A first-look deal is any contract containing a clause granting, usually for a fee or other consideration that covers a specified period of time, a pre-emption right, right of first refusal, or right of first offer (also called a right of first negotiation) to another party, who then is given the first opportunity to buy outright, co-own, invest in, license, etc., something that is newly coming into existence or on the market for the first time or after an absence, such as intellectual property (manuscript, musical composition, invention, artwork, business idea, etc.) or real property (real estate).
Film industry
[edit]In the film industry, it is an agreement between a writer and an independent production company or between an independent production company and a film studio in which the potential buyer (producer or studio) of a not-yet-written script or in-development film or television project pays a development fee to the writer or producer for the right to have the first look at the new material before others in the industry get to see it, and at that time make an offer to purchase or distribute or adhere to purchasing or distribution terms already stated in the agreement.[1] If the studio or company is not interested in the project, the nature of the deal allows the developer to take the project to other potential buyers.[2]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Konigsberg, Ira (1997). The Complete Film Dictionary. New York: Penguin. ISBN 0-670-10009-9. "First look deal. A contractual agreement between a studio and independent producer that the studio have first rights to consider a film by that producer for production and/or distribution by giving financial support during the development period."
- ^ Cullins, Ashley (May 29, 2024). "First-Look Deals: How Much, Who's Getting Them and Why". The Ankler. Archived from the original on May 29, 2024.