TrackingB vs Tracking Board Launch Pad

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  • TrackingB vs Tracking Board Launch Pad

    I've read here that Trackingb has lost some steam in the last years whereas Launch Pad is one of the newer contests.

    Which one would you enter if you had to choose?
    Last edited by Done Deal Pro; 10-06-2020, 04:44 PM. Reason: Added tags

  • #2
    Re: TrackingB vs Tracking Board Launch Pad

    From TrackingB:
    Early Entry deadline is: July 30th, 2018 ($95). Late Entry deadline is: September 4th, 2018 ($110). And the Really Late Deadline is: October 9th, 2018 ($125).

    Personally, I think these prices are absurd. I remember when TrackingB first started, it was $30 to enter. I can only assume the price has ballooned to keep the number of entries down, but these guys don't even take the time to send an email when the results are announced. After you submit your script, that'll be the last you've heard from this competition... unless you're fortunate enough to make the top three finalists or honorable mention. I can't subscribe to paying that much when nothing is given in return to 99% of the entrants. I don't really care for theblcklst.com too much, but at least you're given a scorecard with actual proof they've read the script.
    FADE IN:
    PERSEVERANCE OVERCOMES ADVERSITY
    NEVER FADE OUT.

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    • #3
      Re: TrackingB vs Tracking Board Launch Pad

      Is tracking-board.com even running a features Launch Pad this year? I see no mention of it on their website. Only last year's results.

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      • #4
        Re: TrackingB vs Tracking Board Launch Pad

        I've read that only the Nicholl and Austin contests are worthwhile.
        Know this: I'm a lazy amateur, so trust not a word what I write.
        "The ugly can be beautiful. The pretty, never." ~ Oscar Wilde

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        • #5
          Re: TrackingB vs Tracking Board Launch Pad

          Originally posted by Jai Brandon View Post
          From TrackingB:
          Early Entry deadline is: July 30th, 2018 ($95). Late Entry deadline is: September 4th, 2018 ($110). And the Really Late Deadline is: October 9th, 2018 ($125).

          Personally, I think these prices are absurd. I remember when TrackingB first started, it was $30 to enter. I can only assume the price has ballooned to keep the number of entries down, but these guys don't even take the time to send an email when the results are announced. After you submit your script, that'll be the last you've heard from this competition... unless you're fortunate enough to make the top three finalists or honorable mention. I can't subscribe to paying that much when nothing is given in return to 99% of the entrants. I don't really care for theblcklst.com too much, but at least you're given a scorecard with actual proof they've read the script.

          Not only is Adam the Insider at TrackingB charging far more than any other contest, he operates with zero transparency whatsoever. There is no evidence that he reads more than a handful of scripts, as he requires a logline when submitting, and if he doesn't like your logline, there is no reason to believe he is reading even one page of your script. But he gets thousands of entries for both annual contests. Do the math. The guy is raking in hundreds of thousands of dollars per year and very possibly reading only a couple dozen scripts, and promoting like 15 of them annually.



          I know he does genuinely try to help the writers of those precious few scripts he actually reads and likes, but that does not in the least bit justify his predatory business model. It's a racket.

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          • #6
            Re: TrackingB vs Tracking Board Launch Pad

            Originally posted by Crayon View Post
            I've read that only the Nicholl and Austin contests are worthwhile.
            Maybe try the Kairos Prize. They only get about 500 entries, the big prize is significant, and they claim everything gets read twice. The only issue is, good or bad, they're looking for faith-based - though they say they've received some good horror and sci-fi "faith-based" in their day. Early bird is Aug-1, I think, @ $50, and it gets much more expensive after that.

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            • #7
              Re: TrackingB vs Tracking Board Launch Pad

              Originally posted by NoNeckJoe View Post
              Not only is Adam the Insider at TrackingB charging far more than any other contest, he operates with zero transparency whatsoever.

