I am a new writer who uses Google Doc. all the time but have not written a professional film or tv script yet to pitch to media companies, [Indie or mainstream] [Production/ distribution] Film Companies, or producers. I want to know the real process on writing a script and the real process of a pitch meeting. Similar to Prince [Music Artist] as he owns his masters. I want to own 100% of my script and IP with having creative control. Is there anyone with ideas?
Hi, Pro Screenwriter here (USA-WGA) - let me see if i can help you:
Read this book. It’s the best manual about how a screenwriter’s career works. it has everything from writing to pitching to working with agents and producers – by a couple of guys who know what they’re talking about.
You have a choice: you can either pitch your story to a studio, OR you can own your script and have creative control. If a studio loves your pitch, reads your script and buys it, they’re BUYING it. They own it, not you, and they have control over it.
If you want to own your IP, YOU have to become the studio. You need to pay for production and find distribution.
Prince is a great example. He worked for the record companies, so they owned everything. Once he became really famous, he didn’t need them anymore to sell records. Once he got out of the contract, he paid for his own recording and promotion and owned all his masters forever more.
Also, once Prince became his own studio, he became crazy prolific. They say he left thousands of unreleased songs behind. He made so much because now he was working for himself.
So if you want to own and control your IP, you have to become the studio.
Hope that helps.
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Is there a way when the final draft of a script is finish, should I talk to a lawyer and create a contract for my script?
[Basically: A script under contract with the writer having 100% of rights, IP, and license.] Similar to Prince when owning his masters.
Talk to an entertainment lawyer before signing anything, sure. But a contract can’t force a studio or producer to let you keep 100% of the rights. That’s something you’d negotiate if they’re interested in the script. For a pitch meeting, focus on selling the story first and worry about contracts when a deal is actually on the table.
You won’t need a lawyer or have to worry about pitch meetings for a long time. A very long time. Start writing your first script.
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And your second. Third. Fourth, fifth… and on and on.
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As I menioned above, Prince owned his masters once he started paying for them to be recorded. He became the record label.
Tyler Perry has done the same thing. He put on his own plays, and kept 100% of ownership. When Hollywood came knocking he said no until someone offered him ownership in exchange for paying a share of revenue.
If you want to keep your IP, you have to develop it into a very valuable property nearly guaranteed to make money. Then you can cut a deal like Tyler Perry.
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Bought. Read. Laughed. Learnt stuff. Thoroughly enjoyed.
Thanks!
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One thing I’d suggest is learning the business side of screenwriting as much as the creative side. A lot of new writers focus only on the script, but understanding how films get financed, produced, and sold will help you set realistic goals for ownership and creative control.
Also, don’t wait until you’re “ready” to write professionally. Start writing scripts now, make mistakes, and improve with each one. Every finished screenplay teaches you something that books and advice can’t.
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