NOTE
Page Turner Press and Media is currently one of the most active and deceptive scams of its type. Its activities go far beyond the impersonation of film studios and production companies detailed below. In addition to selling overpriced re-publication packages, junk marketing, and fictitious services like “book insurance”, Page Turner has:
– impersonated literary agents
– impersonated publishers (including forging letters of acceptance and contracts bearing the logos of Big 5 houses)
– created fake organizations to add the appearance of legitimacy to its solicitations
– created at least two fake film companies, The Metro Films and Creative Films, which offer bogus movie rights deals to authors for fees in the six-figure range.
Writer Beware has heard from writers who’ve lost tens and even hundreds of thousands of dollars to Page Turner’s scams. You can see examples of authors’ complaints here and here.
I’ve written a number of posts about scammers impersonating literary agents and publishers. Writers should be aware that they’re also impersonating major motion picture studios.
Here’s one example, from a scam that does business under multiple names: Page Turner Press and Media, Orions Media Agency, Fox Media Studios Agency, and Silver Fox Media. Despite their apparent US addresses and phone numbers, all are based in the Philippines, where they operate under the umbrella of a company called Innocentrix (you can read more about the huge proliferation of overseas scammers here). (UPDATE: Another name has been added to this scam complex: Experttell, aka Experttell Media.) (ANOTHER UPDATE: Two more new names for this scam complex: InkStone Literary Agency and The Metro Films.) (YET ANOTHER UPDATE: Another new name: Creative Films.)
This is the initial pitch–which arrives, as always with this type of scam, out of the blue:
This is not the way things work: literary agents aren’t “assigned” to represent you without your knowledge, and major film studios don’t randomly stumble on books and reach out to agencies you never heard of, which then cold-call you. In fact, real agents only very rarely reach out to writers directly. For scammers, on the other hand, it’s their main recruitment method.
Any out-of-the-blue solicitation or offer should be treated with suspicion.
If the writer bites, they receive this.
Note Allison’s email address, which doesn’t match Universal’s email address protocol. It’s always a good idea to search on this, and also on the email address itself; you can discover interesting things, such as that the universalpicturesacquisition.com domain was only registered this past March–not very plausible, given Universal Pictures’ long history. In another revealing discrepancy, Allison Gray is a real person…but she works for Paramount.
“Allison” doesn’t mention money. This is strategic: as any scammer knows, it’s harder to say no when an offer is (purportedly) on the table. And money is definitely involved. The writer who responds with excitement to this INCREDIBLE OFFER learns that the “cinematic trailer” will cost them $3,500 (a cost the scammer may promise to share), and the “relicensing” of the book (there’s no such thing) requires a further $1,099.
I shouldn’t need to say–again–that this is not how things work. If a film studio is interested in your work, they will pay you, not the other way around. Plus, the demand for your driver’s license and passport suggests that it’s not just your cash that will be stolen.
Here is the promised “pre-production agreement” (this time from another dba of this scam, Fox Media Studios Agency). “David Benson” does not appear to be an employee of Universal–or any film company. Allison Gray is cc’d, though at a different, and equally bogus, email address. Note also the identical scary pseudo-legal language at the bottom, which is likely intended to discourage writers from contacting people like me:
The money grab in this one is for the “Director’s professional fee” as well as the supposed permits and clearances, which no doubt amount to several thousand dollars. Keep in mind that the writer has already paid nearly $5,000 for a (likely crappy) book trailer and the mythical book re-licensing.
Yet again, this is not how the industry works. Authors are never asked to bankroll their own films (at least, they’re never asked to do so by reputable film companies). To the contrary: if a film of your book has been greenlighted, you will previously have received a considerable sum of money.
A final word. It’s every writer’s dream to have their book made into a movie. But the hard truth is that this is among the rarest of all outcomes of publishing a book. The vast majority of books–even very successful ones–never sell or option film rights. Where they do, it’s via real, reputable agents or entertainment lawyers with track records that can be verified–not unknown parties who contact you out of the blue.
Remember: solicitation is the number one sign of a scam. And there are more scams aggressively soliciting authors than ever. Be careful out there.
UPDATE 8/7/21: The scam is also soliciting as Netflix. Some of the language in the solicitation below is identical to that of the first fake Universal email above; note also the identical scary disclaimer in italics, and the fact that, although this came to the author as a direct solicitation and not through the filter of a fake agency, the scammers were too careless, or too lazy, to remove the references to “your agency”.
As they often do, the scammers are using the name of a real person–except she’s an actress, not a Netflix executive.
UPDATE 9/2/21: The scammers have added a new name: Experttell (aka Experttell Media), which is sending out email “offers” from Universal and Warner Bros. that are substantially identical to the emails above.
UPDATE 11/25/21: The Orions Media Agency website is dead, and writers are reporting that their emails go unanswered. I’m guessing that the abandonment of this particular business name had something to do with its D+ BBB rating, as well as the proliferation of online complaints.
