I’m am new here and I joined because I searched for “how to pitch an idea for a Television series” on Facebook and this is the only place that seems just right.
I have ideas all the time about what I think would make an exciting show, movie, or even apps for helping organize writing. I have no problem writing these ideas out, but I am hesitant to share my ideas because I am afraid that they will be “stolen” and I will never be paid for the work I put in.
I want to understand how to properly submit ideas and protect them from other people or companies taking them, changing them minimally and leaving me out in the cold.
I don’t think that it’s feasible to try to copyright © every idea I have, although I have copyrighted material.
I’m here to learn formatting, marketing ideas and working on my skills.
I’m the mother of 5 adult children and I have three grandchildren. I live in Southern California with my husband and my mother in law who is on hospice. We have two cats, Jack and Moocher.
I worked as a private investigator for over 25 years in various roles. I was a computer game reviewer for several major magazines and I did that more for fun than as a “job”.
Thank you for having me.
Creatively yours,
Leah
Welcome, Leah, pleased to meet you!
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Hi Leah, I had the same issue's not to long ago, I made contact with Jason Mirch on here and everything has been clicking along nicely, I highly recommend touching base with him and take a look at a lot of the options available thru Stage 32
Welcome! I used to have a cat (1000 years ago) named Moocher as well. Too funny.
Welcome Leah! can't wait to hear about some of your ideas!
Everybody has ideas - they're worth nothing. Nobody is gonna steal those.
The execution of an idea (script, bible, pitch deck, etc.) is where it becomes valuable. There's a lot of folks who'll say get a copyright on your work (from the LOC, NOT the WGA), and, given it's not expensive, I say do it if it makes you feel more secure.
But I've had two different entertainment attorneys tell me even a copyright is worthless in court. If somebody DOES steal your work, it all comes down to who has the biggest lawyers, not really the merits of the case. Such is our justice system. :)
The reality is, though, nobody is going to steal your work. Anybody legit isn't going to waste their time on a beginner's work when they have solid, successful contacts they can hire. And shady producers simply don't have the resources to get a film made (otherwise they'd be legit).
There is a risk of a shady producer getting you to sign a "shopping deal" or option and then parleying that into big bucks that you don't share in, but that's more of a bad contract than stealing.
Many beginners worry about being "stolen," but the truth is, it simply won't happen.
My two cents' worth.
Hey, Leah Nodes! Nice to meet you, and welcome to the community! Wow - a PI AND a game reviewer? You're my hero, madam! Okay, but I have to know - what is an "adoption reunion specialist"? That just sounds like a hotbed for creative inspiration! I can only imagine the stories!
If you have story ideas, I would suggest adding loglines to your profile so you can more easily discuss those ideas with other members and potential collaborators: https://www.stage32.com/loglines