Screenwriting : To post or not to post. That is the question. by Frank Baruch

I think the people who post their entire screenplays on this site do not want to buy or pay for the services offered on this site, in hopes someone will like their content and rep them, but I doubt this happens. I have never ever posted my scripts on any sites nor do I send my scripts to contests. Because anyone can steal anything or use your content. ' And yes Loglines and Synopsis are enough - I do not know any producers who will read scripts on someone's profile because of the legality of it. Basically, it is unsolicited materials! Have a great Friday Frank Baruch

Thanks for the sound advice, Kacee! You as well!

Hi Frank, here's some sound advice from an NYU Film school professor regarding registering your work. It's cheap and easy to do. https://youngscreenwriters.com/heres-how-to-protect-your-script-do-this-before-you-submit/

Thanks Lisa! I'm glossing over the link right now.

My opinion, fwiw, is that everyone would like to be discovered, but mixing creativity with business practices like outreach can really kill the mood for a writer. As I channel surf trying to find the movie that will appease my own entertainment needs, the gaps in between good movies that has me watching junk has got me publishing my blog with film script scenes that I hope to see produced (preferably with my pseudonym somewhere in the credits).

Thanks Rico! I can see where you're coming from. It's hard balancing business acumen with a social media presence. Everyone would like to be discovered, but the reality is only 2% of us might actually make it.

I posted a script here and at Script Revolution and was contacted by a producer who wanted permission to include my script on a shopping list to a studio. He wanted some changes, I did a rewrite, and signed an agreement for 30 days. It didn't get picked, ok, but it does happen.

Congrats Bill! It's definitely a step in the right direction. I'll have to give Script Revolution a look.

I have my scripts posted AND I have paid for many services here on Stage 32 - from pitches to phone consultations. I sold a script on Script Rev, and have a meeting next week on another that was found here on stage 32. IMHO I think the more places you are visible, the better.

One reason to put a script on here is if a producer (director, actor, etc.) likes the story from the logline and synopsis, they can download the script right away and read it.

Nice work Jerry! I'm very selective about where I post my scripts, not because I've heard stories of plagiarism, but I have heard that a lot of executives and producers won't consider posted work. It seems that's not the case for everyone. I appreciate the advice!

Thanks for the tip, Maurice! I suppose it does make it easier for the executive, but my question now is what's stopping the (Producer, Director, Actor) from just contacting me directly and requesting the script?

Time, Frank Baruch. It might take hours or days for a person to reply to a producer, director, etc. If the script is already on the page, they can download it in seconds.

Maurice Vaughan. Good point!

Frank Baruch I've had several producers consider my posted work - on script Revolution for the most part, and the one from here. Some have led to options. Do whatever you are comfortable with though.

Nobody real in this biz will bother with plagiarism. And the wannabees won't have the resources to do anything with a script they "steal."

And - I'm sorry, but gonna be a bit harsh here - is your script so compelling, so awesome, that somebody would want to steal it? Not likely.

Of course you'll hear stories about writers taking producers to court - media outlets have to sensationalize this to get eyeballs, so their advertisers pay them. But consider the HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of scripts written every year, and you'll see that stealing is very, very, VERY rare.

Lotta "do as I say, don't do as I do" in this sorta work...make your own moves, sponge other experiences (read mistakes), I'm doin a triage, some are for a public eye (got optioned that way, btw) some higher concepts are for trusted circle of directors, producers I've already worked with...bottom line u cannot gain reputation over loglines and outlines...script shows what you can actually do, gotta surface sooner or later, u wanna be taken seriously...

John Ellis, are you posing a hypothetical or asking me personally? Because I never claimed to have the best scripts in the world. To harken Kiril's post, some are high concept and some I wouldn't mind parting with. I was just seeing where most screenwriters stand on this topic.

Most professional screenwriters don't sell specs to make a living; they survive year after year by writing someone else's idea/concept/paid assignments.