Other names associated with this scam–Page Turner Press and Media, Fox Media Studios Agency, Silver Fox Media, and Experttell–are still alive and well.
UPDATE 3/30/22: They’re still at it. Just heard from a writer who got the Netflix version of the scam soliciation. They’re not bothering here with the pretense of an “agency” intermediary, but they’re too lazy to reformat the canned email to remove the “agency” reference.
(There’s an Ivanna Martinez who works at Netflix, but not, as far as I could discover, an Ivana Alvarez. Still, the names are similar enough that a hasty websearch might confuse them.)
UPDATE 6/3/22: New name for the scam complex: The Metro Films. This one specializes in offering “movie deals” to Page Turner Press and Media clients, which require handing over a minimum of $100,000 for a publicity campaign (supposedly, this is just a fraction of the publicist’s cost, with Page Turner promising to front the rest). I’ve heard from writers who have actually paid six figures. Names associated with this scam include Mark Alvarez and Isaiah Callum.
UPDATE 6/13/22: Yet another new name for the scam complex: InkStone Literary Agency. Rather than fake film offers, InkStone wants writers to pay $3,000 to buy the “license” to their books, supposedly as part of re-publishing offers from Simon & Schuster or Hachette (complete with a fake contract copied from one of the Idiot’s Guides)–but large swaths of its website are identical to that of fellow scam Experttell (portions of which have in turn been plagiarized from the websites of legit agencies, such as The Waxman Agency). Compare and…compare:
UPDATE 12/27/22: The scam is currently impersonating Columbia Pictures, Icon Productions, and Hyperobject Industries with the email below. Although the “required materials” (i.e., the stuff writers will have to pay for) are different, there’s plenty of content that’s identical to the emails above, including the threatening NOTE at the bottom.
UPDATE 2/25/23: Adding Jason Blum of Blumhouse Productions, Victor Kaufman of TriStar Pictures (even though Kaufman is no longer with that company), and Stephen Shellen of Lionsgate to the list. They’re apparently trying to broaden their appeal (or something?) by adding an introductory paragraph on “social responsibility”, but the body of the email–including the misplaced comma in the salutation, and the threatening NOTE at the bottom, cut off at exactly the same point–is essentially identical.
UPDATE 9/23/23: The latest Page Turner impersonation: it’s a double! Real agent Susan Ramer of Don Congdon Associates and real production company Skydance Media. The author who received this as part of their involvement with Page Turner (initially to re-publish the author’s book) was told they needed to provide a screenplay; naturally Page Turner could recommend someone, at a cost of $20,000.
UPDATE 10/1/23: I’ve seen a lot of impersonation emails, from Page Turner and others, but this ChatGPT-enhanced solicitation has to be among the most amazing (and I don’t mean that in a good way). They got lazy with this one–didn’t bother registering an email domain, just used a gmail address. They also don’t seem to realize that HBO Max has dropped the HBO (I know, I know, I really should not be helping them by pointing out their mistakes).
How do I know that Page Turner is behind this? The misplaced comma in the salutation is a tell (see screenshots above).
I received a letter from a film scout representing Tristar Pictures telling me they were interested in adapting one of my books into a film/TV series. She continued that Victor Kaufmann, CEO of Tristar wanted to create a pitch deck for presentation in January and asked for film adaptation materials before January including the synopsis, logline, film treatment and screenplay. Of course, I immediately questioned this. I thought film companies optioned books and paid for the screenplay themselves.
She went on to refer me to their content manager if I did not want to do the screenplay myself (suggested I not do it unless I was familiar with the process) or didn’t want to hire a screenwriter. Curious, I contacted the content manager who gave me the name of a trailer house who would do the necessary materials and a trailer for $15,000. Tristar would pay $12,000 of that, or 80%. I could then make a downpayment and pay in full upon completion. He sent me a Letter of Intent stating this and went so far as to say HBO Max was interested and sent me a copy of what the contract would be if I signed with them, offering $300,000 and 25% royalties.
The problem is, everything looks so legit. I’m glad I did the research and found this site. Thank you!
You’re welcome. I’m glad you found us too!
I also just received an email that claimed to be TriStar. The email it came from is acquisition.tristarpictures@gmail.com
I just forwarded it to you. Thanks for looking out for these scams!
Thank you. This same email is going out under the names of several production companies–seems to be a major push by the scammer.
How about Tristar? I just got a letter from someone there that they would like me to submit a screenplay for one of my books. The letter I received sounds a lot like the letters that have been included above. I can give more info if you like. Thanks, Victoria.
Feel free to forward me the email: beware@sfwa.org. Almost certainly this is a scam, though–major film companies are very unlikely to reach out to writers directly, and if a company is interested in optioning or purchasing film rights to a book, they won’t ask for a screenplay in advance: they’ll buy the rights and then hire their own people to produce a script.
