Should a Manager Jump Onto your Screenplay as a Producer?

Question: I have been with my manager for a year now. There was a script that I have been working on and right before we were going to take it out to the town, he just told me he wants to be a producer on this. What should I do?

Screenwriting:
The good ol’ bait and switch. I see this happen a lot. There are a lot of different scenarios where this is fine and then there are a lot where this is not fine. If you had an agent, the manager would be a lot more careful on how they did this. Also, a lot of managers might not want you to get an agent if in the back of their mind, they have been wanting to attach themselves as producers, so just keep that in mind if you feel your manager is telling you that you don’t need an agent at this moment.

If you have been working on your screenplay on your own, without much input from your manager and at the last moment he says he is going to produce this… then that is not cool. Few legit managers will actually do this. If on top of that, he is going to “double dip” meaning that he is going to commission the sale of your screenplay and on top of that is also going to take a producing fee, then that is just shady. You need to watch out for managers that do this. If you have written a great script and your manager tells you this, I would say it’s time to look for another manager.

Now here is the situation when this is acceptable. If the manager gave you the idea for your script, or even spent hundreds of hours working with you on this idea, then you may find it OK for him to attach himself as a producer. However, if he does, make sure he will partner up with another more reputable producer. If this is the case, ask if the are going to commission the script sell or take a producing fee. If they are truly producers, they will only take a producing fee.

I have worked with managers who have attached themselves as producers, but all situations have been acceptable and they truly did do a lot of the work in terms of development or research. You just need to evaluate your own situation and see if you feel comfortable or not.