Legal Question in Entertainment Law in California

Re: Attracting A-List Talent with A-List Money

The screenplay more than anything will attract talent. Focus on the quality of the writing. Pitch the srory. The legal package is going to be negotiated to the going the initial package is not controlling.

Re: Attracting A-List Talent with A-List Money

Congratulations on having found an "angel," also known in Hollywood as "a schmuck with a pen." The next step, in my opinion, would be to find people who are experienced in the biz so's you don't fritter away your chunk of change. I would start with finding someone with good credentials and good contacts as an agent, screenwriter, or studio development executive to critique your screenplay and to help you pitch it to the appropriate above-the-line talent such as producers, directors, and actors/actresses.

Re: Attracting A-List Talent with A-List Money

Since you've already got financing, it's now a matter of simply making offers to the talent.

Step 1 - Identify the desired talent's agent or other representative(s). (The Academy Players Directory is a good resource, or you can contact SAG).

Step 2. Contact the agent with an offer. If the offer is in the right ballpark, the agent will ask to see the script, who else is attached, etc.

Step 3. If the agent is satisfied that the project is appropriate for his/her client, then the talent will read the material, and make a decision. IF the talent likes it, the agent will open negotiations on deal terms.

If you aren't familiar with Hollywood deals, terms, etc., you'd do well to have an experienced attorney (or an established producer) help you craft the offer and communicate with agents.

Re: Attracting A-List Talent with A-List Money

Register your screenplay with the WGA and file for copyright protection before you do anything else. I can assist you with that if you wish. Otherwise, these guys all have good points that you should consider.

Re: Attracting A-List Talent with A-List Money

I have a different take than the previous answers though David Nance's advice should be followed if you have not already done this. There's a boat load more than finding A-talent just because you have money. You'd be better off finding an A-list director and/or producer who will likely engage his/her/their agent to help package the project. Having money's great and it's the Holy Grail oF film making but there's a lot of crappy movies made and, guess what, they were all financed. You might also consider finding an experienced film attorney who can help you navigate the Scylla of psycophants and Charybdis of pretenders so every jerk on the planet with an indie credit doesn't soak up your funding. If neither of you have experienced attorneys representing you, and I'd guess you don't since you're looking for free advice, the two of you are probably already in trouble. God protects drunks and babies, but not a fool and his money.