Thank you. I have been receiving numerous call from Page Turner about turning my novel into a series. They are relentless. I keep telling them, I do not plan to invest any additional money and the keep coming back saying investors are willing to pay for the screenplay, but now they want me to purchase an add in the New York Times or some literary magazines. Be careful. They are very persistent.
Dear ——–,
I am pleased to let you know that your book ———- has passed our prescreening process for our book-to-film acquisitions criteria. I represent The Metro Films screening and acquisitions committee in evaluating the titles that our contractors regularly submit to our library.
The prescreening procedure is the first step in acquiring a title for a possible movie transition. Our board of directors and producers are looking for the same genre as yours. Thus, you are at the opportune place to pursue a film adaptation contract with us. We are eager to offer you a chance to subject your book to final screening and possibly submit it to our film executives. To begin this process, you are requested to submit the following pertinent documents:
• Curriculum vitae with updated contact information
• Your current photo
• Book published for at least twelve months or one year
• Book review by a reputable book review institution
• Book feature in a credible book media outlet
• Coverage
• Treatment
• Screenplay adaptation of the manuscript
• Book proposal
• List of companies you have worked with
Your manuscript and book synopsis are already available and acquired by The Metro Films through our contractors and industry partners. The above-listed requirements are essential for the assessment and consideration of your material for film adaptation. We require your publishing history and affiliates to ensure that we understand the full extent of the history and marketability of your material. Upon submission of the above requirements, your material will be assessed and endorsed to The Metro Films and its affiliates in the film industry.
As the author, it is your right and your responsibility to process all registrations and documents in connection. Once an agreement is finalized, you will be given a separate contract between you and our agency.
Communications regarding the contents of this endorsement must only be between the author and the authorized representative of The Metro Films or its authorized company partners. Any unsolicited emails or communications from the author or his or her third-party partners will not be entertained by The Metro Films.
Furthermore, the author shall not at any time directly or indirectly disseminate, duplicate, or in any manner, disclose any information regarding the development, production, and stipulation of any preproduction agreement mutually agreed upon and signed by our legal representative. The author acknowledges and agrees that confidential information derives economic value from not being known publicly or to persons who stand to gain economic value from its disclosure or use. Any breach with respect to confidential information will be irreparable and will cause adverse damage to the producer. For which, the producer shall, without waiving any rights and remedies, be entitled for injunction relief, unless prior approval and consent is given in writing by the company or the producer.
Failure to comply with the conditions of this endorsement will result in the immediate termination of the rights acquisition offer. At such time, our legal team shall prosecute such failure to comply to the full extent allowable under law and reserve all its other rights and remedies.
Note: All communications sent by The Metro Films makes use of themetrofilms.com as its mail server (e.g., name@themetrofilms.com). Any communication sent by other servers shall not be recognized by The Metro Films and are, therefore, not official communications from our company.
Warmest congratulations,
image.png
Address: 633 West Fifth Street,
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Company Phone: (800) 929-3884
Email: submissions@themetrofilms.com
.
Please who knows about Workbook Press and their relationship with authors
Workbook Press is on my scam list: https://writerbeware.blog/scam-archive/
February this year I was scammed by the same piston and press Media of $500 to pay a balance of $200 now see what they sent to me kollam
I have received an email from a Miranda Ray claiming to a a Senior Film Associate with Motion Flicks Studios. She has shared with me that producer Paul Dano would like to pitch my novel/screenplay at a producer’s pitch event. From what I understand, they would never ask the author to write a screenplay for their own novel. The whole thing falls into the “too good to be true” category even though I’m at a loss as to how to tell.
Hi, Lori,
You’re correct, unless you’re a well-known writer (and most of the time not even then), the film studio that buys your book rights hires its own screenwriter to produce a screenplay. I haven’t heard of Motion Flick Studios, but among other signs of scam, its web domain is just 22 days old, even though its website appears to be claiming credit for films and TV shows created well before that. This is a ruse to get you to buy a screenplay. Whichever company you’d be referred to if you expressed interest is the scammer behind the curtain.
Would you forward the email to me, for my files? beware@sfwa.org. Thanks!
How much did you ask Lori Altebaumer to pay for your membership subscription, Victoria? Lol
Interesting you should mention paid subscriptions, “Bob”, given the content of a certain email that’s going around (stay tuned). At any rate, Writer Beware isn’t a membership organization. You can subscribe to this blog, but that’s free. Writer Beware charges no fees, ever; we don’t even accept donations. Writer Beware staff are volunteers, and receive no remuneration.
I write to bring to your attention certain concerns that have come to our knowledge regarding the business practices of Ms. Victoria Straus.
It has been observed that Ms. Straus exhibits a vigilant approach, whereby she appears to engage in activities aimed at undermining other companies within the industry. These actions seem to be motivated by her desire to promote and sell her own services exclusively.
We felt it necessary to inform you about these observations, as they may have implications for our professional interactions with Ms. Straus going forward.
If you’re curious about why “Georgia” (not her real name) has her panties in a twist about me supposedly “undermining other companies in the industry”, hover your mouse over her name. You’ll see that it’s linked to authorunit.com.
