@ Stephen - Amazon has made clear that they are a non-signatory to the WGA, which means you will not benefit from the MBA or arbitration rules. Also, by agreeing to Amazon's Development Agreement, you're allowing them to determine what your credit will be. Maybe they'll decide you don't get a credit at all. And you won't be able to fight them on it because you gave up your right to do so by clicking send.
The WGA wants new writers in the guild, because it increases their bargaining strength. Why do you think they're constantly trying to bring animation and reality show writers into the fold?
No Patsy, sincerely, you are thinking too negatively, because there are so may more ways to succeed. You don't have to put your ambitions away in a drawer. Strike out on your own and prove you are a film maker. Today, good films can be made with very little budgets. Believe me, it's within your grasp, to purchase a HD or used film camera for less than $2000, maybe less, and write and direct your own low budget film. Today, almost everyone can be a Roger Corman. There are even new ways to raise financing. And there are real markets emerging for indie films, like Netflix, cable, DVD distributors. Don't buy into any company or "studio" that takes away your rights or allows others to dilute your vision, rewrite your precious creativity. You be the writer. You be the film maker. You be the winner!!
Hi, Michael M! Good to see you here.
Michael S, imagine that your script sits here and nobody rewrites and nothing happens... and nothing happens... and nothing...
vs
Some people rewrite your script and it wins the contest and you get a few thousand dollars and a lot of recognition for that one screenplay (and you have other screenplays you can begin shopping around, using your win here as a key to open doors).
Just sign me, Positive Thinking Patsy.
Hi, Michael M! Good to see you here.
Michael S, imagine that your script sits here and nobody rewrites and nothing happens... and nothing happens... and nothing...
vs
Some people rewrite your script and it wins the contest and you get a few thousand dollars and a lot of recognition for that one screenplay (and you have other screenplays you can begin shopping around, using your win here as a key to open doors).
Just sign me, Positive Thinking Patsy.
Michael, you may not see $200,000. If a script becomes popular, many other writers could write revisions just to attach themselves to your script, and Amazon will decide who gets what. Imagine, 50 writers attached to your script with Amazon owning the revised script, and then it's rewritten at WB by WGA writers. Is this really want you want as a writer?
Also, as per WGA rules, original writer can never receive less than a "Story by" credit.
Not sure how that plays out if it's a non-WGA original writer. IF they are there to protect writers, it'd be the same.
But if they are there to protect union members, they'd treat non-union members differently.
That happens I'll take my $200,000 and cry all the way to the bank. :-)
Anyone see Comcast may block Netflix? Cable subscription is on the way down. Programming will come from the net.
Amazon is smart to get in the content creation game. We're lucky to be here at the start.
Mr. Stram, it's more likely the WGA writer will just take my great concept and rewrite it from the ground up and cut me out all together.
Wait until the script gets to WB and you're totally written out as the author, and WGA writers take over. You'll get "from a story by."
Hi Patsy, remember me? Nice to see you here!
Stephen,
Like Patsy I'm not concerned about those gangs showing up to rewrite my work. And as you say who's going to make a movie out of my script - that's crazy!
So why does Amazon studios have those elements in the mix. It's nuts!
Agree, Patsy.
Also seems to be a poor use of time. Original writer can make the corrections and post the updated draft. So why not just give notes?
In the crazy screenwriting boards people are suggesting gangs of people will show up here, modify scripts, use them elsewhere, claim them as their own, and get co-writer credit doing nothing.
1. Federal copyright law still applies. Nobody can steal your work. You can sue them if they do.
2. An abusive change of your script (done as a joke) can be removed by admins. Admins can ban people from the site -- a name, address, and credit card is behind every member here. Easy to track people down.
3. Real rewriting is a ton of work. Who is going to do that? For that matter. A test film is a ton of work and money. Who is going to do that witnout permission of the writer who owns the material?
These all seem to be unjustified fears or ones with easy solutions.
Btw, you should always copyright your works. Federal copyright trumps state law and entitles you up to $150,000 in damages per violation.
I don't fear a rewrite of my work according to contest rules, but...
You're right, Steven. We should review and let the author decide if he wants to rewrite.
Even if you think you might want to rewrite some other writer's work, the fair thing would be to review and give the author plenty of time to re-write it himself. And to me, you should tell them in the review that you plan to do it if they don't.
A rewrite of a few sentences, with no warning, is like a sneak attack, and the one who does it can rightfully be thought of as a sneaky.... (are bad words allowed here?)
Again, I haven't lost any sleep over the thought that someone might rewrite my screenplay. If they do a good job, great. If they don't, it's on their reputation.
@Steven. I agree. A true rewrite = days/weeks of work. Plus, not your characters or vision. They still own the copyright to the work so after the contest time period is up ... you have nothing for your time and effort.
I do have a produced friend I invited to rewrite one of my scripts here AFTER I've finished my rewrite and advanced it as far as possible. If that quality a writer wants to (with my permission) rewrite my script... advanced it a notch or two if they can... and I win a contest prize because of it, fine by me.
