Copyright Comm2339electronicmedia.wordpress.com

Before you sell or market your script Copyright it! When you copyright your script you are guaranteeing that you and only you have exclusive rights to your creation. It’s a form of protection provided by the laws of the U.S. to the authors of original works.

How Copyrights work Technically speaking – all screenplays and scripts are copyrighted from the moment of their creation. But this doesn’t mean you have a way to prove your ownership to the material.

In order to Copyright your work: You need a form PA. You write to the Library of Congress in order to register your work: Register of Copyrights Copyright Office Library of Congress Washington, DC 20540

You can also Get the appropriate forms through the website: www.lcweb.loc.gov/copyright

What can you copyright? Books Screen plays Plays Articles And Treatments.

What you can’t copyright: Titles Character names Short phrases Or bits of dialogue Ideas

The Poor Man’s Copyright This is where you mail your script to yourself. This is to prove that you wrote you script by the postmarked date. Pros – it’s easy. Cons: You can’t defend it in court.

The WGA Writer’s Guild of America In order to become a member you must be able to meet a certain amount of credits or units. These units are only attained after you’ve had several scripts succeed in the business. Only then can you become a member.

The WGA It’s a union. Membership is costly. You can also register your script through them once you gain membership but It’s recommended that you copyright it.

Representation You’ve written your script – now what? Do you have more than one? You need to have at least two completed screenplays. Agents are not in the business of nursing you – agents are in the business to make money quickly. They need samples of your work because they want to make sure you can do it again.

How to get an agent The Writer’s Guild of America can provide you a list of agencies. Make sure the agency does not charge you a “reader’s Fee.” Some agencies want the full script. Others want a query letter. This is a sentence or two about yourself, a great pitch of your screenplay (think of the concept), a little bit about yourself and anything else that you think will make them want to read your script. Include a self addressed envelope with a stamp.

The query letter: Intro: This part should contain the “hook” something that shows the agent that you are different and deserve to represented by him or her. It can be about something you’ve done or you can mention a couple of awards.

The Pitch This would be the second paragraph: This is where you would pitch your idea. You can only do this is three to five sentences. Think of it as a trailer from a movie. Or you can think of it as the concept from your treatment.

Closing At the end of the letter thank the agent for their time and invite them to reply to your letter. Let them know that there is a Self Addressed Envelope and tell them that if they want to represent you – all they have to do is reply “Yes.” This takes little effort and time.

Little Response If 5 percent of the agents want to see your script this is positive news! If they want to read your script send it to them and attach a Thank you letter with it. Put the words “Requested Material” on the envelope so they don’t trash it. Send it with a SASE so they can reply whether they want it or will toss it. Include your email address in your letter – they may be more apt to respond this way this day and age.

Sample of a query letter

Tricks to getting an agent Write an awesome script Write a great query letter Be polite but persistent Have professional credit. Live in Los Angeles or New York Attend film school (connections) Win or place at a screen writing contest Endorsements from professionals “in” the business. Have an agent while looking for a new one.

Other tricks… Look for new young agents. If you happen to find one be very polite to them. They may still reject you but they will be more willing to talk to you about what you need to do to move your script to the top of the pile and out of the trash bin. Get endorsed. Get the attention of a produce or exec producer – agents are always checking to see what these guys want.

If they want you They will ask you to sign a “exclusive” contract. This means they will represent you but also make a cut in the profits you make. They will send you to meet and greet some folks. Standard rate to go by is 10 percent.

Other ways to get “represented” Agents that are willing to represent the script not You. This will get your script out into the studios. But you never know how you will do until the acceptance or rejection letters come in. They aren’t pushing for your success. You want them to say “I like your writing. Sign here.”

What you will need later on A manager An entertainment lawyer.

The purchasing of your script Can be done outright by studios or producers. This allows them to have the rights to your script for a certain period of time. You need to have a set purchase price with a “floor” and “ceiling” That means you may be paid $10,000 initially with a 3 percent of the production budget and a floor of $100,000. This means that they must pay you a minimum of $100,000 if it gets produced and no more than $300,000.

Don’t give up! Knowledge is power! Make sure you research each agency and maybe reach out to a couple writers and ask them what they think. Don’t get hustled. Don’t give up. Writer’s must be persistent.

Assignment Continue working on your final! Today: If you have not completed your script exercise (the one we did in class) please do so and turn it in. Today: Work on your character descriptions and final treatments.