Author Unit is on my overseas scams list thanks to its deceptive solicitations (implying a special relationship with Ingram), overpriced services ($3,600 to re-publish an author’s book on Amazon, $10,000 for a screenplay, $5,000 for a TV treatment [that the author who bought it said was below par]), and false claims (among others, falsely claiming interest in a writer’s book from reputable agency Massie & McQuilkin in order to convince the writer to buy a screenplay, which supposedly was a pre-requisite for a “personal meeting” with agency founder Rob McQuilkin).
“Georgia” knows I’ve got the goods. So do all the other scammers on my list, and it really pisses them off. They keep tabs on me–it’s no accident that the Philippines is the second largest source of web traffic here.
P.S. I don’t sell any services. Writer Beware is and always will be a volunteer effort, completely free of charge.
As an advocate for supporting fellow authors and fostering a positive community, I believe it is essential to approach discussions about companies and their practices with utmost sincerity and professionalism. I have always strived to maintain a respectful and constructive dialogue, avoiding any use of foul language or derogatory remarks.
While it is true that not all companies are perfect, including the ones you mentioned, Victoria, it is important to base our claims on verified information and evidence.
Congratulations on making the world a worse place for writers and non-writers alike, “Georgia.” You are an enabler of liars.
Just another individual who holds Victoria Strauss in high regard.
i also received an offer through PAGE TURNER from MACMILLAN – when i contacted Macmillan Ethics & Compliance | compliance@macmillan.com – they wrote:
‘Thank you for reaching out. The email you received is not a legitimate offer of publication from Macmillan. We do not use the macmillanusa.info domain.
Sincerely,’
Things to watch out with PAGE TURNER:
1. they will say – they need to rebrand your book so to on sell to a publishing house, saying also, you will earn $150,000+ but you are in competition with other books – so you need to increase sales and obtain reviews
2. they will request a new ISBN be prepared (and charge you US$850), but will not arrange
3. they will advise their affiliated book stores will purchase your book (1000s of copies) and yet will not provide a copy of the contract or the list of which store will purchase the books
4. they will request you pay insurance for to cover the pre purchase of books that are not sold (US$3,000)- they will however not give you a copy of the policy
5. they will request you pay for three reviews of your book ($3,000).
6. they will make the above so they are doing you a favor
and they will ring constantly including from unlisted numbers
be vigilant, ask question, ask for evidence – and block their telephone numbers
“Evangeline King” from New Age Literary Agency contacted me saying that they had a meeting coming up with HarperCollins to discuss my book and pitch to them for a movie. They try to sound knowledgeable and their website sucks so it was easy to spot as a Philippines call center. I strung her along for a while and sent some sales reports on my book, then terminated all contact because I got tired of it. Today, I received a call from “Joan” with PageTurner Media, stating that HarperCollins is interested in my book that is making a buzz in the marketplace and wanted to represent me as their hybrid agency. My book is not making any buzz (but I think it will soon! I think they all work in the same call center and share writer’s contact information. Do not deal with these vultures.
are they real or are they wanting to take my money it is creaivefilms-studios.com
what about this company is it a scam or realhttps://creativefilms=studios,com they say amozon will pay 70% and i am to pay 3000.00 i want to make sure this is real my email is luzmila2589@gmail.com i dont want to be taken
This just happened to my father TODAY and I’m happy I was there for it. This man said he was Guillermo Del Toro and wanted to option my father’s book for a movie. I interrupted and asked if he was really GDT because he sounded Filipino or AAPI not Mexican, and it went downhill from there. WHat a terrible thing to do to someone.
I got this from Crishel Fuentes about my book that I published a few years ago through Xlibris – I paid for its publication. Going to try to paste the email here – I think it’s a scam but I’m not up to researching the web to find out. My sole talent is to write novels. Hi Rich,
This is Crishel Fuentes , a senior author advisor. As discussed, I am sending you an email today to inform you about the endorsement of your author profile from Acquisitions Guild of America because it passed the preliminary evaluation to be acquired to traditional publishing companies namely Macmillan and Simon and Schuster who sent their invitation to us in the interest of having your book acquired. With that being said our bookstore partners have a humongous interest to order 300 copies of your book.
Since your profile has already been shortlisted from the 150 author profile that we reviewed and chose from to complete the 5 slots for endorsements to traditional publishers like Macmillan, and Simon and Schuster, we will help you out to resell and distribute your book to over 38,000 partners in a world wide angle.
Once acquired, because of representing you, we get the 12% commission only out of the $650,000 minimum contract deal they offered depending on the genres and you can keep the 88%. The author takes care of the relicensing of the book and registration for the bookstore partner author is 850.00$ and the production team will keep in touch with you with the process until the book is published. Last year we submitted 9 books for endorsement and 6 were acquired by the traditional publishers.
