I have a question regarding the title page of a screenplay.  At the bottom right and left hand corners of the page I believe you are to insert your contact information and your copyright information respectively.  

My question is how do you place both sets of information on the same lines in a word document?  Do you have to have screenplay software to accomplish this?  If not please enlighten me.

Thanks.

You can right justify all of this information. Alternatively, you can right justify your copyright info one line above your left-justified contact info.

Thanks George.  I appreciate it.  

Not to rock the boat, but I think it's frowned upon to include your Writer's Guild or Library of Congress registration number unless specifically asked to.  

One, much like adding the number 1 to page one, it somewhat insults the reader's intelligence - you wouldnt' be sending the script to a studio/producer/agent unless it was copyrighted before hand so including the reg. number is redundant.  

Two, the likelihood of your script being ripped off by a studio/producer/exec is so minute that including your reg. number just isn't really necessary.  Why would a studio/producer/agent steal your script, produce the movie, run an ad campaign, distribute it, and make millions -- then have to turn around and give it all to you when you take them to court when it's easier and cheaper to just buy or option your script instead?  Yes, the copyright and reg. number exist for a reason, but so long as you have one, you won't need it unless asked.

Every product I've ever seen has it's copyright information and I'm not offended...lol. Why should a script be any different? Just a thought, not trying to start anything.

Lon, from my experience producers like to know that what they're reading is registered. It's to do with protecting themselves, not the writer. Most companies won't read anything that isn't registered. I can't see how putting a WGA number on your script will put anyone off.

Oh, I totally understand why some studios/producers/etc. would ask for or require it, but I've never attached the number to anything I've submitted and was never called on it.

Then again I've yet to sell anything so maybe that has something to do with it.

Hi, quick question.

I'm planning to submit a script to the unproduced section of this site (first time poster). What information (recommended) should be on the title page? Should a copyright be claimed?
Any info would be helpful.

Thanks.

I Am Remote

Most scripts posted here do not have title pages.

If you want to have one, include the title, the copyright notice, your name and your e-mail address.



Phil

Technically, all intellectual property is copyrighted upon complation. It is the registration of that copyright with the Library of Congress that gives you protection should a dispute arise. So you can put a copyright notice on there stating when you completed it, but until it is registered, it is not necessarily protected.

You cannot, however, claim WGA registration unless you have a registration number and that is actually done.

...plus a bonus WGA question.  I've been asking around but am getting little help.

Title page question:

I sold a script.  It was purchased outright.  I was paid to do a rewrite.  Rewrite is now finished and I'm ready to send it to the producer.  Question:  What do I put on the title page?

I use Final Draft 7; it's title page format includes spaces for "revisions by," "date of revision,", etc.  What I have for my rewrite's title page right now looks something like this:

Title
by
My Name






2nd Draft
Revisions by
My Name
6/27/06

Would I still need to include my contact info, considering they already have it?  Should I forego my contact info and just put "property of production company's name?"

WGA question:

As stated, I sold a script.  I'm being paid for the first rewrite.  I just finished said rewrite which, after including the changes requested by the producer, differs drastically from the original script.  Question:  should I register this draft with the Writer's Guild, despite the original having already been purchased and its rights no longer belonging to me?  Or should I just send it to the production company and let them worry about it?


I find myself right now in a scenario I wasn't expecting to be in any time soon -- the "what do I do after I've sold?" scenario.  In many ways it's like training in a dojo for years and years and suddenly finding yourself in a street fight.  

Basically, what I'm saying is HELP, and thanks ahead of time for it.

- Lon

You can put 'date of revision' on it just incase a copy is put with an older (or later) version of the script.  They'll know what is what.

If you sold the rights to the script, there's no reason to reregister it with WGA.


Phil

Works for me!  Thanks, Phil.  

Hey, I havent posted in a while, but I am starting a new script. It is semi-inspired by the song Hotel Calfornia by The Eagles.

My question is, I know titles arent usually copyrighted but this song is/was really popular so would I get sued for naming the script Hotel California?

Thanks,

shelby

No, but you could get in trouble if your story is too much like the song.


Phil