Registering for an account with us is free. We only charge for the specific
services we offer. See our Services
page for a list of the services we offer. See our Price
Information page for a list of the prices of each of our services.
2. Why do you charge a fee when some other websites don't?
It takes money to build a website like ours and to maintain it. It is a
business like any other and has to be worked on and cannot function without
income. We do extensive and costly advertising precisely for the benefit
of the writers, most of whom don't have the resources to do broad &
time consuming marketing when they'd rather concentrate more on their writing.
Other sites don't charge because they don't work on their business and
it shows in their results.
3. Why don't you charge producers, agents and managers? Why pick on
the writer?
Not charging industry pros for this service works to the advantage of writers,
by helping writers to sell more through greater exposure. Charging industry
pros would result in drastically fewer of them visiting the site to even
look for any scripts. (For example, a car dealer who charged customers just
to come look inside his showroom wouldn't make many sales, would he?)
5. How many scripts have been sold or optioned and how many writers
have gained representation through you?
The figure changes on a weekly basis. At least 400 scripts have been optioned
or writers hired through our services. Go to: Recent Deals Closed.
6. Can you guarantee that my script will get sold through your network?
No. Please understand that not every writer will sell their scripts through
our services. An estimated 50,000 scripts are written in the US each year.
Only a few hundred are made into movies. All we can offer you is another
avenue to make your script(s) known. We can factually guarantee you real
exposure, but that is it.
We average about 130 different industry professionals searching for scripts
on a weekly basis.
8. Does InkTip.com act as a production company or an agency?
Neither. InkTip.com is a source by which agents, managers, directors, etc.
are able to search for scripts at their convenience. We do not produce or
represent any projects.
9. Do I still need an agent/manager?
Our service does not take the place of agents and/or managers. InkTip.com's
sole purpose and function is making your script(s) easily available to industry
professionals. While we assist agents and managers to increase exposure
for their clients, our service certainly does not take the place of agents
and managers.
However, you do not need an agent or manager to take advantage of our services.
10. Is a Release Form required?
Yes, most production companies require a release form before they will
consider looking at a script. We don't want the more credible production
companies afraid to use this website to find scripts.
11. I'm a Writers Guild member & heard I can't or shouldn't sign
your Release Form. Is this true?
Though most reps have no problem allowing their writers to sign the release
form, few agents have felt that their writers might be forbidden by the
WGA from signing our Release Form, or that there might be some conflict.
After reviewing the WGA's "Artists' Manager Basic Agreement"
(aka "Agency Agreement"), the Code of Working Rules and the Minimum
Basic Agreement (the latter two deal with employment, pay rates, etc.),
we could find no conflict whatever between any of those and a WGA-member's
submission of our Release Form. This should not be construed as legal advice,
for which you should consult an attorney.
Please note in particular this WGA Agency Agreement excerpt:
Page 29, section 14 (b): "The words 'Agent' or 'Representative' are
synonymous with the words 'Artists' Manager'…" Page 7, section
8. (b):
"The Artists' Manager shall not require a Writer-Client to execute
a release form with respect to any literary material owned by the Writer-Client,
submitted by such Writer-Client to the Artists' Manager, if such literary
material is within the scope of Rider W."
(See Rider W, starting page 17, roughly the second half of the agreement.)
"Nothing herein shall be deemed to prevent an Artists' Manager from
submitting to the Writer-Client release forms required by any third party."
(Emphasis added)
InkTip.com is a "third party" as used above.
Entertainment Professionals FAQs
1. What information will I be able to see?
All placements on the site have at least a logline and synopsis available
for viewing. It is up to the writer whether or not his/her script, treatment
or resume is immediately available. An email system is set up on the site
so that you can easily and quickly send a message to a writer requesting
his script.
2. How can I communicate with other members?
Contact information for a script's owner or representative is given on
the writer's resume. Conversely, when you download a script, your contact
information (name and physical address) is visible to the script's rep or
script owner. Writers are required to follow guidelines
in contacting industry professionals.
3. What is my legal protection?
Prior to listing scripts with InkTip.com, all writers provide us with signed
original copies of this Release Form.
4. I am a representative. How does InkTip.com save me time and money?
When you have your writers' scripts listed on InkTip.com, merely provide
interested professionals with our website address and your client's name
and/or script title. No form letters needed. No courier fees.
Contact
us and we'll even help you register them. It's also the fastest, easiest
way to find new clients!
5. I represent a writer who is a member. How can I view the activity
on that writer's scripts?
Once you are a member, log in and select the "Scripts I Represent"
link. All download activity for all your writers' scripts can be viewed.
6. I am not a producer, agent, manager, or writer. I do work in the
industry and am involved in the finding and acquisition of scripts; how
do I become a member?
Register with us and we will give your application careful consideration.
Scripts/Books
12. How do I place my work on your site?
Placing your script on our site is a pretty simple process. The majority
of it is answering the basic questions asked about your script and checking
boxes that relate to your work/story.
Do not send us a hard copy of your script. If you would like the full script
on the site you will be able to upload the file.
