Personal Development for Smart People^TM Forums

Enlightenment · 02-25-2008, 02:03 PM

What constitutes an ultimatum? My situation is not about a romantic relationship to which one usually attaches the idea of utimatums, but another type of situation.
These two producers were to option my screenplay 4 months ago, at literally the 11th hour they backed out citing that the one partner didn't want to option. I have always felt that they had no intention to option it and that this was their way of getting us, particularly my agent, to help them instead by funding one of their other projects! I have tried to give them more time as I know it's a difficult business, but films have been written, produced, shot, released.... and, heck, won academy awards since mine has been on the market. I just have a gut feeling that these producers aren't the ones and are really blocking the way to the right producers. Therefore, I told my agent that we should give them a deadline until next week to give us their terms and until the week after to physically sign on as we have no written agreement with them although they had asked us to verbally promise not to show the script to anyone else.
I think this is the right thing to do. In fact, as I sit here and write it down on this page I feel even more sure.
Part of me is saying to not even bother with them for an agreement and to move on. What do you think? Any opionions or advice? Thank you so much for your thoughts!
E

Lola · 02-25-2008, 02:18 PM

Is the part of you that says "to not even bother with them for an agreement and to move on" speaking in a clear, calm, unemotional voice? If so, I'd say that's a nudge from your intuition.

I think your plan sounds quite reasonable. No reason to label it as an ultimatum. It's just business.

Joely · 02-25-2008, 02:24 PM

I agree with Lola completely. If that voice is a sense of calm certainty, then you know it's your intuition. It can be tough to trust, but it's only ever 100% right.

Oh, and speaking as one author getting frustrated with a certain publisher, you have my sympathies and support! I'm sure it'll work out in the end.

J x

LifeCrisisGuy · 02-25-2008, 02:58 PM

I'm not from the entertainment field, but from what you were describing, I think your gut feeling is right. They might not be sincerely interested in working with you but blocking your way. So, trust your intuition. To make sure you make the right decision, check in your heart and mind if you would have peace of mind if you decide not to continue with them. If do, then you know ...

Good luck!

Enlightenment · 02-25-2008, 04:05 PM

Although it never consciously occurred to me that they were intentionally blocking the way, one comment that one of the producers made seemed rather curious - and that was that she knew of producers that optioned scripts only to shelve them until the production company was able to finish production on a similar film. This sounds rather disturbing, but she said it.
I suppose we'll find out next week what their intentions are.
Speaking of relationships, if one were to compare this situation to a romantic one it would go something like this:
'Although I left you at the alter four months ago, I do want to marry you...eventually, but I can't say when. Oh yes, don't date anyone or even talk to anyone until then... whenever that may be. And, in the meantime, if you have any friends I could date perhaps you can give me their numbers!' Does this not sound bizarre?
In the end, it is my responsibility to unblock the way by saying a gentle goodbye to people who are just not helping me get to my goal. Also, I haven't been visualising the end product lately and I think that is weakening the process here. No point in scattered action if you're not focusing on the end result.

Joely · 02-25-2008, 04:07 PM

No that's not bizarre, that's a perfect description of the situation, in fact!

oberlee · 02-25-2008, 10:10 PM

Sounds to me like your intuition is telling you to do this, but your ego is the one questioning yourself, because it's a risk and you don't want to lose an opportunity. Go with the intuition!!!

I'm in the entertainment industry, and yeah, people will string you along for as long as they need you. If you show them you mean business, they'll come correct. They needs to respect you. Respekt, yo.

gettingskinny · 02-25-2008, 10:14 PM

Sounds to me like you know exactly what to do.

nick pagan · 02-27-2008, 03:30 PM

If you are in a negotiation then setting a deadline is a good thing to do. As a rule of thumb, 80% of trading and agreement comes in the last 20% of the time available for negotiating. The other 80% of the time goes into posturing, checking out the competition and sweating them out. If you have no deadline at all and don't have a very strong position then someone else can string you along indefinitely. Show them that they are not the only option and that you are willing to go elsewhere. Most people hate to lose something so you can use that to your advantage by giving a deadline.

Nick Pagan

robertanthony · 02-27-2008, 05:41 PM

Trust your instincts and move on. Dont allow people to put you in the position were you dont know what is happening. They haven't signed anthing so you dont need to make a verbal contract with them. Go elsewhere and leave the door open for them to contact you if they want to.

