Privacy Policy.

Who We Are

Creative Guild Inc is a New Jersey 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 93-1505576) that operates educational programs, services, and digital products for writers, filmmakers, and culture-builders. We are the "data controller" responsible for your personal information collected through our Services, which include:

• The Creative Guild — thecreativeguild.org
• The Script Doctor — thescriptdoctor.org
• The Act 1 Lab
• Skip Film School — skipfilmschool.com
• Vibe Code

For all privacy-related inquiries, contact us at [email protected].

Information We Collect

We collect three types of information: information you provide to us directly, information collected automatically when you use the Services, and information we receive from third parties.

Information You Provide

When you create an account, register for a program, purchase a product or session, fill out a form, opt in to communications, or contact us, you may provide:

• Identity information: first name, last name, pronouns, preferred name or handle
• Contact information: email address, mobile phone number, mailing address
• Account credentials: username, password, security information
• Payment information: billing name, billing address, payment card details (processed and stored by our payment processors — not by us)
• Creative content you submit: scripts, manuscripts, story outlines, treatments, writing samples, and any other materials you share with us for consultation, review, or program participation
• Program engagement information: responses to intake questionnaires, goals, project descriptions, feedback you give us, testimonials, questions submitted during live sessions
• Communication preferences: your opt-in choices for email, SMS, and direct mail communications

Information Collected Automatically

When you interact with the Services, we and our service providers automatically collect:

• Device and connection information: IP address, device type, operating system, browser type, language settings, time zone
• Usage information: pages viewed, links clicked, search terms, referring URLs, time spent on pages, date and time of visits
• Cookies and similar technologies: see Section 7 for details

Information from Third Parties

We may receive information about you from social media platforms when you interact with our pages, payment processors confirming a transaction, email marketing and CRM platforms that track engagement, analytics providers (e.g., Google Analytics), and partners or affiliates who refer you to our programs.

How We Use Your Information

We use your information for the following purposes:

To Provide the Services

• Create and manage your account
• Process payments and deliver products, programs, sessions, and digital downloads
• Schedule and conduct consulting sessions, workshops, and events
• Review and provide feedback on creative content you submit
• Provide customer support and respond to inquiries

To Communicate With You

• Transactional communications: booking confirmations, session reminders, payment receipts, account notices, program updates, customer service responses
• Marketing communications (with your consent): newsletters, program announcements, promotional offers, event invitations, content from Creative Guild Inc and its brands
• SMS communications (with your express opt-in): see Section 6 for full details

To Improve and Personalize the Services

• Analyze how users interact with the Services to improve usability and content
• Develop new programs, products, and features
• Personalize your experience based on your stated goals and engagement

For Legal and Business Operations

• Enforce our Terms of Service and other policies
• Detect, prevent, and investigate fraud, abuse, or violations of our Terms
• Comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal process
• Protect the rights, property, or safety of Creative Guild Inc, our users, or others

How We Share Your Information

We share your information only as described below. We do not sell your personal information.

Service Providers

We share information with trusted third-party service providers who help us operate the Services, including:

• Payment processing: Stripe and other payment processors
• Email and marketing automation: ActiveCampaign and similar platforms
• SMS messaging providers: to deliver text messages you have opted in to receive
• Hosting and infrastructure: website hosts, cloud storage, content delivery networks
• Analytics and advertising platforms: Google Analytics and similar (see Section 7)
• Scheduling and video tools: calendar booking tools, Zoom, Google Meet, and similar
• Customer support tools: helpdesk and CRM platforms

These providers are contractually obligated to use your information only as necessary to provide services to us.

Legal Compliance & Protection

We may disclose your information when we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to comply with a subpoena, court order, or other legal obligation; enforce our Terms of Service or other agreements; protect the rights, property, or safety of Creative Guild Inc, our users, or the public; or investigate and prevent fraud, abuse, or security incidents.

