On Writing : NDA for protection during draft reading period? by Lynelle Paulick

I've seen NDAs in the casting stage, but not the early reader stage when it's just a draft Lynelle Paulick. Most industry readers would be put off by that kind of request and it would likely keep your draft from moving forward.

Thanks, Ashley! I was thinking on a muuuuch smaller level ;) -- even when having, say, actor friends, people like me who often use audition material or scripts by others that are not produced, to work on personal craft...we were concerned that the smallest leak could turn into some big mistake. Is this silly of us?? Wow, I am definitely green at this...

It's never silly to wonder and ask! I'm so glad you reached out to the community and I hope you'll continue doing so. But the important thing to remember is that no one will ever write something the way that YOU write it, even if they're approaching the same concept. Plus, the material will likely change quite a bit from draft to draft. So don't be worried about making mistakes with sharing it, especially not with friends or people you know. Just trust your gut. =)

Hi Lynelle Paulick - very nice to meet you. I've never had anyone sign an NDA for a draft. Once my script is polished, I do register it with the US Copyright office. And I'm with Ashley on this, it's never silly to ask. It's why we're all here. Glad you're with us!

Yes, people have had readers sign NDAs. I generally discourage the practice.

I keep all my multiple draft levels. I don't allow anyone, except my wife, to read my first draft. The first pass is awful. At least mine is. My wife agrees. Anne LaMotte calls it the SFD. By the time I have the completed product ready for submission, I'll have anywhere from five to eight printed version in various stages. I think if anyone was going to steal my idea, then more power to them. I think I could prove it was mine originally. As they say: bad writers copy, good writers steal.