This is pretty bizarre, but when you consider the support they give writers on their Kindle program, it makes more sense. Would-be screenwriters can submit scripts to Amazon, which will buy the rights for $US200,000 if they like it.
They get the exclusive rights for 18 months, and if they don’t do anything with the script in that time, then writers can go elsewhere. If, however, they decide to develop and distribute the movie, then they’ll cough up a further $US100,000 to the budding writer and give them a chance to win a further $US1 million for their annual “best movie” award. All their prizewinners will also get the opportunity to show their work to Warner Bros, who will take it from there and turn it into a massive blockbuster of a movie, most likely starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Julia Roberts (presumably she plays his mum), where they all live happily ever after. Even if that’s not exactly what you wrote in your script. [Amazon Studios via SlashFilm via TechRadar]
Steve
Thursday, November 18, 2010 at 3:46 PMIf Amazon’s going to pay you $200k for a screenplay, you can bet dollars to donuts they’re going to push it HARD into a film.
This sounds like one of those insidious franchise factories like James Frey’s where he pays $200 to any writer’s book and holds ALL of the rights and takes the lion’s share of its profits. I think the upcoming “I Am Number 4″ movie was based on a book from this very process and the writer’s regretting it deeply.
That said, I can imagine thousands of film students submitting their pretentious and obscure little indie scripts thinking they’re going to be the next Tarantino.
Sophia stewart
Monday, July 4, 2011 at 6:18 PMSophia stewart wrote the third eye and jame cameron stold it and made terminator off of it! The wachoski bros stold it too and made matrix off of it! She has alot more scripts to sell would you buy one to help here continue her great legacy becuz they are trying to keep her out so they wont go to jail!