A Crapload of Questions

[Hobbledehoy]

1.) I've read that the poor man's copyright doesn't work. So what is the best way to protect your work?

2.) How can I determine if my work is good or not? Is the only way to share it on the message board? If so, isn't that dangerous?

3.) What is the best way to get noticed? If I start mailing query letters to agents, what are my chances?

4.) Are screenwriting contests legitimate?

5.) Can a script be too inappropriate? I mean, I lost a friend when I let her read it; due to only a masturbation joke and another crude one when the protag sends inappropriate photos to a sub-antag.

6.) More to come.

[dpaterso]

1.) I've read that the poor man's copyright doesn't work. So what is the best way to protect your work?

Take a peek at shaylonavalon's "Protecting my material- question" thread.

2.) How can I determine if my work is good or not? Is the only way to share it on the message board? If so, isn't that dangerous?

Obviously you have to show it to other people at some time. Who these people are and how much you trust them is up to you to decide. You could try peer review sites like Zoetrope and Triggerstreet. Or pay for pro or semi-pro coverage.

3.) What is the best way to get noticed? If I start mailing query letters to agents, what are my chances?

You might want to take a peek at this thread on Done Deal Pro: The Futility of Pursuing an Agent (http://messageboard.donedealpro.com/boards/showthread.php?t=15194) ...which is kinda disappointing, but is a realistic "insider" look at the situation. The thread title speaks for itself.

4.) Are screenwriting contests legitimate?

Yes.

5.) Can a script be too inappropriate? I mean, I lost a friend when I let her read it; due to only a masturbation joke and another crude one when the protag sends inappropriate photos to a sub-antag.

Sounds as if you showed your script to the wrong person. Plenty of people find this kind of stuff funny.

-Derek
My Web Page - sci-fi, fantasy, horror, cyborgs, AIs, dragons, vampyres. (http://hometown.aol.co.uk/DPaterson57)
Our biggest enemy is going space crazy through loneliness. The only thing that helps me maintain my slender grip on reality is the friendship I share with my collection of singing potatoes.

[Hobbledehoy]

Thanks Dpat. I would give you money if weren't broke.

[wordmonkey]

1.) I've read that the poor man's copyright doesn't work. So what is the best way to protect your work?

WGA and/or Copyright your work. Costs somewhere between 20-30 bucks.

2.) How can I determine if my work is good or not? Is the only way to share it on the message board? If so, isn't that dangerous?

Newbie paranoia. It's cheaper to buy your script than steal it and be sued. Plus however hot and new your idea is, I'll put money on the fact that someone, somewhere is writing the same idea. At the end of the day it comes down to how you tell the story more than the story. If you go to a place that has a password protection like here or the places listed above, you are good to go. Just be smart. It's not that difficult.

3.) What is the best way to get noticed? If I start mailing query letters to agents, what are my chances?

Slim to none. If you live in/around LA, pressing flesh is the way to go. If you live outside LA, you have very little chance of breaking in. NY maybe as well. Beyond that you might wanna think of a) moving to LA; or b) looking at the indie scene which is a lot more flexible.

4.) Are screenwriting contests legitimate?

Some, not all. And you might wanna look at previous winners before spending your 40, 50, 75 buck entry fee - see what they wrote and if the sold it or went on to have a career afterwards. Nichol, Chesterfield, Disney are the big ones and there are a few others of that standing. They are good ones and you can enter a strong commercial script and be in with a chance. But there are some, like Blue Cat, which is clearly aimed at a more indie feel, so a teen comedy is likely not gonna do as well. Do you research and spend your money wisely.

5.) Can a script be too inappropriate? I mean, I lost a friend when I let her read it; due to only a masturbation joke and another crude one when the protag sends inappropriate photos to a sub-antag.

Know your audience. Fart gags might not go down as well with a Nun as they would with a Frat boy. Obviously that's a gross over-simplification, but the underlying point if true. You've worked hard on your script, where do you send/show it? Pick the wrong place and you just wasted a lot of time and probably annoyed someone. Pick the wrong agent/prod co and you risk annoying the people who hold your future in the balance. Pick the right people and you are halfway there.

But that's just the two cents of a monkey.

[Big Tex]

1.) I've read that the poor man's copyright doesn't work. So what is the best way to protect your work?




First, get it to a form that is actually "protectable." You can't protect an idea. A treatment is okay, but a first draft script is best. Send a copy to the WGA, and they will file it for a small fee. That's as good as you need.




2.) How can I determine if my work is good or not? Is the only way to share it on the message board? If so, isn't that dangerous?