Business Transfers

If Creative Guild Inc is involved in a merger, acquisition, financing, reorganization, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such change and any choices you may have.

With Your Consent

We may share your information with third parties for any other purpose with your express consent.

We Do Not Sell Your Information

Creative Guild Inc does not sell, rent, trade, or otherwise transfer your personal information to third parties for their own marketing or promotional purposes. We do not participate in advertising networks that share personal information with other businesses for cross-context behavioral advertising in a manner that would constitute a "sale" under applicable privacy laws.

SMS & Text Messaging Data

Creative Guild Inc — primarily through its brand The Script Doctor — offers SMS (text message) communications to users who explicitly opt in. This section describes how we handle SMS-related data.

How You Opt In

You opt in to SMS communications by providing your mobile phone number and checking a clearly labeled, unchecked-by-default SMS consent box on our intake or opt-in forms at thecreativeguild.org/sms-signup. Opt-in is express, specific to SMS, and never a condition of purchase. By opting in, you provide express written consent to receive recurring automated text messages from us at the number you provide.

What Information We Collect for SMS

• Your mobile phone number
• The exact opt-in form, date, time, and IP address associated with your consent
• Your message history with us, including delivery status and your replies
• Your opt-out status if you reply STOP or unsubscribe

How We Use SMS Data

• To send you the messages you opted in to receive (consultation confirmations, session reminders, project updates, program announcements, and — where you have separately opted in to marketing — promotional offers)
• To comply with applicable telecommunications laws and carrier requirements (including A2P 10DLC registration)
• To maintain records of your consent in case of a future dispute
• To honor your opt-out requests for the duration required by law (in some jurisdictions, up to 10 years)

SMS Data Privacy — FCC One-to-One Consent & CTIA Compliance

What This Means in Plain Language

• We do not sell your mobile number or your opt-in data to anyone
• We do not share your SMS data with our marketing partners, affiliates, or sister brands for their own marketing
• We do not use your SMS data to build lookalike audiences for advertising
• The only third parties that receive your SMS data are the messaging-service subcontractors who help us deliver the messages you signed up to receive (e.g., our SMS carrier, ActiveCampaign, and platform providers)

Opting Out of SMS

You can opt out of SMS communications at any time by replying STOP to any text message. You may also email [email protected] with the subject line "SMS Unsubscribe."

For complete SMS program terms, see our SMS Policy.

Cookies & Tracking Technologies

We use cookies, pixels, web beacons, and similar technologies to operate, secure, and improve the Services.

Types of Cookies We Use

• Strictly necessary cookies: required for the Services to function (e.g., login sessions, security tokens). These cannot be disabled.
• Performance and analytics cookies: help us understand how users interact with our sites so we can improve them (e.g., Google Analytics).
• Functional cookies: remember your preferences and personalize your experience.
• Marketing cookies: used by our advertising partners (e.g., Meta, Google Ads) to show you relevant ads on other sites. You can opt out of these.

Your Cookie Choices

Most browsers allow you to refuse cookies or notify you when cookies are being sent. You can also opt out of analytics tracking via tools like Google's Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on. Note that disabling cookies may affect the functionality of the Services.

Do Not Track

Some browsers transmit "Do Not Track" (DNT) signals. Because there is no industry standard for how to respond to DNT signals, we do not currently respond to them. We do, however, honor opt-out preference signals where required by law (see Section 12 for Global Privacy Control).

Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide the Services, comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements.

• Account information: retained while your account is active, plus a reasonable period thereafter for backup and recovery purposes
• Transaction records: retained for at least 7 years to comply with tax, accounting, and audit requirements
• SMS opt-in records: retained for the duration required by carrier regulations and applicable state law (in some jurisdictions, up to 10 years after opt-out)
• Creative content you submit (scripts, manuscripts): retained for the duration of the program plus a reasonable period for records purposes; you may request deletion at any time
• Marketing communications data: retained until you opt out, then deleted from active marketing systems within 30 days

When data is no longer needed, we securely delete or anonymize it.

