I have finished the first draft of my feature script - the vampire story!

It's 101 pages long and I'm planning on rewriting it at least 5 times.

I just wanted to share my excitement with others out there.

Once I get the story how I like it, I'm going to register it (WGA) and Copywrite it.

After all the legal crap is out of the way, I'll post it in various online festivals and websites. I'll keep everyone posted. Also, today was the first day of school so I will be swamped pretty soon so don't give up on me.

Peace!

- C. Davis
YELLOW HAMMER PRODUCTIONS

I start schoo next Monday....hella gay

--------------------
TacoWagonProductions
--------------------

"True artists don't do homages, they steal."  - Quentin Tarantino

copyright it? how much does that cost?

http://www.loc.gov

I think it's $30.00, not really sure though.

- C. Davis
YELLOW HAMMER PRODUCTIONS

The form you ask for is Form PA from the copyright office.

In addition, it's a good idea to register the script with the WGA like you said you're doing, prez. It costs $20 for non-members and you can do it online here.

To sucsessfully sue anyone for stealing your idea/script, it's also important to show proff of prior access. Create a paper trail of who sees the script. When you send out your script, include a cover sheet with who you're sending it to, their title, the companies name, the date, the projects title, and a synopsis of the film. Then sign and date the bottom and save a copy for your records.

Mailing a copy of your script to yourself doesn't work because you can get unsealed mail now ( mail an empty envelope and seal it with a script at a latter date). If you make the idea/script public, prior access isn't as important, but then you have other issues to deal with, I think. I heard Kevin Spacey started triggerstreet.com so he could read scripts and not get in trouble with prior access (people fraudulently sue that actors/directors stole material contained in a screenplay that they had prior access to).

I know this is more info than anyone asked, but I know a lot of people out there are misinformed regarding copyrighting and I felt like sharing.

Congrats on your script...must feel great to have complteted.
joren

Thanks for the info. Yeah I'm going to be especially careful with the script/idea. It's nothing explosive or new, but it's something that could get made for less than 10M and profit.

...yes, it's a wonderful feeling. I hope I experience it again next year, next month, or next week.

I'm going to be multitasking school, rewrites, and coming up with a very plot driven mystery (possible SciFi feature), and the Alabama Film Club... my head's going to explode...

I'm sure if I keep this up, I'll be ready for the real world industry -

- C. Davis
YELLOW HAMMER PRODUCTIONS

That was good to put out there Joren. Actually the mailing it to yourself thing can still work if you get the contents notorized prior to mailing. Its sort of double coverage, but you might as well register and copyright it. The paper trail is great advice as well.
R. Michael

"Luck, is when opportunity, meets preperation." "There are 3 sides to every story. Yours, mine, and the truth, and none of us are lying" -Robert Evans