If you're talking about a movie script, don't be overly paranoid. File it with the WGA. Most people here will not want to steal your idea, because we all believe that our own ideas are better. :-)





3.) What is the best way to get noticed? If I start mailing query letters to agents, what are my chances?




There is no substitute for persistence. It is the #1 success factor in any endeavor, including screenwriting.





4.) Are screenwriting contests legitimate?


They, like anything else, are businesses that are designed to make a profit. That being said, if you enter some of the more reputable ones and win, it will increase your odds of actually being read.



5.) Can a script be too inappropriate? I mean, I lost a friend when I let her read it; due to only a masturbation joke and another crude one when the protag sends inappropriate photos to a sub-antag.



Yes, a script can be inappropriate. That's no reflection on whether or not YOUR script is. But, a script can be inappropriate.



6.) More to come.


Hope that helps.

[scripter1]

My 6 cents.

1.) I've read that the poor man's copyright doesn't work. So what is the best way to protect your work?

Keep track of ALL your work.
Keep notes, brain farts, idea bubbles, and all drafts.
Then, when you get a solid draft that contains the real nuts and bolts of your story, one where the spine isn't likely to change, get that copywrited and registered.
And keep track of who you've actually mailed scripts to.

2.) How can I determine if my work is good or not? Is the only way to share it on the message board? If so, isn't that dangerous?

The cheapest way to find out if you are any good is to post the basic plot on a message board. A logline and a brief paragraph containing the main story beats will be enough for us to know how your story is working and identify faults in either the story or your approach.
When you post pages we will happily tear down your writing and knowledge of the craft BUT also give you some honest and real ways to improve the work.
Dangerous? It's a message board. What's the worse that could happen?:box:

3.) What is the best way to get noticed? If I start mailing query letters to agents, what are my chances?

Write a kicking script and convince all of your industry contacts that you are worth backing. What? No industry contacts? Get some. Work in the industry, some how, some way. If you can't do that then write a kicking script and get someone on the boards to really like you.
Or you can enter contests.

4.) Are screenwriting contests legitimate?

A few are, most are not. Run a search and you'll get links to contests that are legite. When ever you come across someone asking you to sign up with them you can run a search on IMDB or ask us.

5.) Can a script be too inappropriate? I mean, I lost a friend when I let her read it; due to only a masturbation joke and another crude one when the protag sends inappropriate photos to a sub-antag.

Well, it depends on the tone of the script and the manner in which the material is presented. I've read a bunch of novice scripts where the writer obviously BELIEVED IN or AGREED with the "inappropriate" material. If you read a script about a child being molested and there are key words in the script that tell you the writer ENJOYS this thought, or has too much practical knowledge, then a reader who is against that is going to get the creepes.
Sometimes the writer will show bias by contradicting themselves. They will have a character say something is wrong but then the character does it, and then tries to justify the action. It's just really piss poor writing, but it is what is really in the writer's heart. You wouldn't believe how many novice writers seem to live out fantasies through their scripts.

(It is one thing to write for yourself and quite another to write for millions of people.)

As was mentioned, know your target audience and shop the script to the appropriate places.

6.) More to come.

Bring it on.

[C.bronco]

see the www.copyright.gov website
Essentially, once you put an idea on paper, computer disk, hard drive, whatever, you are protected by copyright law. If you have it saved electronically, you can prove the date it was completed.
I had my novel copyrighted because it made my Dad happy, and he doesn't ask for much so I did it. That means a publisher will have to pay extra to have the copyright amended after editorial changes are made, or something like that.

[Write_At_1st_Light]

2.) How can I determine if my work is good or not? Is the only way to share it on the message board? If so, isn't that dangerous?

Very best place to start is by giving your script to a prospective audience that you trust. Family, friends, acquaintances - even neighbors. And work outward from there. Since the sole purpose of writing a screenplay is to get it made and seen by as large an audience as possible - go to the audience first. Not critiquers - that comes later. Give the script to people who are NOT critics of written material. See how they like it. Ask them if it's a movie they'd enjoy seeing. If you give your script to a large enough circle - and they all like it - then you know you've got something.

Critics and critiquers are going to be rough on your script because they are looking at it from a totally different viewpoint. You'll need their input - it's required, essential, valuable. But the intended "consumer" of your "product" is key. If their consensus is lukewarm or worse? Pay it high mind.

[clockwork]

5.) Can a script be too inappropriate? I mean, I lost a friend when I let her read it; due to only a masturbation joke and another crude one when the protag sends inappropriate photos to a sub-antag.


Looking at recent releases, it doesn't seem that way.