Billie Brannock's Lounge Discussions

to make a short story long , life is too short and there are vast oceans of ideas. dip your hook grab any one. make it a master piece. Any subject is a genius story. Haven't we all taken the challenge at some point that each person has a novel or a movie in them and while on the bus , in the mall, passing a school or passing a hospital, in a park, wherever . you see people no matter how plain simple and well commonplace boring and wonder what their novel is and then start to develop their story? Every single person is the lead character in some drama... editing is the key. where does the story start and end. as Patrick the Starfish said something like "Is everyone happy? if not, it is not the end" (comedy) or in Shakespearean tragedy , is there a body pile yet? then it is not the end

I appreciate everyone's positivity on this subject, but might I add one small personal insight? I not only had my exact script stolen but it was also used online to draw traffic to a foreign makeup company. What's truly upsetting is the individual not only used my name for the sale, but had the copyright date off by two years and rewrote parts of the short so badly it was embarrassing. This is likely why I tend to be less trusting or happily enthused about having my work stolen. But yes, I suppose it could be an ego boost to know someone wants to steal, change and take credit for my work over another, even if I didn't receive the paycheck in the long run. My concern is more about ethics and honesty than the loss of a script. Years ago it simply would not happen, but today it seems everyone enjoys some form of dishonesty, from stealing scripts to copying DVDs. This is more than about stealing or sharing an idea, it's about stealing the entire story and calling it yours. I agree about ideas. They're a dime a dozen. I'm way past that concept and onto a more ethical level. And God forbid if you do ever have that one in a million idea and opt to share it with someone who lacks the integrity and decency to not capitalize on it.

Thanks Lyse. Clearly you can see where I'm coming from, above and beyond being grateful or generous for someone stealing my material. As it is most of my small productions are done on a very 'generous' level where I pay for everything without consideration for any form of financial return. I film for the love of filming and not necessarily for the profit, so I do feel as if I am extremely 'giving' as it is without having my scripts or ideas stolen, regardless of the acceptance by the general majority of "That's how it is!" in this business. I don't feel that's how it should be and really, it's time writers bond together, put their foot down and stop this kind of dishonest plagiarism. I think I've turned the other cheek more than enough in this business. Let's renew a sense of pride and integrity in the entertainment field instead of entitlement, as you noted. Then we can all move forward confidently without concern of having our writing stolen and chat without worries about someone benefiting from our hard work. I chuckle at some of the interaction here as it seems most have not experienced losing a script to a dishonest individual or having a film credit stolen or unfairly shared by a producer/director. Once they have their open-mindedness will most definitely change--especially when it affects them personally and a lawyer is their only option, which I might add, most starving writers cannot afford. I am one for saying how it is and not looking at things through rose-colored glasses. Most don't want to hear these things, but reality is such that sometimes these things need to be said. But don't just hop on board and dispute a situation if the time hasn't been put into the art. Once you wear your heart on your sleeve and become honest with yourself and have really dedicated yourself to years of writing then you've earned the right to tap me on the shoulder and dispute my upset over plagiarism. Otherwise most newbies to this field may be better off just sticking to their 'everything is good' attitude and kissing backsides to climb their way up the entertainment ladder. I can honestly say I've earned my kudos every step of the way without any hand-outs or suck-ups. I sleep very well at night because of it, too. My crew is dedicated because I am determined to do things the right way and I don't hesitate to make my feelings clear. I'm also a very strong achiever and competitor in the field who works very hard as a writer. By setting that example I acquire great young individuals eager to follow the entertainment field and work with me. I can also trust them beyond a doubt with all my ideas, scripts, and big picture concepts. That's how it should be in this field. Sorry for the rant, but again, I tell it like it is and how I sincerely feel. I'm sure others feel the same way but fear stepping on toes. I don't!

Billie, from someone with the "years of writing" I am tapping you on the shoulder. 'it seems most have not experienced losing a script to a dishonest individual or having a film credit stolen or unfairly shared by a producer/director. Once they have their open-mindedness will most definitely change--especially when it affects them personally" Of course I have experienced it. I will blame the people that did it, find the ones I can trust. I am certainly NOT "grateful or generous for someone stealing my material." I said I was grateful for the exchange of ideas and love when my insights and input are incorporated in others' works. "have not experienced losing a script to a dishonest individual or having a film credit stolen or unfairly shared by a producer/director. Once they have their open-mindedness will most definitely change--especially when it affects them personally" I have certainly been affected personally but my openmindedness and attitude will not change because of a few small people. I was the same jerk before and I will be the same jerk after. I will not get bitter and spiteful because of what others do. my outlook is all about me and happiness is a choice. Do i vett people and check their reputation? sure . not doing so is not trusting , it is naive. experience , even bad experience, does not call for one to become bitter.

again scripts being stolen? that is matter for litigation. Ideas can not be stolen. People have "stolen" my ideas and their script was very different (and pales in comparison) from the one I wrote. So I love the comparison between the stolen idea and what I wrote.