Think Hollywood or Entertainment Research Institute

[amirmohsen]

A few days ago, I received an email from Entertainment Research Institute (thinkhollywood.org) concerning my screenplay being recommended by industry professionals as a VIP project with %50 discount on enrollment for their program. I enrolled with $135. They scheduled a consultation call from a producer to me. A few hours ago, we talked for 30 minutes. He told me that he liked my idea and he thought that it is unique and he recommended my script for a coverage.

Here I have pasted their last email:

entertainmentresearchinstitute@gmail.com; on behalf of; Info [info@entertainmentresearchinstitute.com]

Hi Amir,

Thank you for your feedback.  Your initial consultation is now complete. Your project has been recommended for ELITE COVERAGE.
Please send the fee ($500) via paypal to ThinkHollywood@gmail.com by February 2.  Our staff will cover your script complete with actionable notes.  After reading the script, if your producer recommends your project, we will also schedule a conference call between you and your ERI producer.  At that time he will suggest a course of action to bring DON'T PREDICT LOVE to the big screen.

Best wishes,

Lola Jenkins
Administrative Assistant
Entertainment Research Institute


I just wanted to know if you know anything about this institute or its kind and all. Is it really useful and worth my money? Or they just want my money and I end up in a blind alley. I asked them how much more money I have to pay if my screenplay pass the coverage successfully and I am waiting for their response. Meanwhile if you have any idea and suggestion, I would be delighted to know.

There is also something else about this fee. The coverage fees that I have seen on the net are all less than this one. Don’t you think that it is expensive comparing to similar ones?

This is their reply to my question:

Hi Amir,

There are many ways that we can work depending on the course of your project, but what we can actually do if your screenplay is accepted into the Institute is to option your screenplay.  That would mean ERI *paying you* a nominal fee up-front, and an agreement to buy your screenplay at a larger fee if/when the project is produced.

If the script needs revision, the coverage should also serve as a launching pad and guide to help support the revision process.  You may hire a producer from "Think Hollywood" to coach you through this process, but if you prefer to do the revisions on your own, this process will be free.

I am not sure what sites you are browsing, but what makes the "Think Hollywood" program unique, is that it actually sends you working coverage from our story department.  You will not find any production company on the web or otherwise that will share their coverage with the writer.  What you will find are coverage services, but they do not support projects once the project is a 'go-project' ready for production.

Best wishes,

Lola Jenkins
Administrative Assistant
Entertainment Research Institute


Now all I want to know is that if this is a reliable source or not. Please I need quick answers. Thank you.

[Sponsored Links]

Watch Luke 11:17 and let us know what you think!

[CarolP]

If I were you I wouldn't give them a dime more than you've already spent. Not without knowing exactly who they are, where they are and what films their producers you will be pitching have actually made. Also, what they're saying is extremely confusing as "cover your script complete with actionable notes" and "working coverage from our story department" are not the same thing. Coverage is something that's done for executives or producers, is extremely short (1-2 pages max) and offers no real useful advise for the writer. Story analysis or detailed script notes is an entirely different thing.

Them offering to option your script after you pay them money to give you coverage seems ridiculous to me. If they were a legitimate production company and interested in optioning your material they would know that already if they've read your script. This site screams scam, I'd stay away. For more reasons why go here:

http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90860

[amirmohsen]

Thank you CarolP for your complete information on the other forum thread. Fortunately I asked other sources and all in all decided not to go on with them anymore both by my own judgment and otherss advices. Thank you all!