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The Script Vamp team was very prompt in their feedback and incredibly accessible by email. Their feedback clearly demonstrated that they take the time to actually read the screenplays they are judging, and I found it really helped in subsequent revisions. I would definitely recommend their contests to anyone!
Thanks for your intel on Script Pimp, Matt. Continued success with their submissions for you. When they sell a script for you or help land you a paid option please post it on here so we can see the fruits of their labors. Everyone likes a success story.
Ralph
I feel that Script Pipeline is one of the top screenwriting contests out there. I've been a finalist with two different scripts in 2009 and 2010 and both experiences have been everything you could ask for. They do their best to get your screenplay out to producers, agents and managers, give you amazing access and advice. The consultation with manager Andrew Kersey is invaluable, informative and one of the best parts of placing in the contest. Matt and Chadwick work hard on behalf of the writers throughout, and long after the contest is over.
Hearty congrats for both Stephen and Sarah. Glad you got what you were promised. Would love to read your screenplay Sarah to see what a great rewrite Matt helped you achieve. Curious to see what actually made it to the top picks in this contest with his master tutelage.
Ralph
I was a finalist this year (top 20/2800) and attended the awards banquet. I receive $250 ($50 over what was promised to finalists) and the $250 travel reimbursement for a total of $500. No problems getting paid and neither did the grand prize winners.
Nice that they split up the grand prize money into four equal prizes instead of one person walking away with ten or twenty grand like some contests do.
Working on a rewrite of my screenplay HORROR COMIC and will avail myself of their marketing services for all the finalists. Matt has been especially helpful and has some specific marketing ideas for my script.
Overall, very pleased with the contest and appreciate the recognition and help given so far. Will update moviebyters on future good news on the bulletin board here or on the ScriptPipeline success story page!
Best of luck next year to all entrants.
Hello Ralph Stein,
I share your surprise, but obviously not your dismay, at my having my first script make it into the finalists for this competition. And yes, I spent quite a bit of money to have Matt help me polish up the mangled mass of words that was once my first draft. However, for someone like me who cannot afford either the time or money to return to school to study writing, working with a private consultant was both prudent and economical (by a long shot).
Moreover, Matt assured me that since he worked with me through the workshop, he was not allowed to juror my script. Knowing how broke me and my unemployed husband are, there would be absolutely no financial advantage to Matt or Chad to use the contest outcome as a means for encouraging my future patronage of their services. This screenplay might just be the only one I can afford to write. And just in case you think this duo was preying on a poor Midwestern family - I can assure you that I kept my finances to myself the entire duration of the consultation.
As for the quality of my first script, I understand your concerns, but you will be hard-pressed to convince me I should be unhappy about my success.
To put your worried mind at ease, I can assure you that as I was fortunate enough to attend the awards ceremony in Santa Monica the other night (thanks to the generous travel voucher and prize money Chad awarded out-of-town finalists), I know for a fact that all money awards were distributed to everyone present that night. I not only received my own award, but I saw the stack of envelopes with my own eyes and witnessed Matt distributing the envelopes to others. There was even pizza and beer.
Another point I'd like to make about the Script Pimp system is that they receive no money whatsoever if a script they promote sells. They are not agents or managers at all. Paying them for both their consultation services and their entry fee is, to me, fair and reasonable.
There are certainly sharks swimming in the waters of Hollywood, and I'm sure there are areas of operation and organization where Script Pimp could improve, but I really can't accept your attacks on their character and motives. My experiences with them have been wonderful, and I'm truly grateful for what I have received.
Hello. I just entered the Slamdance competition a few days ago by paying $75 as entrance fee. I submitted my work via Withoutabox. Will someone help me and tell me what is their process of giving you acknowledgement? I have heard that they give you feedback on your script. So is that it? Or the script goes further into the competition? Or we have to review our script based on that feedback and resubmit? Is there a fee? Please help, thanks in advance.
Cool that you won the Mac Book, but it sounds like that was just a lottery drawing, and as you said, not based on the quality of your script unfortunately. In that case, I'd suggest you'd have just purchased a lottery ticket at a charity event for a good cause like cancer, instead of your entry fees (two, not one) instead going to line Script PIMP's pockets like they did with my $110. The Mac Book, as sweet as I'm sure it is, we all know was a donation and cost them zero.
