a dumb question about contests

echo2218 · 03-12-2006, 12:31 PM

I know there's been so many threads on contests, but I honestly don't have it in me to wade through them all. I ask dumb questions, it is what I do.

Okay, I'm thinking about entering 3 contests--Nichol, Austin and Sundance. I don't expect to win. I'm submitting my (third) completed screenplay to the first two and required stuff for Sundance.

I'm using the contests to see if I have any talent at all. I'm thinking if I can get past the first round in at least one of these contests I may have something. If I don't get past the first round in any, then I should probably be nicer to the people I work with and maybe start sucking up to supervisors so I can get a promotion.

Does anyone else use these contests as a gage to measure talent, or is trying to win the primary reason to enter? My script will be done and it will be as good as I'm capable of making it. The $100 I spend on the 3 contests is less than I'd spend paying someone to read.

odocoileus · 03-12-2006, 02:00 PM

That's sort of the way I see it. If I can't get any recognition at all from the major contests, maybe I'm fooling myself wrt to my talent and/or my work ethic. I'm talking recognition, not winning per se.

I wouldn't be surprised if it took me ten scripts - brainstormed, outlined, written, rewritten, critiqued, rewritten - to get to that point.

Entering the major contests won't hurt, and as you said, the cost isn't that high, all things considered. The three contests you mentioned have good reputations, though I've heard that Sundance only takes people with prior connections.

I'm leery of the numerous minor contests out there, though they certainly have helped some people's careers.

Everyone seems to be in agreement that contests can't make a career in and of themselves. They're just part of an overall strategy, and some successful people forgo them altogether.

Copywriter2 · 03-12-2006, 02:03 PM

You won't get any feedback at all from those contests you mentioned. If feedback is what you're looking for, there are some contests that offer it (like PAGE International Screenwriting Awards). There are also lots of screenplay analysts. One, Barb Doyan at Extreme Screenwriting, charges just $60 per script. She'll give you a thorough and professional evaluation for that amount. Of course, she'll be analyzing one screenplay, so there's no way she can evaluate your talent on the whole. The only way that can be done is to submit, submit and keep submitting to anyone who will read your work. See if a pattern develops. But beware of friends and family. They may tend to be afraid to hurt your feelings if they don't like it. Good luck.

TATAM78 · 03-12-2006, 07:45 PM

There will be some quality entries in the BIG 3 film fests. If you don't think your scripts are worthy of competing then you are probably right.

If I was you I would be paying for feedback. You won't even get an email to let you know you haven't progressed in these competitions and then what have you paid $100 for?

echo2218 · 03-12-2006, 07:59 PM

I think my script is great. I didn't enter my last 2 scripts because there was no point, they just weren't good enough, nor were they contest freindly scripts. I don't think I have a shot in hell of winning, but I'd like to see how many rounds I can get through.

The feedback I'm looking for is not notes, but did I make it past the first round. How can it go? I don't need them to tell me I need to increase the tension in the second act or the main character needs ... something. I just want to know that out of 25,000 entered scripts I made to round X. That is feedback and it is valuable feedback, I think.

TATAM78 · 03-12-2006, 08:10 PM

You won't recieve any feedback unless you make it a long way through the process, even then you might not get any feedback.

What you seek is VALIDATION.

BROUGHCUT · 03-12-2006, 09:20 PM

cool post. also refreshing to hear someone talk about their first complete script like this. I get tired of that "you need to write three/ten/nth scripts before you're ready to move" crap that people like to drum into new writers like it's gospel.

ComicBent · 03-12-2006, 09:55 PM

Quote:

TATAM78: You won't recieve any feedback unless you make it a long way through the process, even then you might not get any feedback ... What you seek is VALIDATION.

That is correct.

We all do it in some way or another.

I cannot blame you at all. But it may prove futile. It is hard to compete against thousands of entries.

magicman35 · 03-13-2006, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BROUGHCUT

cool post. also refreshing to hear someone talk about their first complete script like this. I get tired of that "you need to write three/ten/nth scripts before you're ready to move" crap that people like to drum into new writers like it's gospel.

The first script I wrote (long time ago now) made the quarters of the Nicholl. Like Purple that early validation gave me the confidence to keep going.

LauriD · 03-13-2006, 10:00 AM

I agree. The first script you write CAN suck, but there's no rule that it MUST suck. Sometimes, that first script is the one you HAVE to write -- and the passion shows. My first script made the quarters of the Nicholl twice, then the semis after a rewrite. I'm now on #6, and #1 is still my favorite.L.

