Screenwriting : What do you think about this websites? Is it possible they could work? by Victor Titimas

I would never pitch an idea on a site hoping that someone was going to buy it. You can't registet or copyright an idea so where's the protection? Sounds insane to me.

Like Pierre said you can't copyright an idea. I know this is not a popular concept, but ideas are free. The value is in the implementation. I have concepts and loglines everywhere. When something in my brain changes I may be able to write them. At the moment they are just nuggets. I can give you as much as you want free of charge. I know you and I will produce completely different stories and scripts even starting from the same idea. Produces get pitched hundreds of ideas. Their biggest challenge is finding good ones. So they rely on trusted sources, which I doubt are pay to pitch websites. I would save your money for entry fees to big script comps. You can get feedback and winning or placing may get you some interest.

Great tip Tony.

@Tony, thanks for the tip. I always thought it was not possible.

I would be wary. If it sounds too good to be true...

Victor - Two things come to mind regarding your "ideas" question. 1. Ideas are usually pretty shallow and only generate enough substance for about 25-30 pages, and yes, maybe a decent ending, which means the middle of your idea/screenplay is either missing or weak as hell. 2. Just generating ideas doesn't help develop or advance your screenwriting skills. I doubt a producer or studio is going to say, "Hey, go see so-and-so, they have great ideas." Screenwriting is like digging a ditch - you can't just imagine what the ditch will look like, you must actually dig, move the dirt and configure it (how deep, how wide), so it serves a purpose.

I am a believer in Virtual Pitch Fest. S32 also has a pitch platform that is clearly working very well.

Tony, it's not "wordsmithing." You cannot copyright a title, a phrase, or an idea -- only the execution itself. Your registered treatment would have to be very thorough and detailed to have any legal standing in court. Getting back to the thread topic, I would steer clear of such websites -- sounds like a scam. Regina already mentioned some more reputable possibilities.

"Star Wars" is also a trademark. Many marketing phrases or tag lines are usually trademarked. Trademark is a different thing. Tony, this is not about what I believe, it's copyright law. I used to work with and created many trademarks when I worked in advertising. Plus, I have a copyright lawyer. :) Sorry, but "giant, man-eating shark....." is not something that can be copyrighted. It's too vague. It's a premise. It's an idea. It's a phrase. Anyone can use it, regardless of Jaws. The film execution of Jaws and the script are copyrighted. Probably all elements of its execution are copyrighted as well. I believe they also trademarked the title "JAWS." But, as far as an idea, anyone could write about "a giant shark feeding on unsuspecting bathers." However, they would have to tread carefully to make sure their execution is very different than Jaws. Creatively speaking, it's redundant and derivative, so why would anyone? Jaws is a one of a kind film. It dominates this premise. It is synonymous in the minds of the general public. Perhaps that's why we now have Sharknado! LOL! Titles/names can not be copyrighted. However, they can be protected as a trademark. You have to consider titles of books, songs, films, TV shows, art, people, places, things, etc -- many share exactly the same. Different works can have the same title, but their execution or "form" is completely different. Again, it's the execution of the work that is copyrighted. There are two films named "The Revenant." The first one was released in 2011. It's about a dead soldier who comes back to life and must feed on blood. The second is to be released this December, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. It's about a frontiersman who's left for dead and out for vengeance. Two different films; same title. When titles are considered, often it's more a concern about audience confusion, or market confusion. With "The Revenant" the creators clearly didn't see one.

Oops, the first film titled "The Revenant" was released in 2009. I've seen so many different dates for this film I got them mixed up. Sorry about that. :)

Sorry any Agents producers that buy idea's big very suspicious!! Indeed

To Rich's points, agents are not allowed to be producers, so an agent should not acquire material for himself to produce. However, you can pitch an idea to a producer. Here's an example. I went to my first in-person Pitch Fest a few weeks ago (the Fade In fest). A real estate agent pitches me an idea. He's not a writer himself. If I were to say "yes" to his idea, we'd partner as producers, and I'd use my professional network to bring on a writer before pitching to buyers. I passed on his pitch, but the scenario is valid.