Don't mean to make your win sound like it's a negative, but I still would like whoever wins this year's contest to perhaps to post a note letting everyone on this thread know they actually received their grand prize money. When that happens, I'll be satisfied. Of course with this challenge I've laid down, rest assured the boys at Script PIMP will make sure that their winner backs them up here with a big time testimonial so they don't take a big hit on contest entries next year. Will be worth seeing that testimonial, so at least we all know the prize got paid out as it should. Then and only then, will I give them my vote here and retract my earlier statements.
RS
I can't speak to how thoroughly the readers read or what placing in this competition does for you, but I did win the MacBook Pro this year and that definitely does not suck.
Given: It was random drawing and not winning it for the quality of the script (would have been nicer obviously it if were an award for placing), and I found out about it because it was posted on their website (and it wasn't immediatley clear which script I'd won for--I'd submitted two).
However, Matt got back to me quickly to give me the lowdown and always responded very promptly. I am now in possession of a brand-spanking new and very sorely needed MacBook Pro, so that is pretty fantastic and I am quite psyched about it.
Good luck everyone.
Nail on the head Kristi. They should worry more about running their contest and less about collecting their fees to enter and promotions. Not bad guys, just greedy and need to focus. Try PAGE next year. Best contest out there with most organized crew you can find. Zoe runs a tight ship and will email you back within a couple of hours, not weeks.
I think this competition also means well and is obviously doing wonders for people who get far. But it's not as well organised as I thought it would be.
I'm also one of the people who asked for the same reader for a resubmission, but was told they couldn't give me one. To their credit I was offered a refund on the resubmit and told my orginal would still be in the competition. But why advertise that you can ask for the same reader if they're clearly having problems getting this done?
There are tactics involved with resubmitting scripts based on the original readers feedback. If you agree with what they said and you try your best to incorporate their suggestions; you hope they'll understand how (hopefully) better your script was compared to the last time they read it. Let's not fool ourselves; this is why most people would ask for the same reader. I worked very hard completely restructuring a script, (based on other feedbacks as well) and was really looking forward to seeing what my original reader had to say with such significant changes. But alas... I ended up opting for the new reader, completely shattering whatever notion I had of moving forward. (New feedback is better than not know anything about the script right)?
So that was highly disappointing for me. Don't promote that aspect if you clearly can't deliver.
They also didn't tell me until very close to the final deadline that I couldn't get the same reader. This means that all my hard work trying to get things in early; (as we know you'll have more attention paid to the script and likely hood of moving forward if you're in first), went down the drain as the new reader would've read my script pretty much 3 weeks before the announcements. Probably rushing through it.
I also couldn't get a response from their online question submissions form. I had to email them with my query.
They also sent me an email saying here's your new feedback but it was blank.
Contest:
I entered the 2009 course and it is a course as well as a competition which is kind of unique. I really enjoyed it and there's a good community atmosphere amongst the contestants who all post their assignments into the forum provided. I good encouraging feedback from strangers who took the time to say they liked my writing. The actual contest itself is designed around how you would work in the real world with Producers and their notes and starts off by giving you the basics on how to turn individual scenes supplied by them; to be the best you and most exciting you can make it. Best of all each assignment has feedback so you can see how well you've taken the challenge and what you need to work on. You eventually need to go through an elimination process via later assignments. I managed to get to the semi-finals which was great as there was a lot of competition. I faiiled moving on and I know exactly why too because of the way the judging and feedback works, you can tell what you've done wrong. It's a good simulation of producers notes and it does definitely improve your understanding of what makes every scene better.
PS: When I had a problem with the way one of my assignments was judged; Hal Croasum the organiser; immediately looked into it and confirmed it hadn't beend judged correctly; he made sure I got a fair deal by giving it to someone else.
I'm afraid I've not been convinced that Script Pimp are as professional as they should be...or at least they arre overwhelmed with the work they need to do.
Firstly when I signed up probably over a year ago now; they had a promotion to get 2 years for the price of one or something... yet their online form didn't have the discount and was not accomodating international writers very well. I emailed them and they replied after a few weeks saying my query had gone into their spam box and to assure me I would get the discount. Well this is all fine and yes I did get a discount and promply set about using their query system to send to production companies. I've not only had no response (which is typical in this industry) but I can't see any evidence my query has even been looked at via their special Script Pimp system. It's just sitting there. I may as well have done it the old fashioned way, via emailing and snail mail.
I then entered the competition very early as part of a promotion to enter one free script but also found their form wouldn't reflect the discount so had to email to ask what to do. To their credit (once again the email got caught in their junk folder) they eventually emailed back and gave me instructions on how to enter for free. That was months ago and the only email I got was a confirmation shortly after saying they got the script.
