FAQ

Who is ScriptShark.com?
ScriptShark.com is a portfolio product of Baseline, a division of The New York Times Company. Baseline is the leading provider of verified film, television, companies and representation data to the industry, and powers both The Studio System and FilmTracker. ScriptShark has been a leader in the coverage and consultation space since its inception in 2001. Its ongoing commitment to bringing professional tools to both the aspiring and professional creative communities has made it the most successful coverage and consultation provider in the business. 

How is ScriptShark different than other online coverage services?
Unlike with other companies out there, the folks at ScriptShark do exactly what they intended: Provide the highest caliber coverage, development and discovery services to aspiring screenwriter everywhere. None of ScriptShark’s executives are doing this while we wait on something else: We are not development executives between jobs, or aspiring writers waiting for the career to take off. Instead, we are industry professionals who be believe in the important role ScriptShark may play in a screenwriter’s career, who enjoy growing and developing the business according to our writer’s needs.

Does The New York Times Company really own ScriptShark?
Yes. The New York Times Company purchased Baseline in 2006. ScriptShark.com is under the Baseline umbrella.

Can ScriptShark serve as an agent for my material?
No. ScriptShark is not a talent or material representative. Through its coverage service, ScriptShark simply serves as a conduit for the writer into the entertainment industry. However, ScriptShark does not collect a percentage from the writer, and does not seek to represent either the writer or the material. 

I heard that through your scouting services, you will aim to collect 10% of whatever I make. Is that true?
No. ScriptShark only collects a fee for its coverage services. Our scouting services are complimentary to our customers and free of charge. We do not collect any additional fees or percentages beyond our coverages, no matter our customer’s financial success.

How do you choose your analysts?
Our analysts usually come to us by industry word-of-mouth. In fact, many of the agents, managers and producers who read our customers work have also recommended analysts to us. We ask all of our readers to do an “audition piece” for us, as well as to meet certain requirements. You can learn more about the election process as well as our specific analysts on our Analysts page.

Can I pay by Credit Card and submit electronically?
You may opt to submit both payment and materials either electronically or in hard copy. Whichever your choice, instructions will be provided along the check-out process. 

Do you accept international submissions?
Yes. ScriptShark works with writers from all over the world, including Australia, Europe, Russia, Israel, South Africa, Japan, and many others. Because of the ease of internet submissions, materials are sent and received effortlessly. However, we do require that all materials submitted for coverage be in English.  

Once you are done with my coverage, how will you send it to me?
All coverages are sent back to the customer via email, unless other requests/arrangements have been made.

What format should my submission be in? 
This is one of the most neglected yet important steps in the submission process. Courier is the industry standard font style and the font size should be no less than 12 point. A standard screenplay should run between 90-120 pages. Cheated margins are very obvious. Brass brads are the binding of choice.  

Can I send accompanying materials?
While writers often send CDs, sketches, story boards and other accompanying material with their work, ScriptShark reviews screenplays in the same manner that every agency, management company, and production company would: On the merit of the screenplay alone. The entire story, tone, characters and atmosphere of your script have to be deciphered from the information you've gotten on the page. Therefore, we recommend that you do not send any accompanying materials with your screenplay, as they will not be taken into consideration. 

How should I protect my material so it's not stolen?
Although the film industry offers no guarantees, studios and production companies have much to lose and little to gain by stealing ideas, treatments, or completed screenplays. These companies would much rather buy a screenplay, manuscript or teleplay rather than risk being sued for millions after making a movie. The purchase price of a screenplay, manuscript or teleplay is a drop in the bucket for these billion dollar studios, compared with what it would cost them if they were sued for material theft, both monetarily and in reputation. ScriptShark itself is not a content creator, and only deals with established producers, studio executives, managers and agents. Their goal is to find and hire new material and talent, not to steal it. ScriptShark highly recommends that all submissions be registered with the Writers Guild of America and/or copyrighted with the U.S. Copyright Office.