Screenwriting : Sharing your script? by Alinser Hoyos

Hi, Alinser Hoyos. I'm fine with sharing my scripts via email with people (producers, directors, etc.) I don't know. I register my scripts with the U.S. Copyright Office, and the emails are digital paper trails.

This is great feedback. Thanks Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Alinser Hoyos.

Hey Alinser Hoyos it's totally fine! Sharing scripts is how this business works and how you get your material in front of people who can help you along a lot of the time. Doing so via email makes things easy and you have a timestamped record of sharing it, should any potential issues arise in the future. It's best practice to primarily share through vetted channels or with people you can A) Google or B) are within your network/ network's network. I share my scripts with people I don't know all the time via script swaps and random evaluations on the internet!

I've had several new writers share their scripts with me after I gave them tips that would help. I warn people against it because my feedback is always honest and unfortunately, most people can't handle the truth. I had one guy curse me out because I said his screenplay was boring. The first act was interesting but nothing happened after. On the flip side, I had another guy who had an interesting idea and Italian dialogue the execution and formatting was bad. I rewrote the first 3 pages and he thanked me profusely. In short, I share and read only when asked.

Asking them to sign a non-disclosure agreement. Also, imbd pro is a good source for confirming details if you're approached. Good luck with your projects!

I’ve been sharing my scripts in national and international film festivals since 2016 and have never had a problem. All works have Copyrights attached, plus I enter so many competitions throughout the year, many become Finalists, Official Selections, and legit winners. It’s as if I saturate the festival market with my works. Plus, I have emails confirming my placement statuses and awards. So, in short, I don’t worry about it. Truly professional production companies and legit writers aren’t about to steal your work, especially if it’s protected by the Library of Congress/ Office of Copyright.

You gotta take the risk and live with the background worry it could happen. I've been sharing scripts for over ten years now and it's only happened once with a feature. The lead actor noticed I wasn't involved with the project, contacted me, and that's how I found out. One email to the producer/director and it was shut down.

Thank you all for your valuable feedback and advice. The script was shared with a director/producer, and this was his response: "If the project meets my criteria, my collaboration as a producer is straightforward—a service fee of $1,300 and a 2% commission on the net sales of the project. If you're okay with this, please send all materials over." I don't think I should be paying anything upfront when I was clear that I was only here to write and be part of the project as a writer only. What do you guys think?

Alinser Hoyos scam. Grifters can smell desperation.

Dan MaxXx you always telling it like it is... I thank you for that. However, this guy looks legit. I've been doing my research and he's all over. He's just trying to get paid and I respect that. But I told him, not from me. I am looking for producers/directors/financiers who can use my creative work/writing skills, and work together as a team. My goal is to get paid as well for my work and collaborate with people who share my vision. There is no problem at all with anyone getting paid who's involved in the project; just not from me.

You're welcome, Alinser Hoyos. Yeah, It's a scam. You shouldn't be paying anything upfront as the writer.

Do you research, Alinser Hoyos. There is absolutely no excuse not to do your research on a person asking to read your material.

Also, Dan MaxXx is right. That "service fee" is a big red flag.

Yes, I did my research (the person appears on many websites). I would not pay anything upfront. Thanks everyone!

Thats all you need to know, "the person appears on many websites." Soliciting is his full-time job. It's wild & sad how asking to send scripts to show biz strangers lead to paying $1300. If dude just hooks 5 writers per month, thats $6500 a month. $78,000 yearly just sitting on couch & computer.

Don't send your script to anyone who hasn't given you permission to do that. Not because they might "steal" it, but because it puts them in a legally precarious position so they will often have no choice but to delete your email. Never attach anything - script, pitch, bio, whatever - to a cold query. Your query will be immediately deleted unread. Competitions are asking for submissions so that's great. Anyone who has told you they are willing to read your script and provide feedback - paid or in trade - is totally fine. If you send a query email and get a script request - fantastic. Anyone who is asking for money to "produce" your project is a scammer. Producers don't work like that. When someone pays me, it's because they want my feedback as a consultant. They are paying for my time and expertise to give them notes, not as a producer. That's a service, not a scam. The moment I even contemplate the possibility of attaching to a project as a producer I stop taking money for notes and have a heart-to-heart with the writer about a possible future together. Also, copyright protects you from bad people who might try to steal your script (well that's the point anyway). WGA registration protects you from uncomfortable drama with good people you're working with on various drafts when you need a neutral arbiter of who's getting what credit and money because you and your colleagues want to work together in peace not fight about shit. It's totally different.

In general, I'll share my work with anyone who has a compelling and urgent reason to read it. Let them close you, at least a little bit, on sending copies out. If there's something fishy about it, they probably won't invest the effort. If they're a potential client who's just on the fence, then they'll learn the degree to which you respect your own work and time. Treating your work as an object of value improves your security, and your efficiency, without needing to sign legal paperwork every time you have a conversation about your writing.

Alinser Hoyos "...this guy looks legit."

This guy looks anything but legit. He's just another two-bit shyster with zero clout who preys upon the hopes and dreams of wannabe Hollywood players. You can quote me on that and, if he doesn't like it, I'll provide him with the name of my lawyer should he wish to take the matter any further.

I gladly share with anybody because I am not afraid that somebody will steal.

Thanks again, everyone! Your input is very valuable. The matter has in a way gone nowhere. The person has stopped soliciting since I said I would not pay a dime. In the mean time, I will continue looking for collaborators on my projects. I am seeking an agent/producers/directors wanting to work with me as a writer/advisor.

Just in case anyone is interested, the script I was going to share with this person is called “In Pieces” - a compelling fictional drama that is vivid, honest, and poignant. This story deals with the high cost of education, abuse in the Military, suicide, a bit of 9/11, and other issues that have affected many Americans for years.

You're welcome, Alinser Hoyos. The biggest tip I always give writers is network/build relationships (on Stage 32, on other platforms, and in person). It could lead to script requests, meeting requests, etc. Here are some blogs on networking: www.stage32.com/blog/tags/networking-41

You could also search for industry professionals in the Browse Members section (www.stage32.com/people) and IMDbPro (https://pro.imdb.com/signup/index.html) to network with.

I share my stuff quite freely, but I've turned most of it into comic books by this point.