As others have mentioned; if bigger competitions can email out whether you've been successful or not, then Script Pimp should too.
On a side note; apparently I won a random prize to have my logline assessed by Chris Soth and I was to reply to the email sent by Matt for instructions on how to get this. I replied over 2 weeks ago and have heard nothing back. I'm sure this was legitimate but the lack of communication is worrying. I also took part on a teleseminar from Chris Soth organised by Matt and others which is also legitimate but was not divulging of too much information other than to promote a tele course from Soth. Fair enough, nothing wrong with that at all. The seminar was free. But I was supposed to receive an ebook if I emailed the address they give out at the end and I have yet to receive confirmation they got my request for it let alone the ebook.
Script Pimp isn't a scam but it does seem a little less well organised than it should be.
Contest:
What is happening with the 2010 AAA Screenplay Contest?
Their Website states that:
Semifinalists to be announced within the next few days. We are currently in the process of certifying the information.
Finalists by July 15, 2010
Final winners, July 31, 2010
Yet here it is July 19 and there has been no updates, let alone notification to contestants.
I realize that things happen and schedules get revised, but you'd think that they would update their Website with new information.
Anyone know what's going on?
This contest was good until last year. There is no consistency in their analysis. During the past three years, they told me wonders about my script. It has been compared to Dan Brown´s books, Indiana Jones, etc, and all of a sudden, this year, it became a piece of garbage. The reader was someone extremely rude, innacurate and careless in his statements, not mentioning he appears to be more of a boxer than an intelectual.
Contest:
I entered in the May contest. The feedback was just ridiculous - quite a few pages, broke down every element of my script, and it had very positive suggestions on how to improve it. Getting that scorecard back with a 55 out of 60 had me on a high. Worth every single penny, and I'm really looking forward to the feedback on the script I submitted for the June contest. I can't say enough about how helpful it was, and I highly recommend it.
Contest:
I've entered several scripts multiple times and improved my scores based on following the excellent advice (Savvy even!) contained in the notes.
A previous honorable mention generated several script requests.
The extra money for the notes are well worth it. Nice to have the quick turnaround of a monthly contest.
Anyone on here bashing this excellent contest needs to put more time and effort into their writing. Do the work; get the rewards.
In short, Donna runs a great contest. A+.
Just to prove a point, my comment should have ended with a question mark instead of a period.
I'm sure this is a wonderful contest having read the user comments. And I know I've made more than my share of typos and grammatical errors and misspellings, etc. So may I, with all due humility, point out that at the end of the contest description it should read "their" not "there".
L.J.-
I heard that they were supposedly reputable or I wouldn't have wasted my money on them, but at the end of the day, good, bad or ugly, you only get as much out of these contests as the sponsors put into plugging your scripts after the fact. I use these more as a resume piece to help show to investors to raise financing and never expect anything, so with low expectations, if they do help me out after the fact, then I am both pleasantly surprised as well as grateful I had a great experience last year with Creative Screenwriting's Expo contest (finals) and was written up in CS Magazine (full page story), and so far far this year, PAGE (made the second round so far) has been great. I entered Creative World last year and got nowhere; we'll see how this year fares with two new scripts.
Austin Heart of Film are really great people and consummate pros, but the contest doesn't have the juice it had back in 1996 when I first went there for the conference. Back then, pretty much if you won, you got your film made after the fact or got a bigtime agent at ICM, CAA, etc. Overall, it's still a great experience and nice people especially the conferencegoers. TX is great in October - not too hot. You should check it out if you want to have a good time. Don't expect to sell your scripts there or have a sitdown with anyone big, but they are all there in the hotel hanging out and accessible if you've got the gift of gab. Go there just to have a relaxing time, meet other writers and have a few drinks and some conversation.
RS
Got a second place in the sci-fiction category at StoryPros, for which I'm grateful. Leaving that aside, I would say that this was one of the most helpful, and hassle-free, contests that I've entered. The people running it are highly professional, and they do get the winning scripts attention from reputable agencies.
Further pluses in the StoryPros contest are the high quality of the coverage, and its low cost. And - big plus - the quickness with which the results are returned, both competition- and coverage-wise. (You find out, practically from week to week, where your screenplay stands in the competition.)
I wd. expect this contest to move up as far as prestige factor and # of screenplays submitted to it, in the years ahead. Good work, guys.
