ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

7 years, 10 months ago - Hitomi Kanezaki

On the another site, people encouraged me like below;

a) Hi, Hitomi. Here is another thread post that may be helpful to you, it's about getting the rights later: SECRET SITE. :)

And just for example... Elyse Hollander wrote "Blond Ambition," a spec script written about Madonna's early years. It was written as a portrait of an artist without obtaining any rights. And it sold to Universal. So while that tactic is risky, it certainly can work. ;)

b) Sony owns most of the Beatles catalog. Sony also makes movies! Write a great spec, attach big Stars, big Producers, Oscar Director, sell project to Sony movie division and maybe the Sony Boss will sign off on music.

c) Hitomi. It is up to the producer to obtain rights to the songs, not the screenwriter.

d) You can trust the people here who already commented and gave you fantastic advice. Even I'm grateful as I learned something new by these comments and - Gosh! - I really would try Sony. I mean just think about the facts. They own the rights, they produce films. You are a Japanese, living in Japan. Sony is a Japanese company with it's HQ in Japan and you could do all the negotiations in your own language and with the help of other Japanese like a lawyer etc.
That can't be an accident! Go for it! Best of luck and don't forget to report us what happened! :))

7 years, 10 months ago - Hitomi Kanezaki

However, one developed guy sent me; "I am sorry that you cannot take the advice of someone like myself who has been in the film business 18 years and a lyricist/composer for over 50. Some humans must learn everything the hard way." "No it is the job of a screenwriter to research the legalities of using other people's material before wasting time and money trying to produce something you can never use without being sued."

"Agents and managers will NOT work with you to sell something that does not belong to you. They do not want to be sued either."

He had been kept sending to me continuously, like, FOREVER.

But he sent me like below in a first place; "Let's produce an action/martial arts film instead.
I have about 20 scripts ready to go. All we need is money, actors and film crew."

Anyway, it's risky though, many people encourage me like; "I count 20 films in the last year that had Beatles songs. So I encourage you to continue. With a good script, you may find a producer. The Beatles used to produce movies themselves, after all."

I own the rights to all of my music.

7 years, 10 months ago - Hitomi Kanezaki

↑ I'd like to delete the last line.

7 years, 10 months ago - Hitomi Kanezaki

Of course, I'm a terrible English speaker/writer. One guy sent me just now; "I'm sorry to tell you, but your English is not as good as you think. Every third sentence is written incorrectly. So maybe you do need an English teacher! Your screenplay formatting is terrible as well. These are the basics and they are not even correct. No one will take your screenplay serious until that is fixed first." ...Actually, that's why I need a re-writer though... I wonder why he applied... Anyway, it's really hard to read my English sentences. If you got still interested in me, feel free to contact wiht me.:)

7 years, 10 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Licensing Beatles tracks is notoriously expensive. Even the John Lennon as a teenager film didn't use a single one of his tracks. For a global buyout (all rights worldwide forever, basically what you need) you're looking somewhere between several millions and several tens of millions of pounds. Yes, that's the producer's problem, but that's the person you're hoping to sell a script to. And that pretty much limits you to a major studio. No problem with that, but you have to compete with summer blockbusters.

7 years, 10 months ago - Hitomi Kanezaki

Thank you very much for your comment, Paddy.

Yes, it's very very risky but also challenging. I found the re-writer - a dreamer same as me - on the another site, so I'd like to close this board.

I don't guess Charlie Kaufman contacted John Malkovich before writing 'Being John Malkovich'. Did Kaufman ask John, like, 'Hey, can I write about your mind?' I don't think so. Therefore, I cannot ask Paul; 'Hey, can I use your songs?' at least not now.

7 years, 10 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

I honestly don't know if Kaufman contacted JM before writing his script, he had been working as a TV screenwriter for nearly a decade by then, so possibly they did meet, I've no idea. And I suspect the script could have been tailored with a little tweak to be "Being Keanu Reeves" or "Being Steve Buscemi" or whatever. The Beatles is a bit all-or-nothing. And honestly, McCartney doesn't own most of his songs - Michael Jackson did for a while as I recall.

Anyhow, I wish you all the best with this, and hope you get a studio sale! Dream away and have fun doing it and please prove me wrong! I'll be pleased to share a glass of Champagne at your premiere and hang my head in shame!!

7 years, 10 months ago - Hitomi Kanezaki

Thank you again, Paddy.

Haha. It's true. The film could be anyone's minds. I've heard Kaufman had sent the script to almost 100 companies though.

I think Paul McCartney bought back only a few months ago.

Well, we - me and the re-writer - are such dreamers just like the Lennon's song. And I hope someday you'll join us, Paddy. I cannot drink alcohol though, at least I can say 'Kanpai!' and 'Cheers!'

Those were nice conversations. Thank you, Paddy.

7 years, 10 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Ha! Yes, show me the way and I'll follow and I'll be only too pleased to admit I am wrong!

And we'll make it a nice glass of Somerset apple juice :) Kanpai!

7 years, 10 months ago - Hitomi Kanezaki

Oh, I can drink it! :D