Data Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. Our practices include:

• Encryption of data in transit (TLS/SSL) and at rest where appropriate
• Access controls limiting personal information to staff with a need to know
• Use of PCI-compliant payment processors (Stripe and similar) for payment data — we do not store credit card numbers ourselves
• Regular review of our security practices and third-party service providers

No method of internet transmission or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security. If we become aware of a security incident affecting your information, we will notify you as required by applicable law.

Your Privacy Rights

Subject to applicable law and verification of your identity, you have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you
• Correct inaccurate or incomplete personal information
• Delete your personal information, subject to certain legal exceptions
• Port your personal information to another service in a portable format
• Restrict or object to certain processing of your personal information
• Withdraw consent at any time where we rely on your consent (e.g., for SMS or marketing)
• Opt out of marketing communications
• Lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority where you have one

How to Exercise Your Rights

Email [email protected] with the subject line "Privacy Request." Describe the request and identify the right(s) you wish to exercise. We will verify your identity (typically by asking you to confirm information we already have on file) and respond within the timeframe required by applicable law (typically within 30–45 days).

Right to Appeal

If we deny your request, you may appeal by emailing [email protected] with the subject line "Privacy Appeal" within 30 days of our decision. We will review the appeal and respond within 60 days as required by law. If your appeal is denied, you may contact your state attorney general or applicable regulator.

No Discrimination

We will not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights. This means we will not deny you services, charge you a different price, or provide a different level or quality of service because you exercised any of these rights.

New Jersey Residents — NJDPA

Creative Guild Inc is based in New Jersey, and we comply with the New Jersey Data Protection Act (NJDPA), which went into effect January 15, 2025. This section describes the additional rights and disclosures applicable to New Jersey residents.

Your NJDPA Rights

As a New Jersey resident, you have the right to:

• Confirm whether we process your personal data and access that data
• Correct inaccuracies in your personal data, taking into account the nature of the data and the purposes of processing
• Delete personal data we hold about you
• Obtain a portable copy of your personal data in a readily usable format
• Opt out of the processing of your personal data for purposes of: (a) targeted advertising; (b) the sale of personal data; or (c) profiling in furtherance of decisions that produce legal or similarly significant effects

How NJ Residents Exercise Rights

Email [email protected] with the subject line "NJ Privacy Request." You may also designate an authorized agent to make requests on your behalf, subject to verification of the agent's authority.

We will respond to your request within 45 days, with one possible 45-day extension if necessary. We will not charge you a fee for the first request in any 12-month period.

Right to Appeal in New Jersey

If we deny your request, you may appeal our decision within a reasonable time. Email [email protected] with the subject "NJ Privacy Appeal." We will respond within 45 days. If your appeal is denied, you may contact the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs or the New Jersey Attorney General's Office.

Sensitive Data

We do not process "sensitive data" as defined under the NJDPA (such as racial or ethnic origin, religious beliefs, mental or physical health diagnoses, sexual orientation, citizenship/immigration status, genetic or biometric data, or precise geolocation data) without your express consent. We do not knowingly process the personal data of minors under 13 (see Section 14).

Profiling and Automated Decision-Making

We do not engage in profiling that produces legal or similarly significant effects regarding our users. If this changes, we will update this Policy and obtain consent as required.

Data Protection Assessments

For any processing activities that present a heightened risk of harm to consumers (such as targeted advertising, sale of personal data, or processing of sensitive data), we conduct and document data protection assessments as required by the NJDPA.

California Residents — CCPA/CPRA

If you are a California resident, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), provides you with additional rights regarding your personal information.

