Screenwriting : How to Succeed in Screenwriting Competitions by Becky Fink

I dont qualify for contests but I was a contest reader a long time ago and there were plenty of contest scripts with sloppy typos, format inconsistencies. So basically hire an Editor to proof before submitting and the scripts will move on to next round (generally).

Thanks for writing and posting this. Great perspective regarding doing the math on number of scripts per reader within X amount of time, and factoring in reader's level of exhaustion by the time writers submit late. Excellent point!

I've heard only six Nicholl winners were actually produced so far (won't even go into inferior contests)...so I'd say best success is to enter somewhere for free...

I currently work as a reader and you're definitely right about the exhaustion toward the end of the judging period. I'd also add that while the big competitions are great for bragging rights, it's also a great idea to look at smaller contests that offer prizes that can help you actively do something with your career. For example, a small contest with a $500 prize. Sure, it might not be life-changing but you could buy Final Draft, do Stage32 pitches, or even kickstart funding a short film!

All good points. Dan, I've always felt that making sure your script is as clean as possible should be low-hanging fruit, easy to fix and one of the only elements of a contest that's completely in our control. But having read a ton of scripts both amateur and professional, I see how often writers forget to proofread, or fail to do it thoroughly. Siobhan, thanks for your kind words! Trust me, I've spent more time and money than I care to admit on competitions, and I've had years trying to crack this code. Kiril, I think most people who enter the Nicholl would tell you that they aren't so much hoping for that particular screenplay to be produced as they are just looking for exposure. The Nicholl is commonly understood to be the top dog of screenwriting contests, and this is for what the competition can do for writers' careers, not so much their one script. At least that's my understanding from studying these contests and people's remarks about them. And Jess, yes I agree there's definitely something to be said for entering smaller competitions. It's all about researching what these contests promise their winners/finalists/etc. and deciding what matters most to you. $500 is still $500. I'd take that any day!

Excellent article Becky. Have you entered the Santa Barbara International Screenplay Awards? They have an option - rather pricey - of getting a video consults with line-by-line script review. I did this recently and learned a ton!

Thanks for the article and tips, Becky Fink.

Thank you for sharing the article.

Maurice and Lovie -- I'm glad you enjoyed my article! I've learned so much from other screenwriters, and I finally feel like I have something to contribute to the conversation. David -- No, I've never entered the Santa Barbara International Screenplay Awards, but the video consults sound great! I can imagine how helpful that is with next rewrites. I might need to check it out. Thanks!

Interesting! Thank you for your insight. In my experience, Elvenheim 2 and 3 were written in the manner of 10 pages per day and just tossed into the screenplay competition circuit to make Official Selections worldwide. It was fun and informative, and the competitions make a great Litmus test for the content market. Judges are people too!

So basically everything but actual artistry, creativity, logistical considerations, and market awareness.

Be a proficient typist and proofreader.

Follow rules.

Believe this nonsense "ranks" you as a writer.

Sorry to be such a curmudgeon. I appreciate the intention and good-will behind this but this obsession with competitions has to stop. The sheer fact a few readers have popped up in the comments says everything you need to know about who's judging you and how surface level their evaluations are.

Throw a few scripts at competitions if you have some spare money and leave it at that. They are no substitute for networking, do little for careers in 99% of cases, and do not represent the needs of the industry.

Amen, CJ.

CJ, I agree with you. I should have mentioned that first and foremost you need to have a really great script. I assumed that goes without saying, but I'm sure there are people out there who are searching for their way in without putting any time and hard work into the process. I was focusing more on the elements you can control, since a "really great script" looks different to different people. And I agree there is no substitute for building and cultivating your network. But, given how competition submissions continue to increase with each year, there are people out there who still find some value in contests, and my advice was geared toward them. I never said it was the be-all-end-all, and I apologize if I implied in any way that contests are the magic bullet into an industry that can seem so elusive at times. It's just one way, and some people who have chosen this route can attribute the start of their careers to a contest placement. Competitions can be a good jumping-off point for beginning writers, especially those who are more introverted, or those who don't know yet if they have anything of any kind of screenwriting quality to offer the world. That's all I'm saying. And for those writers who have found different ways in, trust me, I'm trying those too. We all just have to find our path. Thanks for your thoughts, CJ. You always have great insight.

This old curmudgeon agrees with C.J. wholeheartedly. I think you really need to analyze why you want to be a screenwriter in the first place. Do you want to become so proficient at it that others will pay you to see your works or do you prefer to pay others to read your works?

The Post went from how to be succeed in screenwriting contests to how the industry works. Smh

They do feel like potshots to me. Sometimes you score really well, sometimes poorly, with the same script. Same with readers. I guess they just reinforce the motto "trust your instincts".

Thanks for this! Pretty insightful read!

Many screenwriting contests are highly subjective from my exp. (right time, right person, right story) meaning the stars aligned at the right time for the said story to stand out among many standout stories. I didn't place in a said contest, same contest 6 mos later, the same script, I placed in the finals. So there is no "magic bullet" to win a screenwriting contest.

Sorry again for the rant and I appreciate the considered reply, Becky Fink. It's just that, when we get to the point aspiring writers feel they should be hiring proofreaders on top of paying to enter these lotteries, someone has to step in and say something.

CJ, trust me I totally understand your point and frustration, BUT and I mean a BIG "BUT" you do have great options. Contact the local community college and network with groups, students, or writing groups who are majoring in English, Join their group or support them, build a relationship(coffee shop banter) and ask, barter (dogsitter on Sundays, "wink, wink)" or pay (cheap trust me) to have them proofread. OR take a remedial class or summer class in English Grammar (grants for low income)to learn yourself. It would be WORTH the investment if finances are a problem.

Competitions are great for coverage. Sometimes they're free. Are they subjective? Yes. Should the analyst views be taken as gospel? No. But they can highlight holes, answer questions about character development and story structure. Competitions aren't necessarily about advancing. Besides, What good does networking do if your project sucks out loud?

I agree Lovie D, BUT like I mentioned if your story sucks OR has poor grammar, networking among a group of non-professionals, that coffee banter I was talking about can change everything about that writer's perspective for a story (Why do your story suck or make no sense?) UNLESS that writer is stubborn (which writers can be) to change. Then REALITY will soon raise its ugly head and take care of things itself.

Yes DD Myles. Writing and Networking can actually be mutually exclusive. How many times have you heard of a “ok” writer getting staffed based on who they know.Like the saying goes Your Networth is Network or visa versa. I’d like to be kind, rewind and retract that portion of my response. BUT and that’s a big but, I do believe competitions are great for coverage.

Damn, I had just started to write an blog article about that subject! It's in the air, I guess.