Why I Hate Script Contests And So Should You

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  • Why I Hate Script Contests And So Should You

    First of all, every little town in the USA these days either has a screenplay contest or a film festival. But, they all seem (including the BIG BOY contests) to have the same characteristics. As follows:

    1) They all charge a placement fee - $25 to $95 (even higher with late fees)

    2) They all take an average of 6 months to 1 year evaluation time. Guess
    your script gets in line with 5,000 to 15,000 worldwide screenplays. Ends up looking like a subjective beauty contest to me.

    3) All the contests claim you script will be read by industry professionals (meaning - professional, perpetually staffed college interns).

    4) Most all the contests now offer script coverage from industry professionals at anywhere between $95 to $950 fees. Add on extra fees for a phone call with the college intern writing your coverage report. Script coverage report reads like this: "I liked this part, these other parts suck!"

    5) After 6 months to 1 year the day arrives to hand the screenplay contest awards. IF your script is still available then, the awards read like this: 5,000 quarterfinalists; 500 semifinalist (each receives a ticket to Lego Land); 50 finalist (each receives a used copy of Final Draft) and the overall single winner (a one on one phone call with an industry professional - the receptionist at Weinstein).

    6) Despite the promotion by pro screenwriters, script consultants, screenwriting professors for screenwriters to enter contests to get your script out there in front of industry professionals (college interns), from here on out I'm gonna say, "No thanks."

    ~Authy

  • #2
    Re: Why I Hate Script Contests And So Should You

    Originally posted by Authorized View Post
    First of all, every little town in the USA these days either has a screenplay contest or a film festival. But, they all seem (including the BIG BOY contests) to have the same characteristics. As follows:

    1) They all charge a placement fee - $25 to $95 (even higher with late fees)

    2) They all take an average of 6 months to 1 year evaluation time. Guess
    your script gets in line with 5,000 to 15,000 worldwide screenplays. Ends up looking like a subjective beauty contest to me.

    3) All the contests claim you script will be read by industry professionals (meaning - professional, perpetually staffed college interns).

    4) Most all the contests now offer script coverage from industry professionals at anywhere between $95 to $950 fees. Add on extra fees for a phone call with the college intern writing your coverage report. Script coverage report reads like this: "I liked this part, these other parts suck!"

    5) After 6 months to 1 year the day arrives to hand the screenplay contest awards. IF your script is still available then, the awards read like this: 5,000 quarterfinalists; 500 semifinalist (each receives a ticket to Lego Land); 50 finalist (each receives a used copy of Final Draft) and the overall single winner (a one on one phone call with an industry professional - the receptionist at Weinstein).

    6) Despite the promotion by pro screenwriters, script consultants, screenwriting professors for screenwriters to enter contests to get your script out there in front of industry professionals (college interns), from here on out I'm gonna say, "No thanks."

    ~Authy

    Sounds pretty grim, for sure.


    If you don't mind... have you won a contest or two (or semi-ed)? Have you entered a bunch? Just might help us to know your actual experience (though I assume it isn't merely heresay that prompted your comment.)

    Thanks for sharing.

    Anyone else have a similar opinion?

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Why I Hate Script Contests And So Should You

      so don't enter

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Why I Hate Script Contests And So Should You

        Uh, super helpful.

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Why I Hate Script Contests And So Should You

          A lot of them are crap.

          A handful are legit and have launched numerous careers.

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Why I Hate Script Contests And So Should You

            Nicholl Fellowships, PAGE, Austin Film Festival and Final Draft Big Break are all worth entering.

            Beyond that, OP has a point.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Why I Hate Script Contests And So Should You

              I agree that contests are a long shot and can get pricey, but they appear to be the best path for outsiders to break in.

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Why I Hate Script Contests And So Should You

                ClintW3,

                You don't consider Scriptapalooza or TrackingB worth entering?

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Why I Hate Script Contests And So Should You

                  TrackingB, maybe.
                  Not sure about the other.
                  But, that's just my opinion.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Why I Hate Script Contests And So Should You

                    What about VP?
                    You know Jill you remind me of my mother. She was the biggest whore in Alameda and the finest woman that ever lived. Whoever my father was, for an hour or for a month, he must have been a happy man.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Why I Hate Script Contests And So Should You

                      Anything you can do to get traction helps, and frankly, early-bird entry fees between $39-50 are very reasonable (IF, you have a hot script). I've used placements to help get query reads. But then, maybe it's my rockin' loglines (-hah!). All the best

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Why I Hate Script Contests And So Should You

                        I had multiple placements in a few contests (semifinalist or higher.) The traction really helped me in getting a great management team and setting up meetings with production companies.

                        Personal favs are Austin, ScreenCraft, The Tracking Board, and of course my own white whale - the Nicholl.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Why I Hate Script Contests And So Should You

                          Originally posted by UneducatedFan View Post
                          What about VP?
                          What is VP?

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Why I Hate Script Contests And So Should You

                            Virtual Pitchfest.
                            http://www.virtualpitchfest.com
                            You know Jill you remind me of my mother. She was the biggest whore in Alameda and the finest woman that ever lived. Whoever my father was, for an hour or for a month, he must have been a happy man.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Why I Hate Script Contests And So Should You

                              Originally posted by BKDodger View Post
                              I had multiple placements in a few contests (semifinalist or higher.) The traction really helped me in getting a great management team and setting up meetings with production companies.

                              Personal favs are Austin, ScreenCraft, The Tracking Board, and of course my own white whale - the Nicholl.
                              I'm gonna agree here. I've had multiple placements and it's definitely given me traction. Contests are legit. If you're not getting anything out of them, you're not entering/placing in the right ones. Caveat is, you have to capitalize on that traction. You need to form the relationships, but contests can get you in rooms.

                              I'll add PAGE to your list (and possibly remove Screencraft, but that's me).

                              Comment

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