Entertainment Industry?

Question

Ok, im sure that MAYBE im just a little optimistic here, but I have written a script, and I think it is great! I am an aspiring actor, and I have written a part in it for me. I think it is hilarious, and it can relate to everyone. It is a sitcom by the way. Anyway, I really think it has GREAT potential, and I want to show it to a studio. However, i will not give it to them unless I am in it. How do I go about this. Will copyrighting it help me with this? And how would i send it to someone and tell them they can only use it if I am in there? Thanks for your help.

Answer 1

Can't really help but be careful who you listen to/give it to. The Cosby show was actually an idea an aspiring writer offered to a company they turned him down and then released it only changing the occupation of the mother to the father, he sued and lost. Copyright system is imba.

Answer 2

Before you send it to anyone, copyright it first.  It costs $75 at the U.S. Patent, Trademark, and Copyright Office in Washington.  That way your rights as an author are protected, as well as the work.  You will need to copyright both the video and the written script, which is a separate process.  

Copyright protection, however, will not insure that only you will play a certain part, even if you wrote it.  Copyright in itself only protects your ability to receive profit and credit for your work.  If you want to be the only person to play a certain role in the script you wrote, you must specify your requirements in the form of a contract with the studio you submit the work to.  I would not mention your requirement when you first submit the video to a potential buyer, as it may become part of "file 99" (the trash can reserved for much unsolicited work).  Get the studio interested in your script first, then make an argument for your ability to play the part.  Once you get to that point, find a lawyer to protect your interests and most importantly, your contract.  Your local music and theatre union will have attorneys in their employ who will work with you for a nominal fee, or sometimes even for free.