Screenwriting : Screenplay and co-writer gone AWOL. by Diana Murdock

This is why people have contracts with cowriters. Whether you copyright the script or not, there is still a messy legal issue that will have to be resolved if anything happens with the script.

Thank you, William and Dan. Sad thing is that we were friends long before we embarked on this project. I'm not planning on selling it. I only want credit/compensation if she succeeds in selling the project or developing it. I put a lot of energy into it. I'm partners with her in a production company that we started up as well. I should have that dissolved as well or at least remove my name from it if possible. In the meantime, I will file it with LOC.

I'm assuming there's no way to know if she sold it until it goes into production? Assuming, of course she gets it that far...

She was determined to direct it herself. So I don't know. Oh... just found out she took my copy of the screenplay with her. Ugh. Hard lesson to learn.

I think you need a contract when dealing with friends more than you need one when dealing with professionals.... Unfortunately, I learned this the hard way.

It won't hurt anything to register it with the WGA. It might protect you if you're not too late.

Unfortunately, Ron, I have only the very first micro draft. She insisted she handle the newer edits on her laptop. Toward the end, I asked her to send me the file so I could print it, but she dragged her feet, saying she hadn't put in the edits yet. I do have emails with notes that she sent me so there is a bit of a paper trail. As far as whether she would proceed without me? I think so. Especially if she thinks I've wronged her somehow and she'd justify it to herself that I should be cut out. I'm still scratching my head over this. I'm just a tad too trusting in people. Not okay. :/

Did you put your name as a co-author on the screenplay? Was it in a .pdf? I don't think your friend would risk a trial if this is the case...:) I've read that credits can be split among multiple people. From my own experience, I found it very difficult to modify a .pdf file, so if you had your name there, deleting it would be hard!:) Please register it soon, as it is for the best, ok? Anyway, this made me have a question, and please forgive me for writing this in another person's topic. If someone posts a script on stage 32 or another such website could it be considered a proof that he/she is the original author of that screenplay? In other words, is this very action a safe anti-theft protection or it doesn't matter, if the script wasn't registered first?:)

My sympathies. Copyrighting a treatment will work as proof of concept, unless she's already registered the script with the Library of Congress. I recommend speaking with an attorney if you suspect she plans on filming the script without you.

Dan, we planned on shooting this ourselves. We'd be fundraising for it. As of now she doesn't have the funds.

Thank you Tony. I searched LOC and it doesn't look like it's in there yet. How do situations like this typically turn out, I wonder. I have a friend in Washington, DC. I'll ask him.

Unfortunately Victor, she took my only printed copy and didn't email me the latest revisions.

Thank you, Dan. That's a great idea. We have mutual friends who might know where she is.

I'd ditch it. Too much negativity around it. Too much drama. Too much risk. Better off just learning and moving onto something 10 times better. Much more fun that way too. Much more freedom. Brainstorm 20 different concepts, do a quick one page structure of all of them, and pick the 3 you like best and ask people you trust which one they like most. Then write that and enjoy it. Without a care in the world. Have fun with it. Stray a few times just for fun. Maybe kill off a few characters just for fun and then resurrect them. Nukes are fun. Then when you've had your fun, rewrite it and enjoy the new horizon.

I see your point Steve, but it's not fair for someone to steal someone's hard work and profit from it. A single letter or email will ensure the offending party knows they aren't off the hook and will force them to acknowledge the co-writer's contribution.

Wow, sorry to hear that, Diana.

If you can prove you are the co-writer of the screen play I would contact an attorney and get the copy right done. I would also gather up every piece of data you have that proves you are the co-writer such as emails conversations back and forth with each other. Dated drafts you have in your possession on your computer etc... any "paper trails" you have gather them up. Do it now and don't wait. She may not have any bad intentions but her lack of communication with you is a bad sign.

And when you do copy right do it in both names.

Ouch! That hurts. Egypt is right, copyright it in both names, you have to because she does have a copy and if you make it and it goes big, she'll be there with the suits.

You all have been amazing. I appreciate your input and wisdom. Moving forwards.... always.

Hey Dan. We haven't. She claimed to have the knowledge. I was looking forward to start the learning process myself. I suggested we have someone else step in for this project but she wasn't interested.

True, Dan. A closed mind won't take anyone very far.