Re: Screenplay release agreement Answer


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Posted by Michael Raben at cache-rk04.proxy.aol.com on March 08, 2004 at 21:52:45:

In Reply to: Screenplay release agreement? posted by turningintoJerry on March 08, 2004 at 14:37:47:

: When your screenplay gets requested for consideration do you have to send one of these release agreements even if they don't ask you to?

Hey Jerry,

After reading what you wrote, my first thought was that whoever "they" are, they forgot to send you a release form. Then it occurred to me, since you're not being specific about the "they", that they're probably a couple of rinky-dink producers or some-fly-by-night production company.

Understand this: nobody with any success, clout or professionalism in Hollywood will take a script submission from an unknown without a signed release form; the legalities are too severe. You've provided very little, in terms of details (how this process happened, what you've sent them already, what they've sent to you, etc.), but my advice is TREAD LIGHTLY.

Your script might not get stolen, but your idea might and it's significantly more difficult to sue for idea theft than it is for complete script theft (as an example, consider how there always seem to be 2 of every type of disaster movie: Volcano vs. Dante's Peak, Armageddon vs. Deep Impact, etc. That's no coincidence. Now, with Amistad, I believe that that WAS stolen and led to legal proceedings).

So, be careful. If you've more specific details to share, post 'em, and I'll be happy to toss in my two cents.

Always,
Michael Raben


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