Ayham

Some quite disturbing stories of writers being ripped off in the article you provided the link for. And I can see how the pain of this happening to writers could feel like their world has fallen apart after all the hard work they put into their original scripts. Screenplays, even though you copyright them with the U.S. Copyright Office and or the W.G.A. they can be subject to plagiarism or the basic story premise ripped off by unscrupulous producers, production companies and studios.

Unfortunately this is the nature of the beast. It shouldn't be but I'm afraid it is.

Many more people will get ripped off every day.

I'd lay a bet that some writers on here have been ripped off in some way or another. I know I have.

There's more than one way to get ripped off in this game.. The root of it is pure greed I'm sorry to say..


Kevan

Kevan, I totally agree.

Also, how do we know that some producer out in some country like India or whatever is not skimming off some products off this site and turning them into movies? ...So, yeah, it's really not safe out there at all and I don't think there's anything that we can do about it.

Ayham

The fact that no single idea is "original" means every script is ripping something off.

My feature that I finished back in august is a very original IDEA and that is all I care about. Nobody can dispute that claim (At least those who know what I'm talking about)

People are so paranoid about "You stole this" and all that when they should look at themselves and the work they write and say "Damn, I stole this, this and that" because it is hard to write a good script without borrowed elements.

Wes

There are only so many stories out there and variations on a theme, I agree and these are all based on something whether this be your own or somebody elses experiences, something you've read or whatever... I think I know where you're coming from with what you're saying...

I think what the argument refers to however, is outright stealing of somebody's script concept. George Willson's "The Fempiror Chronicles" is a good example here because his characters and stories, although rooted in a vampire history, are George's own take and originality on that theme and if somebody stole these and made them without his permission or monetary compensation then this would be stealing his work. I think the article suggested some screenwriters had submitted work tro certain producers and studios and these scripts had been ripped off. The original authors, even though they had registered their work with the U.S. Copyright Office and W.G.A., they still had their script somehow ripped off and re-written into something which still resembled their work but they were not financialy compensated for this or even given credit.

A lot of wannabe screenwriters would give a feature screenplay for nothing just for the screen credit if this got them an agent and the possibility of future work in this industry. To blantantly steal somebody's work goes on in Hollywood, this was what the original article was asserting by using real life examples of writers who this has happened to..

For example, just an idiot, desordered mind, a f**k mad or a utter fool will steal any idea from me!

This has been discussed to death in many other threads. Keep this thread on topic.

If you want to shoot the shit, use your PM inbox.

Ideas cannot be copyrighted, and rightly so. There is a lot of paranoia among writers who fear that their ideas will be stolen when they should be more concerned about becoming better writers.

Fact is, ideas are a dime a dozen, and it's the execution of the idea that really counts.

If you're a newbie writer and you write a fantastic script based on a fantastic idea, then it's much cheaper for a prodco to buy your script and sign you on for rewrites than it is for them to "steal" the idea and hire someone else to rewrite your concept, risking potential lawsuits futher down the line.

If you write a terrible script based on a great concept, then it's easy for someone to steal your idea and hire a competent writer to turn it into gold. The script, however, will be different enough to be considered original.

If you have a great idea, write a great script and no-one will feel the need to steal it.

That's my 2 cents.

Quoted from Old Time Wesley This has been discussed to death in many other threads. Keep this thread on topic. If you want to shoot the shit, use your PM inbox.

I was posting a reply to a previous post by Ayham and if you read my text you'll see I was actually agreeing with you Wesley..

In addition, I was paraphrasing the article which Ayham also read about the writing process and what happens to some writers afterwards. I thought this was on topic myself..

There appears to be a lot of previous posts in this thread that are definately not on topic.

I've finished with this thread anyway..

Martin,

Thanks for your opinion on this. I've posted the link to the article just to show other writers what's going on in the world of writing and production, and things that we might not know about. I, too, believe that a writer should concern him or herself with advancing their craft and coming up with unique ideas that would benefit the writer and the viewer, and hopefully make some money in the process.

But it doesn't hurt to learn more about the ins and outs of this business.

Again, thanks for the input.

Ayham

" There are a handful of members, here, who know English as a second language, Helio, Michel and Bert are a few of them.  We learn to overlook the 'mistranslations' for these people.  For those of us who know English, we are not as forgiving. "


Phil


Phil, I quoted you on this one from Helio's post of his short script, didn't wanna comment on it there, so I wouldn't fill that section with unrelated materials.

Regarding members who know English as a second language, which includes me as well. I don't think we should learn to overlook their mistranslations. I think when a foreign writer decides to use the English language as a medium to convey his thoughts to others, he or she must be in good, or acceptable command of this medium, or this language, or at least try hard to be, otherwise what's the point of writing in English? And I must add here that it takes me twice as long to produce a screenplay, that's acceptable in terms of English, than it would take a native speaker, because I truly put alot of effort in proofing it for proper English, and I think everyone else should do the same.

Bert's English is a second language??!!! geez! He's better than my English teacher!!"



Regarding to alll! About inglix to be my second language, yes it is very much and I'm proud and I'm here until ther day Don Boose says "Helio stay out for ever, sucker!" I'll write with my unic way I know write inglix. Final point!

I'm just wondering why my last post to Helio has been deleted. It's not important, but I'm just curious.


Ayham

Quoted from Ayham I'm just wondering why my last post to Helio has been deleted. It's not important, but I'm just curious.

I didn't do it -- it could have been any number of people -- but I can probably tell you why it was done.

Quoted from Wesley If you want to shoot the shit, use your PM inbox.

The original question here -- about "The Writing Process" -- has long since been asked and answered.

This thread has now devolved into chatter -- not a big deal, really -- but the thread itself has kind of outlived its usefulness, if you know what I mean.

I am pretty sure Wesley's point was that if you've got a new question, Ayham -- or a new point to make, or a new "conversation" you would like to start -- then you should begin a new thread instead of endlessly resurrecting this one.

But you can stick a fork in this one because it is done haha.

I actually deleted it because it was one word followed by a smiley face and someone responded in kind so it went as well.

Quoted Text 6. Post in the correct forum.  and 9. Respond with more than just one or two words.

Seacrest out!

Thanks guys, like I said, it's no big deal at all.

*packing and walking out of the thread*

* Turning the key to Bert & Wesley, they shake their heads and roll their eyes as I sadly turn and walk away *