              I know he does genuinely try to help the writers of those precious few scripts he actually reads and likes, but that does not in the least bit justify his predatory business model. It's a racket.
              I stopped submitting scripts to TrackingB years ago for this very reason. It's the most expensive contest out there, yet:

              *It does not offer any feedback/notes (unlike Nicholl, Austin, and PAGE)

              *It promotes only a small fraction of contest entrants (unlike the majority of renowned competitions that recognize quarterfinalists and semifinalists, including Tracking Board's Launchpad)

              *It allows anyone to enter, regardless of how much they've made in screenwriting earnings (Aaron Sorkin could apply)

              *It only started telling entrants to leave their names off of the title page a few years ago, indicating that for years organizers were likely biased in favor of names they recognized

              *It can't even be bothered to send a notification e-mail to all entrants when it posts its finalists/winners

              I think for a $95 starting price it isn't too much to ask for a bit more value for entrants. Of course, they probably argue that "if you don't want to enter, just don't" -- but the fact that writers have a choice doesn't make their business model any less sleazy.

              Considering all the money that is raked in and how little proof there is of actual related work, one wonders where all those dollars go...
              "I love being a writer. What I can't stand is the paperwork.-- Peter De Vries

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              • #8
                Re: TrackingB vs Tracking Board Launch Pad

                How many entries does this one get? Who are the readers? The contest is so mysterious.

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                • #9
                  Re: TrackingB vs Tracking Board Launch Pad

                  Originally posted by catcon View Post
                  Maybe try the Kairos Prize. They only get about 500 entries, the big prize is significant, and they claim everything gets read twice. The only issue is, good or bad, they're looking for faith-based - though they say they've received some good horror and sci-fi "faith-based" in their day. Early bird is Aug-1, I think, @ $50, and it gets much more expensive after that.
                  Thanks for suggesting that contest. Unfortunately, or not, I could never pander to the absurd fantasies of an unethical death cult, such as Christianity, or accept (prize) money from its sectarian spin doctors.

                  I presume they only want scripts that are pro-faith-based, and wouldn't appreciate my anti-faith-based Protestant-Reformation-era horror script.
                  Know this: I'm a lazy amateur, so trust not a word what I write.
                  "The ugly can be beautiful. The pretty, never." ~ Oscar Wilde

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                  • #10
                    Re: TrackingB vs Tracking Board Launch Pad

                    Nice to receive your calm, thoughtful consideration on the topic of so-called "faith" films.

                    Anyway, I have my own no-go zone: I check a producer's credits, and if they've done anything pornographic - by which I mean hiring a bunch of nobodies to frolic in the nude for any more than 10 percent of the film, with the express purpose of generating a crass almighty buck while bypassing any serious attempt at respect, creativity, and meaning in the film, and avoid doing the honest hard work of, well, "work" - they don't get a chance to make a penny, let alone millions, off of my I.P.

                    Until we sign on the bottom line, it's the one and only time we get to be God - sorry, "dictator" - about the fate of our written creations.

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                    • #11
                      Re: TrackingB vs Tracking Board Launch Pad

                      I did well in trackingb contest years ago when I was young!

                      Just got an email about TV 5 finalists and winner.

                      In the email 3 out of 5 have reps -- can't tell if all were because of this contest or already had it. Only one says JUST SIGNED.

                      the other 2 don't have reps and one of those 2 is the WINNER of the contest.

                      Now I'm sure that leads to getting signed, but you never know...

                      And of the 3 reps, one is at a big place and the other 2 are firms I never heard of. Doesn't mean they aren't legit or bad, just saying...

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                      • #12
                        Re: TrackingB vs Tracking Board Launch Pad

                        Originally posted by Bono View Post
                        I did well in trackingb contest years ago when I was young!

                        Just got an email about TV 5 finalists and winner.

                        In the email 3 out of 5 have reps -- can't tell if all were because of this contest or already had it. Only one says JUST SIGNED.

                        the other 2 don't have reps and one of those 2 is the WINNER of the contest.

                        Now I'm sure that leads to getting signed, but you never know...

                        And of the 3 reps, one is at a big place and the other 2 are firms I never heard of. Doesn't mean they aren't legit or bad, just saying...
                        Oh... By big I was thinking agency. But, got it. 360.

