In 2010, all of my dreams were about to come true. I was going to have one of my plays presented at the Lincoln Center in New York, I was going to direct my first feature film, there were investors willing to finance several projects over the next five years and we started by optioning the film rights to one of my favorite Broadway musicals. The problem was that none of it was real. Everything was an elaborate scheme to con me out of a great deal of money. Read the rest here: http://alexander-galant.blogspot.ca/2013/11/i-was-duped-dont-let-it-happ...
Anything Goes : Beware of Phony Producers! I was duped, don't let it happen to you. by Alexander Galant
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I'm so sorry to hear that happened to you but I believe you are in the right place now. I trust this site and I would feel comfortable pitching to the executives without a concern on my mind.
Thanks! I'm not concerned with this site but I fear these two are going to try this again since they're creating an internet presence like the ones that fooled me. The more people who know about them, the better. If only I had found the other lawsuits listed, I would have saved myself the grief.
You are doing the write thing by spreading the word. I think as screenwriters we should look out for one another. I can't imagine someone steeling one of my ideas. I would be so sad.
I'm sorry this happened to you! Thanks for identifying the individuals involved.
I don't understand how you were duped?
Did you pay these two characters money to produce your screenplays?
Did you surrender your rights to your works without compensation?
Did you do your due diligence and check out these two individuals on sites like IMDb or better yet, IMDb Pro?
Did alarm bells not go off in your head when they said you could direct? They should have.
Unfortunately, too many screenwriters are so desperate to succeed that they jump at the first great opportunity head first without doing any checks. The problem isn't just these two cons - it's an entire industry out there built around taking your money by making promises it can't keep to budding screenwriters desperate to make it big and be famous instantly.
Despite all the promises, only about 1% of screenwriters will Option or Sell a screenplay. 1%. So, out of the 250,000 Stage32 members, less than 2,500 will Option or Sell a screenplay (as not all members are screenwriters).
It's always nice to be hopeful - but be prudent as well. If someone is asking you for money to produce your screenplay you are probably being conned. Move on. And stay focused on your craft.