screenplay contests?

rascal · Jan 26, 2005

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

Much thanks.

randesq · Jan 26, 2005

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 · Jan 31, 2005

Avoid Screenwriting Contests LIKE THE PLAGUE!

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 · Jan 31, 2005

Re: Avoid Screenwriting Contests LIKE THE PLAGUE!

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 · Feb 17, 2005

You've got a better chance of winning the lottery

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 · Feb 17, 2005

I did.

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 · Feb 17, 2005

film festivals

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 · Feb 17, 2005

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

torino · Oct 16, 2007

Screenwriting contests?

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 · Oct 17, 2007

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 · Oct 18, 2007

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 · Oct 18, 2007

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 · Oct 19, 2007

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 · Oct 31, 2007

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 · Oct 31, 2007

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 · Nov 1, 2007

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 · Nov 1, 2007

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 · Nov 1, 2007

yeah, i saw ya.

but did you see me?

Julie Gray · Nov 1, 2007

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

scriptwriter91 · Nov 2, 2007

Are there any good contests going on now?

dpaterso · Nov 2, 2007

As mentioned above, check out MovieBytes.com especially the Contests link which has several useful search categories. The MovieBytes Contests Calendar tells you at a glance what's happening deadline-wise in any given month.

-Derek

Rainy Night · Nov 3, 2007

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 · Nov 3, 2007

Rainy Night said:
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 · Nov 5, 2007

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 · Nov 5, 2007

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

screenplay contests?

rascal

randesq

Ron239

bottomlesscup

Ron239

Joe Calabrese

JustinoXXV

Joe Calabrese

torino

MitchJ

zahra

Was Zahra; lost profile - REBORN!

Rainy Night

INFJ

zeprosnepsid

Julie Gray

creativexec

New kid, be gentle!

NikeeGoddess

Julie Gray

NikeeGoddess

Julie Gray

scriptwriter91

RED SOX FAN 'TIL DEATH

dpaterso

Also in our Discord and IRC chat channels

Rainy Night

INFJ

zahra

Was Zahra; lost profile - REBORN!

MitchJ

Rainy Night

INFJ