Welcome to The Trubyphiles. This is intended as a sort of clubhouse as well as a collection of notes on the art and science of writing, particularly that of writing a screenplay with the real intention of having it bought and produced.
If you’ve taken John Truby’s Classic Story Structure class as well as his others or read his new book The Anatomy of Story you’ve come to the write place to discuss issues and challenges and share insights and successes you’ve had with your own writing.
The Rewrite Journal
The Rewrite Journal is a post category that covers my personal rewrite of my latest screenplay, BLUNT FORCE. This Journal is intended as a way to share the process of hammering out a better draft of a script, while actually doing that (hopefully). I hope you enjoy watching the process and feel free to make comments.
Also, feel free to post questions to me and any other Truby graduates who may be inclined to answer them to help you get past any story obstacles you may be dealing with.
Sharing, Copyright and the WGA,w
If you share any story ideas, know that copyright law does not protect ideas only actual manifestations of ideas. So, share only the bits and pieces you think are necessary to make your point or share at your own peril. It would help if a story idea or project you’re talking about here is already registered with the WGA,w.
If you don’t know, even though everyone tells you that you have to get your work copyright protected and registered with the WGA,w, those things are only helpful in the extreme cases that might occur after several ifs. Firstly, IF someone steals your concept. Secondly, IF you sue them in court. And finally, IF you WIN.
In other words, registration with the WGA,w and the Library of Congress for your copyright protection does nothing to prevent your work from being used by some unscrupulous producer/filmmaker. Add to that the fact, as I already mentioned, that copyright law doesn’t protect the intangible idea, means that anyone can take an idea and run with it; Romeo & Juliet in space… or the Bronx.
But I’ve always consoled myself with the notion that taking an idea and running with it is much easier said than done successfully. In other words, “Go with God and may the best screenplay win.”
Still, there’s no reason to be dumb so, forewarned is forearmed! Only share what you feel comfortable sharing, knowing that a lot can be learned by discussing story structure issues in fairly hypothetical or general terms, preserving your precious ideas for your own execution.