Dan MaxXx, I agree! It seems the only writers that ever sell spec scripts are the ones who are already established in the industry, work in a writer's room or have a big enough income to independently produce their own work. And even then, it's not guaranteed.

Frank Baruch dunno, the movie theater business is currently screwed/tanking by a global pandemic. I used to go to movies 8 to 10x a month.

As for actual $$$ money-income, I am happy for two writer-friends who are officially staffed on network shows. WGA union pay. Both TV rookies, don't live in Los Angeles (yet), and both used their specs to get job interviews with decision makers (ppl hiring).

Dan MaxXx, as sad as it is, I can't help but agree. It seems like the industry is slowly moving towards streaming services and away from the audience experience.

Interesting! So, it is possible. Just not very probable. I suppose it's humbling to know that a least some people are making it.

for television/streamers, lots of new ppl are getting their first legit paying jobs!

Interesting thread! I definitely plan to check out Script Revolution. As for streaming vs theater, I like the convenience of being able to stream anything at any time of day; but I really hope it doesn't kill theaters. I don't think anything beats the experience of going to a theater to see a movie you've been looking forward to.

Thank you, Lisa! I figured it was a topic a lot of screenwriters were curious about. Personally, I miss the theatre experience. I guess the best we can do is stay optimistic.

Plagiarism isn’t a thing. No one steals work. And the people that do steal work are like a monkey stealing a tourists camera, annoying, but they won’t do anything with it.

There are 1,000,000 hopeful screenwriters. If a producer spent just 2 minutes asking each one for a sample that would be 2,000,000 minutes or that is 7.5 years if they work 12 hours a day 7 days a week. Then they have to read it all.

Or you can publish your work. People read it (it is good), it develops some hype around it and a producer has it recommended to them.

You can choose between those two scenarios.

Stallone was accused of stealing Rocky story. He/studio settled privately with accuser. Stallone has done okay in his life :) ... and the accuser? Nobody knows his name and the biopic made of a real-life Rocky boxer wasnt good as make-believe Rocky movie.

Dan MaxXx, I think the "nobody" was Chuck Wepner himself.

And Stallone said he was inspired to write Rocky after watching Wepner vs. Ali

Wepner was the best combination "boxer/liquor salesman/delivery driver" in the world.

Dash Riprock, Lol. Quite the resume.

Frank Baruch sorry, I think I read your OP wrong, and apologize for off-topic the comments.

"Gets off his soapbox now..." :)

Frank. The odds of selling a screenplay anywhere is more like 0.00025%. The odds of someone stealing one and selling it is a lot more would be even less. So I don't worry about it. Specs are mainly used as writing samples, so posting it here might help you get hired if that's your goal.

John Ellis, No hard feelings.

Dan Guardino, I agree. Personally, I'm very realistic and don't have any aspirations of getting picked up off this platform, at least without having used the script services or placed in film festivals beforehand. That's just wishful thinking.

Dan M, studios settle stupid claims privately because it if cheaper than court. My wife was sent $8000 by our council when she told she tripped on a broken pavement. She just wanted them to fix it. She isn’t dumb, she signed the agreement and cashed the cheque. They are sued that often, they just send money. Much like studios I am guessing.

Frank. I never paid for any script services or entered film festivals, so I don’t have an opinion if they are worth it or not.

One thing I did do that seemed to work pretty well for me was attaching a couple of directors to two of my screenplays.

After reading some responses here, I decided to post my screenplay “The Devil is in the Details” on here and on the Script Revolution website. The one here has a link to my Pitch Deck on the Script Revolution website. I doubt much will happen, but after talking to my writing partner, we decided to go ahead and try to sell it if someone wanted to buy it.

I have been asking myself this question for some time now. The answers are really interesting. Thanks for bringing this up! :)

Much obliged, Evelyne. I agree. There's a whole treasure trove of feedback on this one.