Thread by @AGComedy

Hi #screenwriting and #animation people- beware - there is another established animation house doing super unscrupulous things after asking for women writers on twitter. And they're not the only one. Here are some things to look out for, and they're SHOCKING
MINI THREAD 1/

Even though I've had 23 scripts broadcast by BBC Children's, this newest one asked me asked me to write a 5-minute script based on scenarios in their existing IP. And they asked me to sign away the rights for it in a disclaimer that was attached. READ the disclaimer!
2/

Another animation house last year based in The Netherlands put a call-out for scriptwriters, so I sent them an email. They asked me to write a 10 minute script, provide 10 ideas for a show they had in development, and again sign away the rights. When I replied with 3/

"I think I've misunderstood, because it looks like I've been asked to work for free on a development project. But that's wrong, right?" They responded shamelessly that no, I was correct. So I put on my detective hat and quickly found out they do tons of 4/

animations and prime real estate in a major city. So I responded with that and asked "Do you work for free?" And that was that.
But the next one was the most shocking. Strap yourselves in because THE AUDACITY. 5/

I applied for a script editor job with one of the biggest indies in the UK. Already knew the person in charge. I got through the first round. They still hadn't said what the project was. Then I was asked to do several things: 6/

First, I had to provide 10 ideas for an existing show they already had. I was happy to do this, because it was a comedy show I loved, and I was hoping this was the show the job was for. Then I was asked to script edit the entire pilot of a sci-fi show in development. 7/

My mentor said DO NOT DO THIS, THEY DO NOT RESPECT YOUR TIME, IT WILL GET WORSE IF THEY HIRE YOU. But I went ahead and did it anyway. It took days to get right. And I got the in-person interview and found out the truth. HOO BOY 8/

First, the list of ideas for the comedy show, they just took. Second, the sci-fi show I script edited wasn't even the show I would work on, and it wasn't even the pilot, even though the email stressed that it was (obviously notes are different for a pilot than say ep 3) 9/

Surprise surprise, my mentor was right. I left the interview stunned and numb, then sent in a written complaint later. They shrugged and said they were sorry I saw it that way.
The point is this. Of course, sometimes we have to prove ourselves, especially when we are new 10/

But the moment you see deception, or sneakiness, or them taking the IP from your pre-interview "exercise", BE CAREFUL. Always read the fine print. Exploitation sucks (especially when you are excited about an opportunity), and writers don't deserve it. 11/

If you have any other examples, please feel free to mention here. This scam/exploitation thing is everywhere, so the more equipped and knowledgeable, the better.
Much love!!! END THREAD