Re: contests
Justino,
You keep emphasizing that money can be better spent here or there. I'm saying a writer should have budget in ALL areas, including some (not all or most) to competitions. As for WIN only to add in a query, not true. A "second rounder" in Austin or a top 10% in Nicholls is good press and I would mention it any chance I get. In fact, there have been many instances where a semi-finalist got sold before a winner.
"I've not seen any book (all written by pros) that recommends contests as an essential part of a screenwriter's marketing strategy. Because it isn't."
I get the feeling you don't read many books on the subject and I suspect you once lost a competition and got jaded ever since. I just pulled two, popular (recently published) books off my shelf and came up with the following.
In "Breakfast with Sharks," written by Micheal Lent (lots of credentials) he not only says competitions are a good springboard for launching a career, he has tips on getting a good read and maybe a win. He devotes a chapter to it and marketing oneself through competitions.
And in one of the biggest selling books on the market today (and should be in everyone's personal library), Dave Trottier says in the "Screenwriter's Bible." pg 228. "Even if you don't win a contest, scripts are often judged by or otherwise find their way to industry professionals. You might make a contact, get a meeting, or even receive an offer. In fact, entering contests can be done concurrently with your other selling efforts." .... " If you win a contest or place, you can insert this fact in the qualification section of your query letter. you have more creditability now; plus have achieved a milestone that can give you momentum..."
NOW,
And honestly, if one is serious about a career in the film industry, one needs to seriously consider going to those places."
That's just plain insulting to the guy in Maine (or anywhere) who has a wife and three kids and a decent job with decent pay, but wants to be a screenwriter. Where he lives has no bearing on how serious he is to the craft. He can write three scripts a year, send out queries like the best of them, fly out for meetings and enter competitions. Not every newbie screenwriter is straight out of college with no commitments or obligations. And if and when the day comes when he is making more money as a screenwriter than a baker, lawyer, whatever..., then he can decide whether to move to LA or not.
Yes, actors need to be where the industry is. Sure, they can work anywhere, but LA is where they can work more frequently. It's a numbers thing. But again, I'm sure there are actors who would be insulted by you saying they should leave their home and I know the Mississippi Film Commission would be real happy that you advocate that all of their actors (and other crew, writers, etc) should leave their great state. I know actors who work and work well in a dozen states. Not every actor aspires to be Tom Cruise and have a Bel Aire mansion and not every screenwriter wants to be in Hollywood.
Doesn't Mamet live in Oregon?
Justin, you can think what you want and do what you wish, but I feel you give off an aura of negativity in some of your statements that do not support and nurture the others on this board-- which is why, I hope, we are all here. After reading your statments and comments, I always get the feeling that it's "Justin's way, or the highway."