Screenwriting : Are screenriting competition really worth it and what are the chances of being recognized by Andile P Moyo

On my blog I've interviewed MANY screenwriters who have entered some of the myriad screenwriting comps. These interviews are quite an eye-opener. (Not sure if I'm allowed to include links to blogs here. Just Google "The Working Screenwriter blog." Once there just type "screenwriting competitions" into the search box.)

I think it depends what the end goal is. If the contest has a cash prize, go for it! That said, (as someone who has read a ton of screenplays) I've never noticed or cared which ones won awards. In fact, when people rattle off all these awards that their screenplay won, all I think is, "So many people have read this script and yet no one wants to make it. Must be lame." For a person looking for material, it usually comes down to 1. Who sent me this screenplay and do I trust their judgment? 2. Is this a good, commercial, new idea for a movie? 3. Is this a good idea that also fits our mandate? 4. Assuming the idea isn't worthwhile, is the writing so good that we want to read more of their work? 5. Can we hire the writer to work on something else? I guess it can't hurt to enter a contest if winning awards makes you feel good, but I wouldn't waste too much money on entrance fees...

Depends on the competition and what you are hoping to achieve. The biggest comps Page, Nicholl etc have 5000+ entries but will get your script read by Producers, Agents, Managers etc... there are porbably 10 or so that are big enough to get you that type of exposure and lead to a deal or sucess in other ways. The rest, well again it depends on your reason for entering, some have decent prize money, some have prizes like round trip to a film fest etc so they can be good reasons. Your resume could be another reason, 'Award Winning Screenwriter' can help you stand out when submitting scripts etc. For all though, you've got to start with a simple question to yourself... "do I think my script is ready and good enough?". If the answer is yes, go for it, you may be the 1 out of 5000!

Only the big ones matter.

Check all the criteria for the contest. The judges, prizes, etc. Check previous winners to see what has won or stood out as placing in that contest. Scriptapalooza lists a bunch of info. You are putting your talent up against others. It does vary as some write nothing but scripts that they know contests look for. It really depends on your content and execution. All about standng out. Good luck.

1 out of 5000 is right. Here's the kicker, if you aren't picked up after you win or place. Saying you entered a contest and didn't get notice isn't what you want to put out there. One person who has a course on pitching here said just that, what producer or agent wants a screenplay that placed or entered a contest and was passed on after. I've entered contests but never say which ones or how I did. I use them to gage my writing by the notes. That's my 2 cents;-)

When I worked for Debra Hill in development, we always read the Nicholl winners and runner ups and even met with many. So, if your script is great and gets noticed, it's worth it. The question is, are you getting any professional feedback before submitting to contests?

Ah, got you Lisa. In my opinion, losing a competition doesn't have any value, and can be costly both financially and if someone reads your script that is not up to par and remembers it. The better approach is to create relationships with people in development and literary agents. There are many ways to do that and it can be anywhere from FREE to the cost of going to a reputable festival.

Blake Snyder, R.I.P., used to say: Entering contests is a waste of time. How many winning screenplays have you seen made into movies? His observations were pretty accurate. Question is: How many contest winners (high placers) have gone on to be successful screenwriters. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

A pretty good comedy set in Iowa came out of Nichol contest. The name of the film escapes me at the moment.

Some contests have a lot of value in that a good placement can differentiate your script from the hundreds of thousands out there at any given time. If you are a quarter finalist in Nichols, or Page (which has its final deadline today), or Happy Writers, then you can use that to meet someone. Since the front door is always closed, a contest placement can help open a side door.

One of my contacts placed in Nicholl a few years back. His script was not produced but he did receive a couple of paid writing assignments as a result.

Snyder sold over a dozen screenplay for top dollar in bidding wars between studios, with at least two of them selling for a million or more. Though neither of the 2 scripts of his that were produced broke any box office records, Snyder was a very successful screenwriter. A very very small percentage of people who write scripts ever make a dime, and even among pro writers about half earn $0 in any given year... so Synder rated as one of the more successful ones. Contests: there are a handful of good ones and a lot of rip offs. The good contests can open doors for you... but then it's up to you what happens when those doors are open. The weird issue with contests is that they frequently reward art over commerce, and once that door is open for you it's a world that rewards commerce over art. You may win or place with a serious drama and then be offered a comic book movie... can you write that comic book movie? Some people can adapt and some can not.

Is it worth it, meaning the $40-60 bucks to enter. What if your script doesn't advance? What does that mean? The payoff for getting any attention in a local or international competition is "the endorsement." If you're a contest winner, sure, you'll get agents, managers, and production companies calling you. That's sweet. It saves time and energy. It's instant networking. It's a real chance to sell your script and skills as a screenwriter. Having some experience with the Nicholl Fellowship, even a quarter-finalist script can get you a few calls. And what about query letters to agents and development execs? It certainly helps if your script placed somewhere in competition. It's a seal of a approval that lets people know that they're not going to read a weak script. It gets them interested and it helps sell your pitch. I think that alone is worth $40-60 bucks. And what if your script doesn't advance? Does that mean it's a dud? No, not necessarily. It just might mean it was entered in the wrong competition. The same script can advance in one completion but not in another. It's all subjective to the pool of judges who may read it. There is some luck involved but I think it's worth a shot.

Thanks, W.M. for answering Phil's question. Looks like we've got another spirited discussion going on here.