The producer from "Pirates" sent mail back saying I can not send him my pitch bc it might lead to plagarism?

Question

So, what should I do now? Like, is there any other way, you know, besides getting an agent that I can do this? And, you know, I have been asking this a lot. But if you guys don't like it, I'm sorry. Nothing I can do about. Just don't read my questions I guess. Becasue I am going to keep posting. Sorry.

Answer 1

You've heard my ideas on how to get your script looked at (thanks for the 10 points), now let me give you a simple solution for falsifying a poor man's copyright.

First, take a large catalog envelope, address it to yourself, and put a few sheets of paper inside to make it seem like legitimate mail.

Next, place some light double stick tape on the inside flap of the envelope. Make sure you don't cover the envelope's actual adhesive seal, you'll be needing this later. Seal the envelope with the double stick tape and mail it to yourself.

When the envelope arrives back to you the next day, open it up. If you can safely remove the double stick tape from the envelope, then go ahead and do so. If not, then let the adhesive dry out and then carefully rub it out.

Congratulations! You now have a postmarked envelope that you can put any script into, at any time, seal it, and then make the claim that you wrote that script on the date of the postmark.

However.

If I can think of this method, then so can anyone else, and any good lawyer would be able to see through that. This is why a Poor Man's Copyright will not stand up in a court of law.

Your best bet then really is to register your script with the Writer's Guild of America, East or West. The fees to register are $22 at the WGAe or $20 at the WGAw. For the price of two people going to the movies, your script is protected for 10 years by the WGAe or 5 years by the WGAw. And if a credit dispute ever arises the WGA will arbitrate on your behalf.

Now, as far as having an agent goes, having one is a good idea, but an agent is a tool (and I mean that in a good way), not a solution. Having an agent listed on your cover page will increase your chances of getting read, but you still have to do the work of finding producers to read it, especially when you are just starting out. Your agent will more than likely be putting more of their energy toward their more established clients because, let's face it, they have bigger price quotes and earn them bigger commissions than you would at the beginning. Most likely once youve signed with your agent, you won't hear from him again until youve made a connection with a producer on your own and a deal is ready to be made.

The way to find an agent is the same as the way to find a producer. Just query, pitch, and send out your scripts, and hope you can sell one on them. The only difference is that the book to find them is the HOLLYWOOD REPRESENTATION DIRECTORY, not the HOLLYWOOD CREATIVE DIRECTORY...

Answer 2

ok, you have to understand that no-one who is reputable will accept an unsolicited script, treatment, or idea. as you've been told, the reason is that their acceptance of anything can open the door to they're being sued for plagiarism or copyright infringement. since these are huge concerns, the safest route is not to accept anything unless it's been solicited.
the only way i can think of, to get solicited, by anyone who could possibly help you, is to write and publish as much as you can. get involved in a program in film-making. take a course (or several) in script writing. it takes time and effort,and commitment to writing to accomplish anything.
best of luck to you.....

btw, the "poor man's copyright" is a fiction, yes, technically copyright is established by putting something down in tangible form, however, if there is ever any question of ownership of an idea, then realistically, the owner is considered to be the one who has REGISTERED the material in the US copyright office. it is worth the effort and the money to register with them

Answer 3

Whatever you do, DON'T GET AN AGENT!!!!!!!
For real! An agent might get your work seen by too many people and you wouldn't want that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:-)