Question from a 1st-time-writer: when is a good time to have the screenplay copyrighted? Does it make sense after the first draft or is it better to wait, 'til a few rewrites have been done? Thanks in advance for any help here.
Question from a 1st-time-writer: when is a good time to have the screenplay copyrighted? Does it make sense after the first draft or is it better to wait, 'til a few rewrites have been done? Thanks in advance for any help here.
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Found this link that was kind of interesting
https://nofilmschool.com/WGA-Register-or-Copyright-my-script
Personally, my biggest issue would be 'will my name be in the credits' so I'd be more inclined to register through WGA (half the price) so at least something is registered somewhere. If I was going to send out a specific version of the script and I had no idea how hokey the person was, I'd probably copyright, but according to that link:
"The major downside is that it usually takes 4-6 months to obtain a copyright, whereas WGA registration is instantaneous. "
Up to you if you want to use that time and money before you can pitch.
Better question: What are your big concerns? I'd be asking about the individual things that would worry you about the industry and try to get a vibe for what actually happens in the industry maybe first?
Thanks for your answer! My question is this: if I copyright my first draft and then do major changes during rewrites, would I have to copyright these, too?
Judging by what some industry insiders said in interviews, it's a dilemma: copyrighting your work seems like an insult to some, others say, not copyrighting is plain stupid.
And the 4-6 months the USCO takes - this is my concern.
Once that's done I'll worry about honing the script to perfection, and about pitching it to a-league executives. But one step after another.
Register it on Copyright.gov in USA. Even if you modify it, the original will be there. Submit the draft b/c whatever you write is sure to change.