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SimplyScripts Screenwriting Discussion Board  /  Screenwriting Class  /  Don’t Hoard Your Screenplay
Posted by: WesleyV, December 14th, 2017, 9:20pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPSyBUIKhlc&index=4&list=PLwKYT_AiGkhduKFdhjokP8eFt42hjlmh3



So you written your screen play and you want to sell it and make it into a movie but your afraid that someone is going to steel your screen play. 99.99% thats not going to happen. The number one fear of all writers, is that their screen play is going to be stolen. But dont worry to much to the point of hoarding it because getting it stolen is like hitting the lottery.
Posted by: Demento, December 14th, 2017, 9:33pm; Reply: 1
I don't know if WesleyV is the owner of this youtube channel, but if you are looking for views you're going about it the wrong way. This approach is going to turn a lot of people off.

It's better if you interact with members, then ask them to check out your channel. I understand that's time-consuming, but that's the way it goes. By just posting vids, it seems like you just want people to click, which only benefits you, seeing as most of the people here know most of the stuff that's online about screenwriting and have written several scripts. People here have the knowledge, they're looking for opportunity.

I've listen to Tom Malloy on the Indie Film Academy podcast and I'm sure he's got stuff to contribute, but when it comes to screenwriting, you're really not dealing with newbs here. People here know their stuff.
Posted by: WesleyV, December 14th, 2017, 9:39pm; Reply: 2
Hey thanks for the response. To clarify, I dont own the youtube channel at all, I am simple sharing. The information was great and helped me a lot while writing. I will take your advice and the input you just shared.
Posted by: eldave1, December 15th, 2017, 8:40pm; Reply: 3

Quoted from WesleyV
Hey thanks for the response. To clarify, I dont own the youtube channel at all, I am simple sharing. The information was great and helped me a lot while writing. I will take your advice and the input you just shared.


First, I had the same reaction as Demento since you have make a total of two posts on this site and both were links to Tom's videos. That may be a first here.

But taking you at your word...

Tom's point is a bit irrelevant.

Writers are less worried about people stealing their scripts then they are about people stealing their ideas, especially if they are unique. I'd love someone to steal my script and make it because that's an easy lawsuit and (a) I'll get a script produced and (b) paid when I win the lawsuit.

But there is zero chance of recovery if they steal your idea and write their own script. That is the real fear.

I have also never heard a scenario where anyone would have the balls to ask a reader to sign a NDA prior to reading. When does this happen????

If anything the inverse is true. The write is requested to sign a waiver before someone reads so they can't be sued if someone steals the idea.

Posted by: WesleyV, December 17th, 2017, 10:09pm; Reply: 4
I clearly see what your getting at but like I clarified in my last post.... Moving forward, Im currently writing a script now and I am a bit afraid that someone might steal any ideas in my script (only a select few other then my my wife, etc. has read it). How would I go about protecting myself?
Posted by: DustinBowcot (Guest), December 18th, 2017, 2:58am; Reply: 5

Quoted from WesleyV
How would I go about protecting myself?


Hope that you're such a good writer nobody needs to rewrite your ideas. You cannot protect yourself. No matter what. You can copyright and spend as much money as you like... however, If I read your idea and I liked it, I could rewrite it better and sell it, and there's not a thing you can do about it.

Posted by: HyperMatt, December 18th, 2017, 5:10am; Reply: 6
And coming up with the same idea is a hell of a lot common than is thought.

I'd really like to know the details of the guy that sued Cameron for the script for the original Terminator. I take it was more than time travlling robots.
Posted by: Demento, December 18th, 2017, 8:01am; Reply: 7

Quoted from HyperMatt
I'd really like to know the details of the guy that sued Cameron for the script for the original Terminator. I take it was more than time travlling robots.


That was Harlan Ellison, who is a very famous and prolific writer. It wasn't some guy off the street.

You can see some details of the story here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRXB0h7sf70
Posted by: eldave1, December 18th, 2017, 12:53pm; Reply: 8

Quoted from WesleyV
I clearly see what your getting at but like I clarified in my last post.... Moving forward, Im currently writing a script now and I am a bit afraid that someone might steal any ideas in my script (only a select few other then my my wife, etc. has read it). How would I go about protecting myself?


It is a double edged sword.

Anyone can steal your idea. They really can't be protected. And thankfully so. If ideas were protected many of us would be subject to lawsuits as I am sure that quite innocently, much of what we write in scripts shares an idea or two or a ton with ideas from other scripts.

However - IMO - over protection also guarantees failure as a screenwriter. How else are you going to pitch/query etc. without sharing your idea?? You can't. I'm assuming that even pros have to share their ideas.  

The only real question is whether you share your work broad based (post them on forums, contests, etc) or share them narrowly (e.g., one production studio/agent at a time).  For me, I go broad based cause I ain't sold sheet anyway. Others here go more narrow for quite understandable reasons. But all must share in some way or another.
Posted by: DustinBowcot (Guest), December 18th, 2017, 1:58pm; Reply: 9

Quoted from eldave1

However - IMO - over protection also guarantees failure as a screenwriter.


