how do you copyright?

[Pantone]

im just wondering about how you copyright stuff.im currently workin on a documentary for college and have financed it entirely on my own and havent used a single bit of their equipment or property in its production.the only thing is that college rules state that 'all work produced for the college remains college property'.id like to have the complete rights to it as it is completely my own work and would hope to sell it in the future.i wanna copyright it before i hand it in.is the post it to yourself technique bulletproof?what exactly should i do?
big thank yous

[robotfunk]

The fact that you made it makes it legally your copyright.
The only thing you might want to do is be able to prove it. This can usually be solved by getting a copy of the material involved sealed and stamped by your tax office. In some countries a sealed envelope sent to yourself may suffice.

One thing to remember if you want to patent an idea don't publicize anything about it until obtaining the patent.For all other kinds of copyright publicizing something is more of a proof that it is your copyright than anything else.

[robotfunk]

Our school had similar policy and I had the same thoughts when I read about that. Later I learned it was meant to avoid students getting ripped off when dealing with companies during their internship. When a dispute about copyright of a students work would arrise, the school could claim ownership because of that clause, and so being able to prevent others from exploiting the works and ideas of students.

[sofarok]

sounds like the same set up they had at my uni. for our grad film we ended up having a co credit with them even thogh we paid for the whole thing (?9500), they were more in it for the prestige if the work gets into any festivals rather than the finacial aspect.