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Frequently Asked Questions About Collecting Screenplays

Why collect scripts?

On any given Movie or TV show there are on average approximately 200 or so Cast and Crew Technicians that work on any given project. On most shows they go through about 500 or more copies that are handed out. When the show is over most were either worn out and thrown away or turned back into the studio. The studio would keep a few copies on file and toss the rest. Think of this as a limited printing of your favorite book. That makes most scripts RARE or even SCARCE!

Where can I find scripts?

Most vintage scripts are in private hands. The only time they become available are through Estate or Garage Sales mostly in the Southern California area where most of the movies were made. The choice for many would be auction sites such as eBay.

How important is condition?

Like most collectibles condition is important. See the Condition Guide for more information.

What do scripts cost?

Prices vary greatly. Television scripts from the 1980’s to the Present are usually inexpensive and on eBay they can be had for less than $10.00. For vintage TV scripts from the 50’s expect to pay nearly a lot more as well as for popular shows from the 60’s. Movie scripts can cost a few dollars to hundreds depending on the popularity of the movie. 

What about autographed scripts?

A few years ago some sellers on eBay began selling scripts that were reportedly signed by the entire cast of the TV Show or Movie. Most of these auctions, if you read the fine print, are “color copies”. The likelihood of the entire cast getting together to sign a script is really small. More than likely these are fakes. There are legitimate Autograph shows around the country at conventions where you can get your script autographed by the talent involved with that Movie or Show. They usually charge between $10.00 to $40.00 per signature. So, Buyer Beware when you are buying on eBay or elsewhere. 

How can I tell if my script is an original?

We define “Original” as scripts as issued by the studios and production companies. These were used by the cast or crew and show some wear from usage. Most scripts from the early years like the 1920’s and 1930’s are in bad shape just because of the type of pulp paper used in the scripts.

PAPER TYPE

The first thing to check is the type of paper the script is printed on. If the paper is Bright and reflective it is more than likely a recent copy. That type of paper didn’t become available until the late 80’s and early 90’s. Also, studios such as Universal in the 1960’s and 1970’s printed on very thin cheap paper and used dull pastel colors not available today. 

PUNCH HOLES

Most scripts from the 40’s through the late 60’s have a punch hole that is a few millimeters smaller than they are today. If the holes are large and have a jagged machine look to them they are modern. See the examples below:

REVISIONS

When changes are made to the script the changes are dated usually at the top middle to right corner and printed on a different color paper to visually let the cast and crew members know they have scenes and dialogue with changes. If you have a script with all white pages with some pages with different dates then you have a copy of an original.

COVERS

In the past most studios printed the title, studio information and writer on a card stock cover. The covers came in a rainbow of colors. Some studios such as Fox and Warner Brothers made their covers oversized. Over the years they usually got damage around the edges as there wasn’t the bulk of the script to hold the shape of the covers together. Presently, to save money, the Studios don’t usually spend the money on card stock covers.

FASTENERS

To hold the script together most original studio issued scripts had two or three brass fasteners. On the older ones they were mostly all heavier gauge brass and would today have a natural patina to them.

The modern ones are thinner and usually plated brass on a tin type of metal.