I cannot even begin to describe how excited I am right now! This is the first screenplay I've ever written, have no formal screenwriting education, and worked my butt off to bring this story to life. I originally hadn't intended to submit my screenplay to any competitions - 1. probably because I didn't believe I was a good enough story teller to even be selected, and 2. because I had no idea how to write for competition. I knew writing for production and for competition were different, but to be honest, I still don't know the difference. Having stated all that...
... My screenplay has been selected to move forward in the Queen Palm International Film Festival!!! I am over the moon excited and this only makes me want to write all the other stories in my head!
I don't like to brag, or even bring attention to myself for that matter, but felt in a community of other creatives, this may encourage someone else who might doubt their own abilities. I was scared to enter these competitions, but I did it anyway. I entered 8 competitions on FilmFreeway.com and have only heard back from one - this one! The other 7 are still in consideration.
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Congrats, Vanessa.
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Thank you, Erik!!
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Great news!
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I'm just blown away, to be honest. :) Thank you!
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Congrats. I am so happy for you!! Good Job! Its a start
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Thank you, Kevin! This is a great start, for sure! I'm over the moon! :)
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Im smiling just as much as you! I love to see people succeed. it gives me confidence to keep going and do better. Im rooting for you. Send a copy of the script once you can so I can check it out. Good job!!
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Wow....that sounds like a really interesting story. I'd read that, and would give that film a try if I saw that logline on my cable directory.
Congrats on the win, V, and best fortunes in your creative endeavors!
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Congrats, eager to see more from you in the future.
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Awesome! I too have used FilmFreeway for film script submissions, but almost never succeeded with submission windows. If only I could go down the same path you did!
If this does not encourage me to keep submitting my scripts to submission windows, then I don't know what does!
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Congratulations and best wishes for the next round.
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Vanessa Chamberlain congrats! ❤️
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Congrats! How many re-writes and did you use any script services/feedback?
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Congratulations! So exciting!
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Great Job!!!
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Vanessa, it's a start. The fact that you've started moves you up a notch or two - it's a good thing. Being selected - no matter how prestigious this contest - is a boost to your ego. You're entitled to the good feelings. But a word of warning is due. The ODDS of your winning are pretty slim, but don't let that discourage you. Congratulations are in order.
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Wonderful news! You are on your way!
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Thank you so much, everyone!
@John Zuzolo, My first draft was complete in 2018. I wasn't able to afford professional script reading, so I put it infront of anyone willing to read it and give me feedback. The number of rewrites I've done are way too many to count. In fact, it is nowhere near the same movie I began writing in 2017. The premise is the same, but what was once a very dark movie morphed into what I consider to be a much better story.
@Doug Nelson, thank you for the warning. In no way do I think I'm "the one." I'm just thrilled to have made it this far. I didn't even imagine my writing and story telling abilities were enough to make it past paying the entry fee. I'm over the moon thrilled and very proud to have made it this far. This is a very competitive business.
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Congratulations, you are off to a great start!
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Congratulations. Keep at it.
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such wonderful news! Congratulations Vanessa. A great inspiration. I am glad I logged on and into the chat room today : )
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Thank you, guys, and @Paige Lauritsen, I'm glad you did, too! I'm not on here nearly as often as I should be. Life takes over for all of us. :)
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Congratulations Vanessa
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Congratulations- that is awesome.
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Awesome!
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Thank you, everyone!
@Meg Stone, I have previous writing experience, but only for a hobby - nothing more. I did write a series of children's books (for ages 4-8) but have not published them. I did publish one of my books, but only to see how the Amazon KDP process works. That book is nothing like the ones in the series I wrote - other than it rhymes. I truly believe what helped me so much with my screenplay was being open to all criticism - productive, constructive, and even simply downright mean. I made changes when I agreed, and left things alone when I didn't. My grandmother always did say I live in a cartoon world. Maybe that helped the story along a little, too? ;)
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Vanessa, congratulations! Way to go...and all the VERY BEST to you!
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Congratulations!!!!
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Congrats, that's awesome
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Congratulations!
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Congrats! So proud of you!
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Congratulations.
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Congratulations, Vanessa Chamberlain! That's amazing news!
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Congratulations, Vanessa!!
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YEEHAW!!!!!
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Great going. You are an inspiration.
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Congratulations!
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Congratulations
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Congrats! As a newbie, I love this post - inspiring and motivating. Good luck with the other 7.
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I'm so happy for you!
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Very Exciting!! Congrats!!
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Cool beans! Congratulations, Vanessa!
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Serious congratulations, Vanessa - best of luck
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Keith: Haunted by the death of her twin brother, the daughter of a well-known author sets out to pen her own book exposing the person she believes is responsible for his death - their mother.
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Congratulations! Keep on writing!
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Congratulations!
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Coongratulations.
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That’s so cool
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Thank you, Kellie. It has won many other laurels/badges since I posted this message. It has been a fun ride, for sure, and I now have a producer (not found on Stage32) interested in working with me to get the movie filmed! Things keep getting better! I hope you are experiencing much success in your creative journey as well!
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great new, congrats!
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Congratulations and this is the sort of news we all need right now, especially giving me a little hope. I have thought about packing this all in so much recently. I'm grateful to hear about your success.
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Congratulations!
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You have done well. Congratulations. Don't be afraid of self-promotion.
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Self-promotion always feels a little icky for me. LOL! My screenplay has won many awards since this first post about it, though, and that makes me feel good!
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This is fantastic news, congratulations Vanessa!
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Congrats
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Congratulations!!
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Congratulations, Vanessa, on clearing the first hurdle in the competition. Personally, I don't doubt my abilities as a writer but I am reluctant to enter competitions if I have to pay entry fees, especially as I suspect many "competitions" are scams. It seems to me the most lucrative business in the film industry is creating film festivals and competitions requiring entry fees.
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Nabil, it seems that way to me as well. I trust Film Freeway, though, and I have a friend in the industry who told me "badges" (awards) are EVERYTHING in the industry, so, unfortunately, they seem necessary. Enter some low-entry fee competitions and see where that goes. :)
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I know the feeling Venessa. Same happens at literary level with novel writing awards and process fee. Sometimes the fee is almost 1/3 of the award but it is our choice to trust and win . Congrats again :-) LoLo
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Congratulations on your success! You are an inspiration! Great going!
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Way to go!!
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Felicidades
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Way to go!
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Congratulations
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My experience is that producers only pay attention to scripts that get to the finals of contests like the Nicholl Screenwriting Fellowship. or get rave reviews on Blacklist.com.
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Congrats!
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Congratulations, big time!
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Congratulations on your first script being selected, Vanessa Chamberlain! :D How are you doing? How is "She Wasn't There" going?
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Hi there, Maurice. Thank you for the congratulatory message. She Wasn't There has won several awards since I submitted it two years ago. I haven't done anything with it since, though. I hope all is well with and for you and that 2023 turns out to be your best year ever! :)
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You're welcome, Vanessa Chamberlain. Congratulations on the awards! Are you working on any new projects?
Things are going great. Writing, pitching, etc. Thanks.
Hope you have much more success in 2023! :D
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So exciting! Don 't pinch yourself too hard. You did it! Yay!