Don't Get Burned: Evaluating Scriptwriting Contests
BY LENORE WRIGHT
Hundreds of writing contests tempt screenwriters
with the lure of prize money, instant film industry contacts and
personal feedback from film professionals. But contests can be costly,
screenwriters should choose intelligently.
Before you write that check, research and evaluate
the contests that interest you. Narrow down your choices to the best
contests for you personally and the best ones for your scripts. These
guidelines might help:
Tips for Researching Contests
Check out their website
Nearly all contests have an online page with
guidelines and other vital details. I know it's tempting to salivate
over the prize list and ignore the other features available on the site.
Don't let the promised goodies distract you — $10,000 and a trip to
Hollywood to meet the film industry movers and shakers you dream of
impressing. You're on a mission. You need to find out if the contest has
preferences regarding the subject matter of the script, the
ethnicity/gender of the author or the area where the writer resides.
Shortcut: At the very least read the FAQ page and
note the submission deadline.
Rely on peer reports
If you belong to any online screenwriting
discussion lists (and you should!), post a query about the contests
you're considering. Learn from the experiences of others. Movie Bytes
offers a very useful feature to help you: Contest Report Card. Writers
evaluate contests they've entered and post their comments. Take
advantage of this wonderful resource.
Feedback, feedback, feedback
Unproduced writers need professional feedback.
Some contests offer feedback on your script as part of the package. Even
if you don't win, you've received some extra value for your money. If
the source of the 'professional feedback' is not listed on the site,
send an email requesting this information. It's important — pin them
down!
Script readings
Some contests offer a staged reading of the
winning script (or the scripts of all the finalists) as part of the
prize. Script readings can be a great tool to help you polish your
script as well as good industry exposure. Insider tip: Film festival
script competitions in particular seem to offer script-reading
opportunities to their finalists.
Tips for Evaluating Contests
Sponsors
The people or companies sponsoring the contest
should identify themselves and they should have film industry
credentials. Some contests feature a well-known director, actor or
producer as a nominal sponsor, implying that this person will read the
final scripts or at least the winning one. If that is so, it should be
stated in their guidelines or on their website — don't just assume it's
true.
Judges
Some contests post their judges' names and
credentials. I find this reassuring; however many legitimate contests
don't make this information available for various reasons, not
necessarily because they're hiding something shady. A general guideline:
The less information the contest makes available, the more aggressively
you should query the contest contacts before your write them a check.
Press releases
You want to win a contest that makes an effort to
publicize their winners. When you come across the press releases of
contests that tout their finalists or winners, resist pitching a rant at
your agent; instead swallow your envy and jot down the contest details
so you can enter the next time around.
Paid ads announcing winners
The most helpful form of publicity for contest
winners are paid ads in the film industry trade papers. This species is
rare; but when you come across it, make a note to at least research the
contests that promote their winners in Variety, Hollywood Reporter and
the major film magazines.
Industry contact
Many contests promise the winners and/or finalists
will be exposed to important film industry contacts. Vague promises or
innuendos don't count. The legitimate contests get specific about what
they mean by exposure. Exposure could mean a phone conversation with an
agent, a script submission to a studio slushpile, a professional
pitching session or an all-expense-paid trip to Hollywood or New York
City. Find out.
Production promises
Some contests promise that the winning script or
scripts will be produced. Yippee! But do they back up this promise with
results? Find out — call their bluff. Tip for cynics: Request a contact
email for a previous winner or finalist.
In Short: Be Choosy!
I hope these guidelines help you find a contest
that works for you and your script. Be choosy — it's your money, your
script, and your career.
Lenore Wright has 15 years experience
selling spec scripts and movie pitches in Hollywood and New York. For a
free tutorial on script formats log onto
her site.
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