tastes. ;)

Honestly, I haven't decided what to make of all of it yet. Even with the total wack-job travesty of a "contract" they have, it's Amazon.com and WB and other recognizable names involved. This is going to be a grand opportunity for a lucky few (and not necessarily contest participants) and a huge kick in the noodle for countless others. Either way it will be interesting to watch. :emote_popcorn:
 
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