14 June 1972,
Martin Scorsese
1850 N. Whitley
Hollywood, Cal.
Dear Martin,
This will serve as a letter of agreement between
Taplin Productions, Inc. (Producer) and Martin Scorsese (Director and Writer).
It is our intention to produce a feature film of an original screenplay, Mean
Streets, written by Martin Scorsese in collaboration with Mardik Martin and
Ethan Edwards. It is understood that a sum of $6600 will be paid for the rights
for the screenplay and that this sum will be divided among the various authors
in proportions which they will decide. It is further understood that Martin
Scorsese will receive 3% of the producers net profits as principal author of
the screenplay.
It is also understood that Martin Scorsese shall be
the director of the film and that the credit “A Film by Martin Scorsese[,”]
shall appear after the title, on the screen and in all advertising and
promotion. For his service as director, Martin Scorsese will be paid $8,000
against 5% of the producers[’s] net profits. It is further understood that the
director will be paid union scale for a chief editor for three months of
editing time upon completion of principal photography.
The budget for the film is $300,000 and our proposed
date for the start of photography is March 1, 1973. It is understood that there
will be a preproduction period of six weeks prior to the start of shooting.
Upon consent to these terms the director will sign both copies and return one
to our office. Formal contracts will be drawn immediately thereafter.
Sincerely Yours,
Signed
Jonathan T. Taplin
Taplin Productions, Inc.
Signed,
Martin Scorsese
*As further agreed, this credit should read, “A
Martin Scorsese Film.” Writing credit on separate card should read: “Story by
Martin Scorsese, Screenplay by Martin Scorsese, Mardik Martin, Ethan Edwards” (or
whatever name Jay Cocks would like).
Directing credit should appear: “Directed by Martin
Scorsese.”
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