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All the easy answers

February 15, 2012 QandA

Sometimes I worry that my site has gotten too inside-baseball with its discussions of esoteric screenwriting terms, software tools and film industry economics.

Is this stuff even accessible to a newbie?

A quick visit to the mailbag is reassuring. Newcomers don’t seem intimidated. For example, this email came just moments ago:

Dear John August,

or whomever will read this,

I have a few questions, I have come up with a great idea for a movie and I am wondering how to get the idea out there.

I want to write a script for the movie. I can vision it so perfectly in my mind. How much do I need to type up? How can I get it copyrighted? Where do I go from there?

My idea is to send it straight to the movie companies but is that the best choice? I need some info on it. If something could be set up how long would it take and how fast would this screenplay/script need to be written.

I am looking forward to a response.

You’ve got the movie in your head, so just write as much as feel like writing. Spelling doesn’t matter, but illustrations will help the director see what you want.

When you’re finished, put your script/screenplay in an envelope addressed to Hollywood. You don’t need an address. It’s like sending a letter to Santa at the North Pole — the post office knows where to deliver it.

You’ll get your check in about three weeks.

Related Posts

  1. Good writing vs. the idea
  2. Registering ideas
  3. My idea’s been stolen

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