When are Final Draft's Big Break announcements?

[joe78]

Anyone know when the QFs will be announced? (if they have them)

[TheKeenGuy]

Re: When are Final Draft's Big Break announcements?

There are no QFs, which irks some contestants.

As for the dates...

The semifinalists will be announced on August 17, 2009. The finalists will be announced in September. The winners will be announced on or around October 23, 2009.

[joe78]

Re: When are Final Draft's Big Break announcements?

thanks.

[johnk]

Re: When are Final Draft's Big Break announcements?

There are no QFs, which irks some contestants.

On the other hand, if you make the SF, they let you know by phone, which is a nice touch (at least they did last year).

My SF notification last year holds a special place in my life -- it remains the only phone call I've received from LA.

Sad but painfully true.

-- johnk, sitting in his study 6,000 miles from Hollywood.

[lordmanji]

Re: When are Final Draft's Big Break announcements?

On the other hand, if you make the SF, they let you know by phone, which is a nice touch (at least they did last year).

My SF notification last year holds a special place in my life -- it remains the only phone call I've received from LA.

Sad but painfully true.

-- johnk, sitting in his study 6,000 miles from Hollywood.

Hey John,

congrats on the SF placement. I know you're still 6000 miles away but did it ever lead to anything?

[johnk]

Re: When are Final Draft's Big Break announcements?

Hey John,

congrats on the SF placement. I know you're still 6000 miles away but did it ever lead to anything?

Thanks. Nope, nothing came of it, but I think Nicholl is the only comp where you can expect reads off an SF placement.

[joe78]

Re: When are Final Draft's Big Break announcements?

Anyone trying not to think about the approaching announcements?

[TheKeenGuy]

Re: When are Final Draft's Big Break announcements?

It's the kick-off to a handful of contest announcements I'm waiting on through the rest of the month... but it's a BIG cut-off to begin with, and I always get down on myself, because any time I make even the smallest improvements to a script after submitting it to a contest, that previous draft always suddenly seems hopelessly inadequate to me.

So I figure I should just look forward to the next contest announcement rather than anticipate this one.

[lordmanji]

Re: When are Final Draft's Big Break announcements?

It's the kick-off to a handful of contest announcements I'm waiting on through the rest of the month... but it's a BIG cut-off to begin with, and I always get down on myself, because any time I make even the smallest improvements to a script after submitting it to a contest, that previous draft always suddenly seems hopelessly inadequate to me.

So I figure I should just look forward to the next contest announcement rather than anticipate this one.

hehe yeah i know what you mean. the draft i sent into this contest is about three drafts behind my latest superior one. it really makes me write off my chances here.

[TheKeenGuy]

Re: When are Final Draft's Big Break announcements?

By the way, does anyone know from previous years whether the semifinalists announcements are going to be posted on the site, or is the announcement limited to the phone calls and e-mails to semifinalists?

[johnk]

Re: When are Final Draft's Big Break announcements?

Last year the SF announcement was posted on the site.

[jcarends]

Re: When are Final Draft's Big Break announcements?

This just in via e-mail this morning:

Dear BIG BREAK Entrants,

The BIG BREAK contest semifinalists have been selected! These distinguished screenplays were among the many well-crafted entries sent in from all over the world. Kudos to these writers for making the cut! Our ten year anniversary also brings a first - two screenplays from the same writer achieved semifinalist status. The finalists will be announced in September and will be judged by an elite industry jury . The top three winners will be announced on October 30, 2009.

2009 SEMIFINALISTS (listed in alphabetical order)

Joseph Balczo, Valencia, CA & David Bricker, Henderson, NV - Abducting Christmas
Nathan Blackwell, Phoenix, AZ - Transgalactic Zoo
Karen Briner, Los Angeles, CA - Amanzi
Mary Casavant, New York, NY - Judgey
Robert Jason Clark, Lyndhurst, NJ - Awaken
Michael Ennis, Middletown, CT - Bobby Dawn
Richard Flynn, Chester, CT - Darlin' Pretty
Craig Houchin, Sunland, CA - Ludlow
Christopher Krumlauf, Hollywood, CA & Juan Castro, Sherman Oaks, CA - Dickie Feldman
Rob Leininger, Reno, NV - Tough Kids
Josephine Mackerras, Paris, France - Skin
Ben McCracken, Auckland, New Zealand - Repeating Reprisals
Alasdair McMullan, New York, NY - Jesse James V. Jack The Ripper
Gia Milani, Fredericton, NB, Canada - All The Wrong Reasons
Kevin Lee Miller, Los Angeles, CA - Trigger Mom
Benjamin Odell, Coral Gables, FL - The Lion
Rob Rex, Los Angeles, CA - Atom Bravo
Dave Shramek, Austin, TX - Dudley Charles
J.R. Taylor, West Hollywood, CA - Minus Men
J.R. Taylor, West Hollywood, CA - Borderland

Our heartfelt thanks go to all the entrants who made the 2009 BIG BREAK contest a success. We applaud you and are honored to bring recognition to promising screenwriters across the globe.

Liz Alani
Contest Director
Final Draft, Inc.
[email protected]