I've almost completed two really good scripts I believe would gross gigantic box office numbers. However, in addition to the fact that I have problems finding film producers, I equally feel reluctant to submit my script when the opportunity arises for the simple reason that I haven't protected my script yet. My biggest fear is that someone comes and claims ownership of my the scripts I spent months crafting
I've enquired about protecting my rights as the author of my script but each time, I am asked to pay. Here's the kicker though, I am a 17 year old living in Cameroon. I barely have the means to pay. I wanted to enquire if there are platforms where I can protect my scripts without been asked to pay.
This issue has really been bordering me and I might miss opportunities because of my reluctance.
Anyone who can help me? Please if you can help me, do drop your suggestion in the comment section. Thank you
2 people like this
Hello. Tricky situation. Put the little money you have on protection or not? One thing you could do is ask the people here to confirm to you how good they think your scripts are. They can tell by the first page or your logline, if you need to worry at all.
3 people like this
Hey, Ebai-Eyong Akanga. I'm not sure if there are platforms where you can protect your scripts without being asked to pay, but have you thought about saving up to cover the cost of registering your scripts?
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You do in fact have to pay to protect your scripts and it's worth it! You can submit your scripts with peace of mind knowing your hard work is covered when you pay to register it. Any site that claims to do it for free isn't trust worthy. Now that being said how do we solve the problem? Don't let registration fees stop you from pursuing your dream! Can you pick up extra shifts at work? Maybe get a higher paying job? Do some odd jobs for people? Cancel/Stop paying for something you don't need? What ever it takes to get the funds is what you need to do! You got this! Be patient with how long it take to get the funds, but be impatient with the actions you take to get the funds. Hope that makes sense. Be patient with outcomes, but impatient with the actions your taking to get the out comes. That's a recipe for success
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Aim lower. Work with local peers & mentors and make stuff with your own ppl. If you're better than the field, employers will find you in any profession: writing, sports, sales, whatever. Be better than the field.
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First, simply put the © symbol with the creation year on the bottom of every page. That is legal copyright protection. It also helps if you mail yourself a copy using certified mail and never open the envelope. That is proof of creation. That said, registering with the U.S. Copyright Office is the best protection going. Fees start at $45 and are reasonable when you consider how much protection they offer.
For the record, I managed an entertainment law firm for ten years and handled copyright issues all the time. Best of luck.
https://www.copyright.gov/
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I admire your confidence. Once you get the scripts protected, submit them to a reputable contest and ask for feedback. Report back to us with the results.
1 person likes this
Some great advice here. I agree with Bill McCormick - registering your work with the US Copyright Office is the strongest protection. The most affordable process is sending the script to yourself by certified mail as a time stamp and never opening the package. Only submitting your project via email and keeping the emails with dates and details is also helpful. That all said, a little leap of faith usually must be taken when you're an up-and-coming writer and wish to test the marketplace. Stage 32 contests are also great ways to put your work out there and see how they fare and this is a platform where you're safe.
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It’s said that one doesn’t have to worry about a million dollar idea being stolen since even those you have to ram down people’s throat. There are people who have spent thirty years writing dozens of scripts without making a single sale. Even if you sold one for $50,000 that’s all you’d make no matter how profitable the film loosely based on your work ended up being. In other words, you have no reason to worry.
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And Kenneth Michael Daniels reminds us why writers drink.
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I don't know the copyright laws of Camaroon, but here you would register the script with the US copyright office and it costs around $40 last I checked.
I would think Camaroon has a similar service.
Sadly, if someone wants to steal your idea they can do so with impunity and then face the potential consequences in court.
The only thing copyright does is establish you as the author and the DATE of creation.
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Bill McCormick I've heard another expression that's spot on: Depression is a thinking man's disease. To write something worth reading one needs some semblance of awareness of reality, and if you have that, whether you write or not, you've by default got ample reason to self-medicate.
Kenneth Michael Daniels, my therapist agrees with you.
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Hi Ebai, Sam Sokolow, gave some great input for you, especially given you're located in Cameroon. The two ways he mentioned are both are good and inexpensive: 1) print it out, mail it to yourself (and do not open the envelope), and, or 2) email yourself a completed copy of the script and save it (your email system will allow you to create folders so create one from the title for each project). In both of these instances, make sure you have a title page with your name, address, email, and mobile number visible. As Bill McCormick mentioned add a footer to the bottom of every page with "@2024".