I have worked in the film and television industry for nearly 25 years, including nearly 18 years as a professional screenwriter. So, trust me, I know a thing or two about how screenwriters get scammed.
Frankly, it pisses me off. I protect my fellow screenwriters.
With that in mind, here are seven ways you can avoid being scammed as a screenwriter.
1. Never get ripped off for buying from an agency
This should be an obvious question, but in my years I’ve met dozens of screenwriters who fell into the same trap—Pay representation fees.
As a newcomer to the world of screenwriting, here are five words:
- you
- no way
- pay
- for
- express
Agents and managers work for you. You will meet many people claiming to be agents and managers. You’ll hear claims that they “only” charge for office supplies, script reports, and notes. Afterwards, they’ll claim to take your script to the highest levels of Hollywood.
Emphasize five words again (everyone attends class together):
- you
- no way
- pay
- for
- express
“But if only for…”
stop.
“But what if they’ve worked for big movies and big companies…”
stop!
- you
- no way
- pay
- for
- express
Read more: How to Get Rep for Your Writing
2. Don’t buy a newspaper and promise they’ll take your script to Hollywood
Look, paying for insurance doesn’t have to be a terrible thing. You just shouldn’t rely on it. Make sure the company providing the report is legitimate and that the person writing the report has good company credentials and resume (experience working at major production companies, studios, streamers, management companies, and agencies).
But if you hear them say that when your script is ready (perhaps after buying coverage multiple times) they’re going to take it out to so-and-so, run away.
Script consultants and story writers will want to build up your hopes, and they will exploit this to get you to buy more and more stories and annotation packages.
- you
- no way
- pay
- for
- express
3. Avoid most proven screenwriting competitions
Too many novice screenwriters try to enter as many contests as possible in hopes of getting a “winning script” into a query email that will land them a sale or assignment.
Hollywood doesn’t care if your script wins a Midwestern screenwriting contest (hopefully there isn’t one, but there probably is). The only “award-winning” factor they care about is whether your sample won an Oscar or an Emmy.
There are hundreds of screenwriting competitions out there. Most of them are lying to you because they don’t have any real connection to Hollywood.
In short, apart from asking major production companies, management companies (agencies do not accept inquiries), etc., they cannot help you and can only do it yourself.
Don’t get me wrong. Screenwriting Contests, Contests and Scholarships able Good for novice screenwriters. You just need to know which ones are worth your time. Don’t be fooled by cash rewards. The real value is the potential exposure you can gain from their Hollywood contacts.
These are the Big Five. Don’t listen to what the leading experts have to say about competitions, even ScreenCraft’s. Don’t even listen to what major Hollywood screenwriters with blogs have to say about them. Trust me, these competitions and scholarships with real connections to Hollywood can help newbie screenwriters get started.
But you need to choose wisely. Do your homework. Even if you go to a big company, don’t rely on them.
- Enter to test your script.
- Forget your input and continue with the next script.
- If you succeed, you reap all the benefits and move on.
Read more: How this writer used game feedback to find his future reps
4. Don’t waste money registering your scripts
Whether you want to pay to register with the Writers Guild of America or the Copyright Society of America, it’s a waste of your time and money.
This is fairly simple:
- Only share your work with reputable companies and industry insiders.
- Check their credit – these should ideally be primary and up to date.
During my 18-year career as a professional screenwriter, I worked with multiple producers, executives, managers, agents, cast members, and crew members, earning a six-figure income. i have no way Canonical script registered with WGA or US Copyright. i have no way Got ripped off. Why? Because I did my homework and only contacted or accepted correspondence from legitimate industry insiders.
Hollywood is afraid of being sued. They are risk averse. Sure, some may be sneaky (see below), but most don’t want to steal your idea.
WGA registration is a big deal No What industry insiders are concerned about is whether the script has a WGA registration number. They don’t care. Registration can only be used for basic arbitration to prove that a certain version of a script was written on a certain date. This would actually be unacceptable in court. US copyright is effectively useless because you have to register every draft you write.
Once you write a script, the copyright belongs to you—until you sell it or transfer the rights to someone.
So, save your time and money. Just be smart and only share your scripts with reputable people and entities.
5. Avoid being deceived by backend promises
“Sign the rights and you get paid when they sell,” they said.
“They will split the deal 50/50,” they said.
“We will share the profits from the finished product,” they said.
Backend transactions are all scams. If they’re not outright scams, they’re a waste of time because real That’s not how industry players work. They sign a contract with you and pay you.
6. Avoid free concept promotion at industry meetings and conference calls
A few years ago, I attended an all-hands meeting at a large studio. My manager at the time arranged a meeting with me after the studio liked a sample spec I submitted. By the end of the meeting, it was clear they weren’t going to buy my script. However, they were charming and said they enjoyed my writing.
They then mentioned that they were developing a sequel to a popular hit. They wanted to know if I had any ideas on how to make a sequel.
I told them I would think about it. They tried to get me to spit, but I wisely told them I’d rather write my thoughts down.
I told my manager about it at the time and he laughed, “Yeah, don’t do that. They’re trying to get free work out of you.”
Which leads us to #7…
7. The biggest way to get ripped off – writing for other people free
You are a screenwriter. Screenwriters are paid to develop and write screenplays. Some producers and executives will try to get you to do development work (outlining and processing) and rewrites for free. You may feel compelled to do the work, especially if they promise you’ll be hired if they get what they want from your free efforts.
Too many screenwriters do this. stop. The more writers that do this, the harder it becomes for writers to do what I’m suggesting-Say it kindly and if they want the outline, processing, or rewrite done, you’ll be happy to sign a contract and pay for it.
Here are some things you shouldn’t expect to pay:
- Write a story outline
- write an outline
- Polish the draft rigorously to make the script beautiful (grammar, edited description, format, etc.)
- Promote deck work
Everything else you should get paid for (otherwise you’ll be ripped off):
- summary
- Treatment
- script draft
- rewrite
If you work for free, you are being ripped off.
Read More: How I Got 10 Feature Screenplay Deals in Four Years (With No Agent)
Ken Miyamoto has worked in the film industry for nearly two decades, most notably as a studio liaison and then as a script reader and story analyst for Sony Pictures.
As a production writer, he participated in numerous studio meetings with companies such as Sony, DreamWorks, Universal Pictures, Disney, Warner Bros., and numerous production and management companies. He previously signed a development deal with Lionsgate and has taken on various writing assignments, including producing the miniseries Blackout, starring Anne Heche, Sean Patrick Flanery, Billy Zane, James Brolin, Hayley Duff, Brian Bloom, Eric Larsa and Bruce Bucklina star in the thriller Hunter’s Creed, as well as many Lifetime thrillers. Follow Ken on Twitter @ken电影and Instagram @KenMovies76
