Good advice. BUT. Just where does one draw the line between risk and opportunity? My random thoughts...
My backstory. I have four quality scripts (used as samples) written over ten years ago, circulating on the Internet. The separate copyrights on everyone one of those four scripts are well over eight years old (two are available for reading on this forum). The sample scripts are up on the Internet for feedback purposes with an additional hope that one of those scripts would open some doors. The stories generally get a thumbs up -- people say they WOULD pay ten dollars to see that script as a movie. On IndieTalk there was some criticism on the lack of use on words like 'the' and 'and' on one of the sample scripts (I did such as an experiment on one script and to keep the page total under 110)...
Since those four scripts have started circulating on the Internet over the past six years -- I have received some praise and quality comments and suggestions, but no doors have opened.
Every script I write is copyrighted upon the completion of the 'final' polished version. I only let a limited number of trusted people read the in-progress material for suggestions and critique. The thing is -- I love the story-telling 'writing', the rewriting and polishing my own work -- with the dream of taking them to the screen. But that dream is diminishing -- I am not getting any younger and have yet to win a lottery.
I have so many polished scripts completed and copyrighted with no where to go. I hate 'pitching', letter-writing and working the phone. Tried each once or twice.
But over the past few years -- I have come to the conclusion that no matter how good the story (as a script) one writes, for-the-most-part, the only scripts being made into movies today are written from connected, established, already-have-foot-in-the-door writers. Which sucks when I see the continual flow of weak remakes and the occasional 'huh?' blockbuster like the current trend on 'found' footage films.
So, my cheap, two-cent comment, for the most part, RISK doesn't matter a whole heck of a lot. My work IS unique enough and is copyrighted. There are a lot of lawyers out there that would love to go after a 'name' film maker or broker, stealing from a copyrighted script. Reason why it doesn't happen very often.
The bottom line? If a major Hollywood film-broker or maker asked me for some of my newer work... I wouldn't hesitate. Until then, I will just keep writing daily, cause I love the writing and the feedback around me is always positive. And risk or not, you just never can tell, maybe some day I'll get lucky, get a read from someone connected.
If you write screenplays... put complete script samples out there to be read. Get feedback when you can. Prove that you can write by showing some of your work. Keep improving your craft with fingers crossed. I am not rich or famous -- I do what I do because I enjoy making something from nothing...
