Screenwriting : Coverfly by Emiliya Ahmadova

It is not safe to make your script public, anywhere. Assuming you are talking about either or both of (a) copyright infringement or (b) people stealing your idea and making their own based off it.

There's no right or wrong answer. It's all about the amount of risk you're willing to take on in a bid to gain exposure you feel is valuable.

I literally owe my career to having my scripts available to read on demand. I did that via my website when everyone told me it was madness.

Before Script Revolution went to a read request system, there were over 180,000 downloads without any report of outright IP theft.

I've been active in screenwriting communities for ten years now and all I've ever heard about are students using free short scripts without permission because they didn't realise they should ask first.

What's weird is that the very same people who'll tell you nobody wants spec scripts and they are nothing more than a portfolio to prove your craft skills are the same people that will tell you to covet them like you're sitting on a million dollars. Huh.

Believe me, it's just words on pages. The second it's shared with anyone, friend, mentor, consultant, agent, manager, producer, whatever, it's out there and impossible to stop being shared. May as well out-compete the writers who still think this is the 90's.

To expand on this, I do know of three high profile cases of IP theft.

First was a woman who co-developed a script with her partner that was based a lot on her personal life. After they divorced, he managed to get the script produced and took sole screenwriting credit. She was able to prove she contributed much of the content and won her case.

Second is a guy who's recently watched his script release as a produced movie he knew nothing about. Turns out he shared his script with someone linked to the production and can prove everything. I can't share details but that one's looking exciting.

Third was a close friend of mine who had a script circulating in a studio and a couple of people decided to cut him out and rip him off. Movie got made with most of the script intact and won an award at Sundance. He only had WGA registration.

All of these happened within the system rather than outside it where people believe they have the money and power to crush writers.

One of the most engrossing stories about blatant IP theft has to be what Lynda Obst went through when she won the rights to adapt Crisis In The Hot Zone. Well worth reading up on.

The most recent high profile one I can remember is the writer of Yesterday, Jack Barth. He sold his script (so I assume he got paid) but he wasn't credited as the writer. Richard Curtis was. While this is not 'theft' per se, it should serve to highlight that writers need to be very wary of the clauses in the contract they sign. Jack got a 'story by' credit and Curtis got the 'written by' credit.

None of this should serve to make you paranoid, rather cautious, and open about sharing your work. As CJ pointed out, you accept the risk, protect yourself by registering your work and do your due diligence in the people you network with, and share your writing. Film is a collaborative medium after all.

Forgot about the Richard Curtis one. The writer went into a lot of detail about in an article somewhere. I think the credit cut him out of royalties.

There was some stuff around James Franco and the guy that originally adapted The Disaster Artist.

Sure, safe if you wanna show writing samples for paid jobs/employers looking for cheap new writers; probably bad to post a script you are planning to make yourself

Absolutely! Know what you're trying to achieve and where you stand in the big scheme of things.

Disagree, Geno. For example, I post a lot of my scripts at CJ's site, Script Revolution, and it has led to interest from producers and/or directors. As a result, I currently have a shopping agreement with.a director and just last week another contacted me via the site.

Awesome news, Eric. Congrats on that.

I'm confused. Why would limiting content to just a logline result in hundreds more sales? Every industry member I know is calling out for more information up front so they don't have to commit to reading an entire script.

I have one on Coverfly that is "discoverable" and I am contacted if anyone requests to read it. There's that option.

Eoin - that was common in the way-past. We would sell a script, it would be rewritten and we didn't get a 'credit' for it. As long as the check was good, I didn't care. I know several other writers who were like me - we wrote for money, not for credits.

Is your script safe on any public/private platform? I'd have to say no (depending on your definition of 'safe') - if you lock it away in a drawer and never speak about; it'll be safe. But that sort of defeats the purpose, doesn't it? I guess I'm still stuck in the old days when crooks were not so common.

Again, I'm confused, Geno. How is you willing to bet something the proof in the pudding? That's a complete speculation, is it not?

For what it's worth, all the Script Revolution success stories I've been notified about can be found here.

I'm enormously proud of these considering Script Revolution is free and only launched in 2016. No PR. No advertising. All word of mouth. Literally just me behind the scenes doing everything while also making films.

