Low-Budget TV show Contract

Hello,

I am about to start working for a reality competition show. I was hired as a
Producer. I am supposed to write and produce the show and I asked for a
budget of $1300/wk but I have yet to sign anything and the show has yet to
find a place to air on TV or anything. The Exxecutive Producer says no one
will really get paid until we start shooting. Now I hear he wants me and the
director to create the content and structure of the show.

Now for this, Im not sure what to say. I mean, I will be doing so much work
but I\'m afraid if I write and create the show they could run off with it
and not pay me a cent. I want to know if I should draft a letter saying I
want $X amount of money for the creation of the show, credit for co-creation
and also I want to make sure that if I am somehow terminated or even if the
show never gets shot I still get paid for all my effort and time and they
cannot run off with my work without paying.

Is this logical? Is there a form I could have them sign or can I just type
up the letter myself? Im not even sure how much I should ask for? Is there
anywhere i can find out how much show creators get paid?

Thank you!

Email me at Mloca7@yahoo.com

Unless you are speaking about one of my shows (lol) you are right, you are doing too much work rolling the dice on possible compensation. If you are a writer, that probably isn't uncommon, but if you are more involved in the production aspects, then you likely shouldn't be involved in the writing, casting, development and directing without being on payroll. now, having said that, if you have a percentage interest or ownership interest in the company, go a head and take the chance, but base it on how much you personally believe in the project. May I ask, what are those who request you do all of this doing in this and what do they gain in the end? I'm an Executive Producer and I can tell you from experience that I have had to do it all at one time or another, but in my position, the pay-off far outweighs the risk so I very often gamble on doing my thing upfront, but other than a few little information aspects, would never and could never just ask someone else to do the work without a mighty big carrot for them in the end.