03-12-2006, 02:00 PM	#2
odocoileus Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Chatsworth Posts: 1,722	Re: a dumb question about contests That's sort of the way I see it. If I can't get any recognition at all from the major contests, maybe I'm fooling myself wrt to my talent and/or my work ethic. I'm talking recognition, not winning per se. I wouldn't be surprised if it took me ten scripts - brainstormed, outlined, written, rewritten, critiqued, rewritten - to get to that point. Entering the major contests won't hurt, and as you said, the cost isn't that high, all things considered. The three contests you mentioned have good reputations, though I've heard that Sundance only takes people with prior connections. I'm leery of the numerous minor contests out there, though they certainly have helped some people's careers. Everyone seems to be in agreement that contests can't make a career in and of themselves. They're just part of an overall strategy, and some successful people forgo them altogether. __________________ If you really like it you can have the rights It could make a million for you overnight

03-12-2006, 02:03 PM	#3
Copywriter2 Regular Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 355	Re: a dumb question about contests You won't get any feedback at all from those contests you mentioned. If feedback is what you're looking for, there are some contests that offer it (like PAGE International Screenwriting Awards). There are also lots of screenplay analysts. One, Barb Doyan at Extreme Screenwriting, charges just $60 per script. She'll give you a thorough and professional evaluation for that amount. Of course, she'll be analyzing one screenplay, so there's no way she can evaluate your talent on the whole. The only way that can be done is to submit, submit and keep submitting to anyone who will read your work. See if a pattern develops. But beware of friends and family. They may tend to be afraid to hurt your feelings if they don't like it. Good luck.

03-12-2006, 07:45 PM	#4
TATAM78 Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: It's like a french kiss, but Downunder Posts: 554	Re: a dumb question about contests There will be some quality entries in the BIG 3 film fests. If you don't think your scripts are worthy of competing then you are probably right. If I was you I would be paying for feedback. You won't even get an email to let you know you haven't progressed in these competitions and then what have you paid $100 for? __________________ I wanna tell you about the time I almost died....

03-12-2006, 07:59 PM	#5
echo2218 Regular Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 277	Re: a dumb question about contests I think my script is great. I didn't enter my last 2 scripts because there was no point, they just weren't good enough, nor were they contest freindly scripts. I don't think I have a shot in hell of winning, but I'd like to see how many rounds I can get through. The feedback I'm looking for is not notes, but did I make it past the first round. How can it go? I don't need them to tell me I need to increase the tension in the second act or the main character needs ... something. I just want to know that out of 25,000 entered scripts I made to round X. That is feedback and it is valuable feedback, I think.

03-12-2006, 09:20 PM	#7
BROUGHCUT Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 2,298	Re: a dumb question about contests cool post. also refreshing to hear someone talk about their first complete script like this. I get tired of that "you need to write three/ten/nth scripts before you're ready to move" crap that people like to drum into new writers like it's gospel. __________________ The Complete IfilmPro DEVELOPMENT FORUM (PDF)

03-12-2006, 12:31 PM	#1
echo2218 Regular Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 277	a dumb question about contests I know there's been so many threads on contests, but I honestly don't have it in me to wade through them all. I ask dumb questions, it is what I do. Okay, I'm thinking about entering 3 contests--Nichol, Austin and Sundance. I don't expect to win. I'm submitting my (third) completed screenplay to the first two and required stuff for Sundance. I'm using the contests to see if I have any talent at all. I'm thinking if I can get past the first round in at least one of these contests I may have something. If I don't get past the first round in any, then I should probably be nicer to the people I work with and maybe start sucking up to supervisors so I can get a promotion. Does anyone else use these contests as a gage to measure talent, or is trying to win the primary reason to enter? My script will be done and it will be as good as I'm capable of making it. The $100 I spend on the 3 contests is less than I'd spend paying someone to read.

03-12-2006, 08:10 PM	#6
TATAM78 Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: It's like a french kiss, but Downunder Posts: 554	Re: a dumb question about contests You won't recieve any feedback unless you make it a long way through the process, even then you might not get any feedback. What you seek is VALIDATION. __________________ I wanna tell you about the time I almost died....

03-13-2006, 10:00 AM	#10
LauriD Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: the navel of the world Posts: 1,238	Re: a dumb question about contests I agree. The first script you write CAN suck, but there's no rule that it MUST suck. Sometimes, that first script is the one you HAVE to write -- and the passion shows. My first script made the quarters of the Nicholl twice, then the semis after a rewrite. I'm now on #6, and #1 is still my favorite.L.

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