Steven Jay Rubin's Lounge Discussions

We had a brilliant post by Anna Quinata in screenwriting regarding what level of your work should be online, one month ago. I posted too, also in screenwriting about something similar, like even we upload our work online as they are properly copyrighted, should we put out everything we have got all in the name of getting noticed? I received an advice in the comments about ideas which was striking. Getting inspired with an idea of a story doesn't make you the only one with that idea. Yeah, I have written a lot of works that I got to see by established names. This is reality. My work wasnt stolen in any way. I don't even have them on the internet. On your avoiding any form of theft, have you heard of LOC or WGA?

@pius what LOC and WGA?

I mean what about LOC and WGA?

Non-Writers Guild of America writers can still register their screenplays with the WGA. Just go to their website. How do you protect your ideas? It is a good question, but I believe because it is so hard to get a movie made that theft is not as a common as you think. That said, you should try and submit your scripts to companies through a lawyer or an agent if you have one. Always keep a record of your pitch letters and emails so that you have a paper trail. You can copyright a script through the U.S. Copyright Office. Just google acquiring U.S. Copyright and it will lead you to the form you must fill out.

@Rubin this will really help. Thank you all

Gotta love the Cubs. Welcome to Stage 32 Steven!

Wow Steven, you've done some great stuff already. I foresee many more amazing projects in your future! Welcome to Stage 32, and best wishes to you moving forward with your career :)

Aleisha, you should definitely post in the JOBS section as well!

Steven I got tired of waiting to be "discovered." How much time do you waste doing that? Heck if you're in Cali why not work on her stuff, she reciprocates and works on yours. That's how we as indie filmmakers get it done. As an actor I never waited on my agent to ring my phone with an audition. I took Bill Dukes advice when he said if you want to be in a film then go make one. Get some great people and talent that's ready to work and make a quality product and just do it.

Good words, Floyd. Words to live by. Thanks for posting!

Apologies, Floyd..., if my misconstruction offended anyone - I thought that the O.P. was asking for people to donate every weekend for the next year of their lives to help her make a film and/or donate to crowd-fund the whole thing! There's a huge difference between "give me $300,000" and "let me use your office/living room for a scene". To be honest, asking for free locations is plain smart (though many probably don't have a clue what they could be letting themselves in for... (dozens of strangers taking over your house, moving the furniture around, running wires all around the place, queuing to use the toilet, etc. But then, some people may just enjoy the event and brag to their mates how Chocolate's Not Better Than Sex was filmed in their living room). But sincerely, the best of luck on this endeavour and I'd love to see the end result.

Oh no, no apology need sir. I knew exactly what you were saying, i actually agree with everything you said. I just commented because so often people make assumptions about where people are in their careers without doing proper research. As you so eloquently stated its an insult and unfair to assume someone is new just because they're asking for help with a project. I would think anyone would ask for help to save on their bottom line, I know I have and great people have helped me save thousands with locations, equipment, etc. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product myself.