screenplay contests?

[rascal]

Hello, just a quick question about screenplay contests.

Are they legitimate in general or just a way to get hundreds of suckers to send in $40?

I notice that quite a number of them in the database have dates going back to 2003, and 2002. Did they go out of business?

www.filmmakers.com/contes...ectory.htm (http://www.filmmakers.com/contests/directory.htm)

Much thanks.

[randesq]

I'm a big believer in contests. They can help you push toward deadlines, but stick with the best. Austin Film Festival, Chesterfield (if it ever comes back), Nicholl, Disney, Sundance Lab, and Scriptapalooza.

moviebytes.com has an excellent audit of most contests.

[Ron239]

Anything that motivates you to refine and rewrite your scripts can't be entirely a bad thing.
HOWEVER -- trust me, screenwriting contests, even the so-called prestigious ones, are a great big crock and a WASTE OF TIME. You cannot trust you'll get a fair shake by the people, most of whom are obviously amateurs or wannabes, who do the judging in these contests.
The people who run these scams are basically taking your money and running. Don't give them your hard-earned money. Don't fatten their purses.
DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME AND MONEY ON CONTESTS.
If you write with any true sense of talent or nuance, IT WILL GO COMPLETELY OVER THEIR HEADS.

Been there, done that

[bottomlesscup]

Bitter much, Ron?

Lot of writers have gotten their start from the big contests. Sure, it's a bit of a crapshoot, but it's a great way to get some exposure and contacts.

Some minor contests are scams, but Nicholl, Chesterfield, Disney, Scriptapalooza, and Austin (among others) are definitely legit.

Enter them with full faith. You probably won't win, but it won't be becuase someone's conning you.

[Ron239]

It's more than a bit of a crapshoot, and name me the writers who actually gained legit representation or made headway because of these contests. (I know, Max Adams. Sort of. And if you read her winning script you know why it underwent seven rewrites and still yielded a crappy film.) There's one guy who has won two or three of these things with the same script, "The Postman," and still can't seem to get arrested.
The people who run these contests are making a lot of money, and the odds are just too long. Even if the judges are competent, which by and large they would seem NOT to be -- just read some of the winning scripts -- the odds are ridiculous.
Save your money. Enjoy a night on the town. But don't go near these contests with a ten-foot pole. I promise you'll thank me for it some day.

[Joe Calabrese]

I got representation from winning 3rd at Slamdance two years ago. Also, I got to network at Park City and hooked up with a producer who gave me a rewrite gig.

I'm not saying I am a superstar now that I won and placed well at a few contests, but it does get your name out there, gives you oportunity to network, promote your work and eventually (crossing fingers) get recognised.

I do have to say that a vast majority of the contests as scams. Do your homework on a contest or festival before you submit. Make sure the prize is more than a check and definately make sure your not roped into an automatic option.

Stick with the biggies and/or well established ones, like Nichols, Austin, Cinestory, Fade in: Final Draft, San Jose, Sundance, and my alma matre, Slamdance (there are many more, I can't pull off the top of my mind right now).

[JustinoXXV]

Film festivals work best I think for those screenwriters who also produced and directed their own films (to be shown at the festival if it enters), or for screenwriters who have successfully paired with indie directors/producers. The screenwriting contests are kind of like the bastard stepchild of the film festivals.

I think any screenwriter should be willing to either consider directing your own script or pairing with an indie director/producer.

[Joe Calabrese]

Justino. Good to see you back. All we need now is Simon and the gang's all here.

[torino]

In an earlier post, which I can no longer find, someone listed San Jose and Fade Out as worthwhile screenwriting contests. I've never heard of them. Can anyone offer insight/info?

I know there a lots of BOGUS writing contests out there. I've already wasted $80 on them. It's important to know which ones actually give you exposure.

Most believe that Nichol, Austin and Sundance are reputable. I'm not sure about Final Draft and even the CS Expo one. The Expo pitch sessions are just a cash cow for the organization in my opinion. What about Slamdance and World Fest SW contests? Any ideas?

