how do you sell your idea?

[Jcampbell]

I know I asked this before but I just want to make sure were clear. Is there anyway I can sell my ideas to a someone who will buy it off of me. its not that I just have an idea I have short stories written and no they aren't the short stories I wrote in the "share you work" thread (lol talking about selling) has someone ever sold there work that was only half done?

[NikeeGoddess]

CLEARLY NOW - there's no market for ideas coming from an unseasoned, unsold, and un- produced writer. there is really no "paying" market for short story scripts. and half-baked ideas?!!!

<<<the NikeeGoddess just shakes her head>>>

if you're too lazy to bring you work to fruition then why bother trying. there are plenty of writers who are willing to work hard to achieve their goals.

sorry - but sometimes the truth hurts

[Kosh]

Ideas are actually easy to come by. Often, two writers with no contact with each other will both have the same idea. But it's the execution that sets them apart.

[dpaterso]

Sorry Jcampbell, the answer is "not at your level" (or I should say, "our level" :)). It's theoretically possible for a professional screenwriter to pitch a treatment (story idea) and if the studio or prodco likes it, for him to be hired to write the script. This presupposes the screenwriter has writing credits, a reputation for delivering, and connections/contacts willing to pay him.

-Derek

[icerose]

Short answer, no.

Long drawn out of a long shot. Maybe, if you know someone willing to produce it and pay for it and also pay another script writer to write it.

If you want to sell your idea, you'd better become a producer/director with financial backing fast. Then sure. But as a writer with no connections and no experience. There is just no way to do this.

[krano]

It's theoretically possible for a professional screenwriter to pitch a treatment (story idea) and if the studio or prodco likes it, for him to be hired to write the script.
-Derek

Quick example: Simon Kinberg selling a four page treatment Mr. and Mrs. Smith for $40,000.

Of course, this was after his xXx: State of the Union, and his career as a televison writer.

[-XL-]

Quick example: Simon Kinberg selling a four page treatment Mr. and Mrs. Smith for $40,000.

Of course, this was after his xXx: State of the Union, and his career as a televison writer.

And much more complicated.

Listen to his USC Q&A podcast for the story in more detail -- http://cinema.usc.edu/podcasts/

[WerenCole]

How about this. . . even though you don't know me from Bob, will you buy one of my ideas? I have a ton of them.

[seunosewa]

No is the answer. that's what people are trying to say.

[kullervo]

Ideas cannot be protected by copyright, and therefore cannot be sold as-is. They are less valuable than a dime-a-dozen. The expression of an idea has value. A new writer needs to write the screenplay. An experienced writer may be able to sell a treatment, since those buying trust his or her ability to execute.

[bluntforcetrauma]

I wrt abt meen drgns lololol

[Ginosion]

Simple, you can't copyright an idea.

[nmstevens]

I know I asked this before but I just want to make sure were clear. Is there anyway I can sell my ideas to a someone who will buy it off of me. its not that I just have an idea I have short stories written and no they aren't the short stories I wrote in the "share you work" thread (lol talking about selling) has someone ever sold there work that was only half done?

If you've asked it before, it's been answered before.

The answer is no.

If you ask it yet again, I'm afraid it's still going to be no.

NMS

[albionfagin]

You can try this guy Robert Kosberg www.moviepitch.com. He's the leading 'anyone can sell an idea to Hollywood' guy. I'm sure you've come across him if you google 'how to sell movie idea'. There's loads of stories of him getting deals for ideas sent to him. You can pitch via his site. Although I think you stand a much better chance of getting your idea read if you do some P.I. and get a hold of him directly.

All of the above comments from Writers still stands but if you're an ideas man then it's worth a shot. Good luck.

BTW. I do remember a few years ago reading alot of bad reports about that site from ppl who send two ideas a week and never get a responce. Just shows you how easy it is to get ideas and there true worth. But with tenacity and a lot of luck it is possible to sell ideas..... personaly I'm a writer... ideas come easily.... I'll just keep wrestling them to the page.

[Smiling Ted]

Actually, there's a Swap Meet down on Exposition Boulevard.
Make a right on Normandie, and a left past Florence.
When you enter, go past the bulk tube socks, the handy-vacs, the Chinese robot toys and the pinatas, and you'll see a stall on your left. It sells those dried Mexican spices in bags - ground shrimp, plums in salt and chili, miniature sugar loaves - but with each fresh idea, they give you a 5% discount.

[mario_c]

People who are established and have sold whole scripts, teleplays and whatnot, can pitch one or two loglines at a meeting. Again, these are people who have a working relationship with the producer/agent/sundry pitchee who knows they're going to follow through. My browser says 'pitchee' is not a word, it does that a lot. Anyway...
OK but let's magically put you in that position. Do you really want to risk being a young broke writer who eagerly blurts out that million dollar logline? What's to stop them from saying, "It sucks. We'll call you." And as you slump out the door in defeat, they turn to a secretary, get their own house writer on the cell and do it without you? You can't file a plagiarism suit over a logline, I don't believe. A registered and copywritten script is a different story.