Contest:
Just received my first E:mail - always comforting to know all is tickety-boo...and on schedule... I hope the rest of this intriguing contest is as professional...
L.J. that does sound kind of a tight deadline. How does one read the better part of 1000 scripts in such a short time? Especially since most contests make TWO (not one) reader either advance or rject a script from making the next round. Maybe Julie and the contest directors should jump on here and explain how they did it in lightning speed? Not saying it can't be done, but I'd love to here how.
RS
P.S. to Sarah Rassoul
Are you kidding me? Do you really expect other screenwriters to believe that you got your very first screenplay into the finals of a contest with seasoned writers, many whom have won contests, and over 3300 entries? Get real. And all this because "Matt mentored you for over a year?" My guess is you must be one of their "Consultation" clients. Tell me, what did that cost you this year?
I'll let the thousands of other writers who have written for a decade or two draw their own conclusions from your plug for the contest. First time writer making the final out of 3300+ entries versus the seasoned veterans who enter again and again? Yeah, right. You should come visit me in Brooklyn. I've got a Bridge here to sell you.
RS
I have entered probably a hundred contests over the years including this one twice. Two out of two years, I gave them my money and I never once got an email telling me my status one way or the other with all three scripts. I have made the finals and placed in numerous contests, including last year's Creative Screenwriting Expo contest which boats over 4000+ entries each year, and even they had the courtesy to email me. I don't care whether I won or lost Script PIMP's contest; my complaint has nothing to do with winning or losing. Most of the writers who complain on these blogs state how their script won this and that contest - who cares, it's all subjective. Just because you win won, doesn't mean you will place in all of them.
My bone to pick with these "professionals" as you call them is, after sending them $110 of my hard earned money (esp. in this economy), they only wrote me back after I complained to them and asked them what was going on, stating that they had 3300 entries this year and they didn't have the time to email anyone; that it was all posted on their site. How would the 3300 who entered their contest know this? Are we psychic? You had the time to spend the time to email me to tell me to look on your site, so how about ONE email for BOTH of my scripts and my $110 you took from me, just to tell me that results had been posted which would have taken the same time? I think that's a reasonable request considering the form email you sent me and cut and pasted probably took you all of 30 seconds to send; this in return for my $110.
I also want to point out that the PAGE contest which I also entered, who just had 4400 entries (1100 more than Script PIMP), emailed me three times to tell me that all three of my scripts had advanced, not one email for all three. The Creative Screenwriting Expo contest (over 4000+ entries last year as well), also emailed me back and also published me and my co-writer in a full one page story about my script, which I managed, thanks to my co-writer and co-producer to raise money for and produce ourselves this year. That's called "promoting your writers," something I think Script PIMP lacks.
I've spoken to Chadwick on the phone years ago when he was starting out back in 2000 and even then, this contest and the Pimps of Script PIMP seemed money-grubbing even back then. All they were interested in was trying to sell me their script doctoring sessions, which I wasn't interested in, as I already had a production company interested in my script at that time.
I realize that this is a business and I cannot fault them for trying to make a buck and sell their contest and their services, but if these other contests who received over 4000+ entries and emailed me, not sure why Script PIMP couldn't extend the same email notification courtesy. My guess is, that would mean hiring more bodies to handle this admin work, which means less profit for Chad and Co. so instead, they only email back the contestants who complain to them. And if they couldn't spend 30 seconds to cut and paste a form email to me, what do you think the odds are they read all of the 3300+ scripts they had enter this year at at least 60-90 minutes per read?
I also would speculate that if any of these writers who tout Chad and Matt in their posts were to get a serious agent or manager or prodco. interested in their script, who told them to "lose Chad and Script PIMP from the equation" and wanted to remove Chad and Co. attaching themselves or having an option on their scripts, Chad and Co. would drop them like an anchor, as their chance to make any money off of you would vanish.
Don't be fooled by the "help" you are supposedly getting from these guys, b/c as soon as there's no chance for them to hit on a spec sale with your material and it keeps getting passed on, one of two things is going to happen:
1) They sell you their famous script doctor sessions and make money on you while they :develop" it for you so "they can sell it." OR-
2) They'll be off faster than a prom dress and your phone calls won't be returned.
Come back to this site later and tell me if I'm wrong when you get there with these guys. If I'm lying, I'm buying.
RS
I don't think they read mine either Connie. No email telling me I lost... nothing. Script PIMP is the same. Don't waste your time. AFF, Creative World, Screenwriting Expo and PAGE I think are the most professional. This after 16 years of writing and entering contests and finally now producing my own movie independently.
