Thanks. Happy to help. This will also include over 90 minutes of audio on the subject too. So I am really looking forward to helping you and other folks with similar needs.

There seems to be so much information out there that teaches the technical do’s and don’ts of screenwriting, yet nothing to give us a sense of storytelling from the producer’s prospective. Such an overlooked area, in my opinion!

I’m really looking forward to your plan.

Thanks for chiming in. Sounds like you have your work cut out for you. I am hoping the system goes live over the next few days – so I’ll be sure to update when it does.

Thanks for the comment. Most production companies require releases with submissions. This is to protect the company against erroneous accusations of idea theft. I say erroneous because most legitimate producers are good, honest people. They require a release because odds are good they have a similar story to your own – somewhere in development. These coincidences are more common than you think. But that being said, even with similar ideas – It is the execution that makes your story your own. For example, if you write a ninja zombie movie and I write a ninja zombie movie – I assure you that our screenplays would be totally different, with inherent similarities.

In addition to this, movies are very challenging to produce. A good production company with a track record will typically not rip off a screenplay and then spend a few million on the movie. This is because the process of getting a movie made involves an initial schedule and budget. This budget is later used to raise money for the movie. So odds are very good that a producer will allocate monies to pay the writer. And if the company is a WGA signatory, more than likely they are playing by the rules.

But to directly address your question: Yes. Admittedly there are some idiots who do not run their movie business with integrity. And that is unfortunate. So here are 5 suggestions for protecting your script:

1. Register your work with the WGA and US Copyright Office.
2. Only do business with people who have favorable reputations.
3. Make sure you keep a paper trail.
4. If you participate in a screenplay contest, make sure it’s reputable.
5. And one final tip – Keep your treatments under lock an key.

Hope this provides some perspective.