Being shortlisted your author profile was chosen after a rigorous selection phase by our book scouts and has deemed your profile to be with high potential, in turn we will be representing your book and will be endorsed over a grant that we call Corporate Sponsorship this means any marketing project will be partnered with me personally or through endorsements from selected investors from our management team.
Congratulations for making it!
Hi, Rich,
You’re correct that this is a scam, and also that it’s a scam from Page Turner Press and Media. See my recent blog post: https://writerbeware.blog/2023/03/10/one-week-two-fakes-american-booksellers-federation-and-the-acquisitions-guild/
Your current compilations of scammers lack substantiating evidence. I kindly request you to create a blog that presents concrete proof, which may contribute to gaining our trust in the information provided.
Two phone calls so far today from Orion. I’ve told this guy straight up, who I suspect is from the Philippines, that I’m not interested & why should I pay out! Like hitting my head against a brick wall with this lot. I learnt my lesson in so called publishers, & got ripped off really badly. Unless it’s a,we’ll known name, I’m not interested. Thank you for this page you’ve created. So many things have been made clear to me.
Lucky me—I just received an email from THE Adam McKay of Hyperobject Industries titled “ Material Approved for Film”!
Look him up on Google—He is a dynamo for Netflix productions.
Too bad the pitch isn’t real…
This one was hard to identify as a scam. The originating email comes from adammckayproductions@gmail.com
I wasn’t able to locate a review link or scam alert for Hyperobject Industries on any search engines. And when I started looking at Google articles about Adam MacKay, everything pointed to him being a genuine movie producer/director. But, the email’s text pretty much matches the usual pitches that are made to many other Indie authors… Pitches like those referenced here in this blog. Mine went like this:
“ Dear, Jeanne!
We’d like to inform your agency that your book has been selected as one of the Content Titles that we would like to translate into a film. As we have expanded our horizon in lieu of our partnership with Netflix we’d like to inform your office that we are offering you a contract for film rights acquisition as one of our Pioneering Projects.
The budget and the Production team are now ready for the project to commence. The producer has allocated an estimated budget for the film production.
Please note that the author will be under an exclusive contract with our company Hyperobject Industries. Any information about this project will be under a non-disclosure clause stipulated in the contract.
As the Author representing the rights owner and Hyperobject Industries as the acquirer, you will be required to process all the licenses, permits, registrations, and signing of documents exclusively with Hyperobject Industries to obtain an immediate transfer. A separate contract between your agency and Hyperobject Industries will be signed and agreed upon by both parties. We will send the paperwork with the film agreement to your office upon your confirmation.
We would be requiring you to send the following materials:
Film Pitch Deck
Cinematic Trailer
Marketing Evaluation
We need your confirmation as soon as possible.
NOTE: Any communication as regards this endorsement should only be between your office and Hyperobject Industries. Any unsolicited emails or calls from the writer/author will not be entertained by Hyperobject Industries. The Writer shall not, at any time, directly or indirectly, disseminate, duplicate or in any other manner disclose any information of any kind dealing with or in any way relating to the development, production, or exploitation of the film as stipulated in the Acquisition Agreement signed by our legal representative. That you acknowledge and agree that the Confidential Information derives independent economic value from not being generally known to the public or to other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use. You acknowledge that any breach by either your Agency or the Writer with respect to the Confidential Information will cause irreparable injury to the Producer, not readily measurable in money, and for which Producer, without waiving any other rights or remedies, shall be entitled to…”
(End email text)
The signature at the bottom of the email is listed as:
Adam McKay
Founder and President of HyperObject Industries
1041 N Formosa Ave,
Formosa South Building
West Hollywood, CA 90046
The content of this email is confidential and intended for the recipient specified in the message only. It is strictly forbidden to share any part of this message with any third party, without the written consent of the sender. If you received this message by mistake, please reply to this message and follow with its deletion, so that we can ensure such a mistake does not occur in the future.”
(End)
The only link is attached to the signatory’s address at 1041 N Formosa Ave, and the only way to respond to this email is to click the “Reply” prompt at the bottom of the email. I’m choosing to do neither.
Beware, fellow Indies!
The scammers are making the rounds again! (Do they ever stop?)
Chances are these supposed Hollywood bigwigs don’t address you by your author name, don’t reference the particular title of your book (I have several, so no idea which one “Adam McKay” found worthy of filming), are asking for money and materials before an actual face-to-face meeting, and can’t properly edit their letters or use good grammar, they’re catfishing you.
Another telltale scam marker: a gmail address. A real person genuinely reaching out from an established company would have their own domain.
Excellent point, Victoria! Thank you for pointing that out!
I recieved the exact email this morning. You can’t believe anything anymore. Been going through this for 6 years.
Received this one today…slightly edited but as with you, no book title listed as the one ‘he’ is interested in turning into a cinematic blockbuster. Didn’t ask for money but required all the usual:
To move forward with the acquisition process, we require the following materials from you:
Cinematic Trailer – We need a cinematic trailer that showcases the essence of your book in a visually stunning manner. This will give us a glimpse into what the final film could look like and help us in our decision-making process.