RS
To Karen Barnett:
These contests are what you make of them. They are significant if you win or do well in some of them, build a nice resume and then get on the phones and network yourself and make them sound significant to the person on the other end. Don't wait for them to do this promoting for you b/c you're going to be the most motivated person who's promoting you, not them. That's how you get your agent and how you'll get read by Hollywood. If you wait for these contest people to do the legwork for you, you're kidding yourself. If you don't believe me, then keep buying lottery tickets and see how fast you cash in on those, too. Be proactive. If you can write, then good things will happen. If you can't, all these contests in the world won't help you.
RS
Contest:
First of all, I don't know who this Dan Gomez is, but he hasn't had one nice thing to say about a contest yet. His repetitive, sophomoric "SCAM ALERT" comments about contest after contest just sound like a wannabee writer who keeps losing every contest and needs to just give up writing already, and stay off these posting boards until he has something intelligible to say.
I made the finals of this contest this past year and Pasha got back on every email professionally. Yes, things get delayed, but every contest seemed to get delayed last year. The crappy ones never even bothered to inform anyone that they had won or lost; if you were lucky, you just looked at their website and either saw your name or you didn't.
Pasha tried to get me to come to LA for the pitchfest and offered the golden tickets (FREE) thanks to my finals placement both in the regular and the Suzanne category, but unfortunately, my work schedule prohibited this.
Pasha allowed two colleagues to go in myself and my-co-writer's place, in the event we did win, so they could accept the prize on our behalf and say some kind words. That was gracious of her. She didn't try to lure us there to gain money for the contest; everything would have been comped, except room and board to go there, but as my brother lives in LA, it would have been inexpensive for me, and well worth it to hobnob with some of the bigwigs at the festival. Again, none of this had any ulterior motives.
I think all these whiners that are complaining here need to understand one thing: THIS IS A BUSINESS. People don't start these contests to lose money; they do so to make money, but also to promote the work of screenwriters, who can't pick up the phone and make contacts out West on your own, like some of us can. They are opening doors for you and giving you opportunities by putting you in the same room with big names, who you'd never have exposure to otherwise. What you do or don't do in terms of networking at their Expo is entirely up to you.
If you have the gift of gab, you don't need a special golden ticket. You approach some of these industry professionals on the side when you see them, and if you do so correctly, they'll speak with you, ticket or no ticket. It's called networking yourself. For those of you that are in the corporate world, you're probably more polished at it; for the rest, you ad-lib and if you've got a nice personality and a decent presentation, you'll meet some good people at their event.
It's disheartening to hear all the whining from people who just because they don't win a contest have to go on and on about how unprofessional these contests are. My co-writer and I got written up in Creative Screenwriting thanks to Pasha even though we didn't win (I think it was the March/April issue this year). Considering the number of industry professionals who read this trade (some who called me up and told me they saw the article), I'd say the experience was a win for me.
I didn't win the $20K, nor did I win the contest, but the article and making the finals was probably worth more than $20K in PR. All in all, despite the delayed deadline, how can I complain?
For the Dan Gomez' of the world and the rest of those whining and complaining, focus on your writing and your networking, and less on your complaining and maybe you'll have the same results I did last year of you enter yourselves this year. Or don't and just keep losing contests and badmouthing them.
Ralph
I have entered contests for well over a decade. Two words for PAGE: Consummate Professionals. Best money spent of all the contests whether I win or lose, or they get my script to the LA bigwigs. All you want when you enter a contest is a:
1) good read by a qualified professional;
2) notification either way win or lose
3) timelines and announcement dates to be adhered to
Anything above that is gravy. I didn't ask for feedback so I can't comment on that, but every email I sent them was resonded to within hours (not days, weeks, or not at all like many others).
Great if I make it past the second round which is where I am, but either way, I don't feel like I got mugged as I do with Script PIMP, Silver, Gotham, and some of the others I entered in the last year or so. None of them every emailed me either way. That's just not acceptable for the money they're charging.
Ralph Stein
My partner, Rhonda Ewing, and I are very impressed with the feedback we've gotten from Larry. His input has been encouraging and beneficial. Larry's comments motivated us to rewrite our script, making it ready future success. This contest is well worth the money, just the feedback alone makes it one of the best competitions out there. We highly recommend Red Inworks to all would be writers.
This fellowship is for real. I was a finalist (t.v.) back in 2004. First, you are a semifinalist and they do a phone interview. If you pass that, they fly you out to L.A. to do an in person interview.
