Producing : How long can it take to receive an answer when a producer has asked to read your script? by Frederique Di Scala

That's like asking how long is a piece of rope.

Months ... Although some are really quick. I had some great feedback in the spring, when a producer requested the script, read it quickly and responded very positively. After that though ... crickets :D

Hi Frederique, it can take a few months! There is no harm in following up at that point. The development process is long!

Sometimes producers will email you back and tell you that they've received your email, but not always, Frederique Di Scala. If a producer does reply to let you know that they've received your email, it could take day, a few days, weeks, or more. I agree with GiGi Raines. If you haven't heard back in a few months, there's no harm in following up.

Thank you for your advice Maurice and Gigi! :)

You're welcome, Frederique.

Frederique Di Scala - I think this happens far too frequently. A simple yes or no would be courteous and professional. Just a note, before sending off your script to anyone, make sure you have copyrighted it with USCO and ask them to sign an NDA. If they say no, move on. So many places are just looking for 'free' ideas. Not everyone...but better safe than sorry. Best wishes!

Writers should register their scripts with U.S. Copyright Office before sending them out, Stephen Folker, but from what I've learned from others, asking a producer to sign an NDA will turn the producer away. Producers, production companies, studios, etc. are the ones who ask writers to sign NDAs. I've only ever signed NDAs. I've never asked a producer, etc. to sign them.

I have registred my film The Writers Guild of America to be safe, and mentioned it in my mail including my script.. so hopefully it will be fine...

Registering a script with the WGA doesn't give your script much protection, Frederique Di Scala. Here's a blog about how to protect your scripts (www.stage32.com/blog/how-to-protect-your-script-from-theft-3210).

Hi Frederique was this through Stage 32 or elsewhere?

Hi Sam! No it was not through Stage 32, it was a big French company... That's the worry, because although I mentioned my registration number with the WGA, I feel they could use my script.

Merci Stephen, Maurice and Sam.

Maurice Vaughan Couple of things. WGA registers your screenplay, the USCO copyrights it. Both aren't a bad idea, but USCO is the way to go all day. Regarding NDA and turning people away, my thoughts, see you later alligator. LOL. Seriously, if someone doesn't have the respect to sign an NDA, they probably weren't going to consider producing it anyway. Play it safe with your ideas. Read the fine print. And remember, most of these companies are not going to produce our ideas. They're looking for ideas. My two cents. Hope everyone has much success this year with their projects! :)

Hi, Stephen Folker. The WGA and the USCO both register scripts. A script is copyrighted the moment it's written (www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-general.html#what). I only register my scripts with the USCO, but I've been hearing more information lately that registering a script with the WGA is nice backup protection.

Maurice Vaughan and EVERYONE on this thread... the entertainment lawyers on this site, my self among them finally want to say WGA REGISTRATION IS OF NO LEGAL SIGNIFICANCE OF ANY KIND OR NATURE. It is just a more expensive and less convenient version of "poor man's copyright" which is mailing the script to yourself and leaving the envelope sealed. If it makes people feel better.... that's literally all it does, as well as taking your money. There is absolutely no added protection at all to your copyright, and the fact that WGA registrations are not public also ensures that there is nothing to embarrass anyone who does use your material. Your work is copyrighted the moment it is created. Registration at the Copyright Office gives you EXTRA PROTECTIONS and DAMAGES.

Thanks for clearing that up, Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg. I stopped registering with the WGA a while ago.