Changing a few lines, typos, small changes should NOT qualify a rewriter for a piece of any prize. That's more courtesy and those notes can be included in a review. Original writer should write a review pointing out how small the changes are. Then do their own fix of the script (typos and all) and post the updated draft.
I really do hope that Amazon reconsiders the whole rewrite option.
But I'm also puzzled why aspiring screenwriters would take the time to rewrite another's work, even if it is just a few lines. I understand fans and people who have never written a script doing a rewrite, but why would an aspiring screenwriter do it? They know the blood, sweat, and tears that goes into writing a script, and I'm assuming they would understand how it would feel for someone else to come out of nowhere and revise their work.
I would never, ever rewrite another person's work on here. I will review their work and offer suggestions, but I would never do an unauthorized rewrite. It's just weird to me that there are screenwriters on here that actually would do this.
@Murphy. You should post your Review on the slight revision script. Up to Amazon but I'd think it very unlikely minor polish/error correction-type rewrite would warrant any piece of the prize pie.
@O'Connor. LOL! Are there any contest rules that would satisfy everyone? MovieBytes lists contests and feedback. Read the reviews of the contest. Someone enters, loses, shows up and says the contest is a 'scam.' So whatever a contest does it won't matter; a certain % of writers/creative types are a few cards full of a full deck and are convinced ANY contest is some form of unfair deal.
The prizes go out... films get made. What other contests out there have that as a reward? None I know of.
@Michael - "Crazies" LMFAO
"You don't really want the crazies in your contest anyway."
Because that hasn't happened here yet.
/sarcasm
"Has ONE script here been rewritten by above but the original author?"
Someone posted a rewrite of one of my scripts after only changing a few lines of dialogue.
It wasn't a bad suggestion, but did we really need a whole new script?
Who cares about "negative chatter"? Bookstore owners certainly were chattering about Amazon and then the Kindle. There will likely be 3,000-4,000 entrants. That's enough. You don't really want the crazies in your contest anyway.
So what specific changes? Nobody is rewriting anything. That's a ton of work. So that was an inaccurate and rather silly concern -- this mass of illiterates that would come in here posting revisions. Has ONE script here been rewritten by above but the original author?
Test films. I'm honestly confused who can win the film prize. A unique pitch for a film, a full film, or a test film that must be based on a script posted here? Can the film win but the script lose? Does the writer get anything for providing the script?
I see th test animation and photo presentation. Those are short films. Test film is 90 minutes of that? Tough to make that work for longer than five minutes.
Someone entered a full feature that won festival prizes. That what they want? Someone trying to monetize a DOA independent film? Lot of those out there.
What's everyone's take on the movie contest? $100k is nice money.
Also, check out my Collaboration post...
LOL, I like sweeping change...
But we could start by just separating the films form the scripts.
Michael, I know we've been having a spirited discussion on the other thread, but I wanted to drop a note here. You personally have like 8 scripts up on Amazon -- that a huge investment and commitment to make to this community. i really respect that. Besides the sweeping changes you suggest, are there more incremental improvements you'd like to see on the site... Connecting with other filmmakers, getting your work reviewed, managing drafts, etc...
I sent this email out to Roy Price a few days ago and as yet have not received a response. I’d love to hear your comments:
Dear Roy Price,
I know you’re a smart guy and I’m certain you have a very sharp team working with you to develop this concept and carry it forward; therefore, it’s hard for me to image you and your team did not foresee the negative response now saturating the Internet. My best guess is that the ranking system on the site generated by the review process is of little interest to you because you don’t plan to pay much attention to project popularity; instead your staff will simply be sifting through the material as it comes in, quickly discarding the useless material (likely 90% or more) and then spending as much time as needed to more carefully review the material that may have genuine potential. But if that’s your plan, why build this elaborate website that generates a mountain of negative chatter among the very people from whom you are trying to mine marketable film projects? As a result, those with the most potential to contribute quality projects are likely to go the other way and avoiding Amazon Studios altogether.
I feel strongly there is enormous potential to develop this concept into something the amateur screenwriting and filmmaking community would embrace and respect as an honest opportunity. I also believe the collaboration aspect of this concept can be refined into a process that aspiring screenwriters and filmmakers would participate in enthusiastically; but to accomplish this I believe the whole thing needs to be structured from the perspective of the struggling artist rather than from the point of view of Amazon Studios.
Of course, building something innovative and new is a trial and error process that requires continuous adjustment until the workable solution materializes, and maybe all the kicking and screaming will stop after a few weeks and Amazon Studios will develop into another imperfect avenue for uncovering marketable film projects. At this point it’s unclear to me exactly where Amazon Studios is going, but as someone who spent many years as a struggling screenwriter trying to get noticed by Hollywood I can tell you I have a passionate desire to see aspiring talent get a fair chance at honest exposure. Being the grand optimist that I am, I also believe that a studio that truly works hard to develop undiscovered talent would reap enormous rewards by creating never before traveled paths of discovery and by generating fresh cinematic styles that help create new entertainment venues.