[MitchJ]

I entered a few contests over the last few months, mainly to see how I would fare. I wasn't expecting to get an option deal or an agent.

I entered Final Draft because it was one of the larger contests, Nicholl had already ended. In a way, they're not much help. They received 3500 entries, and only the top 20 even hear anything. That's less than 1%.

I actually placed in the Red Inkworks competition. It's a small Canadian-based contest, whose main focus is feedback. Every entrant gets coverage, and I found that to be very helpful. Yes, finalists get posted on their Web site and emailed to so-called industry professionals, but I'm not counting on anything happening as a result. But it is an accolade to use when querying or pitching.

The other one is Screenplay Festival, which breaks up by genre. Since my script isn't an art film, or inspirational drama, I wanted to see how it would compete on an even playing field. I don't know when the results will be posted.

I guess my point is that contests can be helpful, if you know what you're looking for and are realistic about the results. And definitely check MovieBytes for a review before entering.

[zahra]

Well, the bitter statistics make me feel a whole heap better about the screenwriting contests I've failed to do well in, but I have to admit, I think they're useful,especially as a motivator if you're a bit of a bum at finishing work. There's a deadline and you get read. But obviously, you don't enter the ones no-one knows owt about.

[Rainy Night]

I think contests are a fun exercise, especially ones like the NYC Midnight 24 Hour Screenwriter's Challenge where it's more then just submitting a screenplay. I've not yet tried submitting to the Nichol or any of the other major contests. I've had some success at the NYC contest where I won software, and then there was this contest a while back here on AW... anyway I've certainly got all the software I could want.

[zeprosnepsid]

How did this 2005 thread get dug up? =)

I think Screenplay contests are one of the best ways to make it into the business. If you place in a major you'll definitely get contacted.

Iris Y. who wrote Letter From Iwo Jima got her agent from a small screenplay contest, Palm Springs. A CAA agent was one of the judges. Iwo Jima was her first writing assignment and she got nominated for an Academy Award.

Any situation, even a contest, where your script will get read by a big agent or producer is worthwhile.

But obviously, to place in a contest, you have to have a really tight script. I wouldn't submit until it's truly ready.

[Julie Gray]

Wow, this IS an old thread! I do find that writers who consistently do not place well then decide that it is because contests are a big fat rip off. I agree with what most everybody is saying - the biggies are actually a great opportunity. Nicholl, Disney, Austin, Blue Cat (they are increasingly on the map) the Creative Screenwriting Expo competition, the Final Draft Big Break, the AAA (also CS) and I'm sure I'm forgetting one or two. The smaller ones, I am dubious of because even if you place, really, nothing happens because the competitions have no prestige. I say go for it but stick to the biggies and limit yourself each year so that you don't wind up a competition addict, lol.

[creativexec]

I'm not of the school that believes contests are one of the "best" ways to make it in the business, since most people who win contests never make it in the business. And most contest winning scripts are amateurishly written and cannot (and don't) compete in the professional arena.

There are hundreds and hundreds of contests and only a handful that are reputable (the ones previously mentioned), which is hardly a ringing endorsement of that fringe industry. Don't allow the few good contests to serve as a disingenuous representation of the entire contest business as a whole.

That doesn't mean contests are useless, but new writers should put them into a more realistic context and not believe the vague hype that many contests advertise to collect entry fees.

My advice is to follow the money. Don't enter a contest because you think it's going to open Hollywood's doors. Enter a contest because it pays out a big cash prize. The money is real; the allusions to Hollywood success are not.

And enter a contest because it's fun, adds some excitement to your life, maybe connects you to some people, and motivates you to write.

:)

[NikeeGoddess]

there are many reasons pro and against contests: setting a "finish" goal, getting written feedback, etc... but, you must know that the best contest have thousands of entries... and your must beat them all in order to win and be better than most to just make it to the second or final rounds.

at the expo the various writing contests have excellent money prizes. the ultimate winner won $20,000 + the opportunity to turn his script into a graphic novel where he gets to keep all the copyright worth - $12,000. and several other prizes ranged from $5,000 to $1,000 which you collected right on the spot!!! how fun is that?!

