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Protecting
Your Ideas For Sale To The TV Industry -
Visit CreatorsVault.com
for time stamped proof-of-creation
Preventative
Research: Do some reading and networking
to get a better grasp on what companies are developing
and producing. If a person or production
entity has created and developed on their own
an idea that is similar or identical in theme,
subject or nature, to that of your creation, they
have a clear right to produce and distribute such
a title and project. Only if a company or producer
engages you in formal review and consideration
of your fully developed project after their engagement
or "pitch" from you are they accountable
to you as the creator of the project.
Read and study industry
trades and resources such as
Variety.com
or
The Hollywood Reporter
which detail industry activity and current projects
going into production. Developing projects that
are identical to those already in production serves
no purpose, and only creates frustration. Developing
relations with a development executive or producer
can give you a critical edge in gathering information
about projects in development at networks and
production companies. Many of the writers at TV
Writers Vault have benefited from having their
projects reviewed and contact requested by our
company member executives with whom they continue
to maintain communications with.
Our "Mandates
and Trends" report also provides
general information on project types being sought
by networks and production companies. This information
is updated monthly and is gathered by member executives
and affiliates of our senior staff.
Content Development:
The detailed development and writing of
an idea is the most important factor in establishing
"originality" and protection under copyright
law. The key to developing a great idea for a
TV show is to create a unique approach and content
for your show. The concept may tell us the overall
situation and result, but the content shows us
what happens during the show.
The most common
flaw with original concepts is a lack of content
description. Most aspiring writers who create
a reality TV concept get caught up in the big-picture
result of the show, but face the simple yet tough
question of many executives asking, "So what
are we actually watching?" Yes, the devil
is in the details. So take the time to be efficient
and inventive with the details of your show, and
producers will find it much easier to "see"
and hold confidence that your "idea"
can actually work.
Monitored
Marketing - If finding opportunities to
pitch your project to producers and networks is
the most difficult part of the sales process,
protecting your project is the most important.
Follow these industry standards and have confidence
in sharing your creations:
- Pitch established
producers and companies.
- Keep a paper trail
of all correspondence.
- The TV Writers
Vault offers electronic proof of review in a
live-updated report for your records. Access
to the TV Writers Vault is only granted to pre-screened
and established industry members (Producers
and Executives).
- Do not make unsolicited
pitches or submissions, as the company receiving
has no responsibility or obligation to "ideas"
they did not ask for, or have not been submitted
under pre-established guidelines with the use
of an Industry Standard Material Release Form.
- All production
and network members of The TV Writers Vault
agree to our standard terms of service and Non-Disclosure
Agreement.
Protective
Resources - It is not mandatory for projects
submitted to The TV Writers Vault to be registered
at CreatorsVault.com
or Library of Congress, but it is highly recommended
when beginning broad marketing of an original
project.
The most commonly
used is a CreatorsVault.com
time-stamped registration for proof of creation.
You will receive an instant "CV Number"
when registering online, and a certificate by
email to follow.
Register your original
first draft of any project, and keep drafts of
each revision thereafter.
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