If InkTip generates more results, great. I'm not in competition with anybody. That's more opportunities for screenwriters and I bring a free option to the table.

I'm just trying to get my head around the claim that providing less information on a script (or no script at all) somehow should result in a higher rate of success. This goes against everything I've seen first hand as someone who's built up platform of over 12,000 users and 11,000 scripts.

Anyway, you don't have to post a full script to Script Revolution. You can simply post a listing. I'm not sure where some of this is coming from, if I'm honest. Are you sure you're looking at the correct website?

I have to admit that I am nervous about making my scripts public on forums/websites. Someone could easily steal your work and make it their own. The stories you hear are frightening.

I disagree Doug Nelson. I am writing for a paycheck and credit. A webinar I attended explained, that in your contract, you should have a clause that you will receive the writing credit and if any changes to the script need to be made, it should be made by you. If I am so lucky to have a script considered for production, I will use this advice.

No sane production company is going to let themselves be held over the barrel by a writer who wants a guaranteed "written by credit" and exclusive rights to make any changes.

Not trying to be mean here. That's just not good business on their part so that's not how it tends to work. WGA rules alone prohibit it.

The balance is somewhere in the middle with a "story by" credit locked in and first refusal on doing the initial rewriting.

Unlike CJ I am all over shameless self promotion. Here is a link to a video explaining my people will not steal your screenplay.

https://youtu.be/sSWPtl3qgLk

Gino, if you are so connected why are you here? Would it be to drum up business? Since you are a script consultant.

Would telling scary stories and promising access to your contact list serve as a business strategy? I am just asking the question.

What movie was made from your work? The truth and fact would defend you against any legal action being taken. Can I get the name?

If people can’t be bothered looking at the success stories from SR, I have sold two through there and build a nice network overseas. I use it to host my scripts, I believe it is better than sending a Google Drive link.

I only make my scripts available upon request. This way I have a full record of who gets it. In fact, some sites actually discourage you from placing a full script on their site to be made public. When I had a pitch recently to a Producer, one of the highly recommended things I was asked to do was to make sure it was registered with U.S. Copyright Office, which I always do.

This is a good information from all of you. Thank you all. I do agree that making script public is not a good idea. I will just keep it private and only share it while submitting it to the competitions. Yes, I do copyright my each work with US copyright office. Thank you for mentioning Credit. I have never thought about it. Yes, I would prefer to get both credit and a paycheck. I prefer to be acknowledged for my hard work. I will check out two mentioned websites and might only post a logline.

Anytime someone reads your screenplays there is a slight chance someone could use your idea to write their own. Outright theft of a screenplay is rare. Personally I wouldn't worry if you registered it with the LoC. One of the best defenses is to write so many screenplays that it won't put you out of business if it happened to you. Good luck.

Dan at times it is just demotivating to write especially when you are not seeing expected results. Yet, I am planning to write a comedy.

Vikki - I'm saying that's the way it was in the way back days before the internet when we sent hard copy scripts out by snail mail. They were printed on 3-hole punched paper with only 2 #5 brass brads. There were a lot fewer script scribes out there and we pretty much knew each other. Honor and honesty was pretty much in vogue at the time.

I am sorry Geno. I was taking at your word. Since you describe yourself as a script consultant. See the screenshot of your profile.

Emiliya. Good luck with your comedy.

Yeah, I'm totally confused,

Looking at Geno's "The Script Mentor" website, he sells writing services to people with concept ideas and delivers a complete script. Basically a writing assignment. But this costs $7,999 with a money back guarantee if the script doesn't make the quarterfinalist in one of ten screenwriting competitions.

Why would someone who ghostwrites for a-list talent and have some of the most powerful producer credits in the industry be selling bargain basement writing services to amateur screenwriters via PayPal?

Also;

Mirror Lake - 21 producers

Black Salt - 32 producers

The Girl at The End of The World - 101 producers

Debris - 193 producers!

These are crowd funded films where you get a credit for helping funding. You can look up their campaigns still.

Debris - Associate Producer credit for $50 or Executive Producer credit for $100

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/debris-short-horror-film#/

Geno, I literally complimented your achievements, however minor, in the other thread and you called me a bully for doing that.

I cannot win here. I was simply trying to get to the bottom of these odd credit attributions and the disconnect with claims made elsewhere.

