What If Producers Steal Your Screenplay? - Rachel K. Ofori

In this Film Courage video interview, Producer/Screenwriter Rachel K. Ofori on What If Producers Steal Your Screenplay?

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#writing #screenwriting #screenplay

[geodoba]

I'm a screenwriter in Romania and I was recently approached by some producers to write a pilot for a TV series. Someone recommended me for the job and I did not know these people. They did not have a budget in place and asked me to provide them a quote for my writing services that would kick in if and when they secured financing. In the meantime, they also wanted me to write a teaser for them that I could include in the price of the pilot - meaning it would be for free for now as they wanted to use the teaser to attract sponsors/financiers. I agreed to their conditions and provided them a quote so that we could sign a contract before I did any writing. Their response? We got your quote, but since we have not worked together and we don't know how you write, we'd rather we agreed on your fee after we read the pilot...I reiterated my quote and I've never heard from them again. On one side this can feel like a missed opportunity, but more than that it feels like I dodged a bullet .

[Inkdraft]

This why I always caution writers against sharing their unpublished writing. I read some of my unpublished work at a writer's workshop and afterwards people came up to me and asked questions about my story. One guy was quite aggressive in his questioning and I began to have a bad feeling about it. Some years later I was reading a book that I had picked up in a second hand bookstore and there half-way through the book was the scene that I had read aloud at the workshop. By then the book had been made into a movie and turned out to be a blockbuster. I turned over the book and sure enough there was the photo of the same guy. A little bit older but it was the same guy. Some intellectual property rights lawyers told me I had a case.  But  I knew the guy had already been sued 5 times for plagiarism. I decided to not tie myself up in expensive court proceedings. Live and learn. Now I never read my unpublished work aloud in workshops. I go to them, learn what I can from the workshops and keep my work to myself.

[victorialadybug]

She doesn't recognize bad people. Anyone who would purposefully steal someone else's work, profit from it, not give due credit and not feel bad about it IS a bad person. Hollywood is full of bad people. Protect your work.

[luizantoniosouza]

This interview is so helpful in many ways. Thank you, Film Courage. I love her and her way to put things.

[ice]

James N. Frey talked about this in one of his books. He said the department called *Script Acquisitions* is just a fancy title for a whose job is to steal scripts.

They will go through Scripts & take scenes or dialogue "golden nuggets" to producers who are filming something on the lot that could use a scene like that.

[thereccher]

Jokes on these people. My scripts aren't good enough to steal.

[samuraishinobi]

I definitely found the red flags helpful. I honestly being a newbie to the business would've just jumped straight into writing for a producer without thinking about asking about signing contracts.

[hindashrafezzel-din]

I'm a beginner screenwriter and I often fear showing my script to someone from the field for fear of that. Like I just want to get feedback from someone with experience but no one I know close to me has any cinematic background and I don't know who to trust either.

[mygarentals]

The red flags that writers should be aware of gives a writer good advice on being prepared if or when they are challenged with those type of people.

[luckyboypictures]

Rachel great advice, especially for anyone who is struggling and desperate just to get their foot in the door.

[DEADIKATED]

This happened to me as well, a "Friend" used an idea I had with another Director in 2008. I only recently found out that a similar story had been made into an independent film.

[jamesrogers]

She calls them snakes. Glad to see this is serious enough where she will get the win. Going for it.

[luckyboypictures]

Rachel I know you are writer, and probably a damn good one too but your presence on camera really stands out. Great leadership qualities keep up the good work.

[insidethestorywoods]

As I finished writing the ending I opened YouTube and this is what I get to see, its conspiring, I know now whom to submit my project.Thnx Rachel

[theblacksmith]

I have had something similar happen to me. My manager pitched my graphic novel and script to a major studio, a deal was set up but fell through and went to another studio. A few years later the original studio produced a movie based off of. They changed the age of the character and some of the story. I recognized it as soon as I saw it. My managers suggested that I wait until my movie is released before trying to sue.

[HealthWealthRelationships]

I just can't comprehend how somebody feels no shame or remorse stealing somebodies hard work. That may not be a horrible person, but it is a horrible thing to do.

[MaxxDoberman]

Eight years ago, I can't remember who it was but somebody said that scripts and ideas never get stolen, I asked him then why do we need to have them registered, copy written and trademarked? He has yet to get back to me on that.

[nerd_in_norway]

Rachel Ofori is yet another gem of a person/resource on FilmCourage!

My favorite part was her advice on how to deal with people who try to only do handshake deals, or changes in your job without changing your contract etc.

Thank you to the interviewer who constantly asks great questions!

[minibuffon]

Got to say the interviewer is always amazing at her job. She's the best at asking helpful and interesting questions that lead on from what the interviewee said

[daphnegabriel]

Her energy is great. Love her advice, thank you!