L.A. SPEAK

To all those aspiring Barton Finks searching for beauty in this desert oasis of fame and fortune , here’s a little lingo to sharpen your pitch:

ancillary rights n. Enable the scriptwriter to get a percentage of the profits generated by the film in areas such as posters, books, records, T-shirts , etc. “George Lucas made a mint on his ancillary rights to ‘Star Wars’ toys.”

back end n. The film’s profit from theater ticket sales, video rentals and ancillary markets.

Chicago screws n . Metal fasteners used to bind a screenplay. “Most printers in town don’t know the difference between a Chicago screw and a New York minute.”

exclusivity n. The guarantee that you will be the only writer on the project. “Everyone wants exclusivity, but only Joe Eszterhas usually gets it.”

free option n. Selling screenplay rights for next to nothing up front, with a promise of a percentage of the profits. “After 10 years writing for soaps, he only gets free options. “

high concept adj. A story idea that can be summed up in a few words and promises big bucks. “ ‘Twins’ and ‘Big’ were high concept pictures.”

put deal n. A contract agreement a writer, director, producer or actor has with a studio or production company to write and/or produce a number of scripts over a designated period of time for an agreed-upon fee. “Eddie Murphy has a put deal with Paramount.”

step deal n. Once a story is optioned, the screenwriter is paid in increments, first payment for a treatment, then second payment for a screenplay.

turnaround n. A much sought-after contractual agreement that if a studio fails to begin production on a purchased screenplay within a designated amount of time, the writer then has the option to pursue other avenues of sale.

wheel n. Several different screenplays or teleplays sold for a single time slot, generally reserved for series or episodic television shows. “The most popular wheel on television was the ‘NBC Sunday Night Mystery Series’ featuring ‘Columbo,’ ‘McMillan and Wife’ and ‘McCloud.’ ”