Here is a tale of what NOT to do when trying to get your script read in Hollywood.
Let’s say you have written a great query that has somehow got my attention and I have asked to read your script (which is very rare but it does happen).
The next step is I send you a submission release form to sign and send back with your script. That should be the easiest part.
However, the worst thing you can do is send me an email saying you don’t want to sign the submission release as is and want to make changes. When I get emails like that, it is very simple. I will not read your script.
It could be the best script in the world. But if you are the type of person who is squabbling over the language of the submission release form, you are not the kind of client I want to work with.
Because at the end of the day, if you are worried about somebody stealing your ideas, you will never make it in this town. Yes, there are unscrupulous people who might steal your ideas but they are few and far between. (Because the only way for people to get material is to treat writers well. Otherwise a bad reputation will result and these people won’t get any material.) Most of the managers, producers and executives treat writers well because that is the currency these people live and die on.
But, also, ideas are out there. And every idea under the sun has been thought of. What makes your project different is the execution and your voice. No one can steal that. So don’t be afraid of people trying to steal your work.
If you deal with people who have good reputations you usually have nothing to be worried about besides writing the best script you can.
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