[Julie Gray]

GREAT advice, CE. Follow the money. And Nikee - you were at the Expo? And you didn't come say hi?! And did you "hear" my "voice" when I gave out the Writer's Boot Camp award at the closing ceremonies? Note to self: bring lozenges next year and learn to mime. :)

[NikeeGoddess]

yeah, i saw ya. ;)
but did you see me?

[Julie Gray]

Oh maaaaan. I guess I didn't rate an introduction! Oh well. Next time!

[scriptwriter91]

Are there any good contests going on now?

[dpaterso]

As mentioned above, check out MovieBytes.com (http://www.moviebytes.com) especially the Contests (http://www.moviebytes.com/directory.cfm) link which has several useful search categories. The MovieBytes Contests Calendar (http://www.moviebytes.com/calendar.cfm) tells you at a glance what's happening deadline-wise in any given month.

-Derek

[Rainy Night]

A little off topic but not much...

SAW 4 was the top US film last weekend with 40 million. I just realized that it was written by the guys who won the last Project Greenlight with FEAST. That's a contest I wish they would bring back, but I think the chances are slim.

[zahra]

A little off topic but not much...

SAW 4 was the top US film last weekend with 40 million. I just realized that it was written by the guys who won the last Project Greenlight with FEAST. That's a contest I wish they would bring back, but I think the chances are slim.
Why did they ditch it?

[MitchJ]

I agree, it was a great project. But I think they were discouraged by the poor box office, and Feast got caught up in the Miramax termoil and only made it to DVD. Plus, the Project Greenlight show on Bravo received poor ratings. It's a shame; I enjoyed it.

[Rainy Night]

Poor ratings and none of the films produced ever made a profit.

[shutterspeed]

The first (and most likely, only) screenplay contest I entered was with Writer's Digest. Upon reading the winning entry, I realized no screenplay of any style or substance would ever receive a winning nomination.

[torino]

Anyone know if this one (Acclaim) is worth entering? I'm hesitant to pay the $50 if it's another dead end contest.

[dpaterso]

Check out the report card & user comments on MovieBytes?

Acclaim Film
Extended to November 19, 2007
Days Till Deadline: 10
http://www.moviebytes.com/ContestDetail.cfm?contestnumber=388

-Derek

[cameronknight]

hey. i entered scriptapalooza tv, which is locked and loaded and winners are announced february. it's the first contest i've ever entered, and i figured i earned the $40 from writing so let's spend it reaching for the stars. LOL. i really don't expect anything to come of it. but hey - lottery tickets are expensive too.

the only advice i would give to anyone entering a contest: make sure your work is copyrighted first.

cam.

[WriterGirl2007]

TVWriter.com offers some contests! Final Draft is definitely a good one. The Carl Sautter one is good because you're not competing against other people, you're just competing against yourself. And the Kairos one - which is a Christian screenwriting contest - has sweet cash prizes. ;)

[gp101]

A little off topic but not much...

SAW 4 was the top US film last weekend with 40 million. I just realized that it was written by the guys who won the last Project Greenlight with FEAST. That's a contest I wish they would bring back, but I think the chances are slim.

I hated Greenlight. You submitted your script but had to read and rate other peoples' scripts. Okay, cool. The rub? Other people would completely tank/trash/torpedo your script on purpose to give themselves a better chance of moving to the next round. I eventually found representation for my script elsewhere, but that same script got zeros in every category from several different "peer critiques". They left no comments. It was a hit job, because most of my other crits netted me an average of 7 in most categories, if I recall. I think blatant poor scores or perfect scores were dropped (perfect zeroes or tens all around), but enough people came at you with a series of twos and threes that you were sunk if your script was any good. Mine wasn't perfect, but it did get me a manager in L.A. weeks later (not because of Greenlight). It couldn't have been a bunch of twos and threes for real.

