Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Entertainment/2011 December 26

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December 26

For What It's Worth - Steven Stills Live

On an old Crosby, Stills, and Nash PBS show, Stephen Stills did a solo version of For What It's Worth (Buffalo Springfield song) with an electric guitar. Is a performance like this commercially available? Bubba73 ^{You talkin' to me?} 06:41, 26 December 2011 (UTC)

I wouldn't ever recommend a copyright violation, so please don't do this, but have you tried YouTube? --Jayron32 06:44, 26 December 2011 (UTC)

Yes, I believe it is this performance, but I would like to have that (or one very similar) on a commercial CD (or mp3). Bubba73 ^{You talkin' to me?} 06:46, 26 December 2011 (UTC)

Not sure if this is the exact same performance, but my spidey-sense says it may be. It appears to have been released on the "Live in LA" CD, info of which is here from Allmusic.com --Jayron32 06:51, 26 December 2011 (UTC)

Also, This appears to be the video of the same performance, also info from Allmusic.com --Jayron32 06:54, 26 December 2011 (UTC)

I'm not sure if it is the same. The one I saw was on PBS in the early 90s. It is the one on YouTube, so at least I have that. Bubba73 ^{You talkin' to me?} 02:55, 29 December 2011 (UTC)

spec screenplay

Can anyone in the world make a spec screenplay for hollywood films? Or, are there eligibility criteria for being screenwriter? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 199.224.149.10 (talk) 08:06, 26 December 2011 (UTC)

Anyone can do anything. It won't actually get read, but you can write anything you want. --Jayron32 18:04, 26 December 2011 (UTC)

Spec script gives some info. If you can get an agent, there's more chance people will read it (most agents will only be looking for people with professional experience in film or other genres). It's common but not essential to register the screenplay with the WGA[1] or similar organisations; this protects against studios stealing your idea. If you google "selling spec screenplay" or something like that you'll get tons of advice[2][3]; one site reckons 1 in 5000 spec scripts submitted to studios will be bought (and even fewer will be produced).[4] --Colapeninsula (talk) 18:30, 26 December 2011 (UTC)

You might want to read this as well. I know it's discouraging advice, but at least it's honest. IBE (talk) 03:12, 27 December 2011 (UTC)

NB: I just realised that might come across badly - read the link as an insider's explanation of how things work, like the story behind the statistic given by Colapeninsula. Don't think I'm pushing a negative line - good luck with your screenplay. IBE (talk) 03:16, 27 December 2011 (UTC)

That's a good article, thanks for sharing it. I like the line, "If someone can talk you out of being a writer, you're not a writer." —Kevin Myers 21:07, 27 December 2011 (UTC)

yeah that is a good article. It is better to check with friends before going to a professional for reviews. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 199.224.149.10 (talk) 07:51, 28 December 2011 (UTC)