[Drew68]

But while writer and producer Tina Fey and Paramount Pictures have made millions out of the franchise, Wiseman has made just over $400,000 after signing a deal to sell her film rights back in 2002, and not a cent since.

She should probably blame her agent, not Fey.

[Celtic Conservative]

The studios use “creative accounting” to try to say that they’ve not made money on films. They’ve been doing it forever.

CC

[irishjuggler]

The author of the book that became the movie “Sideways” was griping a week or two ago about the pittance that he’s made off that film. Same situation. At some point, a deal is a deal. No one has a crystal ball about whether a movie will even be made, let alone become a hit. At the time this woman sold the movie rights to her book for $400k, she undoubtedly thought it was a good deal. And if the movie had never been made or it turned into a flop, her $400k would look pretty good. If you want to avoid having to watch your work turn into a blockbuster you’re not profiting from, then ask for the Alec Guinness deal (i.e., a percentage of the gross rather than a lump sum).

[Bubba_Leroy]

She sold it for $400K. Seller’s remorse.

[KarlInOhio]

revealing Paramount has even told her the studio has not made any profit from the franchise.

The only way a movie and the studio directly make a profit is if the movie is a complete surprise blockbuster. Otherwise the studio piles up expenses on the movie for catering, production costs, film distribution, advertising expenses, etc., etc., etc. which are then routed back into the studio but no longer officially as profits for the movie. Few things in the world are more crooked than Hollywood accounting. Even the Treasury takes lessons from them.

First rule of Hollywood is take money as cash up front or (as a second choice) as a percentage of the gross. Never, ever, ever, ever take a percentage of the net. You're better off getting two movie posters and a voucher for a box of popcorn.

[minnesota_bound]

Tina Fey received at 13th Annual Kennedy Center the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on November 9, 2010

Carol Burnett did not get the award till the 16th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor and only after people made lots of comments about how unfunny Tina Fey is and that Carol Burnett is funny.

Tina is just snarky.

[gopno1]

I have a friend whose Dad had a sign on the wall behind his desk that said “My opinion is ehat is in the contract.”

[Vermont Lt]

She got paid. $400,000.

She should have negotiated a better deal that specifically addressed sequels and other derivative uses.

They should toss her a couple hundred grand to go away.