ATTN JMS: Why sign 'net' deals?

 Posted on 1/18/2000 by jmsatb5@aol.com to rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated


>So if everyone in the industry *knows* this, why do studios write in the
>'net' clause? To insult your intelligence? Or is there a bizarre
>circumstance of extraordinary success under which *someone* might
>someday realize earnings from this clause?

It is, to be honest, kind of insulting, an assessment I think most people would
agree with. But the way the town works is that everything's incremental.
First you work for just the salary; then you get a net deal (which means you're
STILL working for just the salary but on paper you're a profit participant),
then you go for an *adjusted* net deal, which means that someday down the road
you'll see a small amount of money, then you can get an adjusted net deal with
a better definition of revenue streams and items which the studio can and can't
charge against the profits of your show...and someday, some far, far distant
day, you may be able to argue for a small piece of the gross, if the prior
shows have been wildly successful.

jms

(jmsatb5@aol.com)
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