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| Don't be afraid of the jungle out there. |
So you do the usual - you copyright, you register, you mail to yourself, etc. Here's one link - or google "register screenplay" or "protect screenplay" and you'll quickly have all the options. It all makes good sense and yes, I also registered my first bunch of spec scripts with the WGA. It gave me a sense of security as I marched into the jungle. But I've come to relax about it - in fact, I'm not worried about it at all these days. If I feel like sharing a script or talking about an idea - I do so, period.
Look, here's the rub. For one thing, why should Hollywood or any independent producer rip off your story if they can cheaply option or buy it? Trust me, those guys are not spending their business days trying to find ways of making their job even harder than it already is. If they see something they like, they'll tell you so and won't bother stealing it. For another thing - stealing a screenplay isn't as easy as it sounds.
But let's assume there's this evil-minded producer who just takes the essence of your story and has another writer create something new from it ... well, let's face it - this happens every day. Ideas are free. What makes your idea within your script so great is the way you've written it - that cannot be copied - it's your voice and producers are looking for original voices - and are more than willing to pay for those original voices.
Like I said, I understand the concerns. And yet I would hope that writers learn to give up that fear. Look - it's great that you believe in your script - you should! But that someone would steal it is highly unlikely. By being fearful and keeping your scripts and ideas to yourself you end up not making tons of potentially highly useful connections. It's called networking! I say stop worrying, do talk about your ideas, do share your scripts and from that, good things will come. You'll be remembered as the writer with the great ideas. You'll be thought of as the engaging dude. You'll be mentioned as the bright mind. And even IF someone were to rip off an idea of yours - so what - you'll have a thousand others - move on!
All in all, fear can block you. So open up, get out there - engage!
- PS1: Trust your gut - if you're really absolutely certain that your idea is one in a gazillion, then by all means protect it before you talk about it. But seriously now, is your idea really that unique? Isn't the uniqueness more often than not in what a writer's done with an idea?
- PS2: If you plan on collaborating with another writer - even if it's a best friend - write an agreement that makes you equal partners. Both of you sign it - then you forget about it and get on with your screenwriting adventure.
2 comments:
As ever you're right, oh wise one. A good writer will have many great ideas, though not necessarily at the same time. Another tip: never pitch 12 ideas at once. It makes you look like a desperate snake oil salesman and, mathematically, it means at least 11 ideas will hit the dust at once. Wasteful. Less is more.
And writers should always remember zeitgeist. The reason someone might have had the same idea as you is they inhabit the same planet. Race ya to a Royal Wedding rom com!
That's a great thing to remember, Gail - not over-pitching. Far better to wait and listen.
As for ideas - yeah - no doubt you're like me, a stack of ideas collected over time - ideas we can pull out anytime we think there's a home for them.
Now for that royal wedding rom com race ... nah, I'll let you take that one. Unless, of course, we can have some serial killing in there somewhere :-)
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