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All good points, but as you've said -- and as I agree -- it's not like you're expecting your first screenplay to get made, one way or the other. So the exclusiv

All good points, but as you've said -- and as I agree -- it's not like you're expecting your first screenplay to get made, one way or the other. So the exclusive option being granted to Amazon, functionally speaking, would be no different than having your debut spec bought and sent into development hell with a studio. After that point, the spec becomes your calling card and resume. You might earn more money selling the spec in a Hollywood bidding war, but only a small handful of all spec sales inspire that kind of frenzy. (I do agree, however, that if you have even the slightest suspicion that you've written a killer script, you should try Hollywood agencies first). To your other point, I do fear that Amazon has basically engineered a system whereby the good catches swim the Hollywood, and the flotsam floats into Amazon's net. Time will tell.

FreakLegion 15y ago
Re: spec as calling card. The thing about tying your script up with Amazon is that it handicaps you social proof-wise. If your script is in development hell, that means someone actually bought it. If your script is on Amazon, that just means you have an Internet connection. An Amazon script won't work as a calling card because nobody wants to read a script they can't buy -- unless the reason they can't buy it is that someone else already has. When submitting scripts, you want to be able to say either "This amazing script can be yours for the low low price of 1 million dollars," or "Time Warner bought this script for 1 million dollars. I'd love to work with you on my next one." With Amazon's current terms, there's just a much higher chance that all your work will have been for naught.