The law can be difficult and protecting yourself in the entertainment industry can be hard, especially if you can't afford a lawyer. There is one great book that I own and has helped me navigate the complicated screenwriters agreements, "The Writer Got Screwed, But Didn't Have To." Read this book and familiarize yourself with the rules of the game. For now, never send your screenplay, synopsis or treatment to anyone that you do not know. We have all seen ads on Craigs List and Mandy looking for screenplays that some unknown producer or director wants to produce. Be cautious! Think about it. Why would you send your work to an ad like that when you don't know if that person is legit and actually has the chops to produce your script. Now they have your work in front of them and can steal it. You must have them sign an agreement that protects you from them stealing your work and if they give you an agreement, make sure it does not allow them to own the rights to your work just because you submitted it to them. True story, a friend of mine was networking and got a message from a producer that was looking to produce a horror script. She had many horror scripts and was eager to have someone produce one, if not all. She sent her script and then never heard a word back from this producer. A few months later, she managed to track him down and he had hired another writer to rewrite one of her scripts and was producing it. She could not hire a lawyer to fight him in court because the script only had minor changes and was not so different from hers. My friend tried to fight him, but he gave her $200 bucks and bid her fair well. Meanwhile, the other writer got a screenplay by credit and the movie was made. Always remember to copyright your work before you send it out to anyone. Nothing is legal until the contract is signed and if you are not in the WGA, there is no one to fight for you. Check the credentials of the producer and see what kind of work they have done. Don't send your work to an unknown producer that doesn't have the power to produce a script.
Screenwriting : Know the law and your rights as a screenwriter. by Kristen Tinsley
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Great reminder. Also: register your scripts with the WGA and US Copyright Office, and keep all your emails if you trade scripts with other writers for notes! You can also err on the side of being too cautious, and if you don't show your scripts to anyone and don't get feedback at all, then you may not be able to grow as a writer. Good cautionary tale, though!
Agreed. It is best to send through email so there is a paper trail.
Excellent, Nick! The more organized the better. I'm doing that with my scripts as we speak. Thanks for the advice:)
Excellent, Nick! The more organized the better. I'm doing that with my scripts as we speak. Thanks for the advice:)
I've called the WGA - East Coast three times during the past couple of months concerning becoming a member. I call the number on the web site. No one has ever returned my call. Very frustrating! What's up with the east coast office in NY?
Definitely copyright your screenplay before submitting. That is just good business practice. Kristen thanks for mentioning Brooke Wharton’s book. All aspiring writers who want to be working professionals should definitely read it.
There is another ally for writers with grievances. If you are working on a non-WGA project and do not have a lawyer involved, the National Writers Union (www.nwu.org) can help. Low fees for membership, member health insurance plans and grievance support. Years ago, when dealing with a huge Internet company that unceremoniously fired writers (myself included), the NWU came in and got all writers what they were to get per their contracts and resolved non-compete issues and all sorts of things. I am a big fan.
Good tip, Philip! Thanks for telling us about the NWU.