Well the only place to start is the begininning. I'm a 17 year old with aspirations of becoming somewhat famous and successful in the world of film and screenwriting. My friend and I have begun collaborating, brainstorming, and storyboarding on a movie we've thought up. Since I really have to place to start, I thought I'd just ask some basics. What does it take to get started in the film business? I know its a bit of an open question, and any type of answer is appreciated, as we could use all the help we can get. To tell you the truth, its a comedy, and thus has quite a bit of crude teenage humor. It could be compared to Super Troopers, since it pokes fun at the police, plus has a lot of things that would be funnier to a younger audience. In our eyes it has the potential to be a success, but who knows, we might just have a poor sense of humor. Thanks in advance for the help.

Welcome to IndieTalk :D

welcome to indietalk! I'm sort of new to this too be im learning so i'll ive you as much info as i can. First you will want to write the screenplay(script) nad get it registered at the WGA(writer's guild of america). Then you will need to figure out a budget so that you know what your limits are. Then you might want to start looknig for locations. After that is when you will want to start looking for a crew and a cast. This is a basic summary of what you need to get started if ou have any questions feel free to ask. i hope this helps you out in anyway.

~Jonathon

Don’t register with the WGA. It’s a waste of money. It only costs $30, one copy, and postage to get a legally enforceable copyright from the Library of Congress. WGA registration is not a legally enforceable platform should someone try to steal your idea. All the WGA does is put a date stamp from a third party on it and file it. You might as well mail yourself a copy for all it’s worth. Why not get the Library of Congress to do the same thing - it’s a lot more useful? Go to http://www.loc.gov/copyright/ for all the details.

yeah thats a good point. i didn't think of that. like i said im new as well.

Don’t register with the WGA. It’s a waste of money. It only costs $30, one copy, and postage to get a legally enforceable copyright from the Library of Congress. WGA registration is not a legally enforceable platform should someone try to steal your idea. All the WGA does is put a date stamp from a third party on it and file it. You might as well mail yourself a copy for all it’s worth. Why not get the Library of Congress to do the same thing - it’s a lot more useful? Go to http://www.loc.gov/copyright/ for all the details.

Many agents and producers require you to register your script with the WGA. It's accepted pretty much industry wide. It's much quicker than getting a registered copyright, as well.

Register with the WGA.

- Mike.

A copyright will hold up better in court, more case law. If you want to sue someone over copyright infringement, you have to first own the copyright ;) If you want to cover all bases, do both; WGA, and LOC.