Time for Another Round of TOKYOPOP and its Creators
Today’s Journalista opens up with an interesting quote from Nick Acs, creator of Panda Girls, which is currently being developed into a feature-length anime movie. Apparently he originally considered taking it to TOKYOPOP.
I was offered a deal for Panda Girls from Tokyopop around the time when the were starting their OEM movement. The offer was 20k to do 120 page manga volume. I would get a small percentage off book sales - but what was most disturbing was what they termed “the cap”. They really pushed hard that they were entering into the anime film/tv producing arena, and with these OEMs they were looking for source material to adapt. But then they would come back with the contract, and any money the film/tv production earned (or any earnings from other medium - as the contract stipulated), would have a financial “cap”. Meaning, I might get a total payout of X, even if the film made XXX,XXX,XXX.
Now, I hear all sorts of numbers thrown about in terms of what Tpop pays– someone recently suggested $0.50/page –and clearly $20k for 120 pages is more than that (it’s about $167 a page). But a cap on the money from a film or TV does seem pretty shitty for the creator.
There’s more from Acs– and others –in the discussion that inspired it over at Comix Talk, including several people who are sympathetic to Tpop’s position, even as they agree that these kinds of deals suck for creators.
…But maybe we’re tired of hearing about this?
Tags: nick acs, panda girls, TOKYOPOP