Film Pitch Deck – We also require a film pitch deck that outlines your book’s story, characters, themes, and potential audience. This will give us a better understanding of your vision for the film and help us in our negotiations.
Marketing Evaluation – Finally, we would like a marketing evaluation that includes your thoughts on how the film could be marketed to the public. This will help us determine the film’s potential profitability and success at the box office.
We understand that these materials may take some time and effort to produce, but we believe they are essential to the acquisition process. If you are interested in moving forward, please let us know and we can discuss further details.
If you need help with the materials, I will have our content manager give you a call. What is the best phone number to reach you at?
Watch out for Patricia (not) from Paramount Pictures who in collaboration with agents is confirming a motion picture from a book for a USD$250,000 fee!
Yesterday I got a scam email from Author Queries (who work out of a co-working rental) and this morning got one purporting to be from Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron wanting to buy the film rights for my book for Netflix. Not sure where to report the blatant identity fraud.
Email text:
I hope this email finds you well!
This is Alfonso Cuaron, I am a Mexican Film Director of the Movie “Gravity and Great Expectations”.
Your book reached my office and it was recommended by Hollywood Movie Agents that this material suits International Film this coming 2025-2026
We have seen great potential with your masterpiece to be an asset in the Hollywood market. We’ve been in the film industry for more than 20 years and we have a strong connection ins and outs of the arena, our partner film production companies like Warner Bros. Pictures, Lionsgate, Searchlight, Paramount, and Netflix are looking for unique stories like yours that we can use for entertainment. We are willing to buy your movie rights if you qualify.
We hope to conduct a further judgment to formulate a movie project for us to finance. You can reach me at my personal number 1-201 204 9003 or at + 44 20 7097 2287. You may also respond to this email with your contact details and a convenient time to call.
We look forward to working with you soon.
Best regards,
Alfonso Cuaron
Mexican Film Director | Netflix Director
9945 Beverly Grove Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Phone: 1 (201) 204-9003 | 44-20-7097-2287
Email: a.cuaron1961@gmail.com
Thanks for your comment, Kim B. This scam is really doing the rounds–I’ve gotten a number of reports of the exact same solicitation over the past couple of weeks. I’m not certain which scammer is behind it, but as you not, it is absolutely fraud. (Mr. Cuaron has been alerted.)
Inkstone Literary is my latest…got mail from Bella Courtman, senior literary agent who says 4 out of 10 (lol) mainstream publishers are interested in one of my books. She wants my # to talk about my chance of a lifetime. Bottom of letter has her as Project Manager and when I click on her email I get Margarette Hayes. I emailed her suggesting a scam and she verifies Courtman’s letter saying she’s her Project Manager.
I’ve already been solicited by another agency who offered film rights and wanted me to pay for a book trailer. When I suggested those costs were their responsibility their interest ended there.
I’m a former fraud detective and more skeptical than most, but have to admit some of these offers look fairly legit at first glance, although a little research usually reveals the flaws in their pitch.
Inkstone must be doing a lot of soliciting just now…I’m getting many reports from authors who were approached just as you were (with the exact same claim).
Similar proposals quoting Paramount Pictures…………..
This is what I just received:
Film Rights Acquisition
Inbox
landerssteve@universalpicturesfilms.com
9:42 AM (3 hours ago)
to me, gomezsamantha@universalpicturesfilms.com, greenderek@universalpicturesfilms.com
Good day!
It is our earnest desire to have your book ” WHAT ABOUT BARNUM ” be adapted into a Full Length Motion Picture that will be based meticulously according to its Genre. Hear us out and provide us your best number to call so we could discuss deliberately about the entire process.
We need your confirmation the soonest time possible.
Kindly provide the following:
• Author’s CV with updated contact details
• Film Copyright Registration/License
• Permits and Clearances
Sincerely,
Steve Landers
Global Head
landerssteve@universalpicturesfilms.com
UNIVERSAL PICTURES
http://www.universalpictures.com
Notice the strange language: “earnest desire” and “We need your confirmation the soonest time possible.” This is translated English from another language. No Studio or valid Agency would write like with such horrible syntax. Little clues. And take a look at the email @universalpicturesfilms.com. That website is a mess and obsolete. Someone should tell Universal Studios this is going on.
Stay safe, my friends.
Joss.
Landaff Media (Landaff Literary Media LLC in Delaware) are asking USD$250,000 wire transfer to the Philippines to share the cost of a continuation story covering 2 “books to films” for a “pitch” which they claim is necessary to get Paramount Pictures interest in 1 or 2 full films. I can’t find the nominated persons in “booktofilms” or Paramount Pictures Marketing. Landaff claim to have already paid a non-refundable USD$500,000 to “booktofilms” and are spending money on gathering stakeholders from all over for meetings, to get a movie underway in Scotland early next year! I suspect they are a scam…….. Naturally I have not signed up to such a dubious proposal. Have you any background on Landaff? And could you please suggest how to get them off my back?
