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This page describes the SW Script Project Protection System. It is available for SW students only; Freshman and above. SPPS is not available for Pre-Freshman. It's for those who can't afford to copyright all the documents in the screenwriting process, because at $30.00 a shot the total could be very high. This program is only a temporary solution for protecting ongoing SW screenwriting projects. This program is completely voluntary and does not guarantee protection but it is a good short term alternative. When the script is finished you should secure proper copyrights of your screenplay. See the SW Copyrights Page.Here is how the system works:
There are two free programs available for zipping your files: Winzip and Iron Key.
- Keep the most current versions of related files in a separate directory on your computer (hard drive). It is important to keep only the most current edition of each aspect of the project in this special directory. For example; do not keep all the past updated versions of your outline, keep previous version of the outline someplace else (perhaps a sub-directory). The reason is the data in the special directory will become too large in size when zipped (compressed) if you keep every file you ever generate in this directory.
Here is a list of the only documents that should be kept in the special directory (remember: only keep the most current version of these files in the special directory):
- Project Notes
This document we contain any important notes or comments that don't fall under the other important aspects of the project.
- Summary (most recent edition only)
This is your first assignment that is posted on the MB. It contains: premise, logline, strange attractor etc..
- Outline (most recent edition only)
This would be the outline contain the Master Chart model.
- Character Profiles (separate files OK)
You can combine the Character Profiles into a single document or keep them separate. In other words, each character has a separate document for their profile. However, all the files, whether a single document or separate documents should be kept in the special directory.
- Screenplay (most recent draft only)
We prefer the most recent draft only to keep the size of the file to a minimum.
- Meeting Logs - optional (critiquing sessions of this script only)
IRC chat programs have the capability of creating logs (text files) to document the entire IRC meeting. If you want to keep records of special IRC meetings that discussed your screenplay, whether it was a one-on-one or group meeting, be sure this feature is turned on (in the IRC option area) in your program. Learn where the logs are kept on your computer so you can copy them into the special directory. They are usually kept in a sub-directory of the IRC's main directory and it is usally called "logs". Do not keep all IRC logs in the special directory.AOL's Instant Messenger also has an option for saving chat meetings. You could do the same thing with the text files of IM meetings.
Important: This aspect (Meeting Logs) may be important because these documents have the ability to prove help ownership. 1. They are dated and, 2. all those in the meeting are potential witnesses (via signed affidavits) for future reference. Of course there won't be a need for signed affidavits unless there is a copyright dispute in the future.
Note: Keep all past versions/editions of the project as it progresses on your computer. Giving them each different names (having the date in the name) so you have a "journal" of the development of the project, which can also be evidence for future reference. However, do not included these additional files in the weekly zipped file you send SW.
- Use a file compression program and periodically zip the contents of the special directory. If you don't currently have on install one & learn how to use it. Use the password protection for the zipped file. This means that when you zip (compress) the contents of your special directory you have given the zip file a password so only you can unzip (uncompress) the file later if needed. This way the zipped project file is even protected while being stored by SW.
Do not include previous SPPS zip files in the new (weekly?) SPPS zip files. I say this because, when you zip a file it is stored in the directory that contained the files that you grouped together to zip, unless you specified that the new zipped file be place some place else. So be careful not to add the old zipped file into the new zip file when you create it.
Do not give the password to anyone.
- Name the file with your first name, an underscore (underline) and last initial. Example: bob_g.zip, matthew_k.zip, brandey_h.zip. The name of the file must always be the same because it will replace the previous weeks uploaded zip file, deleting the older version.
- On a weekly basis (only if there is updated material) use your email program to send SW the zipped file, but no more than once a week, it can be longer if you like. Use the "attachment" feature that is available for most internet accessible email programs. Attach the zip file to an email message with the letters, SWSPPS, followed by your name, in the Subject area. Put nothing else in the subject area and use all caps. Put any comments that you might have in the message area. Do not attempt to put the zip file into the text area of the email message.
Winzip is a popular compression program used on most computers. It can create ".zip" and ".exe" files and utilize password protection. It is a shareware program.
"Iron Key is a program for encrypting files, that you can safely send over the Internet. The encrypte file is a self-extracting executable - your correspondent must run it and enter the right password for decrypting. No crypto software needs to be installed on the receiving side!" (Excerpt from the Iron Key website). Iron key is Freeware. Here are the links to download or learn about the these programs:
If you have an questions about installing any new software programs please post them in the SW Message Board area. Hopefully, there will be someone on SW who can help. Otherwise, you are on your own.
SW would like to get your opinion, ideas or suggestions concerning the SW Script Project Protection System.
Back to SW Welcome Page
Bob Gill, Founder.
Chris Canter, Webmaster
© 2000, 2001, 2002 Canter/Gill Follow this link for SW contact information.