Contest vs Query Letters

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  • Contest vs Query Letters

    Which is more effective

  • #2
    Re: Contest vs Query Letters

    The vast majority of script writers will never ever win a contest, so in general, a great query letter is the only way for them to go, especially in term of this "question."

    But at the end of the day, a contest win, especially with an established contest, will carry much more weight with people because it's a third party validation of your writing skills & script.
    Last edited by Done Deal Pro; 11-25-2019, 06:36 AM. Reason: Clarification
    Will
    Done Deal Pro
    www.donedealpro.com

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    • #3
      Re: Contest v.s Query Letters

      Spot on.

      Think of it this way, the finalists are going to be the only ones that really get attention for the writing in the top, let's say 3-5 contests, that's like only 15 - 30 writers, out of ALL the writers that have a script ready.

      There will be hundreds that have the potential to be made into a film. Use every tool in your arsenal. These are a mere two tools.
      "Arguing that you don't care about the right to privacy b/c you have nothing to hide is no different than saying you don't care about free speech because you have nothing to say." -- Edward Snowden

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      • #4
        Re: Contest v.s Query Letters

        A contest win from a film festival / competition other than the top 10 will probably not get you an agent. But it can get you non-WGA work/assignments if you are good and bust your tail to prove you're the right writer the gig.

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        • #5
          Re: Contest v.s Query Letters

          Originally posted by kdmccaskill View Post
          Which is more effective
          Multiple high contest placements combined with a great logline is more effective.

          Zero contest placements combined with a great logline is more effective.

          Multiple contest wins with a lacklustre logline is not effective.

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          • #6
            Re: Contest v.s Query Letters

            Being a finalist in certain contests will get you reads from legit managers and you might not have to query. I'm talking about trackingb and tracking board. Both have judges panels made up of managers, agents, and execs. I was a finalist one year and got my current manager from it.

            Same probably goes for Nicholls finalists. If you make it that far, people are reaching out to you.

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            • #7
              Re: Contest v.s Query Letters

              Bit late to this party, but...

              CONTESTS - If you finish high in a reputable contest, industry folks will come to you. I've had it happen before and it was a nice experience. You become the commodity and they become the pursuers.

              QUERIES - When you query people, they become the commodity and you become the pursuer. The writer is in the subservient position here, essentially begging for a favor. I think that puts you at a disadvantage right away because, psychologically, reps are going to be more skeptical of someone who's pursuing them than of someone they're pursuing. I've had very limited success here, with only a couple read requests to show for maybe 30-35 queries sent out over the years.

              There's a perception among "outsiders" that industry people don't want to read anything, but I don't believe that's accurate. There will always be demand for strong material, but there's so much garbage filling the pipeline that it's not cost-efficient for reps to read something unless they have a reason to believe it won't be crap.

              A strong query letter with the right concept or sales pitch can definitely get you a read, but a high placement in a reputable contest lends a certain amount of instant credibility to your project, which is far more valuable.

              It's not an either-or situation though. You can place high in a contest AND then use that placement as a carrot in query letters, which will make reps more likely to bite. Some reps monitor contest results and will aggressively solicit material that places high. However, other reps don't put in that work on their own, but might become receptive to something after it's been vetted.

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