Hi, Hugh,
I’m really glad you haven’t sent them anything–this is absolutely a scam, and a really egregious one. This isn’t the way that properties are acquired for films; film rights are optioned or sold via reputable literary agencies with verifiable track records of success that they prominently reveal on their websites. Nor do writers ever have to pay upfront for such services; if this were a real offer, it would come with payment to you, not from you. Everything they’re claiming to you is a lie.
Increasingly, Philippines-based scammers are demanding wire transfers or that writers use Zelle or Venmo or a similar payment app, because it’s almost impossible for the payer to get their money back (unlike credit card payments).
I haven’t run across Landaff Media before. But there’s a ton of scamsign here–the solicitation, the absurd money demand, the Philippines location, and on the website, shaky English, claims of expertise that can’t be verified because there’s no meaningful info about the company or staff, and a range of junk marketing. Conspicuously absent: any hint of a track record, which a reputable company would highlight. I’ll do a bit more digging, but I’m confident I’ll be adding this outfit to my scam list.
Would you be willing to share with me any written material they’ve sent you–emails, contracts, etc.? All information shared with Writer Beware is held in confidence. You can email to beware@sfwa.org.
As to getting them off your back…that’s a tough one, because these scammers are really persistent, and often use bullying tactics if a potential victim balks, such as threatening to blackball you (an empty threat). My suggestion would be to ignore and delete any email contacts, and to block their phone numbers and hang up them if they contact you from different numbers.
Anonymous,
The answer to both your questions is No. If a company is going to pay you, it needs your SSN, but "proof of identity"? Nope. And when a film production company buys rights, it _buys_ them…it pays _you_. You do not pay it, for attorney fees or anything else. If there's a demand for money, it's a scam.
Walden Media is a real production company with substantial web presence that allows you to verify its legitimacy. "Walden Film Agency" has zero web presence and I'm guessing is yet another scam using a similar name to fool writers into thinking it's related to the reputable company.
Would you please contact me, and share whatever emails or other materials you received from them? beware@sfwa.org. All information shared with Writer Beware is held in confidence.
Is it standard protocol for the author to pay attorney fees and registration fees when a film production company buys the rights to a book?
Would a production company ever ask for your proof of identity when drawing up an offer/agreement to acquire film rights for your book?
Also, is there a difference between Walden Media and Walden Film Agency?
I received an email about one of my books from 'Nicole King' this morning. I was pretty sure it was a scam, but nice to have it confirmed.
Happened to me 2 days ago. Did not sign the contract. Glad I didn't.
Unknown 11/16,
It's got a different name, and you'd have to go deeper into it to find out which company you'd actually be sending money to (the gambit here is to get the writer to pay thousands for a treatment or script). But it's the same kind of scam. Reputable agencies don't reach out in this way: they are highly unlikely to contact you unless you've contacted them first.
"Motion Films Entertainment" has a website. The English is better than you see with a lot of these scams–just occasional lapses, but there's no sign that any of the supposed films exist (the scammers are relying on the fact that most people accept claims at face value and don't check).
November 16, 2021
Chris Atkins
Executive Book-to-Film/TV Agent
680-215-9628
San Diego, CA, 22400
Dear Mr. Atkins,
We are inviting you to officially submit the Film/TV Treatment of the book You Have The Power To Have It All by Natalia Furtuna.
From the excellent sample content, book manuscript and author
portfolio submitted to us that garnered excellent results, we are
happy to announce that the treatment will be sent exclusively to
and .
This is unexpected from an independently published book but we are all for the book’s success.
Looking forward for what your Film/TV Treatment can offer.
Congratulations!
Please take note that this endorsement and submission is intended for TV and Film. Deadline for submission should not be later than January 10, 2022.
Allison Chapman
Assistant Director
Motion Films Entertainment
Is this also the same scam? My friend who is the author of the Book in that letter got this.
That's absolutely a scam. They want you to (falsely) associate them with Pixar Studios and Lionsgate. This isn't how production companies or film studios acquire properties.
If you'd be game to lead them on a bit, I'd love to know what the pitch is (what they'll want you to pay for) and which scammer it's a front for.
This is what I received.
I'd love this to be real but I don't think so. None of these people can be found online.Neither can Pixar Film Agency.
After thorough evaluation, we have decided to consider the project below once preliminary requirements are met.
Project Title: Sherman's March to the Sea
Applicant's Name: Heather Denniss
Affiliated Film Agency: Pixar Film Agency
Film Agent: Cassy Garcia | David Tunner | James Peter
Total Amount of Funding Secured Up To Date: 89M
Deadline for Preliminary Submission would be 5 Business Days in receipt of this email.
Failure to submit Preliminary Requirements will be subject to Project Cancellation.
