Producing : Working with a producer question by Eric McKeever

Normal and proper are not even remotely the same thing. In this economy, it's arguably normal. I'd make sure I was VERY clear and VERY confident in the situation, the people, and the relationships involved before I did something like that. It's a red flag. If you see more of them, bail for sure.

invest your money in what

Willem Elzenga As in putting up thousands to have a producer produce your script

If you are going to produce as well, yes, you will have some expenses: creation of a schedule and budget, LLC set up, insurances, deposits for talent / director, and then the producing team (you included) would seek financing and distribution. If you are not going to produce the costs will fall on the producer. Sometimes a writer may have to pay for a shooting schedule and budget to get a little skin in the game. (As I look ahead in this business I see this will be happening more and more where writers will be absorbing a few costs up front).

Its better to find an investor you and your producer can work with. If your going to produce as stated above by Lindbergh you will make costs that need to be paid for by yourself as long as you haven't got financed, but that might give you (more) shares in the project. Shares the producer that isn't investing won't get. But you may ask yourself the question whether this producer, that won't be investing, is really interested in your project. Or believes it will recoup.