Screenwriting : Thoughts on screenwriting contests? by Jackie Gibbons

I've entered twice and tanked both times. Check out reviews at this website. http://www.moviebytes.com/ContestDetail.cfm?ContestNumber=173. Moviebytes gives them a very low rating based on a weighted average of user scores. Particularly low on feedback.

Contests can be good to a point, but most just take your money and send an "e-mail" that states script wasn't accepted into festival" or didn't make it past submission phase. A lot of the scripts aren't even read, and are eliminated just by the log line... and of course you don't get a refund. Your fee is used to pay festival costs, etc., or as one writer on this site stated "To pay off mortgages". Remember, everything is for profit, even Stage 32. I have a script that won 3rd place in one festival, Top 5 Finalist with honorable mention in a second festival, was a finalists in a third festival, and just made the finalists list of a fourth festival which is still active. And I have a second script which was a Top 4 Finalist in one festival, and was voted Best Unproduced Screenplay in another festival. All this landed me a manager in Beverly Hills... Yet neither script made it past the submission phase of the Stage 32 Screenplay Contest. My advice is to stay away from these "big contests" like Austin, Final Draft, and even Stage 32. A great source for screenwriting festivals is Film Freeway. They list all contests in the US and worldwide, entry fees, very detailed information about each contest and festival, etc. Reel Writers is a great contest because every single script receives professional coverage, and if you did not get a high coverage score, or want to try for a higher one, the writer can fix issues and resubmit unlimited times before final submission date. And each time you resubmit a different person does detailed coverage for the writer.To work on your writing, pitching, etc. I recommend Screenwriting U. Free 2 hour recorded conference calls which provide very detailed information on rewriting, pitching, submitting, structure, how to land an agent or manager, etc. Very informative and free... though at the end you will get a pitch to join their Pro Series Class.

Thanks for the info Mike. I've always felt dubious of the fee-paying competitions and what you say backs that up. My view is that if your script is good enough, it will go the distance if you get it into the hands of the right people. I'd rather spend the "entry fees" on developing that aspect to get it in the right place and of the right quality.

OK here is my $0.02 on contests. Contests are great if you win and win a lot. It is, however, important to note that winning does not mean your script will become a movie. I do believe that's the end goal. Winning and winning a few will indeed get you noticed --- but here is the problem. Winning is super hard. There are no set rules for what makes a winning script. This industry is as subjective as it gets. As with much in this industry it comes down to dumb luck, especially in the first round of cutting. There are just so many scripts. Average submissions ranges between 3000 -9000 scripts. Think about that for a minute. That first round of cutting, all kinds of crazy is going to happen. I highly doubt most scripts get a "full" read through in the first cut. There just isn't enough time. Phillip Parker (a fellow writer here on Stage 32) has won a number of contests and placed high with his script THE THIRD BOMB http://www.thirdbomb.com/ and it will be interesting to see where it takes him. It is a great script and I am pulling for him. If he can find a way to get his movie made, it would serve as a great example on how contests can in fact be lightening in a bottle. Are contests expensive ... Damn Skippy! Most contests range between $40 and $65. Considering the end goal is to get a movie made, you might be better off just pitching the script here on S32, with their pitchfests and through the Happy Writers pitches. It costs the same as entering a contest and you have a one on one with someone who can potentially bring your baby to life. I like those odds better. 1-1 or 1 of 9000. It's an obvious choice for me. With all of this being said, you still have to have a killer idea and be a top notch writer -- and yes the God's have to smile upon your wretched soul.