I got this question recently:
“I currently have 2 producers reading my screenplay, one of them mentioned I may want to look into getting a good non-disclosure agreement (NDA) template to include when speaking with potential producers to further protect myself. My screenplay is WGA registered, so I was wondering if an NDA is really necessary and what the proper etiquette was for asking producers to sign one.”
I’m not a lawyer so I’m probably not the best person to ask about this. I’ve never used a NDA when making submissions and I suspect you would turn off more than a few producers if you tried to get them to sign it.
In my experience novice writer’s worry way too much about people stealing their “great” ideas. A friend of mine sent me a great quote the other day.
Don’t worry about people stealing your ideas. If your ideas are any good, you’ll have to ram them down people’s throats. – Howard Aiken
If you found this post useful and want to learn more about how to sell your screenplay please check out my book Selling Your Screenplay.
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I’m not a lawyer either, but…
No way can any legitimate producer sign an NDA. Odds are, however original your idea is, there are 5 identical ideas on their desk (or floor) already. If they sign your NDA and produce another script, they could expose themselves and their investors to liability – even though they’ve done nothing wrong. So they won’t touch it (or you for asking for it).
I AM A SCREEN WRITER I HAVE WRITTEN AN IMPORTANT SCREENPLAY TITLE THE INVADERS OF DREAMS THE STORY REVEAL THE THREAT OF MASSIVE AND NUCLEAR WEAPONS THREAT AND AND THE MURDER OF INNOCENT CHILDREN DURRING WAR. I WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT MY SCREENPLAY FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND CAN BE CONTACTED AS LISTED BELLOW.
NAME BOUKHROUFA AMAR
PEN NAME DJAMEL JIJI
EMAIL/ djamel_amar@yahoo.fr
TEL: 00213795083149
I’m actually a writer myself so I’m not looking for other people’s material, I’m trying to sell my own. Check out my post How to Sell Your Screenplay (in a nutshell) as it really does tell you how to get your material out there. Good luck.
Have you ever attended a Pitchfest? If so, did anything significant result from it?
I’ve never attended a Pitchfest so I don’t know how much value they really give. If you go, drop me an email and tell me how it was. I’ll publish your visit as a blog post. I’m sure others are wondering the same thing.
Hi! Anyone who has hurd about my life and what i have been through has always said “noor, you should write a book”. So i have been realy thinking now is the time. Please, if you are interested please contact me. , or even if you know anyone who would be interested let me know. Thank You!
You should read this post which is about your exact situation.
http://www.sellingyourscreenplay.com/screenwriting-faq/how-to-hire-a-screenwriter-to-write-your-life-story-or-great-movie-idea/
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