Maybe I should rephrase that...

I have an idea for a short, and I notice that area gets the most action as far as reads.  So my question is do you WGA register all your short pieces?  I mean, I'm not concerned about a regular copping an idea, but it's the guests that worry me a bit...

Having said that, thanks to all of you for challenging me as a writer. Two weeks ago I would never have thought of even attempting anything other than the 3 or 4 other screenplay ideas that still rattle around in my head (and too intimidated by the first blank page to begin)...

In other words, if it sucks - it's your fault...  ;D

AJR

Some people have had shorts stolen, filmed and posted on Youtube but I bet they were still protected.

Posting your work on an open forum, there's always a chance someone could steal, protected or not, especially with short scripts.

Some people are very protective of their shorts. I'm not one of them. I think I have maybe 30 or so shorts posted on this site. One has been stolen. When I found out, it felt weird, but I wasn't upset. I just wanted to see it. There's no money really in shorts so I don't care. A feature would be different...

I try not leave mine on line washing line too long. I also only invite people who I trust to investigate my drawers.

Quoted from rendevous I try not leave mine on line washing line too long. I also only invite people who I trust to investigate my drawers.

Okay, THAT'S what I was waiting for...

What about shorts that can possibly function as the first act for a feature?  I've seen writers here who do very promising work in about 30 pages or so, and with a 2nd and 3rd act they've got a feature.

Maybe I'm wrong but I can't see people stealing short scripts that are 30 pages or more. They would be too much hassle to film. I think the 2-15 page range are more at risk as they would be cheap to film for sites like Youtube etc.

Quoted from ajr What about shorts that can possibly function as the first act for a feature?  I've seen writers here who do very promising work in about 30 pages or so, and with a 2nd and 3rd act they've got a feature.

Basically, if you think your short is good enough for someone else to steal and produce under their own name, then register it or copyright it. If you really feel like there could be a problem, then take those steps. I've personally never worried about it.

Quoted from Grandma Bear There's no money really in shorts....

...so it quicky becomes cost prohibitive to obtain a copywrite on ever short you post.

It is worth noting here that you can bundle all of your shorts together -- as "The Collected Works of ajrscreenworks" or whatever -- and copywrite that.

And please look around the boards -- use the Search box -- as there are dozens of existing threads on copywrites and whatnot.

Quoted from bert ...so it quicky becomes cost prohibitive to obtain a copywrite on ever short you post.

No, I just don't worry about shorts.

I've only registered two shorts...I think, and only because I entered them into comps that required them to be registered.

I haven't even registered my features, except for two because they were co-written. Why don't I register them? Because they're so crummy that if anyone wants to steal them, they can go right ahead. ;D

PS. I haven't posted anything since my SoulShadows script. I've cut down on posting shorts.

Quoted from ajr Okay, THAT'S what I was waiting for... What about shorts that can possibly function as the first act for a feature?  I've seen writers here who do very promising work in about 30 pages or so, and with a 2nd and 3rd act they've got a feature.

Indeed. And sory for cracking the obvious line. I did just that with The Key, which I wrote as a short then did part two, then part three.

I added all together, reworked and added some new scenes, added a new character and hey presto, a feature length script. I'm doing something similar now with Take Care, which will basically be two movies split into six parts.

The difference is people are far more likely to read and comment on something of 40 pages or less. Treble numbers for page count means far less reads and interest.

I don't worry about people nicking my ideas or scripts. The only way you can stop them is to catch them at it. There's no point worrying about it before. If it does worry register and copyright them as George suggested.

Back in my early days I registered like six shorts, then realised I was wasting my time.

Message received - probably making a big to-do over nothing...

I should write it first and then see where I'm at with it.

Quoted from ajr Maybe I should rephrase that... AJR

Well, my sex panties are in high demand, but I don't worry too much. I have lots to go around.  ;)

Sandra

Quoted from Sandra Elstree. Well, my sex panties are in high demand, but I don't worry too much. I have lots to go around.  ;) Sandra

You got an Ebay store, or what?

Quoted from cloroxmartini You got an Ebay store, or what?

Nah. I'z just workin' the metaphors.  :)

Edit:

Hey! Emaphores!

Sandra

Sure, sure. Thread is ripe for those. You know, like a safe deposit box.

Simonize them.  It's really the only way.

Way too much information, Sandra.

While there may not be money in writing shorts, a film student could lift your script and take full credit for it when he or she shows it around.  If you want to enter a writing competition, be advised that most competitions do not accept produced scripts.

No good will come of NOT protecting your work.


Phil

Quoted from mcornetto Simonize them.  It's really the only way.

Sandra's panties?

Quoted from Shelton Sandra's panties?

No way. Only the sex panties.

And as far as exposition, I try and show and not tell. I think I really screwed up big time.

Sandra

Quoted from Sandra Elstree. No way. Only the sex panties. And as far as exposition, I try and show and not tell. I think I really screwed up big time. Sandra

I'm not sure that showing your sex panties is all that approprite in the Voice Over - Questions, Comments, Suggestions, Contributions section of Simply Scripts.  I think the exposition of your shorts would be more appropriately located in the getting to know you section.

Quoted from mcornetto I'm not sure that showing your sex panties is all that approprite in the Voice Over - Questions, Comments, Suggestions, Contributions section of Simply Scripts.  I think the exposition of your shorts would be more appropriately located in the getting to know you section.

You make me laugh, Michael.  :) :) :) You really do.