But I'm not saying my script was the best. There were two that I read and critted that I thought were absolutely spot-on, better than some produced scripts I've read. Not only did neither of these scripts make it to the next round, I saw two other scripts make it to the next round that I had read and thought to be absolutely horrible, amateurish, cliche-ridden, boring dribble. How did they make it, you ask? There was a buddy system. I had several people ask me to give them favorable crits and in exchange they would do the same for me. I declined. Some of them, no doubt, made it through.

The overall winners were talented. But I bet there were much better scripts that never made it out of the first round because of peer jealousy and sabotage... no, I am not including my own script. I read a lot more than the minimum requirement and saw for myself how some really good ones got killed while the mediocre and just God-awful made it through. I would even argue that if your script were one of the best, your chances of success in this contest were greatly impaired; whereas if your script were mediocre--no danger to anyone--it would make it through, along with the crappy ones who used the buddy system.

So my impression of Greenlight? Lovely idea. Poor execution. Just like so many Hollywood scripts.

[creativexec]

Poor ratings and none of the films produced ever made a profit.

Actually FEAST did turn a profit (on DVD). In fact, FEAST 2 and 3 are currently being shot - both scripts written by the PGL winners. Those writers have also sold two pilots, two spec scripts, wrote SAW IV and will write SAW V (and most likely SAW VI.)

They also wrote the remakes of THE TINGLER and THE HIDDEN - amongst other projects I'm probably leaving out.

Despite its flaws, the PGL contest prize was unbeatable - a guaranteed produced film. And in the case of the FEAST writers - a career.

:)

[Rainy Night]

Actually FEAST did turn a profit (on DVD). In fact, FEAST 2 and 3 are currently being shot - both scripts written by the PGL winners. Those writers have also sold two pilots, two spec scripts, wrote SAW IV and will write SAW V (and most likely SAW VI.)

They also wrote the remakes of THE TINGLER and THE HIDDEN - amongst other projects I'm probably leaving out.

Despite its flaws, the PGL contest prize was unbeatable - a guaranteed produced film. And in the case of the FEAST writers - a career.

:)

Yes, it worked out pretty well for them which is why I wish they would bring it back.

[LIVIN]

The overall winners were talented. But I bet there were much better scripts that never made it out of the first round because of peer jealousy and sabotage... no, I am not including my own script. I read a lot more than the minimum requirement and saw for myself how some really good ones got killed while the mediocre and just God-awful made it through. I would even argue that if your script were one of the best, your chances of success in this contest were greatly impaired; whereas if your script were mediocre--no danger to anyone--it would make it through, along with the crappy ones who used the buddy system.

Having entered the first Project Greenlight, I have to agree with most of what you said.

[Dustry Joe]

I have to agree that for the most part contests are a waste of money. The Nicholl is probably worth entering, just to see where you stack up, but most get you nowhere. Some are out and out ripoffs.

[FTL]

I entered a free Halloween fan-fic contest, and I won. My prize was the 25 Years of Terror DVD.

[Dustry Joe]

Was the second prize 50 years of terror?


I have won contests. (I have about six copies of Final Draft, which I don't use, but is always part of the prize package in these things)

But it doesn't boost your career.

[FTL]

The DVD was about Halloween 1978-2003, 25 years of terror. I don't remember what the other prizes were.

[brainandfingertips]

Wouldn't any placing in a contest be good for a resume?

[MrJayVee]

If you have plans to enter a screenplay competition, you’ll want to check out my most recent blog: Interviews with ten competition entrants. I think you’ll find it interesting...and eye-opening.

www.TheWorkingScreenwriter.blogspot.com (http://www.TheWorkingScreenwriter.blogspot.com)

[Ron Maiden]

interesting blog, MrJayVee, thanks for the link.
i've entered a few compos, and i think i'll probably continue. i was attracted to BlueCat because they gave feedback. other compos i hunt out are ones where the prize includes them pimping the winners to production companies/agents or whatever - which i'd like to think is better than a cash prize.

what i'm wondering is, since i'm new and unpublished/unproduced, is being able to put "this was a finalist/semi-finalist/winner in the xxxxx competition" any benefit in a pitch? do the agents not really give a damn unless the compo is a big/highly respected one, or does it carry a little weight in that your work was good enough to at least beat out the other entries in that compo?