Karla Manuel
Disclaimer: “The information transmitted by this email is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed. This email may contain proprietary, business-confidential, and/or privileged material. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, be aware that any use, review, retransmission, distribution, reproduction or any action taken in reliance upon this message is strictly prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from all computers”
Global Film Communications and Media Relations
https://www.lionsgate.com/
I received an email from James Wright from Adaptations Tide about adapting my book for movies. It sounded like a scam and I was so glad to find it on your list of scams. Thanks so much for all the work you do to keep writers safe.
Narjorie Jamison Douglas
No, it's not legit. Filmways Pictures was a real company, but it was acquired by a bigger company a number of years ago and stopped using the name. A scammer has appropriated the Filmways name and logo, and is claiming to be the original company. It's not: the scheme is to get you to pay for a screenplay that will never be delivered. I've gotten many reports of solicitations by Filmways using the identical email you received.
Just received this email. Does it look legit?
image001.jpg
Dear Rossana,
This is Miranda Fox, a Production Manager from Filmways Pictures Agency. We came across your material "The Perfect Tenant" in our pursuit of a qualified piece for our partnership program for the International film rights acquisition project for the year 2021.
We have identified fresh and timely concepts embedded in the framework of your piece that is in demand of our target market. The evaluation report from the Editorial Board shows exceptional remarks that made you qualify for our preliminary screening. We hope to carry on with the assessment by checking some technical aspects and rights ownership to fully check your eligibility for our program.
Filmways Pictures LTD is a UK-based film and multimedia advertising agency. We specialize in media, internet advertising, screenplay licensing, and rights management services. We have acquired a vast network of decision-makers from the film and literary industry due to our strict compliance with International Standards for Entertainment and Literacy Rights Management. Please visit us at https://www.filmwayspictures.com to know more about us.
You can reach me at +1-888-214-1757 ext. 639 or, you may also respond to this email with your contact details and the best time for a quick call.
I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.
I get emails and phone calls exactly the way described. They all have heavy foreign accents (heavier than mine) but use names like "Tom Stevenson".
Filmways Pictures was a real production company founded in 1952, as the current Filmways website claims. However, it no longer exists: it was acquired by Orion in 1982 and lost its name. The current Filmways (a scam, as you point out–I caught the stock photos too) has appropriated the name and logo of the original company, as well as some of its origin narrative.
I've heard from a number of people who got the identical email. Given the website's focus on "sponsorships", my guess is that writers are told they must fund the difference in cost between the purported whole price of creating a screenplay, and the "sponsorship" amount supposedly defrayed by Filmways. No doubt thousands of dollars are involved.
Got this the other day (clipped below). I went on their website and did a Google image search on all the pictured personnel, including the Victoria Powell person writing to me. Not surprisingly, all the images I searched for their executives and staff were stock photos from a variety of sources. I will say their website is pretty slick.
The scammers are out there for sure. What novelist wouldn't get excited about the possibility of having their work adapted for film?
Be on your guard!
Film2.JPG
Dear XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX,
This is Victoria Powell, a Production Manager from Filmways Pictures Agency. We came across your material "XXXXXXXXXXXXX" on our pursuit of a qualified piece for our sponsorship program for the International film rights acquisition submission for the year 2021.
We have identified fresh and timely concepts embedded in the framework of your piece that is in demand of our target market. The evaluation report from the Editorial Board shows exceptional remarks that made you qualify for our preliminary screening.
We hope to carry on with the assessment by first validating the ownership of the rights and some legalities concerning this material. I also need to know any achievements or milestones within your writing journey to help me better assess and identify your degree of sponsorship grant. Moreover, I would also need to check some materials that you may already have that can be of use for this project so then we’ll be to customized an effective project scheme suitable for its subject and target market. I feel that a phone appointment would be extremely beneficial to launch a strong project momentum.
I prefer you respond to this email with your contact details and a convenient time for a phone call so I may appropriately book our appointment. Generally, I am available around 4 pm to 7 pm Ruislip UK time (GMT+1) at 1-888-214-1757 ext. 189.
We look forward to building a strong business relationship in the future.
Best Regards,
VP SIG 2.JPG
WHO WE ARE
Filmways Pictures LTD is a UK-based film and multimedia advertising agency. We specialized in independent film productions, media, and internet advertising, screenplay licensing, and rights management service. We have acquired a vast network of decision-makers from the film and literary industry due to our strict compliance with International Standards for Entertainment and Literacy Rights Management. Please visit us at https://www.filmwayspictures.com to know more about us.
About Us | FAQs | Submissions | Latest News
TaleFlick isn't a scam, IMO; the question is more whether it's worth the money for what you get.
They do provide a page of books that have apparently been optioned, but based on the news articles provided on the website, it looks like most of the options are by TaleFlick itself. Founder Uri Singer is a genuine film producer–if a small one–but TaleFlick looks to me like mainly a pool of content in which Singer himself is finding properties. I don't see a lot of evidence that other filmmakers and studios are using it.
Tale Flicks? Anybody?
Sketchy shit with them too I hear.
Indies are the new Gold Rush folks. We're being MINED.
They're f**king relentless, aren't they?