So . . . I was all set and ready to go when I came across a few stray issues. Please help! Should I copyright before submitting to a contest like the one offered by HBO? If yes, then I wonder how to do that seeing I write under a pen name. Do I register with WGA under my given name (they ask for a SS#) and then "Add" my pen name as the author? (Sorry, this is probably very basic, but I honestly don't know how to proceed.) Once I copyright the material (if that's the appropriate route), does that make revisions/rewrites more or less difficult? In other words, am I better off NOT copyrighting if the whole point of the contest is (if I win) to work on developing a pilot/made for TV movie? What do contest promoters like HBO hope for in terms of having a script "out there"? In other words, I feel hesitant posting it at S32 without the copyright (I've asked about this and was told to copyright it first), but I'd LOVE to get feedback here before submitting it to the contest. I believe getting that feedback in advance could be valuable--thoughts? So--if I copyright it, I feel confident publishing it here . . . BUT if I don't copyright it, I'm hesitant to do that. (Yes, that's my head you see spinning.) Are the answers to these questions posted somewhere, and I'm just too new to know? They seem so basic, I'm almost embarrassed to ask. Grumble. Grumble. Thanks in advance! RJ
Screenwriting : I want to submit my screenplay to the HBO contest opening tomorrow. . . . and then I hit a brick wall (or two) by Robin Juliet
I want to submit my screenplay to the HBO contest opening tomorrow. . . . and then I hit a brick wall (or two)
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Yes, you should register it before submitting to a contest (or posting here). You can do major rewrites to it after, that's okay. Copyrighting is fine but registering it is quick & easy. You can use a pen name or your name. I think there's a place on the registration page to note that. And honestly, if you're submitting it to HBO, getting peer feedback on here isn't going to help you much. Go to a professional who knows what execs and contests are looking for. And you don't need it copy written to use a consultant.
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U.S. copyright lasts for 70 years after the death of the author. Copyright is automatic upon creation of the work. It does not depend on publication, notice of copyright or registration. The U.S. Copyright Office has a handy circular here: http://copyright.gov/circs/circ01.pdf
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you have to change a project much more than 5% to have to re-register it. I think its actually 50%.
I've emailed it to beta readers. I think the Gmail correspondence would hold up if someone tried to steal it. So, I think that issue is solved. @Alle, I have NOT had anyone read it with any professional experience whatsoever. All my beta readers were potential audience goers. It sounds as though the next step is to go ahead and set it up here. Whew! Thanks for the help!