Need advice from other writers

[Latrobe]

I just finished writting the script for an Animation series I made up. I've proof read it and fixed all the mistakes I could find. The question I have now is where do I go from here? How do I go about selling it for a profit and getting it made?

[redman555]

Well first you need to email it to me 
Then I will split it with you 80% for me 20% for you

Haha jk, but yeah no idea.  I think you have to pay to have editors to read it or something like that.

-BigBOBCH

[Jayhawk]

I can't imagine it'd be too easy, someone needs to read it.  I guess you'd have to send it to different networks you believe would want it, I'm sure they get thousands so who knows if it would even get read.  You'd have to make sure to protect yourself as the creator of the material if you start sending it out.

[AAJagerX]

I'd think you'd need to copyright it first.

[Gman]

The first thing you have to ensure is that you have everything, and I mean EVERYTHING in the proper format for it to be accepted by the submissions department.  Feel free to shoot me a PM and I can steer you in the right direction of some non-online resources regarding this.

Once this is accomplished you have a large choice between two ways to go IMO.  Getting an agent, or not.  This depends largely on your financial position.

The most important bit of advice I've heard is :  Do not be discouraged by rejection.  In fact, expect it, and try to learn from it.   J.K. Rowling was rejected nearly a dozen times after she got her script in the proper format etc before she found a publisher for Potter, and she's richer than the Queen now.  Also, you CAN bipass the production people/companies and go straight to a director with your idea.  Spielberg for example will take ideas/submissions, but get this, they have to be 25 words or less for him to be sold on even looking at what you've got.  

I know a little about TV, more accurately I have a friend who knows everything, and I assume that's the direction you would think your script would be going.

I have a good high school friend who has directed and produced two household name TV shows(one is on Comedy Central) in addition to loads of other stuff, as well as know the Director/Producers from Blood Diamond, as they were the same guys who did a documentary movie called "Shadow Company", based largely on the Private Military Company I worked for during their production.  I also worked as an extra on Legends of the Fall for him previous to this with a bunch of x-Army hooligans (15 seconds of my 15 minutes of fame are in the WW1 charge scene with Aidan Quinn, haha).   Anyhow, when you get the stage where everything is in one sock, if you think it'll help, I can ask the former who is more into the TV scene what road is best taken for you, and if he has any ideas regarding contacts etc.

[bagrat]

you just send it to me an ill take care of everything

[Ghosth]

Looks to me like the next step would be to team up with an artist, so you can submit it as a finished product rather than just the script.

At least have rough sketch's of characters, etc. So you can sell the visual side as well as the script.

[Latrobe]

Looks to me like the next step would be to team up with an artist, so you can submit it as a finished product rather than just the script.

At least have rough sketch's of characters, etc. So you can sell the visual side as well as the script.

I would love to also have a hand in the art development. I just don't know of any artists that are willing to sit down and listen to my exact details of how everything should look. I would actually do it myself if I knew how to draw or had a program on my computer for this type of thing. I know there are artists out there for just this kind of thing, I just don't know where they are.

[ROX]

I'd think you'd need to copyright it first.

Uh...no. 

Simply make a complete copy of the original manuscript.  Take the copy and box it up VERY well..to the point it even has old fashioned seals on it or is even completely covered in packing tape--and mail it to yourself.  When it arrives, put it in a safe place (where it can't be lost in a fire, stolen, etc.).

If someone else tries to take credit for your work or even segments, storyline, chapter, etc., legally the unopened box (opened in court, if necessary) to show that you did the work and the post office stamped a date on it to show the date of mailing.

Basically it's enough in a court's eyes to show the work is yours and the date it was sealed/mailed, similar to a quasi-time capsule.

If you already know that it has a 100% shot at getting produced go ahead and do the copyright.

Good luck!

ROX


PS-- If it's animated why not get with an artist you trust to do storyboards?  Storyboards would go along way with possible buyers or editors or even animation producers.  Animation "shorts" can get Academy Awards as well.  Wouldn't hurt to get the ball rolling on a SAG card either.

[Dichotomy]

The Poor Mans Copyright Rox?

I'd heard of them but wasn't sure how well they'd work if it came to litigation. 

[jigsaw]

The Poor Mans Copyright Rox?

I'd heard of them but wasn't sure how well they'd work if it came to litigation. 

Doesn't hold up. It's an urban myth.

Something is "copyrighted" (in the U.S.) as soon as it's put into a fixed medium. What is being suggested is that you register it with the Copyright offices. These days it can be done online at https://eco.copyright.gov for a cost of about $50.00 depending on publication status, and you get an instant receipt that can be used as proof until the paper version arrives should you need to go to litigation.

*disclaimer. I'm not a lawyer. I do register photography and musical works on a frequent basis.

[Shuffler]

Uh...no. 

Simply make a complete copy of the original manuscript.  Take the copy and box it up VERY well..to the point it even has old fashioned seals on it or is even completely covered in packing tape--and mail it to yourself.  When it arrives, put it in a safe place (where it can't be lost in a fire, stolen, etc.).

If someone else tries to take credit for your work or even segments, storyline, chapter, etc., legally the unopened box (opened in court, if necessary) to show that you did the work and the post office stamped a date on it to show the date of mailing.

Basically it's enough in a court's eyes to show the work is yours and the date it was sealed/mailed, similar to a quasi-time capsule.

If you already know that it has a 100% shot at getting produced go ahead and do the copyright.

Good luck!

ROX


PS-- If it's animated why not get with an artist you trust to do storyboards?  Storyboards would go along way with possible buyers or editors or even animation producers.  Animation "shorts" can get Academy Awards as well.  Wouldn't hurt to get the ball rolling on a SAG card either.

Did hell freeze over???? I have to agree with Rox.

[JHerne]

I'm an editor by trade, semi-retired. Let me know if you need help.

Roughing out a storyboard for the script, or at least a portion of it, is helpful.

Its also not a bad idea to get an agent, especially if this is ready to roll.

In most instances, unless you know someone on the inside, studio heads/producers won't even talk to you unless you do everything through an agent.

Just remember, scripts are circulated through the film world like postcards. It doesn't matter if the script/concept is good or not (just look at the some of the garbage coming out of Hollywood), what matters is getting it into the right hands.

J

[JHerne]

Another option I've seen used in lieu of the mail-it-to-yourself method is simply getting the manuscript notarized. Most Notary will only do one page - however, for a fee they'll usually do all the pages in a manuscript, unless its 1000 pages long.

I used this method on my first two books. Put the manuscript into an envelope, sealed it, and the notary affixed a label to the outside saying that the contents were sealed on this particular date, then stamped it.

J

[Shuffler]

Another option I've seen used in lieu of the mail-it-to-yourself method is simply getting the manuscript notarized. Most Notary will only do one page - however, for a fee they'll usually do all the pages in a manuscript, unless its 1000 pages long.

I used this method on my first two books. Put the manuscript into an envelope, sealed it, and the notary affixed a label to the outside saying that the contents were sealed on this particular date, then stamped it.

J

Another good idea.


Are you published? If so what are the books..............