Producing : Is it worth putting screenplays online? by Tony Campbell

Thanks Tascha, That's kind of what I was thinking. It's an immediate way to showcase work. The blog I set up is just the first part of the screenplay, it's designed to act as a taster and to hopefully just gain some interest. Fingers crossed... Thanks for taking the time to reply.

I think it could be - providing I do it right! At the moment I've just got the script and a few photographs on there. Any ideas for what else I could maybe put on there?

Thanks John. At the moment I've just got the first few pages on there. As you said, the idea is just to get some attention. We'll see...

I think that, in a very public setting like that, putting the first 10 to 15 pages is a good idea, because "they" say that a decision to keep reading is made at about that point anyway. It's a good compromise. On another post here (by Bix Santana), posting full scripts in a forum like this one is being discussed... for the purposes of helping each other learn. It's so hard for un-produced screenwriters like us to get our hands on original screenplays that are not the shooting scripts. It's so helpful to read the actual script that caught someones eye, just to get a feel for what it takes. So if you get your script sold, or win an award or something - consider posting the full script here as an educational tool. : ) Best of luck getting your script noticed!

Hi Rachel,thanks for taking the time post. I think it is definitely worth getting your work online, in a suitable place of course. I posted one of my screenplays on simplyscripts, and although the forum feedback wasn't great, a very experienced UK tv director read it and got in touch. We are now developing it together. He has already pitched the concept to some of his contacts and they want to see it once it is completed. I suppose I've just answered my initial question. It's definitely worth putting your work online!

Excellent, Tony! That's terrific. You just never who's "out there" and what they're looking for. I guess you can't sell what people don't see! Best of success in marketing your production.

Keep us all posted, of course! : )

Thanks Rachel. It's a 6 episode drama. I'm waiting for notes on a rewrite of the pilot.I'll definitely keep you informed.

Bad idea. Great idea's really great idea's are to be given to only the right prople and not thrown out to be stolen by anyone. I could take your great idea and put a new dresspn it with fresh make-up and you would not even know it's your blood...... careful!!!

I think that ideas are a dime a dozen - it's how you execute them that's valuable and unique, and what the real players are looking for. You have to put it out there to show what you can do. Tony - read the first 10 pages of Ruby Bay. LOVE it!

But yes, Mark - being careful is always prudent.

Hi Mark,of course you could. But to be honest, the idea for Ruby Bay is pretty formulaic.A boy finds an item that gives him a power. Other people want the item. So I think it's all about the delivery. Although, there was a tv drama on BBC recently which, when I saw the trailer, appeared to be very close to the project I'd been developing. Fortunately the basic idea was similar, but the implementation was completely different. Rachel, thanks for taking the time to have a look at Ruby Bay. I'm not sure if you need to be registered to leave feedback on the site - I'd be very grateful if you were able to leave a positive comment on there for me if you get the chance.

Rachel yes and no as a producer I will take a great idea that has been written so so and I pay $1,000 for then a perfect wonderful script that I have to pay $50,000 for. I will get a writer and fix the so-so

Hi Michael, thanks for that. Well done on the contest win too. I think I'll look into that myself. Jag, thanks for the advice, I think I'll leave it up for a little while as it is getting some interest from various people. But I think you're right, better to err on the side of caution.

Theres more than one opinion about most things and that includes posting stuff on line. If you want to be careful about it registering it with the Writers Guild is a good idea. As for your work I am a self taught writer and dont have the tools to critique. I will say that the issue of "is it any good" is a coplex one. If what preocupies you is writing , creating work and making it better then you're a writer. What might not be any good now is just a peice that needs rewriting or it could be a piece that hasnt found its audience yet. If your a writer then write. If you know that if you stop writing you will never miss it then perhaps your true vocation is somewhere else.

sadly its been my experiance that no one gives a flying fart that I write never mind putting the effort into reading same. I have to work hard to get people to read the stuff. Just having it out there doesnt mean its going to be read.

Thanks to everybody who has taken the time to contribute their thoughts so far. You have given me plenty to think about. Still not convinced it's a good or bad idea - depends on the outcome I suppose!

Nothing is a waste of time unless one thinks it so - :)

Carnivale (HBO series that ran a couple seasons) sold from an online script posted from what I gather. He talks about it in his interview on tvwriterpodcast.com or whatever the site is that does the tv writer podcasts. Probably want to register your script with the copyright office and/or WGA. See prior threads on copyrighting for further discussion on that subject. The whole concept of 'calling card scripts' is a valuable one as well and is discussed on another thread as well I think - that or I saw on a blog somewhere or in an email from a magazine, but I think it was on here the last day or so.

One of my screenplay concepts was "borrowed" a few years ago, and entertainment attorneys told me it's "the execution of the concept" that is protected by copyright and that both the qualitative and quantitative aspects must be proven in order to win such a lawsuit... and even then if you do... you may not eat lunch in town again. If someone does steal your idea though, they say that imitation is the greatest form of flattery and know that at least you have ideas that are in the right ballpark for people to want to borrow in the first place.

Gee ...