Screenwriters, would you ever put your scripts on Amazon for readers to purchase no different than how self publishing authors put their books up for sale on Amazon?
I know traditionally, sharing scripts especially in the public domain is a MAJOR no, no. But, knowing that very little can be done to truly protect IP these days, meaning....if a script is shared in big Hollywood, all a production house needs to do is switch just a very small percentage of your script and make it their own without you reaping any profit.
So, could self publishing a script these days actually be beneficial? I see serious potential in this but that potential obviously comes with major risks. But, could the risks be worth the rewards?
Thoughts?
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Kerry, I'm squeamish about putting my scripts on Amazon for readers to purchase. Right now, I'd rather go the traditional way. (But thanks for asking!)
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my background is marketing, focus media management (print/radio).
if you can create a market for your script on amazon, you have a winner. Trail blazing new markets is a challenge.
If you can create awareness for your script (by your desired target market - funders/producers) and use amazon as a tool to refine and improve the screenplay, you have a win win.
There is always the risk of a down side to any action you do. look for unintended consequences.
look at the whole distribution chain, not just amazon. itsy perhaps , boutique buy sell, serialized as a series of shorts online with paywall.
Ken
Dan, While I do not disagree about "there's no market for purchasing unproduced spec scripts." I would counter with another question, has their ever been such a market? I believe that answer is no. If true, then with today's world of innovation and disruptive markets/technology, one could ask, can such a market be established/created?
Why?
Because of exactly what Ken had written. Publicly, create the brand, create the awareness, create the buzz, create the demand. The second and third orders of effect with that would be public pressure on funders/producers.
Again, this is all just brainstorming and definitely not arguing one way or another but rather me asking the questions to garner the insight.
"Fancy websites and illusions" This quote totally completes me :)
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if we are speculating about repurposing media. Director's scene cards with a spec script could be considered an art form. I know a guy that can ink superman.
^THIS!
Hmm. It is a different type of market. When you sell on Amazon you retain the copyright. Selling a script is actually selling the copyright with conditions around payments.
I have a few books on Amazon, you can make beer money. But I also don’t support my work with promotion. I really on word of mouth.
If I was going to spend time and promoting my work it would be my scripts, not my books.