Why it's not a good idea to post your script here

[Nigel]

I wouldn't post a script here for legal/copyright reasons.

Get a script doctor if you want opinions. If you can't hire a script doctor give your script as well as a submission agreement to someone who writes professionally. If you can't find a writer take it with the submission agreement to someone who reads/edits. There are a lot of people out there that will take a look and give you feedback without exposing yourself to possible theft complete or partial.

Good Luck

[turbospielberg]

it's a little safer for people in the UK regarding copyright issues as we don't have to register scripts for copyright.

In the UK when you write a script the copyright then officially belongs to you. If you can also prove the date you first wrote it then there are no real legal issues.

Therefore anyone who plagerised/stole/copied a script posted here would be breaking the law. [img]graemlins/smarty.gif[/img]

[deanl]

Hey there.

When I write something I love getting opinions from as many people as possible. I post and send my stuff all over the place to get opinions. In my experience most "filmmakers" have too big an ego to go stealing someone Else's idea. I know I wouldn't.

But if someone is so void of ideas and has to actually steal my stuff. **** it. They can have it if they are that bad. I personally cant think of anything worse than having a finished script/film, showing it to people and have them go "wow that was a great script, idea. Well done" And to know deep down they are praising **** that isn't yours. How bad must that feel?

I think people on here are being FAR too paranoid to think that people are going to steal their scrips the second you post them. If you don't want the opinions of people on here then fine. Don't post. But don't come with that "I need to protect my ideas" ********.

Oh yeah...

"You need to send the script recorded delivery to yourself, don't open it but keep it safe somewhere.. That way if someone nicks your script you have it documented when you actually wrote it."

That doesn't work.

Despin out.

[TomTowers]

trust me it gives you legal strength over the contents of the package. I'm a music writer and I've been told by many publishers to send my music to myself recorded delivery and to keep it sealed and closed. It does work.

[emjen]

that has already been said earlier, and despin already 'proved' that was nonsense if i remember correctly.

But it goes a long way.

Posting scripts here does slow you down though. TOo many different opinions are never something very good. That goes for unfinished scripts that is. If I've finished something, and don't know what else to do about it I show it to my friends, and then they tell me what I should do about it. There's usually a concensus there so that does the job.

And besides, posting scripts here only gets about 2 to 4 replies anyways... [img]graemlins/sure.gif[/img]

[assyrix]

I am referring not so much to the actual story in the scripts (most of the examples that have been posted here are actually quite good) but more to the layout and marketability of the script.

I *assume* that most people would post their scripts not because they want a feedback on the story itself but more on the marketability / production possibilty. The feedback posts I have read so far only concerned the story (iirc) simply because nearly all of us haven't been in the industry long enough (if at all) to judge such things.

As for not having access to a BBC commission editor - a lot of people posting here have done or are doing some sort of media studies. Give your script or treatment to a lecturer and ask him for his or her opinion. Or how about people you know who know other people in the business (that's how I met the commissioning editor - she's the girlfriend of a mate's mate)?

[Nigel]

If you feel you have marketable script all the more reason NOT to post it.

Scripts are stolen all the time. Music is stolen all the time. There are countless examples of this--Read Paul McCartney with "My Sweet Lord" who lost a copyright battle with the Chiffons because he stole their song "He's So Fine" even though he claimed he didn't.

Filmmakers are not as altruistic as one thinks. If they smell money they become quite ruthless.

Always ask yourself--How can I protect my Sh1t no matter how bad it stink??

Good Luck

[highlander1432]

I have to agree with a lot of the other posts here; I don’t think it is a bad idea to post scripts here either. Posting your script here for critiquing is in concept the same as the big film companies having pre-screenings of a film to get audience reaction. The difference here is that most of us do not have the facilities, time and money to make a film, screen it, and then make appropriate changes latter i.e. re-shoot scenes, re-edit, etc.

Also writing a script is quite different than writing say a school report. You not only have to write dialog, but you have to be able to explain visually. Some people are able to do this naturally, but too many more it really come as a struggle. In the end it really does not matter how good an idea is if you can not express it properly.

I am very fortunate that I work in a group of five people who have various talents to contribute. One is very technical and computer savvy, one is very good at F/X, one has gone to film school and knows a lot about filming technique and practices, and couple are good at coming up with and writing out stories.

I could not even imagine trying to write a script alone, it’s hard and takes a lot of practice and if you’re grammatically challenged like me it is a nightmare. So in my view if you post your script and only two or three people respond to the post with constructive criticism you have gained some insight and knowledge. Especially if it is less a problem with the story and more to do with story structure as ac_01 pointed out. I find when you are really emotionally attached to a project it is often hard be objective and see the flaws within it. An unbiased opinion often can be worth its weight in gold, you just have to be able to recognize it when you see it.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ October 10, 2003 02:57 PM: Message edited by: Highlander1432 ]</font>

[TomTowers]

2 things despin
1.They have to be sealed
2. they weigh them.. if there is nothing in there then it would show up that there was nothing in there when sent to yourself.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ October 10, 2003 06:36 PM: Message edited by: TomTowers ]</font>

[Generic Skinhead]

I pretty much agree with Despin.

First off I always think it smacks of a little arrogance to worry about you're idea being stolen. I mean with respect-no one on here has demonstrated themselves to be a truly brilliant writer. I think of myself as a writer, but I'll hold my hands up and say I still have a lot to learn. But entering a third year of film school, I have "some" idea of what makes a good short or whatever...so maybe I can help some people. If not- oh well.

Dont get me wrong- some scripts on here have potential and are a good read but...most of it is written by first timers...these guys NEED all the feedback they can get.