Script Competitions: The Pros and Cons of Screenplay Contests
Script Contests: The Pros and more than that Cons of Screenplay Contests
Not just any contest, though. There are numerous things to consider before entering a contest, among which are:
Regarding how much is the ingress fee? What does the winner to generate? Who are the contest readers? Who decides the merit? What is the track saga of the contest? About precisely how numerous scripts will be entered beginning in the competition?
At this time placed in the beginning, it may be worth it to enter any contest, just to build your feet wet. Conversely I suggest a superior deliberate guiding principle.
There are two annual contests and a proven track history: the Nicholl Screenwriting Fellowship as well as the Austin Middle of Movie Competition. In addition, there is the Columbus Discovery Awards, that was an long-lasting competition along with monthly winners and basically an annual grand winner. There also are a number of competitions for internships or workshops, such as the Disney Fellowship and sometimes Sundance Lab. And basically there also are some reputable smaller contests, such as that run by the Wisconsin Screenwriters Forum.
I propose that beginning writers enter the Nicholl with Austin competitions annually. The lead of these contests is that winners sometimes (however not always!) trek quickly on to screenwriting sales. Nevertheless bigger significant to you is that by placing as a quarter-, semi-, or finalist occured these contests, you existing doors to producers along with agents. These two doorway charges every year won’t kill you, and more than that I propose you enter these two contests regularly until you help make on one of the “entry doors” lists.
That’s all I put it to somebody. If you have the success and basically penchant to do better-quality than this, be my guest. Yet before you do, listen to my lesson with my alternative.
First the message: beware of “fly by night” contests. A few public have figured out that there are thousands of “wannabe screenwriters” listed who will do nearly anything to holiday into the focus, including paying huge entrance values for contests. Do your task before entering any script contest. If you are online, one of the essential resources for getting the newest data about contests is at: http://www.moviebytes.com.
If the contest is not mentioned here, build all the comprehension you can about it. Occur particular, pay attention to who the readers are along with if they have momentous industry positions or connections. Remember that the quickest way any contemporary fraternity can advantage credibility is to give an grant! Beware of contest sharks.
Also ask yourself this: since contests always quotes large choice, is this the greatest way to shell out prosperity proceed your future?
I think not. For tutorial, if you live distant sloted in L.A., take the entry fee riches plus to build yourself an 800 number. That, mounted in my opinion, is much finer helpful to your job. Or acquire the online Hollywood New Encyclopedia for a year, that has been updated weekly and certainly is hands down the most up-to-date marketing resource you have short of task the daily trades (which grim profession-minded screenwriters also will do).
Taking place in other words, at $30 to $50 or finer a pop, doorway quotes add up—is this a higher investment put in your job than buying stamps or an 800 number? Not always.
Because there are other ways to free doors, as you’ll see. Yes, the Nicholl and more than that Austin are dominant gold stars to have on your resume if you be triumphant or place high emerge them. And sometimes probably victorious any contest might available a door or two. (Locally, the Willamette Writers had a script contest—there were 11 entries! Healthy, someone can write agents, “I won the Willamette Writers Screenplay Contest!” And sometimes maybe the agent will laugh with maybe not).
Spend your resources wisely. An 800 number is a authoritative thing for non-L.A. screenwriters to have—it encourages citizens to call you because it’s at your expense. If I were you in addition to plethora were tight, I’d produce my own 800 number before I thought of entering any contests. Plus if I could nevertheless afford investing from my job, I’d then enter Nicholl and basically Austin annually. Plus if then again, Columbus at this time in addition to once again.
Yet you infatuation to put collectively your own guiding principle according to your likes, based on as compound divergent opinions and key points as you can find.