With the multitude of operating systems and writers' software on the market
today, we have determined that the only file type which can be universally
read internationally are files in either Rich Text or Plain Text computer
file format. Detailed instructions regarding this are available to InkTip.com
writers after their membership has been activated. Most scriptwriting or
word-processing software will be capable of making a copy of your script
documents in one of those two file formats. Writers can also place their
script as a PDF file if they wish.
13. Do I have to have a completed script written in order to place a
logline and synopsis on your website?
Yes. Writers cannot just post ideas or stories on our site. There must
be a completed script or book for adaptation available upon producers' requests.
14. How long should my logline and synopsis be?
Your logline should not more than 60 words and preferably, only one or
two simple sentences. Producers must be able to feel that they can easily
pitch your story to their financiers. See our Tips
on Loglines.
The standard synopsis is one page long, or about 450 words. See our Tips
on Synopses.
15. Can I look at other writers' scripts on the site?
No. For reasons of security we do not allow writers to look at other writers
works on the site. Only qualified industry professionals are given access
to the scripts listed.
16. What kinds of scripts do you accept?
For the password-protected site, we accept full-length feature and television scripts,
as well as books for adaptation. There is a free, unsecured section of the site for
shorts.
17. What about the content of the scripts?
InkTip.com will accept any registered
script, with the exception of pornography. See User
Guidelines for details.
18. Is there a certain way my script needs to be laid out?
Yes. The script must be placed in the standard industry format. There are
many good books,
software
and workshops
available on how to write a screenplay.
19. What if I am not comfortable with placing my treatment and script
online?
Uploading your full script and/or treatment is not required. Writers are,
however, required to place their logline and synopsis.
20. Will it make me look bad if I place all ten of my scripts on your
website?
We have yet to have a producer make that kind of a complaint.
21. Do you do script coverage before allowing my script to go on your
website?
No. We do not read scripts. One man's trash is another man's treasure.
Throughout the history of film, there probably isn't even one script that
has been produced where every studio, producer, actor and director liked
the script. There are lots of scripts that have been produced and have made
money, yet received bad coverage, Being John Malkovich is a good example.
We don't think that we know what every producer wants or what every audience
member will not see. Coverage is only valuable if you have gotten good coverage.
Probably 1 in 300 scripts receive good coverage. Just because you have gotten
bad coverage doesn't necessarily mean your script is bad (it could though).
But it could also mean that the reader just didn't "get it". Or
the reader could have just read another script very similar, or had a fight
with the wife, or just woke up on the wrong side of the bed, or was rushed
with too many scripts to read, etc.
Security
1. Do I need to register my script?
Yes. In order to qualify for listing with InkTip.com, scripts must be registered
or copyrighted through the Writers Guild, Copyright Office, National Registry
Service or any other reputable property protection agency. Click
here for a list of copyright agencies and registration offices.
2. What do you do to guarantee that my script is protected?
Only qualified industry professionals are given access to our writer's
scripts. The criteria we use in deciding whether or not a person should
be allowed access to writers' scripts include: trade references, credits,
resources and the individual's potential to get a film produced. Finally,
we ask ourselves, if we were a writer, would we want to submit one of our
scripts to them?
Records are maintained and archived on all site activity, including logins
and downloads. Writers and their representatives are notified by automatic
e-mail when their works are accessed.
3. How can I guarantee that my idea won't be stolen?
Story ideas cannot be copyrighted. Placing loglines/pitches for your scripts
in our magazine or on this website is not 100% protectable. No one, not
agents, managers, other websites or producers can make any guarantees about
the security of your story idea. That is why your script must be registered.
InkTip.com does, however, keep an exact record of what scripts, treatments
and synopses are looked at and by whom.
4. Who is allowed to look at my script at InkTip.com?
Registered members only. These are producers and their development staff,
managers, agents and a select few others with the right credentials.
Writers are not given access to other writers works.
5. How do you know that a licensed member isn't lending his or her password
and login name to someone else?
We perform random usage monitoring of the site as a precautionary measure.
Matters of security are top priority.
Members are cautioned to not lend out their login IDs and passwords, as
they will be personally responsible for any logins using their User ID and
password.
We additionally recommend that passwords be changed regularly to maintain
the highest security for all our members.
If any member becomes aware of possible security breaches, please contact
us. It will be addressed immediately.
6. What if I've lost my password or user ID?
Registrants create their own user ID's and passwords as part of the registration
process. If you have lost your password or user ID please e-mail
us.
E-Mail
1. How do I make sure that I am receiving your e-mails (your e-mails
are whitelisted)?
To ensure that you receive our e-mails, steps may need to be taken in order
to whitelist (allow our e-mails into your e-mail inbox) InkTip.com messages.
Please choose from the e-mail providers below, or click 'Other'.
If you are using Gmail, you will need to create a new filter. Here's how:
Sign in to your Gmail mailbox.
Click the 'Create a Filter' link to the right of the search buttons.
In the 'From' box, enter the following domain: @inktip.com
Click the 'Next Step' button.