02-25-2008, 02:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
Enlightenment Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 115	PLEASE - I need your opinion! Is this an ultimatum or common sense? What constitutes an ultimatum? My situation is not about a romantic relationship to which one usually attaches the idea of utimatums, but another type of situation. These two producers were to option my screenplay 4 months ago, at literally the 11th hour they backed out citing that the one partner didn't want to option. I have always felt that they had no intention to option it and that this was their way of getting us, particularly my agent, to help them instead by funding one of their other projects! I have tried to give them more time as I know it's a difficult business, but films have been written, produced, shot, released.... and, heck, won academy awards since mine has been on the market. I just have a gut feeling that these producers aren't the ones and are really blocking the way to the right producers. Therefore, I told my agent that we should give them a deadline until next week to give us their terms and until the week after to physically sign on as we have no written agreement with them although they had asked us to verbally promise not to show the script to anyone else. I think this is the right thing to do. In fact, as I sit here and write it down on this page I feel even more sure. Part of me is saying to not even bother with them for an agreement and to move on. What do you think? Any opionions or advice? Thank you so much for your thoughts! E Last edited by Enlightenment; 02-25-2008 at 04:17 PM.

02-25-2008, 04:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
Enlightenment Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 115	blocking way Although it never consciously occurred to me that they were intentionally blocking the way, one comment that one of the producers made seemed rather curious - and that was that she knew of producers that optioned scripts only to shelve them until the production company was able to finish production on a similar film. This sounds rather disturbing, but she said it. I suppose we'll find out next week what their intentions are. Speaking of relationships, if one were to compare this situation to a romantic one it would go something like this: 'Although I left you at the alter four months ago, I do want to marry you...eventually, but I can't say when. Oh yes, don't date anyone or even talk to anyone until then... whenever that may be. And, in the meantime, if you have any friends I could date perhaps you can give me their numbers!' Does this not sound bizarre? In the end, it is my responsibility to unblock the way by saying a gentle goodbye to people who are just not helping me get to my goal. Also, I haven't been visualising the end product lately and I think that is weakening the process here. No point in scattered action if you're not focusing on the end result. Last edited by Enlightenment; 02-25-2008 at 04:15 PM. Reason: typo

02-25-2008, 10:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
oberlee Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 236	You're right Sounds to me like your intuition is telling you to do this, but your ego is the one questioning yourself, because it's a risk and you don't want to lose an opportunity. Go with the intuition!!! I'm in the entertainment industry, and yeah, people will string you along for as long as they need you. If you show them you mean business, they'll come correct. They needs to respect you. Respekt, yo.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Your Personal Development Blog	jwinn	Personal Effectiveness	97	01-21-2010 03:52 PM
Common cold	Nova	Health & Fitness	17	01-15-2009 10:37 AM
The Passing of Common Sense	Nick Hansen	Character & Contribution	16	03-31-2008 02:57 AM
Does Steve Pavlina fall under Popular Psychology	bamfblog	Steve Pavlina	8	10-03-2007 03:17 PM
Common Sense	twice11	General & Introductions	4	04-29-2007 09:00 PM

02-25-2008, 02:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
Lola Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 679	Is the part of you that says "to not even bother with them for an agreement and to move on" speaking in a clear, calm, unemotional voice? If so, I'd say that's a nudge from your intuition. I think your plan sounds quite reasonable. No reason to label it as an ultimatum. It's just business.

02-25-2008, 02:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
Joely Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 517	I agree with Lola completely. If that voice is a sense of calm certainty, then you know it's your intuition. It can be tough to trust, but it's only ever 100% right. Oh, and speaking as one author getting frustrated with a certain publisher, you have my sympathies and support! I'm sure it'll work out in the end. J x

02-25-2008, 02:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
LifeCrisisGuy Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 15	I'm not from the entertainment field, but from what you were describing, I think your gut feeling is right. They might not be sincerely interested in working with you but blocking your way. So, trust your intuition. To make sure you make the right decision, check in your heart and mind if you would have peace of mind if you decide not to continue with them. If do, then you know ... Good luck!

02-25-2008, 04:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
Joely Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 517	No that's not bizarre, that's a perfect description of the situation, in fact!

02-25-2008, 10:14 PM	#8 (permalink)
gettingskinny Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 122	Sounds to me like you know exactly what to do.

02-27-2008, 03:30 PM	#9 (permalink)
nick pagan Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 84	If you are in a negotiation then setting a deadline is a good thing to do. As a rule of thumb, 80% of trading and agreement comes in the last 20% of the time available for negotiating. The other 80% of the time goes into posturing, checking out the competition and sweating them out. If you have no deadline at all and don't have a very strong position then someone else can string you along indefinitely. Show them that they are not the only option and that you are willing to go elsewhere. Most people hate to lose something so you can use that to your advantage by giving a deadline. Nick Pagan

02-27-2008, 05:41 PM	#10 (permalink)
robertanthony Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Brighton England Posts: 262	Trust your instincts and move on. Dont allow people to put you in the position were you dont know what is happening. They haven't signed anthing so you dont need to make a verbal contract with them. Go elsewhere and leave the door open for them to contact you if they want to.

Personal Development for Smart PeopleTM Forums

Personal Development for Smart People^TM Forums