Precisely why we need to be confident in our ability to write a great script. Whenever I tell people about my screenwriting sideline they invariably comment that they themselves have considered writing before. They've had ideas... well, having ideas is a far different animal to writing a feature screenplay, and writing a feature is a far different animal to writing a great feature.

Test the water with shorts first if you lack confidence. Getting a few of those out there will soon let you know if you've got what it takes. Then, when you realise that people actually enjoy reading your stuff, you can get your features out there with every confidence.
Posted by: JohnI, December 18th, 2017, 2:13pm; Reply: 10
I have run into a number of production companies and agencies that accept submissions that asked for NDA's first. I never sign them, but it does limit who I can send my script to.

I'm submitting to Page and Nicholls - one or two others - what would you guys suggest.
Posted by: Bogey, December 18th, 2017, 2:32pm; Reply: 11

Quoted from JohnI
I have run into a number of production companies and agencies that accept submissions that asked for NDA's first. I never sign them, but it does limit who I can send my script to.


NDA or Release? There's a big difference. I've had to sign about a dozen Releases from various management or production companies, and I've never had a problem with signing. Why wouldn't you sign?
An NDA - that doesn't really make any sense unless it's part of a script option or sale agreement where the buyer wants the terms kept confidential.
Posted by: eldave1, December 18th, 2017, 2:41pm; Reply: 12

Quoted from Bogey


NDA or Release? There's a big difference. I've had to sign about a dozen Releases from various management or production companies, and I've never had a problem with signing. Why wouldn't you sign?
An NDA - that doesn't really make any sense unless it's part of a script option or sale agreement where the buyer wants the terms kept confidential.


Yep. Also-if you are not willing to sign a release - there is little chance you'll get someone in the bix to read
Posted by: Marty, December 18th, 2017, 2:51pm; Reply: 13

Quoted from DustinBowcot

Test the water with shorts first if you lack confidence. Getting a few of those out there will soon let you know if you've got what it takes. Then, when you realise that people actually enjoy reading your stuff, you can get your features out there with every confidence.


Best advice I've heard in a long time.

All the best,
Marty
Posted by: WesleyV, December 24th, 2017, 8:20pm; Reply: 14
So nothing can be done?
Posted by: eldave1, December 24th, 2017, 8:50pm; Reply: 15

Quoted from WesleyV
So nothing can be done?


IMO - no.
Posted by: DustinBowcot (Guest), December 25th, 2017, 2:33pm; Reply: 16

Quoted from WesleyV
So nothing can be done?


Be good at what you do. If you ain't got it, do something else.
Posted by: WesleyV, December 28th, 2017, 7:14pm; Reply: 17
What do you think about NDA's?
Posted by: eldave1, December 28th, 2017, 8:27pm; Reply: 18

Quoted from WesleyV
What do you think about NDA's?


Unless your name is Sorkin or Tarentino, you ain't going to get anyone who you want to read your script to sign one. I am not sure what you don't understand. It works the other way. More than likely you, not they (agents/producers, etc)  will have a requirement that you sign a waiver absolving them of responsibility.  
Posted by: WesleyV, January 7th, 2018, 10:02am; Reply: 19

Quoted Text

Unless your name is Sorkin or Tarentino, you ain't going to get anyone who you want to read your script to sign one. I am not sure what you don't understand. It works the other way. More than likely you, not they (agents/producers, etc)  will have a requirement that you sign a waiver absolving them of responsibility.


Listen man, Im asking a question that only needs a polite answer.
Posted by: HyperMatt, January 7th, 2018, 10:46am; Reply: 20
It's like the guy said on the video, why would he sign the NDA?
He goes unto say that it is the No. 1 fear of writers, that you think your idea is so unique that somebody is going to steal it and it 99.9 % of the time it doesn't happen.
I would never send one, cause it's like saying 'hands off'. Even though I copyright my stuff, I don't put the copyright number on the script. It took me a long time to learn this.
Posted by: eldave1, January 7th, 2018, 11:32am; Reply: 21

Quoted from WesleyV


Listen man, Im asking a question that only needs a polite answer.


Not sure what you found impolite. But, oh well.
Posted by: Bogey, January 7th, 2018, 12:28pm; Reply: 22
Re an NDA, the reason that a writer will never get the reader (agent, producer, etc) to sign an NDA or Release is that it's like asking them them to sign an agreement that you have the right to sue them.

If they're either contemplating a current project or later become attached to a future project that resembles your script, even in the slightest, it exposes them to an infringement lawsuit.

Instead, they have you sign the reverse - you promise to never sue them for infringement. I personally don't think that's enforceable if they're out and out crooks about stealing your script. But if the theft is at all grey (a couple scenes are similar, or the idea is similar but the execution is different), you'll lose. Either way, a lawsuit like that, depending on where it's filed, could take 5 years to see a trial.

As people have commented on this thread, don't waste energy on the issue. Just write well.

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