[NikeeGoddess]

Wouldn't any placing in a contest be good for a resume?
what i'm wondering is, since i'm new and unpublished/unproduced, is being able to put "this was a finalist/semi-finalist/winner in the xxxxx competition" any benefit in a pitch? do the agents not really give a damn unless the compo is a big/highly respected one, or does it carry a little weight in that your work was good enough to at least beat out the other entries in that compo?
you guys both know the answers to this - YES! placing in a contest is always a good thing even if it's a tiny state contest. how could it be bad?! it's only a matter of how much it weighs on anyone decision to read your script. if the weight is small, so be it. if you're lucky and skilled enough to place in a major, all the better.

[Ron Maiden]

"how could it be bad?!"

well, personally i didn't think it could be! but, there have been some fairly negative comments about compo's being a scam/time-waste etc and it got that little niggle going in my head, wondering if agents etc thought the same, and if i was proudly announcing being a runner-up in xxx compo they might just be rolling their eyes at my niaivety etc.

thanks tho - i've had a script reach semi-finals and one reach finals of a compo, so i'll probably mention that when i'm pitching.

[creativexec]

what i'm wondering is, since i'm new and unpublished/unproduced, is being able to put "this was a finalist/semi-finalist/winner in the xxxxx competition" any benefit in a pitch?


It's not a deal-breaker for executives but the reality is this:

It's sort of like taking your Little League trophy to the offices of MLB.

Most contests are more widely respected amongst the aspirant community than they are in the offices of Hollywood executives. The competitions themselves, of course, will have newbies believe otherwise, and many newbies gladly drink the Kool-Aid.

Truth be told, if you don't win the contest, you've lost. You can spin the "semi-finalist" status anyway you want, but the exec might be more interested in reading the winner rather than the loser.

As I've said previously, some contests and fellowships have more clout than most, but on a whole, anything other than a win is usually unimpressive.

And obscure contests created to generate income have no import in Hollywood. At least not with anyone that actually matters.

This post isn't meant to discourage but just to offer a generic POV of most contests. On the flip side, if a newbie places in the Nicholl contest, he is likely to get several read requests. But as I've said up top, there are only a handful of contests that command that sort of respect.

A placement in the thousands of others will wow your friends and inflate your ego but won't mean dick in the real world.

This is why I say, again, follow the money. Aside from the practicality of 10K, the contests that give out the big cash prizes are more likely to have a stronger reputation throughout town.



:)

[preyer]

any time i've ever entered any kind of writing contest (not many), i've always lost out to some 'nam vet telling some 'deep' story or some seven year old 'writing beyond his years.' that's what i'm afraid of, that my dumb little story meant to entertain someone will be crushed by 'important' stories. i mean, yeah, i thought 'platoon' was a good movie, but i never quite grasped the accolades any more than quite understood how 'as good as it gets' is oh-so-spiffy. from a writing standpoint, yeah, i get it, but 'as... gets' had to be one of the most boring as fuck movies i've seen. that's what scares me, that someone with a 'as... gets'-esque thing is out there prowling around teethed bared and the judges are willing sheep to the slaughter.

what am i supposed to do, write about *my* generation? we're as vapid as can be, with the possible exception of the one following.

what kind of scripts win these things, anyway? granted, i realize some have categories, and that's as it should be. someone mentioned 'iwo jima' and, jeez, i have no interest in writing stuff like that. i swear, it's like any 'meaningful war story' is duck hunting with a howitzer (where their story is the big gun and i'm the quacky flapper thinking a cloud will somehow shield me).

[dpaterso]

You're so darn cynical about every theme and genre that I can only wonder what you're actually writing!

