I wrote a couple fake political ads satirizing Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton. A few directors expressed interest, but only one, besides myself, managed to produce a video. In addition to casting the film before securing an option agreement and lying to me about his progress throughout the process, he didn't credit me with writing the screenplay. After emailing him several times, he added my name to the video's description, but there's are no credits at the end of the film. It's not a great film that will catapult my career, but I deserved credit for my work. How have other screenwriters handled not receiving credit?
Screenwriting : Not Receiving Credit by Tony Cella
Not Receiving Credit
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What did you agree in the option agreement?
We agreed he would have the videos released by mid-October--he only released one in November--and I would receive credit.
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Maybe you can talk to a lawyer, see if you can sue him, just to let him know nobody will play with you.
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Well, he's not kept to the agreement you made, if you haven't already done so I'd write to him and ask he sticks to the agreement... and never work with him again of course!
@Gerard: I don't have the money for a lawyer. If it was a big paid gig, I would consider it though. @Anthony: Of course. I've talked to him and he's dragging his feet. He added my name to the YouTube video in the description with improper capitalization. The product was mediocre to such a degree that I'm considering just sending the take down orders. @Dan: For sure. The only reason I optioned the script for free was because it's related to the election and would lose relevancy after the 8th.
No one received credit. I don't register with the WGA because it has no legal value.
That's good to know for future reference. The film was of such low quality that I sent take down notices. Vimeo has already removed the video.
Good result Tony, re WGA and arbitrations, doesn't that only apply to signatories of the WGA agreement when it involves WGA members?
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So much thievery going on! So little respect for writers. smh
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The videos were taken down. I'm definitely being more careful about who I work with in the future. Craigslist is such a joke.