Categories of Personal Information We Collect

In the past 12 months, we have collected the following categories of personal information as defined by the CCPA:

• Identifiers: name, email address, phone number, mailing address, IP address, account credentials
• Commercial information: purchase history, program enrollment, transaction records
• Internet activity: browsing history on our sites, interaction with our emails and ads
• Geolocation data: approximate location based on IP address
• Professional information: when voluntarily provided (e.g., your career stage, creative goals)
• Inferences: drawn from the above to create profiles reflecting your preferences and engagement
• Creative content: scripts, manuscripts, and other materials you submit for program participation

Your CCPA Rights

• Right to know what personal information we have collected, used, disclosed, and shared
• Right to delete personal information we have collected, subject to certain exceptions
• Right to correct inaccurate personal information
• Right to opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information (we do not sell or share — see Section 5)
• Right to limit use of sensitive personal information (we do not use sensitive personal information beyond what is necessary)
• Right to non-discrimination for exercising your rights

How CA Residents Exercise Rights

Email [email protected] with the subject line "CA Privacy Request." We will verify your identity and respond within 45 days, with one possible 45-day extension if necessary.

Authorized Agents

You may designate an authorized agent to make a CCPA request on your behalf. The agent must provide written authorization, and we may verify the agent's identity and authority.

Global Privacy Control (GPC)

We honor opt-out preference signals like the Global Privacy Control (GPC). When detected, we treat the signal as an opt-out of sale/share of personal information for the browser or device from which it is sent.

"Shine the Light" Law

California's "Shine the Light" law permits California residents to request information about disclosures of personal information to third parties for direct marketing purposes. As stated in Section 5, we do not disclose personal information to third parties for their direct marketing purposes.

Other State Privacy Laws

If you are a resident of a U.S. state with a comprehensive consumer privacy law — including Virginia (VCDPA), Colorado (CPA), Connecticut (CTDPA), Utah (UCPA), Texas (TDPSA), Oregon (OCPA), Montana (MTCDPA), Delaware (DPDPA), Iowa (ICDPA), Tennessee (TIPA), Indiana (INCDPA), and others as they come into effect — you have rights similar to those described for New Jersey and California residents above, subject to the specific provisions of your state's law.

Generally, these rights include:

• The right to access, correct, delete, and obtain a copy of your personal data
• The right to opt out of targeted advertising, sale of personal data, and certain profiling
• The right to appeal denials of privacy requests
• The right to non-discrimination for exercising privacy rights

To exercise rights under your state's privacy law, email [email protected] with the subject line "[Your State] Privacy Request." We will respond within the timeframe required by your state's law.

Children's Privacy (COPPA)

Our Services are intended for adults aged 18 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13, as defined by the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under 13 without verified parental consent, we will delete that information promptly.

If you believe we may have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately at [email protected].

For users between the ages of 13 and 17, we recommend parental or guardian supervision when using our Services. Some state laws (including the NJDPA) provide additional protections for minors under 18; we comply with those laws as applicable.

International Users

Our Services are operated from the United States. If you access the Services from outside the United States, your information will be transferred to and processed in the United States, which may have different data protection laws than your jurisdiction.

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, or Switzerland, please note that the United States is not currently considered an "adequate" jurisdiction for data protection purposes by the European Commission. By using the Services, you consent to the transfer of your information to the United States subject to this Policy.

If you have questions about international data transfers, contact us at [email protected].

Third-Party Links

The Services may contain links to third-party websites, services, or platforms (such as social media, payment processors, scheduling tools, video conferencing, or partner organizations). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to read their privacy policies before providing any personal information to them.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will:

• Post the updated Policy on this page
• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this Policy
• For material changes, provide additional notice via email or a prominent notice on the Services

Your continued use of the Services after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated Policy. We encourage you to review this Policy periodically.

Contact Us

For questions about this Privacy Policy, to exercise your privacy rights, or to file a privacy complaint, contact us:

Creative Guild Inc
Attn: Privacy Officer
Newark, New Jersey, USA
Email: [email protected]
Website: thecreativeguild.org

For SMS-specific questions, see our SMS Policy.

For questions about our terms of use, see our Terms of Service.

For questions about refunds, see our Refund Policy.