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SimplyScripts Screenwriting Discussion Board    Screenwriting Discussion    Screenwriting Class  ›  Don’t Hoard Your Screenplay Moderators: George Willson
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  Author    Don’t Hoard Your Screenplay  (currently 2232 views)
WesleyV
Posted: December 14th, 2017, 9:20pm Report to Moderator
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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.

Revision History (3 edits; 1 reasons shown)
Don  -  December 16th, 2017, 12:29pm
Typo in title and the irony of posting a video about posting your screenplay on a screenplay hosting site...
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Demento
Posted: December 14th, 2017, 9:33pm Report to Moderator
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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.
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WesleyV
Posted: December 14th, 2017, 9:39pm Report to Moderator
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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.
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eldave1
Posted: December 15th, 2017, 8:40pm Report to Moderator
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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.



My Scripts can all be seen here:

http://dlambertson.wix.com/scripts
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WesleyV
Posted: December 17th, 2017, 10:09pm Report to Moderator
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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?
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DustinBowcot
Posted: December 18th, 2017, 2:58am Report to Moderator
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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.

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HyperMatt
Posted: December 18th, 2017, 5:10am Report to Moderator
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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.


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Demento
Posted: December 18th, 2017, 8:01am Report to Moderator
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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
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eldave1
Posted: December 18th, 2017, 12:53pm Report to Moderator
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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.


My Scripts can all be seen here:

http://dlambertson.wix.com/scripts
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DustinBowcot
Posted: December 18th, 2017, 1:58pm Report to Moderator
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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.
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JohnI
Posted: December 18th, 2017, 2:13pm Report to Moderator
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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.
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Bogey
Posted: December 18th, 2017, 2:32pm Report to Moderator
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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.
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eldave1
Posted: December 18th, 2017, 2:41pm Report to Moderator
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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


My Scripts can all be seen here:

http://dlambertson.wix.com/scripts
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Marty
Posted: December 18th, 2017, 2:51pm Report to Moderator
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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
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WesleyV
Posted: December 24th, 2017, 8:20pm Report to Moderator
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So nothing can be done?
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