                        Yeah, it's curious. Why is this person's script in a contest if they're already repped? Maybe they got repped between when they sent it in and when they were announced via their own hustle?? Otherwise, I don't get it.
                        Bruh, fukkin *smooches*! Feel me? Ha!

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                        • #13
                          Re: TrackingB vs Tracking Board Launch Pad

                          Originally posted by GucciGhostXXX View Post
                          Oh... By big I was thinking agency. But, got it. 360.

                          Yeah, it's curious. Why is this person's script in a contest if they're already repped? Maybe they got repped between when they sent it in and when they were announced via their own hustle?? Otherwise, I don't get it.
                          There are lots of repped writers who enter contests -- mostly to draw additional career heat or attention to a screenplay. I understand if there are some contests that allow this, but I honestly wish that the biggest ones (Nicholl, Austin, PAGE) drew a firm line and said that you must be unrepresented to enter. I know it's hard even when you're repped, but...it feels a tad unfair that people with the added advantage of existing connections and feedback from industry representatives get to compete with everyone else.

                          I've been seeing a couple of prominent actors who've pursued writing on the side entering contests, and every time I see their names I'm like -- can't you use your own connections and leave those with zero access a shot? Seriously, Shia Labeouf! (he's literally in every contest)
                          "I love being a writer. What I can't stand is the paperwork.-- Peter De Vries

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                          • #14
                            Re: TrackingB vs Tracking Board Launch Pad

                            Originally posted by UpandComing View Post
                            There are lots of repped writers who enter contests -- mostly to draw additional career heat or attention to a screenplay. I understand if there are some contests that allow this, but I honestly wish that the biggest ones (Nicholl, Austin, PAGE) drew a firm line and said that you must be unrepresented to enter. I know it's hard even when you're repped, but...it feels a tad unfair that people with the added advantage of existing connections and feedback from industry representatives get to compete with everyone else.

                            I've been seeing a couple of prominent actors who've pursued writing on the side entering contests, and every time I see their names I'm like -- can't you use your own connections and leave those with zero access a shot? Seriously, Shia Labeouf! (he's literally in every contest)
                            Seriously, Shia Labeouf? WTF!?

                            Hadn't heard that. Odd. He's putting his name on these scripts or fake name?

                            My view is: It seem like most reps like to CONTROL their client's reads. You don't want your client you're telling the town is the new hot flavor to score low. I don't totally get it as a strategy [recommending contests to your client]. Btw - I used a fake name when I sent my scripts to Nicholl for exactly that reason. Glad I did, they gave me an "F" on both scripts.

                            But, agreed, there should be a cut off if you're signed, not just the script in question already sold. Don't they disqualify you if the script has sold in the meantime? I think they should do the same if you find a rep in the meantime. Leave it to those without reps struggling to find one. IMO
                            Bruh, fukkin *smooches*! Feel me? Ha!

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                            • #15
                              Re: TrackingB vs Tracking Board Launch Pad

                              Originally posted by GucciGhostXXX View Post
                              Seriously, Shia Labeouf? WTF!?

                              Hadn't heard that. Odd. He's putting his name on these scripts or fake name?

                              My view is: It seem like most reps like to CONTROL their client's reads. You don't want your client you're telling the town is the new hot flavor to score low. I don't totally get it as a strategy [recommending contests to your client]. Btw - I used a fake name when I sent my scripts to Nicholl for exactly that reason. Glad I did, they gave me an "F" on both scripts.

                              But, agreed, there should be a cut off if you're signed, not just the script in question already sold. Don't they disqualify you if the script has sold in the meantime? I think they should do the same if you find a rep in the meantime. Leave it to those without reps struggling to find one. IMO

                              Yep -- he's using his real name. Just two examples:

                              https://www.wescreenplay.com/blog/an...ntest-winners/

                              https://pageawards.com/past-winners/...ter-finalists/

                              Smart of you to use a pseudonym when you entered.

                              Yep, there's a cutoff if you've achieved a certain level of earnings, usually.
                              "I love being a writer. What I can't stand is the paperwork.-- Peter De Vries

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