I'm writing my first screenplay...

If it is your first screenplay, odds are extremely high it will only be a learning experience. 99.99999999999% of first screenplays are craptastic, mine was. You might win the lottery on your first script, who knows-- if you think you will then keep it secret. But you might get more out of 'C&C' to help you go on and write better by getting public feedback. You might just post a page or two for feedback on dialogue, exposition, etc. (I for one will NOT read your entire screenplay, nothing in that for me but losing a few hours of my life; but I might read a couple of pages and give critique).
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Register an outline or treatment before posting.

Truly original concepts are tough to come by; probably, there's a thousand other people working on the same idea as you.

A screenwriters value comes from his/her's unique perspective and ability to give life and voice to individual characters-- you can't steal that.
 
There are other forums that have closed off sections just for posting script pages. Donedealpro and Absolutewrite are great. In any case, you should really only post the first five or ten pages, which really isn't enough for anyone to steal.

Or, you can send it to me to read. Just PM me or email me at kareemjordan83@gmail.com
 
You might send it to Scott Mullen (Scott the Reader) for critique. $60 for 4 pages of critique and suggestions for improvement. He won't sugar coat it so be warned, but he will give good ideas for improving it. Reasonable fee. Of course register it first with the Library of Congress ($35 online).
 
Once something is written, it is copyright material. You don't have to pay to have something copyrighted. If you send it out and it's stolen, you have the copyright, just make sure you can prove it. All registering a script does is create proof that it is yours and the date of which it was written.
 
Brickhouse said:
Once something is written, it is copyright material. You don't have to pay to have something copyrighted. If you send it out and it's stolen, you have the copyright, just make sure you can prove it. All registering a script does is create proof that it is yours and the date of which it was written.
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Actually, registering a script or any other copyright work provides quite a bit more beyond just creating proof of ownership and date of creation. It provides important legal remedies including hefty financial penalties (including statutory damage$) for copyright infringement, that would not be possible without registering the work with the US Lib of Congress Copyright Office, recouping attorney fees, and more:
http://www.legalcorner.net/articletemplate1.asp?name=copyright_register_art_002
Well worth the $35 for online registration imho; and one can even register several or many works (several specs, collection of shorts, etc) as an opus for that $35.

None of the above will protect a script from being stolen and used to make a movie in certain foreign countries that do not give a rat's arse about copyright and flagrantly steal intellectual property and even brag about doing so-- one reason why I would never post a feature screenplay here online.
 
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a very talented writer friend of mine would always say "I wish someone would steal my script." No one ever did - meanwhile i got an ulcer worrying.
 
WGA Registry is how most screenwriters register their Screenplays.

http://www.wgawregistry.org/webrss/

Cheap like $20

Also consider Triggerstreet.com.

It is a great place to get your screenplay evaluated for free - . You just need to read other's SPs first - a great exercise in and of itself :) Once you've read a handful of SPs your SP will be farmed out to 6 readers who will have to take a test on your SP to see if they did indeed read it. If they pass, then they will provide you with some notes evaluation of your work.
 
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