Post by mscherer on Mar 7, 2010 8:15:30 GMT -5
Team,
Jonathan started a thread about the Nicholl Fellowship and that quickly sprouted a question in my mind: What do you think of screenwriting contests in general? Why do you enter? Okay, that’s two, but...
For myself, in my younger years, lo’ those many moons ago, I entered contests for validation. I wanted someone – anyone – in the know to tell me, ‘Hey! You can write!’ Well, I’ve matured since then and so has my writing and I now call this whole screenwriting contest thing, The Silly Season.
But, I still enter – just for a different reason.
I now enter these contest, not for validation (I now know I can write), but for the exposure. Finishing with an Honorable Mention or higher can, and will, open doors and as an out-of-towner this is what I need – access to Hollywood. Access to agents. Access to managers. Access to producers.
So, why do you enter contests? Which contests do you enter and why? What is a fair entry fee? Your thoughts in general?
I have already addressed the ‘why I enter’ question, now the ‘which one’ question. Nicholl, of course. This should be at the top of every screenwriter’s list. But after that, what? Here’s what I have bookmarked in my browser under: SCREENWRITING/CONTESTS:
PAGE International Screenwriting Awards: pageawards.com/
The Silver Screenwriting Competition: www.silverscreenwriting.com/
The Austin Film Festival: www.austinfilmfestival.com/
Creative Screenwriting's AAA Screenplay Contest: creativescreenwriting.com/aaa/
Final Draft’s Big Break Contest: www.finaldraft.com/products-and-services/big-break/
Obligatory disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with any of the afore mentioned screenwriting contests; mileage may vary; batteries not included.
And remember, even if you don’t enter any contests this Silly Season,
Keep Writing!
Jonathan started a thread about the Nicholl Fellowship and that quickly sprouted a question in my mind: What do you think of screenwriting contests in general? Why do you enter? Okay, that’s two, but...
For myself, in my younger years, lo’ those many moons ago, I entered contests for validation. I wanted someone – anyone – in the know to tell me, ‘Hey! You can write!’ Well, I’ve matured since then and so has my writing and I now call this whole screenwriting contest thing, The Silly Season.
But, I still enter – just for a different reason.
I now enter these contest, not for validation (I now know I can write), but for the exposure. Finishing with an Honorable Mention or higher can, and will, open doors and as an out-of-towner this is what I need – access to Hollywood. Access to agents. Access to managers. Access to producers.
So, why do you enter contests? Which contests do you enter and why? What is a fair entry fee? Your thoughts in general?
I have already addressed the ‘why I enter’ question, now the ‘which one’ question. Nicholl, of course. This should be at the top of every screenwriter’s list. But after that, what? Here’s what I have bookmarked in my browser under: SCREENWRITING/CONTESTS:
PAGE International Screenwriting Awards: pageawards.com/
The Silver Screenwriting Competition: www.silverscreenwriting.com/
The Austin Film Festival: www.austinfilmfestival.com/
Creative Screenwriting's AAA Screenplay Contest: creativescreenwriting.com/aaa/
Final Draft’s Big Break Contest: www.finaldraft.com/products-and-services/big-break/
Obligatory disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with any of the afore mentioned screenwriting contests; mileage may vary; batteries not included.
And remember, even if you don’t enter any contests this Silly Season,
Keep Writing!
