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This issue sponsored by
BreakingIn.net
~ Where Screenwriters Go to Break In! ~
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Dear Screenwriter:
Thinking about optioning a published book or story for the movies? Don't miss our tutorial on optioning previously published material.
Then check out our contests this issue before you succumb to spring fever.
On with Script Market News...
SCRIPT
MARKET
NEWS
February 25, 2003
IN THIS ISSUE...
SCREENWRITER Q + A: Script Copyright
FEATURE
ARTICLE => Optioning Source Material
MARKET TIPS => Spring Contests
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Hot Writing Jobs
No more excuses...
YOU can get PAID to write!
Find out how...
www.breakingin.net/hot-jobs-for-writers.htm
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SCREENWRITER
Q + A
QUESTION on SUBMITTING SCRIPTS ~~ I am a budding scriptwriter who has completed six scripts. Do I need to copyright them? ~~ Chris
ANSWER ~~ Six scripts finished? Wow, that is terrific. Here is a short tutorial on several steps you can take once you finish an original script:
~~ www.breakingin.net/tswafter-fade-out.htm
All screenwriters who aspire to sell scripts to the American film market should become familiar with the Writers Guild of America. Here is an article on how the Writers Guild can help you market your first scripts even though you're not a Guild member as yet:
~~ www.breakingin.net/tswwritersguild.htm
Feature
Article:
Securing
Film Rights to Published Material
Copyright (c) 2003, Lenore Wright
Have you ever read a book or story and thought -- This would make a terrific movie! Sure you have.
Should an aspiring writer attempt to secure the film rights to already published material? Good question.
Some screenwriters do break into the business by adapting a story from a published source. This strategy only works...
IF the writer has been hired to adapt the story by the entity that CONTROLS
the rights to it.
or
IF the writer CONTROLS the underlying rights to the published material.
No legitimate producing entity will get involved in a project unless the rights are secured. Let me repeat --> No LEGITIMATE producing entity will get involved in a project unless the rights are SECURED.
Further, if someone else controls the film rights, any work you do on the project will be FUTILE whether it is adapting the story, writing the screenplay or attempting to set up the project at a film company.
So, if you long to adapt previously published material, be certain you control the rights to the underlying material. How do writers secure the rights to published material?
Step
One: Find Out Who Controls the Rights to the Material that Interests
You.
Research the contact information for the publisher of the book or magazine story that interests you. You will probably find their mailing address or contact information in the front of the book or magazine. Contact the publisher's Rights and Acquisitions Department. Often this initial query can be done by faxing the publishing house a short letter inquiring about the film rights.
You will receive one of these responses:
RESPONSE #1 -> Film rights are NOT available.
If this is the case, DO NOT attempt to work with the material. You waste your time and set yourself up for heartache when you work on material that someone else controls -- unless of course the person in control of the rights has hired you to adapt the material.
RESPONSE #2 -> Film rights ARE available.
If this is the case, proceed to Step Two below.
RESPONSE #3 -> Film rights are in the PUBLIC DOMAIN.
Public Domain means that the author's copyright has expired on this material. Briefly, authors retain copyright through their lifetime plus a certain number of years depending on the law that was in effect when the material was published. If the work is in the Public Domain you are free to adapt it and sell your adaptation.
Examples of Public Domain authors: Shakespeare, Shaw, Louisa May Alcott,
Sophocles, Homer, Hawthorne, Henry James, Edith Wharton and many others.
One caution: Public Domain works sometimes have multiple projects developed at the same time since no one controls the rights exclusively. Some of Jack London's work recently moved into Public Domain. Currently, there are three different versions of London's CALL OF THE WILD in active development.
Step
Two: Consider Negotiating an Option on the Film Rights.
Notice I say consider. Just because rights are available doesn't mean you should or can acquire them. Before you mortgage your home and make an offer on the rights, do some research and plenty of creative thinking.
Here are some parameters to guide you:
-> TARGET APPROPRIATELY
Most well-known books or novels by best-selling authors would be too expensive for an aspiring writer to option. More reasonable properties to target might be out-of-print books, short stories or books from small publishing houses.
-> RESEARCH THE SPECIFIC MARKET
Ask yourself these questions --
~ Is there a movie audience for this project?
~ Are similar projects currently in development?
~ What books and stories have sold recently to the movies and who bought them?
To research current movie development deals log onto => www.hollywoodlitsales.com.
Step
Three: Contact a Professional to Help You Negotiate for the Film Rights.
Agents, managers and entertainment lawyers specialize in securing rights to creative material. If you are serious about securing the rights to a specific published piece, you should contact an experienced professional to help
you -- after you've done your research.
It is smart to find out all you can on your own before you put an entertainment attorney on the clock. The Web offers many sources of free information on copyright and how to secure rights to creative material. Here are a few reliable places to help you get started:
FYI:
Copyright Sites
Basic copyright sites:
=> www.whatiscopyright.org
=> www.benedict.com
Entertainment attorney tutorial =>
www.lawgirl.com/copyright.shtml
This guy knows it all =>
www.ivanhoffman.com
Sample creative rights contracts =>
www.lawsmart.com/main.html
When dealing with previously published material, passion for the story is not enough. Get the facts and proceed with caution.
++++++++++++++++++++++++
Selling Your Work to the Movies?
LET www.breakingin.net
HELP YOU BREAK IN!
Bombproof Query Letters =>
www.breakingin.net/tswquery.htm
Freebie
Script Format Tutorial =>
www.breakingin.net/format
_ tutorial.htm
++++++++++++++++++++++++
Reserve Your Copy:
MARKET
TIP
Spring
Contests
=> CYNOSURE SCREENWRITING AWARDS
If you have a character-driven story featuring a FEMALE PROTAGONIST or a MINORITY PROTAGONIST (male or female). Check out this contest sponsored by Broad Mind Entertainment. Two top prizes of $2,000 each.
DEADLINE: April 5, 2003
INFO => www.broadmindent.com
=> FINAL DRAFT'S BIG BREAK #4
Have you entered the Big Break yet? The 4th annual Big Break International Screenwriting Contest offers a terrific first prize: $10,000. Plus an all-expense-paid trip to Los Angeles to meet some of Hollywood's industry pros. 2nd and 3rd prizes also include cash. The scripts of all top ten finalists will be submitted to a major literary agent.
This contest has momentum. The first year's winning script has been produced; and previous winners have had professional script readings in Los Angeles.
DEADLINE: May 31, 2003
INFO => www.finaldraft.com/bigbreak
=> SCRIPTAPALOOZA #5
This well-run, respected contest offers a $10,000. First prize, plus software for the top three winners, plenty of industry exposure and publicity.
Thirteen finalists will be considered by Scriptapalooza's participants: Artists Management Group, Samuel Goldwyn Films, Film Colony, Evolution, Phoenix Pictures.
BONUS: Their Website publishes updates on previous winners and finalists. Check out the details.
DEADLINE: March 3, 2003
INFO => www.scriptapalooza.com
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Harry's Back!
Reserve your copy of Harry Potter V
...and check out our BOOKLIST for
Emerging Screenwriters...
www.breakingin.net/tswbestemergingbooks.htm
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Do a writing pal a favor and
FORWARD Script Market News to them.
Spring is on it's way so FINISH THAT SCRIPT
before you succumb to spring fever.
Lenore Wright, Editor
Script Market News
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Jumpstart YOUR writing career!
www.breakingin.net/benefits.htm
If
you haven't seen my site for screenwriters... GO NOW
=> www.breakingin.net/
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