Anything Goes : Hello! by Thomas Moore

Hey, Thomas Moore. I'm doing fine. How are you? What are you working on?

Nothing, currently, apart from trying to get my script made or get an agent or a manager.

Maurice Vaughan And I'm okay.

Welcome, Thomas!

Welcome! Love Dorset! Would love to know more about what you are working on.

What genre is your script, Thomas Moore?

You can pitch to managers, executives, etc. through Stage 32's Pitch Sessions (www.stage32.com/scriptservices/pitch-sessions).

You can also post your script in the Logline Section of your profile. Producers and other industry professionals search Stage 32 for projects. If your script is on your profile, they might see it.

Maurice Vaughan My worry with that is that my idea will be "stolen" and someone in a position higher up will be able to write their own script based on my idea. I don't want to see that happen.

Thomas, register your script. Since you're in the UK, not sure if you would do it through the U.S. Copyright office, or your own copyright office, but do that before sharing your idea. After that, share it. It's extremely rare for someone to take the time to go through other people's loglines and steal their idea. The only way to sell your story is to share it. I like to have people sign Non-Disclosure Agreements, so I have a paper trail of everyone I've sent my script and pitch deck to, but I'm fine with sharing my loglines.

Thomas Moore: I agree with Maureen Mahon. Register your script before sharing it. You can register it with the Copyright Office in your country or the U.S. Copyright Office (https://www.copyright.gov/registration/performing-arts/index.html).

Ideas can't be copyrighted, but treatments, show bibles, scripts, etc. can (https://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-protect.html). Also read the pdf in the first page on that webpage (click "What Works Are Protected" to read the pdf).

Don't let the fear of someone stealing your script keep you from sharing it. If a producer, production company, etc. stole your script, they would have legal issues to deal with and stealing your script would impact their reputation. It's easier and less headache for a producer, production company, etc. to buy your script than steal it.

Maurice Vaughan If I make some additions or tweaks to my script will I need to resubmit it to the copyright office or because most of it is the same I'll still be protected? And thankyou so much for the support, I really appreciate it.

Maureen Mahon Thankyou very much for your suggestion.

You're welcome, Thomas Moore. On the Registering a Work page (https://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-register.html), it says:

How much do I have to change in my own work to make a new claim of copyright?

You may make a new claim in your work if the changes are substantial and creative, something more than just editorial changes or minor changes. This would qualify as a new derivative work. For instance, simply making spelling corrections throughout a work does not warrant a new registration, but adding an additional chapter would. See Circular 14, Copyright Registration in Derivative Works and Compilations, for further information.

Here are two articles about the topic:

https://pacittilawfirm.com/when-do-i-need-to-reregister-my-script-with-t...

https://zernerlaw.wordpress.com/2016/07/12/everything-you-need-to-know-a...

Maurice Vaughan After reading one of the articles, it seems that things I would want to change wouldn't make a big enough difference. However, I think I'm still going to go over my script and finalise things before submitting. I've received some feedback from the final draft big break contest and it was really helpful and taught me a lot about how to write scripts.

I think that's a great idea to go over your script and finalize things before submitting, Thomas. Best to you on getting your script made or getting an agent or manager.

Thomas, I register the script as soon as it's done and when I (inevitably) make changes, I don't re-register it. It's still the same story, which is what you're protecting (as opposed to the lines you may have added or subtracted in the next draft). I also register my treatment, so the story is protected there as well.