And Then There’s The Swampland in Florida

January 10th, 2005 · No Comments
by Booksquare

We have to admit, we chuckled when we read this:

Mr. [John] Logan’s handlers at the Creative Artists Agency also enhanced his status before he began writing “The Aviator” by building into his deal an unusual provision guaranteeing him sole screenplay credit, Charles Evans Jr., one of the film’s producers, said in an interview. The guarantee blocked the producers, who included the normally hands-on filmmaker Michael Mann, and even Mr. Scorsese from hiring writers to revise Mr. Logan’s work or from professing any part in the screenplay’s authorship, whatever they may have contributed.

Asked whether he had such protection, Mr. Logan smiled. “I don’t know,” he said.

No, not the use of the word “handlers”, though that’s so appropriate, it’s amusing. It’s the “I don’t know.” As in, “I have a contract, and I have no idea what it says.” If it’s true, Logan is breaking Booksquare Rule Number 1 (Know Thy Contract Inside and Out — Even If You Have, uh, Handlers). If it’s not true, the man comes off as overly precious. Either way, we’re not impressed.

Yes, writing screenplays gives new meaning to the word colloboration. That’s why film credits are such a contentious beast. And in this case, it’s more a matter of acknowledging source material than incorporating previous drafts of the screenplay (Hollywood’s number one favorite hobby). While it’s an issue for the guilds, we just like to share what amuses us most with you.

File Under: Square Pegs