alt.screenwriters: FAQ for vintage browsers

<BODY> <H1 ALIGN="center">alt.screenwriters</H1> <H2 ALIGN="center">FAQ</H2> <HR> <STRONG>What is *alt.screenwriters*?<BR> </STRONG>*alt.screenwriters* is a monthly column, published in the trade publication WRITTEN BY, and appearing both on the Writers Guild website (<A HREF="http://www.wga.org/writtenby" TARGET="_self">www.wga.org</A>) and the *alt.screenwriters* website (<A HREF="http://www.altscreenwriters.com" TARGET="_top">http://www.altscreenwriters.com</A>). Its author is screenwriter Terry Borst.<P> <STRONG>OK, but what is *alt.screenwriters* about?<BR> </STRONG>Our mission is to provide bulletins from the bleeding edge of digital entertainment, as they pertain to professional screenwriters. Put another way, we discuss issues and challenges facing the screenwriter who is (or is thinking of) exploring New Media markets, and the screenwriter confronting the oncoming tsunami of Convergence in the Entertainment market. Screenwriting is more than a bottle of Jack Daniels and a Remington Rand typewriter; screen narrative is more than television and film in the 21st century.<P> <STRONG>What makes you guys expert?<BR> </STRONG>I've been working in New Media since the early 90s. Our credits include the WING COMMANDER and FREELANCER videogame franchises, behind-the-scenes videogame development, interactive television, serious games, the co-authoring of STORY AND SIMULATIONS FOR SERIOUS GAMES, and numerous speaking engagements, lecture appearances and print/Web/radio interviews regarding screenwriting and New Media.<P> <STRONG>Are your screenwriting services available for hire?<BR> </STRONG>You never know: it depends on the project and our availability. Email us at <A HREF="mailto:info@altscreenwriters.com">info@altscreenwriters.com</A> if you're serious.<P> <STRONG>How do I get an agent?<BR> </STRONG>You'll need to find a signatory literary agency who will accept unsolicited screenplays. Head to <A HREF="http://www.wga.org/agency.html" TARGET="_self">www.wga.org/agency.html</A> for a complete list of literary agencies; the list will indicate whether an agency will accept unsolicited work.<P> <STRONG>How much will Hollywood pay me for my great TV and movie ideas?<BR> </STRONG>Nothing. Ideas are a dime a dozen in Hollywood. Ideas are not copyrightable and thus have no intellectual property value. If you have an idea for a script, write the script. Then Hollywood might be interested.<P> <STRONG>I have lots of great ideas. Will you write the scripts for me? I'll share the profits 50-50 with you.<BR> </STRONG>I have lots of great ideas too. And nowhere near enough time in our lives to execute them. I don't need more ideas: I need more money and time. Realize as well that the real work is in writing the script. It's more than just typing.<P> <STRONG>How can I learn how to write a screenplay?<BR> </STRONG>There are dozens of books that will provide information and tips for writing a screenplay. You can also take online screenwriting classes from the world-famous UCLA Extension Writers' Program, taught by one-half of *alt.screenwriters*, Head to <A HREF="http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/tborst/scrnwrt.htm" TARGET="_self">Terry Borst's screenwriting instruction page</A> for more information. <HR> <CENTER> <FONT SIZE="1"><A HREF="altscrn.htm"><CITE>alt.screenwriters</CITE> homepage</A> | <A HREF="http://www.wga.org/writtenby">second home: WGA.ORG</A> | <A HREF="index.htm">T.Borst homepage</A></FONT><P> <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#808080">© Terry Borst</FONT> </CENTER> </BODY>