Here's a more professional example of producers pitching and successfully selling to a buyer without a screenwriter attached. http://deadline.com/2014/01/robert-evans-cable-series-about-1970s-hollyw... "They are out to writers right now. "

Tony, I'm not arguing with you, nor will I debate any further. Defensiveness is not needed. And, I need no further "education" on these matters, thanks. Nor do I need to further justify myself to you, nor you to me. Just sharing some of my personal experience and knowledge. Besides, I said "I believe" Jaws was trademarked, I never said that it was definitely. Please, any member with legal questions about copyright and/or trademark do seek legal council for your specific needs. :) Back to the tread topic. Sorry for the diversion everyone. :)

Thanks for sharing the article, Regina. :)

Register a treatment/synopsis which contains more than just an idea, or concept premise; it should be thoroughly written; characters, story arcs, dialogue -- a clear, specific execution of an idea. :) Anyway, the thread topic is about a web site in which one can pitch, or rather "send" ideas to producers/agents/managers. Is there some sort of format/protocol for doing so on these sites in question? Do they ask for some sort of release form to be signed to protect both sides? Do you have to agree to "terms of use?" Do they ask for a copyrighted treatment/synopsis? Sharing an idea is sharing an idea; anyone could run with it with their own execution. Many feel these sites sound rather dodgy. It's better to pitch not only an idea but your specific execution of that idea, and yourself as the writer. Leave them wanting more -- sounds good to me, Ben. :)

Regina, you mentioned Virtual Pitchfest... I have not participated myself, nor have I thoroughly explored this site as an option. In looking over their site, it seems you must purchase a package, or membership? Prices range from $50 - $189 for various numbers of pitches you may do. I assume there are some legalities, yes? You are one of the professionals being pitched to, right? ;) Virtual Pitchfest does seem comparable to Happy Writers. :)

Ummm, no, Tony, not with your statements about "ideas." Ideas cannot be copyrighted -- only specific executions of an idea, which does include detailed treatments/synopsis/screenplays, i.e., written executions. I never disputed registering a treatment, just stressing to members to write them thoroughly with all story elements represented. What "executions" can be copyrighted are clearly described on the US Copyright Office web site. Let's just leave it at that, please, and get back to the thread topic. Thanks. :)

Lol, Tony, you are a riot!

Victor, would you please post the web sites you are referring to and questioning. It would be helpful. Thanks. :)

To the OP, any website who says "send us your unwritten, unregistered_ ideas and if we like them we'll pay you" is probably NOT a place I'd send anything. its a bad idea. it's different if someone is asking for scripts and says they don't have to be registered _(still weird but you have some protection anyway). But I'd stay away. And I tell my writers not to pitch things at pitchfests that aren't written in some way. its a waste of time.

@Beth: Sorry for this late reply, I just saw your reply...Here are the websites I was writing about: http://www.hollywoodpitcher.com/ https://www.moviepitcher.com/ http://www.greenlightmymovie.com/ And, as Tony wrote, Script Pipeline is the contest I've found. They also have a movie idea contest...: https://scriptpipeline.com/shop/great-movie-idea-contest

@victor @Tony funnily enough I was just watching a youtube video on the timing of when to let others in on your idea for a script. The answer is not at the ideas stage. It allows others to shoot down the core of the idea before you've had time to develop it and be certain of it's merits. Far better to write a script and have lived with it a while before seeking others input the video author says. From my perspective I don't want anyone near my idea until it's been played out in my mind many times and completed on paper to my own satisfaction. Then I'm ready for critique.

Avoid them at all costs. The idea is the idea. The heavy lifting is the execution. There are a million ways to execute the same idea. If you're a writer -- focus on the execution. If you're not a writer -- then what are you?

Sorry for the confusion, Tony. My response was ro Victor not to you. He was asking about selling just an idea he had when no script or anything else existed. That does not a 'writer' make. I often get asked by people who have a 'great idea for a series' they want me to write and we can share the writing credit and monies. I tell them to get a copy of my book 'Automatic Pilot' which takes them through the step-by-step process of writing a pilot (or just about anything) -- and they should write it themselves and take all the credit and keep all the money. That's the last anybody will hear of that idea again.