BPS 075: Top 10 Screenwriting Scams to Avoid

BPS 075: Top 10 Screenwriting Scams to Avoid

Author: Bulletproof Screenwriting July 8, 2020 Duration: 22:37
On today's show, I'm going to discuss screenwriting scams that ALL screenwriters should be aware of and avoid at all costs. It never surprises me how predatory people can be with screenwriters and filmmakers in this business.

I did an episode exposing ways screenwriters can get screwed on writing assignments. I do a deep dive into each of the following scams in the show.

The Free Option - Optioning your screenplay for free
Agent Reading Fees
Script Consults That Ask for a Backend Cut
Screenwriting Marketing Services
Screenwriting Contests - Promises
Screenwriting Contests - Milking Technique
Ghost Writing Screenplays
Any Deal That Gives Your Rights Away
Representation Retainer Fee
Screenwriting Contests Warning Signs

Stay safe out there guys. Sharks are everywhere. Enjoy!

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bulletproof-screenwriting-podcast--2881148/support.

Ever find yourself staring at a blank page, wondering how the stories you love actually got made? Bulletproof Screenwriting™ Podcast digs into that process with the people who live it. Each week, we sit down for honest, detailed conversations that pull back the curtain on the craft and business of telling stories for the screen. You’ll hear from Oscar® and Emmy® award-winning writers, not just about their triumphs, but about the drafts that failed and the specific problems they had to solve. We also talk with best-selling authors who have adapted their work, seasoned Hollywood agents and managers who know what sells, and various industry insiders who provide a clear-eyed view of how things really work. This isn't about abstract theory or motivational fluff. It's a practical resource built on real experience, covering every aspect of the screenwriting process from that initial spark of an idea to navigating the complexities of the marketplace. The goal is straightforward: to provide you with actionable insights and straight talk that can strengthen your work and clarify your path forward. Whether you're just starting out or have a few scripts under your belt, this podcast offers a grounded perspective on the journey, one concrete discussion at a time. Tune in for a dose of reality and craft from those who have been in the trenches and emerged with stories to tell.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 500

Bulletproof Screenwriting™ Podcast
Podcast Episodes
BPS 271: Sundance - La Guerra Civil with Eva Longoria [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:25
Today we have the award-winning actress, director, producer, entrepreneur, and activist by the name of Eva Longoria.Eva Longoria has long established herself as one of Hollywood's most sought-after television directors.…
BONUS EPISODE: How to Get Your Project on Netflix with RB Botto [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:42:08
Today on the show we have returning champion RB Botto.For many, the holy grail of television has become Netflix. It’s a titan in the industry, and with over 200 million subscribers worldwide, no one can put out content q…
MONDAY MOTIVATION!: You Can Do This! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:35
Monday Motivation! We all need a kick in the butt sometimes on our screenwriting journey. These episodes will do just that. Never stop chasing that dream and keep on hustling.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://w…
BPS 269: The Godfather of Ninja and Cannon Films with Sam Firstenberg [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:30
You are in for a treat today. We have legendary 80's action director Sam Firstenberg.At a young age Sam began to "create" movies to entertain his friends. Horrifying his mother, he would cut up books, stringing together…
BONUS EPISODE: Inside HBO's Writers Room with Showrunner Daniel Knauf [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:49
Today's guest is writer and showrunner, Daniel Knauf. Daniel Knauf had a couple of small credits to his name—a TV movie here, a stint on Wolf Lake there—when he managed to sell the intricate Great Depression-era genre sh…
MONDAY MOTIVATION!: Don't Be The Desperate Filmmaker [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:06
Monday Motivation! We all need a kick in the butt sometimes on our screenwriting journey. These episodes will do just that. Never stop chasing that dream and keep on hustling.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://w…
BONUS EPISODE: Shooting for the Mob - Listen to First Fours Chapters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:22
NEW YEAR'S BONUSAfter months of the IFH Tribe asking me, I finally finished the audiobook version of Shooting for the Mob. It was a tough project to finish but I knew I had to get it to you guys. As a gift for being so p…