How can I protect my project legally as a writer?

You can register your TV Script or concept with the Writers Guild of America for time-stamped and archived record of your original writing. Also, print "Reg.WGA" on all work posted or submitted, and keep paper copy of all submissions or correspondences with any company you come in contact with. Most importantly, don't forget that copyright law only protects the unique expression of any intellectual property, so concentrate on creating original aspects of your show that are not derivative of other shows.

Can't I just pitch my ideas directly to production companies?

Yes, but it is a general rule among production companies and industry executives to not take unsolicited submissions. The Screen Writers Vault acts as a neutral archive where producers may scout projects and writers may submit projects, both under protective guidelines.

Why don't production companies take unsolicited submissions?

In the film industry, companies are very protective of their right to develop a variety of stories and concepts within any given genre or theme, and would only be exposing themselves to a potential lawsuit by blindly accepting a submission that may conflict with the content of projects they already have in development. Companies agree to using ScreenWritersVault.com because writer members agree to the industry standard material release form that clarifies the liability of the production company along with acknowledging there is no binding agreement unless a written option proposal is made. The most attractive aspect of our service to the television industry is that we present an efficient and growing creative source pool for the development executive or producer to review original material for sale.

What are my chances of selling a project using your service?

If you are an unrepresented writer with limited business relations within the film community the Screen Writers Vault can be a valuable marketing tool for gaining real exposure to a significant slate of member companies that are currently buying and producing original projects for motion picture distribution. If you are an established screenwriter, or a writer who already has representation, then our service may provide you with more direct contact with companies who are not familiar with your work, or those you have not yet reached through your current network of contacts. With the development of concepts and story being of a subjective and circumstantial nature we would be misleading to claim that we can guarantee any amount of success for a writers work posted. It is a business of creating the right product in the right way at the right time with the right company finding it. We provide you, the writer, with the most difficult link in that process... the link between your creation and the eyes of an executive scouting new projects to produce.

Do I need a Literary Agent?

Agents have a terrific ability to match projects with players, but are in a position to only give attention to those clients who already have industry status or are currently working as writers, therefore they are more often good at managing careers, not starting them. For a new screenwriter, the best strategy is to use an entertainment attorney, not an Agent to negotiate and close any deal proposal for a project you have sold. A lawyer won't take 10 percent of your sales in perpetuity as an agent would, and usually charges only a nominal fee that is deducted from any option money earned and perhaps 5% of the deal beyond that. Get your projects out there to the people and places that can bring you offers, and once you receive a legitimate proposal, bring in an entertainment attorney to negotiate and close the deal to your best possible interests. Once you're a working writer with a slate of projects in development, then you'll be in need of an agent, and more importantly, the Agent will need you.

Are the production companies at this site screened for legitimacy?

The Screen Writers Vault is an internet based service that is only available to currently active and established production companies and executives within the film community. We personally check all possible public records as well as personally communicate with the subscribing executives upon registration review and during membership. We typically turn down four registrations for every one company that we accept as an industry member. We understand that within the entertainment community there is an abundance of "fringe" unscrupulous types who call themselves producers or make claim to their relations, but in fact have no legitimacy within the working structure of Hollywood. The summit of our goals is to help the Screen Writer sell projects to the film industry, therefore we will only build our foundation with reputable and proactive companies.

I have a movie idea that is challenging to develop as a pitch. Can you help me?

We are always open to any questions the current members or non-member writers  have regarding the creative development of a specific project. We will gladly give our own professional perspective on any issue, but we will refrain from any actual creation or collaboration of any aspect of a project. We will give guidance, not ideas.

What is the best way to get a Producer to acquire my project?

Having a completed script can help a project along in development and enable a producer to better see the projects potential, but unless you are able to concentrate your story or format into a brief synopsis with a highly marketable "logline", a producer will never invest the time in reading the entire script or treatment, and there is no chance of the project being produced. The foundation of any project's success is built on the ability of the executives and producers to communicate the project efficiently throughout the development process, not to mention the fact that if a busy executive isn't interested in the basic concept or premise of your show they will never invest the time in reading a full script. The sale is in the originality and power of the concept, and that is where an executive will see it's entertainment value. In the end, it is similar to the movie studio communicating that very basic and original concept to the viewing audience in the advertising and marketing of the show. At the ScreenWritersVault.com we help the writer bring their project to this form of presentation, and provide the industry executives with exactly their preferred method of reviewing materials for development and sale.