Contests-what to look out for.

[StephieM]

I know this question has been brought up before, but, I wasn't paying attention in class that day, so forgive me :)

I was looking up screenwriting contests on the web and was wondering if there are certain contests I should avoid. A lot of the competitions go as far as saying the winner will get their script produced. This just sounds a little to good to be true. :crazy:

Steph

[odocoileus]

Check out moviebytes.com. It's the best info source on the net for contests. It has the most complete listings, contestant reviews, and frequent updates.

[pstudios]

:Lecture:I suggest U read the small print on everything. Make sure by entering the contest , that you don't sign your rights to your script away. U don't want to end up with it produced and not receiving fair share for your work. If it doesn't feel right to you, don't enter it.


Jennifer

[JustinoXXV]

Basically, most contests are crap or scams that mean nothing. If you want to enter contests, stick to the better ones like the Nichols ($30,000), Chesterfield, Disney (people who enter Disney don't even pay any money to enter, and winners get a $50,000 and one year job at Disney or ABC), Fox (they have a tv writing contest).

Oh, and the Nichols has 5 winners. Disney has up to 15 winners.

Other good ones might be Austin, Sundance Labs, Slamdance,etc. Try to find out what has happened to contest winners. Winners of Script Pimp have had their scripts purchased.

If a contest says the winning script will be produced by the contest holder, it is a SCAM if they are asking you to pay contest FEES.

[StephieM]

Thanks everyone! I'll be sure to read the fine print!

Steph

[scripter1]

Justin's list is a good one.
He mentioned all the contests I'm famliar with.
One I would add that may raise some comment is Project Greenlight.
Run by Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Chris Moore, it was sponsored by the Bravo channel last year. They guarantee you a produced movie and take you through the whole process. You are on set and involved in the entire film making process. If you win that is.

The problem is that the first two levels of judging are peer review.
The best scripts don't always rise to the top. If you make it into the top 100 then you get read by the pros involved with the contest. (serious pros like the guys at miramax) There is always a chance that they may work with you outside of the contest. Each year several scripts have been optioned that were rejected because of budget restrictions.

You are better off trying for the others but PGL isn't a scam or a complete waste if the stars are in your favor, the planets are aligned right, and the hacks that flock to the contest don't torpedo your script.

Feel free to go beserk now but REMEMBER
I said the other contests were better.

[Joe Calabrese]

Unfortunately it is a moot point since PGL is dead in the water.

Chris Moore said that Bravo won't be picking up the show and without tv, Dimensions probably won't jump on board and thus he said the competition is most likely over.

[scripter1]

didn't know that. Hadn't been following it really.

The question was what to avoid.
Well, any thing that sounds fishy. If it just pops up on the site then it's a spam and scam. If you can't find any legit names involved, well, then...

[Rainy Night]

Unfortunately it is a moot point since PGL is dead in the water.

Chris Moore said that Bravo won't be picking up the show and without tv, Dimensions probably won't jump on board and thus he said the competition is most likely over.
Last I heard it depended on how FEAST did once it got released. If it's successful they may bring it back.

[Joe Calabrese]

The ratings for the show was bad and Bravo (or any network) won't renew. No show, no studio, no movie made, no competition.

[Rainy Night]

Well that's no fun. I read scripts in the first round, watched the show, I kind of enjoyed the whole thing.

[StephieM]

Thanks again everyone. And thanks Justino for the list of recommendations. :)

I watched PGL last season when they were producing FEAST, and stopped watching it when they were in the middle of filming. I was curious or not wether or not they finished it. One of the reasons I stopped watching it was because I couldn't stand the director. I heard the previous two contests from PGL were big flops, so I had my doubts about FEAST. Though when watching it, I learned a lot about how the film industry works and how much work actually goes into producing a film. Interesting stuff.

Steph