Check the 'Never send it to Spam' box.
Click the 'Create Filter' button.
You should also check to see if we're in your Spam folder. Here's how:
Click 'Spam' along the left side of any Gmail page.
If you see any e-mails from us, check mark the box to the left of the
e-mail.
Click the 'Not Spam' button along the top.
Thank you for whitelisting InkTip.
If you are using Yahoo! Mail, please follow these instructions:
Sign in to your Yahoo! mailbox.
Click 'Options' and 'Mail Options' (usually in the upper-right corner).
Click 'Filters' (located in the middle column under 'Management').
Next, click 'Create or Edit Filters'.
Click the 'Add' button.
In the 'Filter Name' box, type the following: InkTip
In the top row, labeled 'From Header:', make sure 'contains' is selected
in the pull-down menu.
Click in the text box next to that pull-down menu, then enter the following
address domain: @inktip.com
At the bottom, where it says 'Move the message to:', select 'Inbox'
from the pull-down menu.
Click the 'Add Filter' button again.
Thank you for whitelisting InkTip.
Please follow the instructions below if you're using AOL.
Sign in to your online AOL mail
Click on 'Settings' in the Menu Bar along the top of the screen
Click on 'Spam Controls'
Spam Controls Screen appears
Under 'Spam Filters by Address' click 'Custom and either select:
'Allow mail from all senders' (allows ALL e-mail) or
'Custom' (allows selective e-mail)
If you select Option 1 above: 'Allow mail from all senders', you're
done.
Thank you for whitelisting InkTip.
If you select Option 2 above: 'Custom' Follow these instructions to allow e-mail from InkTip.com:
Select 'Allow mail from'
In the space provided, enter the domain below.
inktip.com and Click '+ (Add)'
Thank you for whitelisting InkTip.
Please follow the instructions below if you're using Earthlink.
Sign in to your online WebMail acount
Click the 'Address Book' link in the left menu pane, below your inbox
and other mail folders.
Click the 'Companies (Domains)' link located under the search button
Click the 'Add' button (next to the 'Companies (Domains)' category menu).
In the space provided, enter the address below:
inktip.com
Click 'Allow This Company (Domain)' button to add the domain name.
You should also make sure that we are not appearing in your Blocked
Sender List
Click the 'Preferences' link in the left menu pane, below your Inbox
and other mail folders
Under the General Settings header click 'spamBlocker'
In the list of tabs along the top part of the screen (below where it
says spamBlocker) click on 'Settings'
Click on 'Blocked Sender List' (in the lower right part of the screen)
Check the list for inktip.com, and if it exists select it.
Click the 'Unblock Sender' button to unblock this address
Click 'Save' Button (lower right part of screen)
Thank you for whitelisting InkTip.
If you're using Windows Live Hotmail you will need to add us to your Safe
Senders list. Here's how:
Sign in to your online Windows Live Hotmail mailbox.
Click 'Options' in the upper right hand corner.
Note: If you're using the full version a submenu will display, please
click 'More Options'.
Click the 'Safe and blocked senders' link under the 'Junk e-mail' heading.
Now click the 'Safe senders' link.
Type the address from below into 'Sender or domain to mark as safe'.
inktip.com
Click the 'Add to list >>' button.
Thank you for whitelisting InkTip.
Add a sender's domain to your Safe Senders List
On the Tools menu, click Options
On the Preferences tab, under E-mail, click Junk E-mail
Click the Safe Senders tab
Click Add
In the 'Enter an e-mail address or Internet domain name to be added
to the list' box, enter the domain below:
@inktip.com and Click 'OK'
Click 'OK'
Click 'OK'
Notes: To quickly add a sender, domain name, or mailing list name
to the Safe Senders or Safe Recipients Lists, right-click the message you
consider safe, and then on the shortcut menu, point to Junk E-mail, and
then click Sender's Domain (@example.com) to Safe Senders List.
If you are using a Microsoft Exchange Server e-mail account, names and
e-mail addresses in the Global Address List (Global Address List: The address
book that contains all user, group, and distribution list e-mail addresses
in your organization. The administrator creates and maintains this address
book. It may also contain public folder e-mail addresses.) are automatically
considered safe.
If you are using an Exchange Server e-mail account and working online,
you must be using Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 or later. If you do not
know what version of Exchange server your e-mail account is using, contact
your Exchange administrator.
Thank you for whitelisting InkTip.
Other E-mail Applications
Many popular e-mail programs, including Outlook, Outlook Express,
Eudora, and NetscapeMail, don't provide a convenient
way for you to whitelist the folks from whom you would like to receive e-mail.
If you're using this sort of e-mail system and you either aren't getting
your InkTip message, or want to make sure you continue to receive your e-mails
in the future, you can do something about it.
Contact the customer service people or the Postmaster at the company that
provides your e-mail or Internet connection (your ISP). Explain to them
that InkTip sends e-mail that you asked for and value. Ask them if they
can whitelist us. They'll probably ask you for some information about us.
Here's what to tell them:
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
