The Writer Got Screwed is the first book to untangle the legal and business aspects of writing for the entertainment industry. For the young TV production assistant waiting for his big break, the executive with a treatment tucked away in a bottom drawer, the techie targeting the new field of cyberspace writing, or anyone who is inspired to write screenplays, this book is an indispensable road map to success. Savvy Hollywood entertainment attorney Brooke Wharton explains the proper methods of protecting creative work, decodes the legal jargon the new writer is likely to encounter (and be unfamiliar with), gives practical advice on how to find representation, explains the pluses and minuses of obtaining an agent versus a lawyer or manager, shows how to read between the lines of a contract before signing, tells how to receive appropriate compensation for work, and advises how to avoid getting sued or screwed along the way. Top writers from film, television and the emerging field of interactive entertainment candidly reflect on their careers, giving valuable advice on how to pitch ideas and offering alternative paths to success. For example, Jane Anderson, writer of How to Make an American Quilt, reveals how she made the move from television to big screen, and Philip Lazebnik, screenwriter for Pocahontas, recalls the collaborative excitement that lured him -- despite myriad obstacles -- to write for feature animation. Useful resources, including a glossary and lists of agencies, competitions, fellowships, internships and legal organizations, make The Writer Got Screwed an essential addition to every writer's tool chest.