The fact that he filmed the script without your permission and gave himself sole writing credit on IMDB is unacceptable. I think you definitely need to work out the credit situation on this existing project before you go any further. Me personally, I wouldn't want to work with the guy again. No sour grapes; I simply wouldn't be able to trust them fully or have an interest in working with someone who does business that way.

To be fair, the situation could've been much worse. I also haven't worked with the guy personally, so I can't speak to his conduct beyond what I've read. At the very least, he doesn't seem to be ducking you, so maybe you can work things out. I don't like what I'm hearing though.

Thank you guys for all your responses..

We had some emails back and forth to which he claims that he tried to contact me before but won't provide proof.
Also claimed he couldn't add my name on IMDB because I didn't have an account, to which I sent him a few links of other shorts that had no problem adding me as sole writer.

Anyways, thanks to my buddy Mike Kospiah who decided to play middle man messaging both of us at the same time

The guy knew he was in the wrong.
We finally settled that I sent him an agreement to purchase the short and include my name on all credits associated with the short.

Story by Mark Moore  Co written by Mark Moore and Sunil   (I gave him that much as he made changes... for the worse in my opinion)


Thanks again and as fellow writers it's always good we have each other's backs

Quoted from irish eyes Thank you guys for all your responses.. We had some emails back and forth to which he claims that he tried to contact me before but won't provide proof. Also claimed he couldn't add my name on IMDB because I didn't have an account, to which I sent him a few links of other shorts that had no problem adding me as sole writer. Anyways, thanks to my buddy Mike Kospiah who decided to play middle man messaging both of us at the same time The guy knew he was in the wrong. We finally settled that I sent him an agreement to purchase the short and include my name on all credits associated with the short. Story by Mark Moore  Co written by Mark Moore and Sunil   (I gave him that much as he made changes... for the worse in my opinion) Thanks again and as fellow writers it's always good we have each other's backs

Well done.

On ya, Mark! Been following this, and watched the Short - thank goodness it was some very nice filmmaking regardless of the other malarky. Been in a similar situation myself in the past, and with the co-writer credit without my knowledge. Grrrr. Noticed the Boss gave him an earful too.  

Sounds like it worked out. He needed to feel some pain so that he realizes its just easier to do it the right way in the first place.

I mean, how hard is it to ask permission? Most writers would be extremely accommodating.

Good job standing up for yourself and others.

Quoted from LC regardless of the other malarky.

Oh, fancy word alert.


@Mark, I think I'd take it. It's probably wrong but for me it's a film credit after all. But that depends on the your own level, I think. I'm not selling shorts for the most part, I'm granting my permission for the most part so that's why that sort of thing would be okay with me.

Well done for getting it sorted (and for getting a short made)

That sort of thing is never ok with me.
Imagine if you had sold that short to someone else, then this guy releases a version...

Quoted from khamanna ...Oh, fancy word alert.

Ha! You're cracking me up again first thing in the morning, Kham.
I could have said bullshit but I like to set a gentler tone.  

Quoted from khamanna Oh, fancy word alert. @Mark, I think I'd take it. It's probably wrong but for me it's a film credit after all. But that depends on the your own level, I think. I'm not selling shorts for the most part, I'm granting my permission for the most part so that's why that sort of thing would be okay with me.

Yeah, I think that's the logic the filmmaker used when he did what he did. It doesn't make it right, but I know the guy personally, I've worked with him, had no issues getting paid for my services (I always ask for a portion up front)... and I had a nice chat with him about it. He seemed genuinely apologetic and freaked out about it -- I told him that he could get in serious trouble for something like this, so I played the middle man here between him and Mark and hopefully it works out.

I know he has previous IMDB credits, but he's not very experienced when it comes to stuff like this. He was blown away that I was willing to work to with him (for the right price, of course) and my credits, so that just goes to show his experience level. He's not very savvy and he's a bit clueless on how things work (not just in acquiring scripts, but just the biz in general). Again, doesn't make it right, and I made him very well aware of just how wrong it was even though it was only a short -- which was his defense. So, again, hopefully it works it out for Mark and hopefully the filmmaker learns from it and doesn't do it again.

-- Michael

Quoted from khamanna Oh, fancy word alert. @Mark, I think I'd take it. It's probably wrong but for me it's a film credit after all. But that depends on the your own level, I think. I'm not selling shorts for the most part, I'm granting my permission for the most part so that's why that sort of thing would be okay with me.

She flipped a coin to decide between malarky and balderdash

Quoted from spesh2k Yeah, I think that's the logic the filmmaker used when he did what he did. It doesn't make it right, but I know the guy personally, I've worked with him, had no issues getting paid for my services (I always ask for a portion up front)... and I had a nice chat with him about it. He seemed genuinely apologetic and freaked out about it -- I told him that he could get in serious trouble for something like this, so I played the middle man here between him and Mark and hopefully it works out. I know he has previous IMDB credits, but he's not very experienced when it comes to stuff like this. He was blown away that I was willing to work to with him (for the right price, of course) and my credits, so that just goes to show his experience level. He's not very savvy and he's a bit clueless on how things work (not just in acquiring scripts, but just the biz in general). Again, doesn't make it right, and I made him very well aware of just how wrong it was even though it was only a short -- which was his defense. So, again, hopefully it works it out for Mark and hopefully the filmmaker learns from it and doesn't do it again. -- Michael

Good job!

Seems to be it all worked out fine with some valuable lessons learned

Quoted from eldave1 She flipped a coin to decide between malarky and balderdash

Bunkum.  
I love words.

Quoted from Libby malarky

I thought you were using that word just for me with it's apparent Irish roots

Thanks again everyone.
As Mike said he's a little clueless to say the least and will hopefully learn.

When the guy actually asked "Is this script even copyrighted?" as he stole it from the OWC

All will hopefully be resolved today

Quoted from irish eyes I thought you were using that word just for me with it's apparent Irish roots

Yes! Forgot to add that!  
...

Quoted from irish eyes When the guy actually asked "Is this script even copyrighted?" as he stole it from the OWC

Really? Wow.