Out of respect for other members and the tone this is bringing to the lounge, I'm ducking out at this point. We know how this dance goes and we know it goes on for a while. See you guys on the other side LOL!

Geno Scala. Your comment here has nothing to do with the subject.

Emiliya: The short answer is yes, it's safe. With the mass of spec scripts written every year, your chance of work being stolen is extremely remote. Copyright your screenplay and don't spend too much time worrying about theft. If "an industry type" requests your script, do your homework regarding their credits, and then actively seek legit people to read your work. Good luck and have fun.

Hi Phillip. Thank you for your advice. Do you mean to only work with those who have credits? I dont know if anyone will be contacting me . No one sees my scripts unless I enter them into competitions.

I recently made mine discoverable. I’m curious how the search functions look ok now their industry side.

I have industry access. It's an impressive interface. Lots of curation along with various search tools.

Okay to post loglines, but I recommend controlling to whom you release your scripts, and that you keep a detailed record of who those people are.

Lol! Holy moly was this thread entertaining! The likelihood of someone stealing your screenplay off of Coverfly is about as slim as any of us getting our work produced through virtual repositories. I'd advise against it until you have a catalogue of high concept and low concept work, some of which you wouldn't mind parting with pro bono. I think a lot of writers tend to put too much stock in their work as something sacred, but I could really care less if someone stole my ideas. I'd actually be flattered that someone considered my work good enough to plagiarize.

Frank - I'm with you; I'm flattered that someone finds my work to be worthy of stealing. All they got to do is write/rewrite it in a compelling manor that meets/exceeds my standards. I have several award winning scripts that I'll gladly give away to anyone who has the ability to produce them - hell, I'll even help 'em.

Always copyright your work with the federal copyright office before sending it out or posting it. It's about $45 to help you sleep better and well worth it.

Emiliya Ahmadova I agree, but those goals are usually to make a profit. Agents don't represent writers because they have a good heart and a good message, it's because they are marketable and sitting on a catalogue of marketable work. Nobody is advising you to make your screenplay public if you feel it is a high concept, but you need to prepare for the reality that screenwriting WILL NOT pay your tuition. I think 99% of writers on this platform have full-time occupations and pursue screenwriting as a side hustle. I currently hold 2 jobs.

Yes, I do agree that script must be marketable. Since writing is my passion I write good stories. I have full time job as well. Thats why I cannot write as much as I want. I try to help the poor whenever I can. Today as I was coming back home from the work I saw Spanish people walking on the road. They were asking for help. I wanted to give them some change but couldn't stop on the road. I reached home and then rushed to the gym. As I was going back home I saw them again walking on the road. I quickly run inside and picked some toys as well as grocery products. Since they were far I run towards them and gave them all of that.

Emiliya Ahmadova That was a very nice thing to do. I live in California where the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer while our politicians virtue signal from their million-dollar mansions about how our state has no money to solve the homelessness, substance abuse and crime plaguing our big cities. A State with some of the highest inflation, one of the highest business taxes and some of the lowest paying occupations. But at least the weather is nice year-round.

Would anyone be interested in a thread about marketing? Not adverting - promoting. But understanding markets. For us that would be the film market.

Yes, Craig.

Hi Frank. It happens everywhere. People should remember nothing is permanent in this world. Also our actions and choices will determine the finale destination of the soul. Perhaps some rich people never knew hunger, poverty therefore life didn't humble them neither teach humility. and love for others.

Craig. That would be interesting.

Okay, I’ll draft something.

Emiliya Ahmadova Personally, I wouldn't put my work into the public, just in case, and because I'd guard my work with my life in case anyone steals it. Having said that, I know a few who have, and have nothing but praise for the fact.

It’s advised that if you do that make sure to copyright it to protect your intellectual property. You can do that on the Writer’s Guild website wga.org or .com

Meghan Anderson. The WGA doesn’t offer that much protections, so you are better off registering with the LoC.

Hi Meghan, I am not saying there is a bogey man. I believe that no one worth knowing steals. But registering is the first step. You must also be willing to defend it. No one monitors it for you. But having these proofs of ownership is a must if you every have to stop someone from using your work.

I agree with you Craig .Registration is good. I always register my work with US copyright office.