What is the first step to getting a screenplay published?

Question

I've got idea's but I want to do it right.

Answer 1

Screenplays aren't published. If you write one, you first register the copyright for the work by registering it with the Bureau of Intellectual Property in Washington, then you register it, probably through the Writers Guild.

You then find production companies to send it to to read.

You should be able to learn more by buying books on how to write screenplays and about writing in general. The Writers Digest is a good place to look for such books. They used to publish a Screenwriters Digest magazine, and probably still do, so look for it. I only bought one copy, but I learned a lot from reading just that one copy.

Taking the appropriate writing classes is also a good idea if you can do that where you are.

There are a lot of websites and forums which discuss this, but be selective about what you read there.

Try this one:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/arts/features/howtowrite/screenplay.shtml


Entering screenplay competitions might be good to do, and will bring you some attention if you win them, but I don't know which ones might be legitimate since I never looked into that.
I did write a one page "treatment" (summary) of a screenplay plot as a lark once and entered it into a CBC competition once. I won a prize for that.

There are rules for formating screenplays that you have to follow or the script won't get read. They even specify which font you use. The format that Hollywood wants to see is different from the one used in Britain. It has been described as 'arbitrary and arcane,' but you'll have to know this if you want to have your script read.
You can buy scriptwriting software which will make the process easier, or you can buy a screenplay format guide from various sources.
See this Wiki for more on that topic, and google for the term:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screenplay

You can do it and be successful at it. Others have. Good luck.

Answer 2

Screenplays are only published in book form if the movie does extremely well at the box office. Most screenplays are sold to production companies. You may want to enter your script in some festivals to generate interest from an agent or producer.

Answer 3

On the DVD of the movie "Catch and Release", the director Susannah Grant, who is also an Oscar-winning screenwriter, talks about how she became a screenwriter in the commentary. It's worth a listen. But, please, do what every writer should do and observe real life, not just the movies. Movies need common sense, reality, and real human characters desperately. Also, the movie "Juno" has a good commentary with the screenwriter, too. If they are available, commentaries are a good way for a budding filmmaker to learn.