Dreamin'...
After much encouragement, I've come to the realisation I should get fair dinkum about my fledgeling writing abilities. My weekend experiment with a movie storyline, has spurred me into doing something about this. So I’ve pulled the story !! Only to secure copywrite though. Once done I’ll re-post it, or a version thereof.
Indeed, once I am clear on the protection of ideas, I would like to develop stories online, but my copywrite lawyer might spoil this party too. I’m enamoured with the idea of floating a storyline and having my readers help develop it.
Like going to an American cinema, where I found viewers would preempt the plot, suggest innovations and generally make comments on how the director/actor/photographer, is/was/could, really good/bad/ugly. An interactive and organic story. The lawyer will be having kittens reading such a proposal !
However, what I do know after driving cabs for over 7 years, is there’s gotta be a better way of making a buck. Otherwise I’ll never be able to afford my retirement caravan and gas-guzzling 4WD tank, with which to traverse Australia. Or the complete set of fishing gear. Nor the aluminium tinnie, the shottie and the chainsaw. The high-gain antenna, satellite gear and laptop. Ah, the stuff of dreams...
I'm not a lawyer, but my understanding is that whatever you write is copyrighted automatically unless you say otherwise. All you lose by posting things publicly is "first publication rights", and all that means is taht if you sell your writing to a magazine (or whatever) you'll have to tell them that you've already published it before, and they may pay you less. It's a commercial issue, not a copyright one.
Frankly if I were you I'd try to sell a regular column to a newspaper or magazine - you'll probably make more doing that than trying to sell a screenplay. There are a zillion screenplays out there, and you're starting from behind because you don't live in L.A.
Posted by: Joe in Australia | June 21, 2004 at 07:26 PM
Damn that lawyer ! We met in a bar-room brawl and he said he was bush lawyer, specialising in truck-stop law, but knew copywrite. Anyway I've mailed copies to myself after some rudimentary advice. Though you may well be right as it pertains to what is already published. It's more the undeveloped 'idea' which I've moved to protect.
Regarding selling to a newspaper, I may have burnt my bridges with the editors in this town. Numerous journos insist they'll give me a mention, only to dog it at the final hurdle. Got myself a little reputation, have I.
Whilst not living in LA, an old flame does, and I've previously gone through the process with her, on an adaption she once wrote. Still, I might get some confirmation from a city lawyer instead. Thanks for the heads-up though. Much appreciated.
Posted by: adrian | June 22, 2004 at 05:42 AM