-Derek

[preyer]

if there's any cynicism involved it's based on personal experience, d. what i'm saying is i'm aiming for entertainment, not necessarily for any insightful thoughts or deep issues or life-altering themes. i'm not saying my stuff is dumb or moronic and has its sights set on the crotch, but being critically acclaimed? hm, probably not so much. at least that's not my intention. if i wanted that, i'd probably do some WWII thing where a guy gets separated from his outfit and discovers the beauty around him concerning the people he's been killing for two years or something like that, a real personal journey kind of thing. i'd toss in a bunch of metaphors and allegory and see what shakes loose. i could do that, it's just not what interests me. (and trust me, d, it would rule.)

just to save myself an entry fee, it's good to know what kind of scripts are being hoisted above all others.

i've four main ideas i'm considering and doing notes and research for, seeing which one comes out the most developed. since you asked, one's a historical suspense/paranormal, one's a comedy, one's a kind of rom-com in a disney way, and the other is a horror/thriller. i think that dispells the idea that i'm prejudiced against any genre or theme, eh? i'd say i'm being more scattershot than i should be already without adding a 'serious' movie to the list, lol. (for what it's worth, that aforementioned war idea would probably be called 'a soldier's war' or something like that, if that title hasn't already been taken, and i'm sure it has for some reason... seems too obvious.)

[LIVIN]

Someone once said a cynical person writes cynical pieces, and so on and so forth...

I would have to agree, citing my second script as evidence, at the time.

By the way, as to what kind of scripts win these things: the kind of scripts people are passionate about.

If you're not passionate about anything, take some time off, do something else and come back to it. Might sound like bad advice, but I think it worked for me.

[NikeeGoddess]

if there's any cynicism involved it's based on personal experience, d. what i'm saying is i'm aiming for entertainment, not necessarily for any insightful thoughts or deep issues or life-altering themes. i'm not saying my stuff is dumb or moronic and has its sights set on the crotch, but being critically acclaimed?
there's absolutely nothing wrong with writing SuperBad - it sold and made a lot of money but it probably won't win in a contest. so what! selling the cynical script that entertains is so much more rewarding.

however... one of the winning scripts at this years CS Expo was really out there. about a father who sold the family dog so he could feed his family and became a clown to earn money to buy the dog back or something that seems extremely ridiculous. so there is hope for your crappy stuff but it must be executed with great style to win.

most contests are more about the writing than the marketability. but if you plan to enter one then just check out what has won in the past years and maybe you'll find you match.

[preyer]

well, now, wait a minute, nikee, when i refer to my stuff as 'crap' i don't mean that in the perjorative sense, lol. no, not at all. everything i write is like finely spun gold. in fact, it's my humble opinion that hollywood would probably be a lot better off just letting me write all its scripts.

i don't do a lot of whacky stuff. it'd probably be a lot harder for me to write that clown thing than anything else. it's encouraging to know that it did well, though, tells me it's not all about prestige pieces and poignant introspection stuff. believe me, i'd be more than amazed at myself if ever my name was behind something like 'the princess bride.' (sometimes i'd be amazed at myself if my name was attached to *anything*, especially at this rate ~ haven't been in a good mood to write for several daze now.)

[Ron Maiden]

looking over a few more competition things, to pass the time. the slamdance looks good, but it requires a mailed-in script, which is annoying. have to scope out how much the postage costs are going to bem, might have to limit to entering just one script :-/

has anyone paid extra for coverage? if so, was it worth it?

[LIVIN]

Some contests guarantee script analysis. Now, how good this analysis is for what you want is up for debate, I suppose.

This might be helpful:

http://www.moviebytes.com/contests.cfm?category=Upcoming

[icerose]

I've never been good at the "artsy" writing forms so I haven't really bothered with script competitions. The ones I want to enter are the ones who would require me to move to California if I happened to beat the long shots and take up a job that I would love beyond words but wouldn't be able to swing due to our living situtation. Not to mention it's hard enough to drag my husband to visit the city I can only imagine the battle it would take to get him to move.

So I guess my point is if the contests you are looking at have an end result that is in your goal sights go for it, if they aren't, then don't.

Like everything you're going to find both legit and scam operations so do your research.

[Ron Maiden]

yeah i know some like BlueCat offer it in the price, i was just wondering if anyone had forked out extra for it.