Within the Business of Screenwriting, every writer must practice due diligence.

The Business of Screenwriting is BUSINESS! You've finished your script. You're happy with everything between FADE IN and FADE OUT. So what do you do after leaving the creative realm of writing your script?

Of course, ideally, you want to sell your script. How do you find the right person to read it? What do you need to do with your script before sending it to a producer, agent, or agency? How do you get their interest?

First, if you are going to try and market your screenplay, make sure you are done! Make sure it is as good as you can make it and in the acceptable format.

Before sending your script anywhere, I suggest you protect your original creative material! One way is to copyright your screenplay. You can also register it with any of the listing agencies such as the Writer's Guild. Like copyrighting, registering your script provides proof of authorship and a legitimate completion date.

Ok, you believe your script is protected. Now through one of your "many" query letters or contacts, you have someone who wants to read your script. Try to contain your excitement. They will generally ask you to sign a release which basically means you are allowing them to read your original material.

No doubt once you receive with great excitement the request to send your script, you will be equally concerned once you read the release form. Yep...basically you agree to hold anyone at anytime completely harmless if by some means any script similar to yours is produced by anyone at anytime.

Now of course it isn't quite that bad, but then again it really is. So the question is: what do you do? I've had some writers tell me they don't sign release forms. I would then ask, how many of your scripts have you sent out? Usually the answer is none. Producers, agents, agencies also need protection.

Over my many years of writing, trying, struggling in this crazy business, I have never heard of any script being stolen. Now, please, that doesn't mean it hasn't happened. It just means I am not aware.

Think about it. If your script is that good, why steal it when they can buy it. Hell we're so damn happy to get a script read, buying our script probably wouldn't be that hard. Generally, stealing a script just isn't worth the time, money and energy.

So please remember there is another whole aspect of your script. It's called the Business of Screenwriting. Yes, protect it but don't be afraid to get it out there. Pretty hard to sell if you won't let anyone read it!

One of the main reasons for this website is to help people, especially the new writer with some understanding of the Business of Screenwriting. One thing to remember, and I will talk about it more later, FOLLOW THE DOLLAR!

One of the favorite cop sayings was, "FOLLOW THE DOLLAR." Basically, run your investigation but never forget to watch how and where the Dollar flows. Screenwriting is not only creative. It's a Business. The Business of Screenwriting.

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