Posted by Michael Raben at spider-ti083.proxy.aol.com on January 01, 2001 at 16:56:53:
In Reply to: Answer for Mike Patrick posted by VioLenT BoB on January 01, 2001 at 12:52:18:
: : Whats the best way I can sell a screenplay without being ripped off? I'm currently writing 2 very original ones...
: I'm about 99% sure you can't patent and or copyright ideas...it's kinda like that theory that there are only 6 original stories anyway.
: Well, send copies of your two very original scripts to both the copyright office, and the WGA west or east depending on which coast. That'll cover your proof of authorship should you be 'ripped off'.
I agree with most of Violent Bob's post and I would like to offer the following bit of perspective.
First, you're going to get ripped off big time. At face value, you're a 'nobody': you're unknown, you have no track record and you have noone interested in you. You're going in blind and if anyone wants to buy a script from you, they'll know all of this before-hand. So you probably won't make too much crazy money on your first script.
Sunny point number two: MOST scripts never get produced. They get bought and then they sit, in perpetuity. So even if you sell a first script, it might not mean anything to anybody else but you.
A long term goal would be to sell some scripts, make a name for yourself and then work on some bigger projects (perhaps even directing/producing). At that point you won't be getting ripped off anymore.
Always,
Michael Raben