I just heard about this screenwriting challenge : http://www.nycmidnight.com/Competitions/ShSC/Challenge.htm They give you two days to write a five page screenplay based on three specific details. I signed up because I thought it would be a good challenge but I was wondering if anyone's ever done it or had any experience with this contest. Just hoping maybe someone would have some insight as to what I've gotten myself into. Thanks :)
Screenwriting : NYC Midnight screenwriting challenge by Theresa Drew
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dunno. I don't see any benefit of paying $50 to fast write a short screenplay. What's the upside? What are you learning? You could do the same challenge with your friends, order pizza and write together.
Now, if you were doing a 48hr filmmaking challenge- write and shoot and edit- that's an upside. You will learn how to make movies, meet folks with their own specialized skills. Your own team. Maybe start doing wedding videos, EPKs, shoot promos, commercials, music videos and charge $$$$.
Hi Theresa, I did the previous one, although I think it’s slightly different as we had 8 days for a 12 pages script...I entered because I wanted to see how I did under time pressure and where I was with my writing skills... I didn’t pass the first round but had a “honourable mention”, also other writers can read your work and give you free feedback if you want (you’ll get two from your judges). Not for everyone I guess but it was a great experience for me. Good luck with it! :)
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Theresa
I was a former judge for the New York City Midnight Screenwriting Challenge. When I was doing it, everyone received free feedback and I know I tried to put as much as I could into the evaluations I was submitting. About 5% of the submissions I received were good to really good.
Phil, NYC Midnight had actual judges? I just assumed it was some over-weight, sweaty guy running those comps from his studio apartment who didn't know the difference between a screenplay and a short story.
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I didn't need that image in my head...
Thanks for the info. I thought it would be good just as a writing challenge. See how I can do under pressure. I'm a lazy quitter so I'm more likely to complete it if I actually paid money to enter versus just doing it with friends.
I understand what you're saying, Theresa. My personal experience and opinion? I have zero faith in the NYC Midnight competitions. It's just a way for the founder to make money. Progression to the next round is not based on skill or talent and the writer receives no exposure so I don't understand why anyone would put their money into something like this.