Greetings and salutations fellow Spec Script Ronin,,
I know the feelings re: competitions in general run the gamut, but come on...tis the one contest to rule them all! ThunderDome
1) Anyone else plan on submitting some of their lifeblood this season?
2) Are you/did you struggling/struggle with formulating something more...highbrow pinky raise than what you have thus far ideated?
I've skimmed through tons of Nicholl-winning/placing scripts (one friend won), I've read tens of articles on what Nicholl judges look for in a script...still, admittedly, this particular contest befuddles me. Judges are like, 'Well we aren't necessarily looking for a screenplay that will make the best movie (what?!), but we want to see a script that shows us the author is a writer who, with development, has potential to progress as a screenwriter beyond this entry work (Isn't that what every contest wants albeit in less high-falutin language?).'
Anyhow, if you look at the historical results drama is king. Facts are facts, but if "voice" and craftsmanship are the true draws for judges why not more sci-fi/fantasy success?
Yours in perpetual Nicholl lamentations,
~Mike
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Hi! I don't participate in contests because in Russia they exist to steal other people's ideas. In any case, your work can train other editors and screenwriters and give them inspiration for new scripts. And you understand that the judges of the contests have a better chance of selling the script than we do. Therefore, I advise you to separate scenarios for business and contests.
You're right, submit scripts in any genre to the competition. Send what you don't mind showing other people. But keep the projects you plan to sell. There are many people in the cinema who can make a similar film without you in two years.
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Arthur Charpentier There are questionable contests in the west as well, but the lion's share are quasi-legitimate (even if they don't propel you to screenwriting stardom as some may claim can be a result), but this contest is the creme de la creme! Figuring out the what to write for the entry is the burning question, however...
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I think the question is not which genre to choose for the competition. It is important that the script is written as well as possible from a literary point of view. In no case would I send a high concept, something original, to the competition. And I wouldn't spend a lot of time on the script. Therefore, it is worth choosing a genre from the perspective of the least labor.
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Arthur Charpentier In this particular fellowship competition drama (and its variants) is (are) the undisputed champion(s)! I mean granted there's obviously Venn Diagram intersection for every script I am still thinking gritty crime drama over sci-fi drama even though you can tell emotive stories in any genre...
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I'm not planning on submitting into the Nicholl this year. I've submitted a couple of times and it seemed to be a waste of time and resources, neither of which I have infinite stores of. And if the most recent winners are any indication, it would seem that the AMPAS are only looking to award stories that fit into a tiny box plot-wise. Here's the list of winners as evidence:
https://deadline.com/2024/09/nicholl-fellowships-2024-winners-list-12361...
You do what you want to, my friend, and I wish you luck if you do enter. But I think it's becoming a waste of time to even try.
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I'm going to submit for my first time. Any suggestions?
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I like fantasy, sci-fi, and horror. I wrote a crime feature last week (instead of fine-tuning my pitch). I practiced law for a while, but I prefer to focus on other genres. It looks like crime is up there in numbers as well. I do not enter many contests in general. Thanks for the information.
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Tony Ray Is it mostly a right of passage to enter at this point? All I know is the one person I know crushing it in the industry who didn't use connections to breach the industry walls won the Nicholl...
Bill Albert Have you read the scripts of any of the winners? I think I am just going to go as emotive as possible and bring the dialogue A-Game. I was actually surprised to see some superbly verbose action lines in some of the scripts. I pointed at the screen and went, "Just like me! Just like me!"
Tore Simonsen Sci-fi and fantasy are my bread and butter as both a content/book consumer and a writer. I would love to see more hard/serious sci-fi out there in the film realm.
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I'll be entering on my birthday, Feb 7! :-) And since DRAMA is the winning genre in the top tier comps that do not have separate categories, I expect to be applauding from the sidelines but since a high placement at Nicholl opens a lot of doors, it's worth hoping, IMO.
My only personal recommendation is to stay within your best writing zone. Curated writing to fit what one thinks Nicholl is looking for is a recipe for failure and will seem forced and stifle your individual writing persona. Write on!
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If I only enter one comp every year then it's this one (ok and maybe the AFF).
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I don't think I'm eligible to enter even if I wanted to. To me, entering competitions, regardless of how prestigious is like giving up on a business plan and turning to the Vegas slots. Psychologically, it's not a good place to go, and it can distract from task.
The money can be better spent elsewhere too, I feel. Such as on good books.
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Matthew Kelcourse Would I rather write another sci-fi disaster epic or a D&D fanboy script? Absolutely. I do think I have some good proper drama stories in me though. I have to admit that although ideation is never an issue for me figuring out something for Nicholl is giving me severe brain drain...
Colin Mummery I did Page 2025 for sh*ts and giggles, and Austin might still be on the docket, but we shall see. I feel like I am already caught in the Nicholl tractor beam though.
CJ Walley I feel like competitions are still the easiest way for new writers to establish some bonafides/get people to read our scripts (if the contest is actually one that guarantees the screenplay is actually read from FADE IN to FADE OUT by at least one story analyst that is...). My primary goal is and always has been TV writing, i.e. fellowships and studio writing program applications. Contests are more like a Litmus Test for new scripts for me. I do buy books too, but I have fallen victim to the contest trap as well!
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Hey there Mike Childress - I envy anyone who has DRAMA in their zone. Mine will always be a genre blend... to quote Bruce, that's where the fun is. :-)
Matthew Kelcourse To me crafting something Nicholl-worthy is akin to wearing a business suit to attend (another) meeting (that could have been an email, or a text message) when all you would normally wear is a black t-shirt (insert metal band name here) and jeans. Blend away, tis what I (normally) do as well! I'm still a little salty from when I was like, "I am new and have written [X] number of scripts!" and you and Maurice were like, 'Collectively we have written ten screenplays...in the last ten minutes..."