Is it common for creators to include minimum release windows in their contracts — like requiring a film or series to premiere for a set number of days before being pulled or buried? Or is that still rare in the industry?
Distribution : Would You Add a Guaranteed Premiere Window to Your Contract? by Dwayne Williams
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Only top tier talent will do this, and not all will succeed. Not all movies are going to see a theatrical release which costs money. Back when Slumdog Millionaire was made, WB wanted to go straight to DVD with it. Danny Boyle, the director, asked if he could take it to Fox Searchlight. They allowed him. It was a theatrical release, won best picture in 2008. Tom Cruise fought hard to ensure Top Gun Maverick was released theatrically. Finally, just because it's an item in a contract doesn't mean the other side will accept it. Many times one side will say, "that's off the table," meaning it's not included.
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Dwayne Williams Would be nice, but that clause would likely kill any deal for the vast majority of filmmakers. I frankly don't know of anyone who could even think of this, for the last couple decades, save a couple. Think about the repercussions though - how is anyone with brains going to agree to that given the thousand or so variables in whether the film might be any good or whether people will want to see it or not? Some proposals are only sensible in very specific instances.
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Dwayne Williams, Entertainment Attorney Jackie Ward started a great conversation in the Producing Lounge, to share advice about building a strong foundation for your production and getting a greenlight. This may be a great question to ask her! You can find her post here: https://www.stage32.com/profile/1164177/lounge