Screenwriting : Screen play by Shane Kelly Davis

Hi Shane. First, congratulations! My advice if wishing to sell would be to get professional review of your spec script -- is it indeed market ready? You may need to do some rewrites. Most scripts need fine tuning. Or you could also enter it into a few contests, simply as a gauge -- how does your script compare? Some screenwriting competitions offer judge's feedback for additional cost. And... Keep writing! Keep going! Start another screenplay. One's writing improves with each script. Plus if you wish for representation, you will need a body of work. ;) As far as copyright, you already have instant, immediate protections under "copyright" as the original writer of a fixed work, i.e., a screenplay. You may certainly register your claim of copyright with the LOC. Registering is common. Factual information about copyright is readily available online. ;) Hope that helps!

Everything Beth said, plus some competition give free (brief) feedback after submitting like Bluecat, Austin and Nichols...although I recommend getting feedback before submitting...good luck!

Congrats! Now, rewrite it before even thinking about sending it out. Once it's polished to a nice bright shine register it with the WGA for $25.

Congrats Shane. I know a lot of hard work and long hours want into your screenplay. My advice is what Ian said...again Congrats

I would advise not to register with WGA. It seems a waste of money and it has no legal standing. Whereas registering a claim of copyright does have legal standing in a court of law. You must register a claim should you ever need to bring a law suit, but the chances of that need are quite rare. And a WGA registration only lasts for 5 years. They purge their database without notification. Again, just the act of writing and creating a fixed work, like a screenplay, gives you instant, immediate protection under "copyright" which lasts your lifetime plus 70 years. Hell, even John August thinks the WGA registration makes no sense and needs to end or be restructured, certainly for those who are not members. Of course, to each their own. But my two cents, if you are operating within a fixed budget you could put that allocated WGA money to much better use. Towards something that actually helps your writing. Something tangible. ;)

Beth, I never knew they (WGA) purged their system. What a great tid-bit to know. Thank you. That definitely changes my perspective on things. it is another double edged sword. I had an Agency represent my work (Screenplay - spec script) and would not except it with it being registered with WGA. Beth as I always say you are a walking library.

My advice is to edit it at least 5 times, then put it in a drawer and start your next one. You won't get good at screenwriting until you write about ten- give or take. When you hear about "first-time" screenwriters making it on their first script- what they mean is the first screenplay that was sold- not wrote.

Hm, WGA purges their system? Crap! Ah well. It's also true that if you sell to a big producer they will require your membership in the WGA (not sure why, but I've read this a few places). I can't afford to 'register' with the LOC right now, so it's comforting to read Beth's words, above. Shane, everybody's advice here is great, so follow it. Put it in a drawer for a while, get started on a new project, and when you're ready take it out again in a few months. Read it with fresh eyes, pay for a professional to give you notes, and get ready to 'kill your darlings' if necessary.

Hi, Robert. You're welcome! I'm glad that helped. The tidbits of information I shared are located on both the WGA and LOC websites — just peruse the FAQ sections. ;) About agencies or production companies or screenwriting contests not accepting work that has not been registered with the LOC... That's pretty common. Keep in mind your registration legally protects them too—from you. It provides an "official" date of possession with an objective, third party. ;)

Copyright, once again! New writers seem to be paranoid that there are predatory producers lurking behind every tree waiting to ambush the unwary. IT JUST AIN'T SO!

Anything you commit to writing is automatically your copyrighted material (proving ownership is the issue). For that, you can submit your writings to the U.S. Copyright Office (consider de-facto proof of ownership). Registering your script with the WGA certainly doesn't do any harm but it is writer specific in regards to inter-film industry squabbles (it's called the WRITER"S Guild for a reason). Okay, so you're covered.

Now, about those predatory producers - there ain't none. Think about it; there are some 30K - 50K new scripts floating around every year (what are the odds of you even getting yours read?). If some Producer really wants your script (unlikely), he'll just buy it. It's a whole lot cheaper than for him to have to defend himself in a court of law - even if he wins. The professional film industry is pretty small and tight knit so any producer misbehaving soon finds himself on the outside.

