PAGE Feedback...

[Why One]

Re: PAGE Feedback...

I was a silver prize winner last year and got requests. This year I was a finalist and only got one. I think this may be probably down to how PAGE spends more of their time publicizing their winners. But I don't see why finalists can't lead their own query letters with their PAGE placements.

I think PAGE do a good job building and expanding their reputation. I do consider PAGE to be an extremely well ran contest with excellent communications and organizers that have been very encouraging. Jen has always been awesome.

[madyellowduck]

Re: PAGE Feedback...

[quote=nic.h;479049]But the criteria for entry is different - I can't enter Nicholl because my script has been optioned and funded for development. But I can enter Page because I haven't had a film produced. (Or that's how it stood back when I entered my script.) So there might be (though no guarantee of this) a different quality of script, or at least a different calibre of experience behind the scripts entered in Nicholl versus Page.

= this is one of the biggest challenges that I faced. I have worked in local television in my home country (Malaysia) and have earned in excess of what is permitted by the rules in Nicholls or Expo (which are arguably some of the contests with the biggest exposure).

But, telling someone I have over 30 hours of TV credits in a country that most people have never even heard off, much less can find on a map (for those who are curious, it's the bit between Thailand and Singapore) is hardly something that a manager/agent is going to be excited about (and the foreign sounding country makes them wonder if you can even write English). Contests like PAGE remain probably one of the view avenues I have for getting noticed and is reasonably respectable, plus, actually has categories to ensure you are at least up against scripts of a similar nature. Also, I just got an email from Energy Management saying that they read the top 5 in PAGE.

The contest organisers are very prompt, send out a nice newsletter periodically, and I never had to keep checking the website to see if the results were coming out (like Filmmakers - although that's one i would still enter because it also has categories).

[nic.h]

Re: PAGE Feedback...

But the criteria for entry is different - I can't enter Nicholl because my script has been optioned and funded for development. But I can enter Page because I haven't had a film produced. (Or that's how it stood back when I entered my script.) So there might be (though no guarantee of this) a different quality of script, or at least a different calibre of experience behind the scripts entered in Nicholl versus Page.

Having said that, I was top 10 finalist for the pilot category (different script to the one I optioned) for Page and received no calls or inquiries at all. Not directly from the contest. But I got further with my reads and earning funding etc. because it Page was the highest success I'd achieved at the time. (It helped me get funding for sure, and I had several execs comment on the various successes - although this wasn't the only one, as I said, it was the highest level at the time.)

Now I doubt it counts for much - I have an agent and have a script in development - but I still put it there because it's in TV not film. I also think if you can list several different comps, for different genres and scripts, then that can help a bit in pushing your script a little higher in the slush pile.

I think.
Or no one gives a rat's arse.

[lordmanji]

Re: PAGE Feedback...

But do other contests get the same number of entries as PAGE? Last I checked it gets about 5,000 entries from all over the world.

okay, we can do the math. numbers are from the web sites:

Page 4,000 entries and 70 finalists (no tv or short films counted)
Nicholl 5,000 entries and 10 finalists
Expo 3000 entries and 20 finalists

page has 3x as much finalists as the expo even though it has only roughly a third more entrants. they name 10 finalists per genre = 70 where as nicholl and expo finalists are calculated from all entrants.

[beerbeastredux]

Re: PAGE Feedback...

But do other contests get the same number of entries as PAGE? Last I checked it gets about 5,000 entries from all over the world.

[lordmanji]

Re: PAGE Feedback...

Yeah, but the thing you have to remember about PAGE is that they name 100 finalists. That's more than most contests quarter-finalists. Nicholl only names, what? Ten finalists? So it's really no surprise that most Page finalists don't get many requests. I mean, personally I actually like that they name a lot of finalists, but obviously they're not going to be able to promote all those scripts.

Hey, Lips, was your judge's initials NS by any chance? I recognize the Spike credit. A guy I know won one of the TV pilot categories last year, and that judge (NS) contacted him and they're now developing a new pilot together. So I know he does contact people.

thats why PAGE is not a strong contest. too many finalists dilutes the worth of actually being a finalist. even the cs expo only had twenty finalists. and i think this is why nicholl's is held in such high esteem because its all about quality versus quantity. sure they can make more money (PAGE) by handing out more finalists but if there are that many floating around, i believe folks in the industry will balk at that number.

[wildswan]

Re: PAGE Feedback...

Yeah, but the thing you have to remember about PAGE is that they name 100 finalists. That's more than most contests quarter-finalists. Nicholl only names, what? Ten finalists? So it's really no surprise that most Page finalists don't get many requests. I mean, personally I actually like that they name a lot of finalists, but obviously they're not going to be able to promote all those scripts.

Hey, Lips, was your judge's initials NS by any chance? I recognize the Spike credit. A guy I know won one of the TV pilot categories last year, and that judge (NS) contacted him and they're now developing a new pilot together. So I know he does contact people.

[cvolante]

Re: PAGE Feedback...

On the other hand what good does it do to spend time and money making a movie from a script if you can't market the completed movie to anyone? It's a pain in the neck to make a movie-- why not have a decent idea you're gonna be able to get some money back before you go sweating and bleeding to make it?

[beerbeastredux]

Re: PAGE Feedback...

Startin' to think these contests are a complete waste of time and money. Not because I didn't win but...because it just illustrates how good scripts get passed over by a hollywood system more focused on marketing than filmmaking.

I could be wrong though.

[bluemoose]

Re: PAGE Feedback...

Mostly indie producers. But also Industry Arts and a few managers.

[lordmanji]

Re: PAGE Feedback...

I was a bronze drama winner and have had six or seven requests. A couple have passed so far but are open to seeing future scripts.

Hi Blue, what kind of companies requested your script?

[beerbeastredux]

Re: PAGE Feedback...

it's weird. I was under the impression PAGE was a HUGE contest or..that it had gotten MUCH more prominent the last few years.

I didn't pay for feedback...I didn't want to jinx myself. I figured...hell...I might be lucky enough to make the finals...why mess with what might be a sure thing. Now in hidsight...perhaps if I HAD I might have placed a tad higher.

Oh well. It's all a matter of luck anyway. Lots of good scripts get passed by.

[bluemoose]

Re: PAGE Feedback...

I was a bronze drama winner and have had six or seven requests. A couple have passed so far but are open to seeing future scripts.

[lordmanji]

Re: PAGE Feedback...

I made finals...even found out that my script just BARELY missed out on placing...but apparently that's not high enough to get any producers interested. It's understandable though. I heard that some of the actual WINNERS haven't heard anything...so it's nothing to worry about.

I still plan on entering a new script in PAGE next year. It's a great contest.

it sounds like the contest doesnt have enough juice in the industry if even a finalist cant get requests. dont you think entering to win out of the thousand that enter is like wishing for the lotto? not criticizing just wondering.

[marcoguarda]

Re: PAGE Feedback...

Ask for it! Definitely!

I had my notes about one month ago, and now I'm trimming my script cross-checking the notes two judges gave me.

[Yes, I asked for two judges' responses].

And the notes, though different, both helped a lot.

You can ask for In-Depth Script Notes [9 pages at least] and have your notes back before the 2009 competition begins.

Deadline is saturday 6 December. Or you have to wait until the competition is over.

Go for it!

M.

[I'm not paid to advertise this]

:]

[[More the Contest Coordinators are really wonderful and helpful people]]