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• Screenwriters - be careful

  Friday, Sep 5, 2008 5:46PM / Standard Entry / Members only
  9 comments

  I get these listings a lot from different sources, and this one came from the UK branch of an online filmmakers network called Shooting People:
  
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  04	New scrīptwriters needed From: xxxxxxxxxx Card: [member has no card]

  An unusual opportunity to get your work seen by leading industry people. If you are a promising talented writer there are projects which are currently being sought after by a variety top actors and their agents. We are looking to put forward scrīpts to these people and if successful will be in a position to package the projects. These mainly consist of adaptations and there will be further opportunities for original works at a later date. There is no money at this stage but if your scrīpt does get approved and then packaged equity rates will be offered. If you are interested in working on an adaptation and believe that you have what it takes then please e-mail me on this address scrīpt_factory@yahoo.co.uk where I will forward you the details of the projects that currently have interest. The closing date for a response is the 11th of September at midday. I look forward to hearing from you. Richard
  

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  I can't tell you how important it is for filmmakers (esp. screenwriters) to be careful with this sort of listing.  First of all, the "Card: [member has no card] indicates that he isn't a member of this network, i.e. there is no way to verify this person's information (address/company etc).  Secondly, he's using an email name "scrīpt_factory" to manipulate the readers. The Scrīpt Factory is a well known and respected writers' training organisation supported by UK Film Council, however, his email (a yahoo address!) is not to be confused with the bonafide organisation.  Lastly, the fact that this "scrīpt_factory" would be offering writers "equity" rates (i.e. actors' rates) instead of Writer's Guild rates, would seem to imply that they are far from being the "leading industry people".

  So, no credentials by this company, a manipulative email name and a yahoo address that doesn't instill much confidence.  All this put together, this person still thinks that he can take advantage of writers, who slave over months if not years to work on their babies, by asking them to send their scrīpts over.
  

  It's aggravating to see how little respect writers get and how easy it is for people to take advantage of our species.  Personally, I don't mind collaborating with young and brand new company for little to no money, I just want people to be upfront and let me know.  You're asking us to hand over our months/year-long work when you can't even be honest in the first place!?
  

  Sadly, there are a lot of young writers who have fallen into traps like this, for the desire of "breaking into the industry" sooner.  We've all heard stories about such scrīpt idea was stolen from so-and-so and has made into a major film, and the name of so-and-so was not to be found on the credits, let alone getting paid.  I've seen shit like this happened all the time to my friends and colleagues, some even get screwed by legitimate and big companies.  So please, screenwriters out there, be really careful and rigorous in finding out who are the people you're handing your work to, and protect yourself.
  

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