Remember too, you can not copyright an idea - only the writing of that idea. So my advice to screenwriters is...'don't worry, be happy & get on with your writing.

Sarah, my guess... that big producer is probably a Guild signatory Company, so they must work with WGA members or have other specific considerations—I believe? And just to let you know... a simple, single registration (one claimant, not for hire) only costs $35 with LOC. And no need to renew, unlike WGA—$25 every 5 years. So a writer working alone, writing a spec screenplay can register a claim of copyright for that one fixed work for $35. And do it online. Easy peasy. One and done. ;)

Doug, no paranoia in this thread, just questions and sharing information. Thanks for sharing more. ;)

Oh, and I agree, Doug. "Don't worry, be happy & get on with your writing." Well said!

Sarah. I don’t know where you read that but If the Production company is a WGA Signatory, they can buy a screenplay from anyone they want and hire anyone they want but they must pay the WGA Minimum. WGA Registration can be used as admissible evidence in court but if you win you might not be rewarded compensatory damages or attorney fees.

never been screwed by Producers, but screwed plenty by their Lawyers and fees. Show Biz folks hire professional lawyers to legally own your script/movies. The average movie takes 5 years to make. Nobody's stealing a script and rushing it into production. Try selling a finished movie. There's a stack of paperwork to turn in, from chain of Title to Errors and Omissions policy - a bunch of legal fees.

Stop worrying about copyright. Write something worthy to print on paper.

Sigh... You don't "go get" copyright. You already have it—a common misconception. Copyright protections are immediate, the moment you write a fixed work. What you are doing is registering a claim of copyright—the work is in your possession. Of course, all dated digital files, postings of work, printed work, etc, etc, etc, create evidence of "ownership" too. Ironically, the more you share your work the more evidence you create that it is indeed yours. Any lawyer will tell you that. Get the facts. No need for paranoia. Write. Create. ;)

Thanks, Beth. Great info!

Nobody stole Harry Potter and JK Rowling wrote it old school - a typewriter and paper mailed to publishers.

Shane, other things to consider, if you wish to sell your work, are sharing and pitching. You can certainly post your script on your S32 profile page for peer review. Or just post a logline—whatever you are comfortable sharing. There are other sites to post work: InkTip, SimplyScripts, Script Revolution, etc. Pitching is a whole other skill set. Under "Happy Writers" in the top menu bar, then click pitch sessions, see a link at the bottom of left side column. The link is a pdf of tips or typical expectations for both a written or verbal pitch. Certainly good information. Again, I concur with most in this thread... Get professional review, be prepared for rewrites, and keep writing! Finishing a screenplay is a huge accomplishment. Hold your head high! Now roll up those sleeves and start writing another! Good Luck! :)))

I know it is rare someone will steal your screenplay. What isn’t so rare is someone might have something they wrote that is similar and shows up with a lawyer and sues the production company if it gets made.

It is all about transforming the idea into a story. Then attaining resources and ability is bring your screenplay to visual life. I am currently looking for such resources. Help is appreciated and will be awarded.

if you like, just pay your $20 to WGA west to register and upload your screenplay to them (this does NOT make you a WGA member tho.. you are going to have to fork out a lot more dollars for that to happen), , then file it with the library of congress for a small fee. you will feel better about copyright issues, altho some feel this is not needed. l;this will supposedly protect legally you from anybody "stealing your script", which very few, if anybody, really ever would do so. If you register with WGA west or such, DO NOT put the registration number on your cover page... it is THE hallmark of being branded with "gasp" the infamous "amateur " to do so... remember... copies of other writer's SPECIFIC in words work can be filed can be filed as copyright issues, as can T.M. issues as far as SPECIFIC NAMES as names go. but there is no law against having and writing about IDEAS... to include tribute derivative works. But I know nothing...