Contest:
I entered into their short script competition about 4-5 years ago and according to their website at the time, I was a top 10 finalist. However, I never found out who won and that page on their website has since been taking down. I tired contacting them recently to see if they can supply me this information, a couple of months ago, and they didn't respond.
THE HALO STRAIGHTENER - During the depression, a black preacher makes and sells moonshine to get money to build a school house so their children won't have to walk six miles round trip to go school. He has conversations with God and we know God is listening as there is always a breeze throught the streets.
Notabigdea91l@yahoo.com
Greetings!
First I want to congratulate all semi finalists on a some great writing. Thank you for participating. We have determined the winners for this years contest. They are...
1st Place
Driving Top Down by Elvis Wilson:
A brilliant high school student from a dysfunctional family takes a job driving a rich woman with cancer across the country to her home in Oregon so where she plans to end her life.
2nd Place
The Happy Valley Mafia by Jason Allen:
Hoping to go straight, a New York mob boss steals away to a small Southern town and becomes a librarian, but he unknowingly invades the turf of a wild, ruthless backwoods gang known as the Happy Valley Mafia
3rd Place
The Voyeur by John Bengel:
An ethicist and college dean with an obsession for voyeurism sees something that creates the ultimate ethical dilemma.
Good communication, and I got a number of logline requests for my Honorable Mention script. Very happy with the way it was run.
Contest:
It's not because I placed fairly well in this contest it's because my brief interaction with Mr. Counts makes me believe he really cares about his writers. Maybe it's true..good things can't be rushed. Hey Boss, have you been riding that bike this summer? Don't forget to water the neighbors flowers...just for the thrill of it. (you know what I'm saying)
Contest:
I have to disagree with James too but for different reasons. A couple of years ago I entered their contest with my script, several times. I received better scores each time but I believe it was because I made the changes they pointed out each time.
Their notes were absolutely wonderful, easy to follow and insiteful.
However, after the last time they told me in NOT so many words to not re-enter again because they could not help me any more and its their policy not to let multiple re-entries with the same script.
I didn't think anything about it at the time because it made sense. Its just that my final score was a 53 or something like that so I thought heck eventually it would be good enough to win or least get an honorable mention. But they told me not to so I didn't.
But sinse then it seems Ive seen several writers enter the same script to them several times and it doesnt look like they told them the same thing they told me.
So.... It seems like what they were really telling me was it didnt matter how many times or how high my score ever got , they would not put me in the winners circle.
So, definitely James is not right in my case because they out right told me not to re-enter. Hardly sounds like trying to just make money off of new writers to me.
Contest:
Author: Ali Hasan
Posted: 06/13/2010 10:57 AM
(RESPONSE TO JAMES HENRY)
With all due respect to James, I'm going to politely disagree
BENAZIR was the first script I entered into Script Savvy and I won the Grand Prize - I think Script Savvy is a great organization that is honest and sincere
You can't go wrong entering this competition!
Contest:
I won the November 2009 competition, and got a lot of requests for the script, which is a major factor in which contests I enter. And, as mentioned elsewhere, the notes tend to be great.
I really like this contest. They sent a very brief
feedback but it was so incredibly helpful I think
they are just fantastic. They seem to have a real knack for finding the real problem of the script and summarizing it . I made more changes from their short feedback than any, much longer coverage notes etc that I had every received before and it was all because they found the MAIN problem.
Our script won honorable mention in the family category in this contest. We were quite impressed with the contest organizers: their communication with entrants and their follow through with leads for winners to submit loglines. Additionally we found their suggestions (which were offered freely without any solicitation on our part) regarding logline preparation to be the clearest and most logical of any previous ''helpful'' hints we had read. We also like the fact that several categories are offered, giving credibility to many genres. We highly recommend.
I've placed in this contest several times. I always thought this was a good contest, and well run. I was pleased that a number of production companies asked for loglines, and although I thought it might be more efficient if SF simply gave them the loglines from the winners and honorable mentions rather than ask each writer to submit them, it was nice in that it gave you a chance to send a little note along with your logline, and gave you a sense that someone was out there. :-) I'd be curious to know if anyone got script reads, but the larger point is that SF is attempting to promote the winners, which is GREATLY appreciated. Thank you, Screenplay Festival!
I don't think I can say enough good things about StoryPros. I've spent a great deal of time researching and vetting screenwriting contests in order to identify the relative few worth entering, and I am convinced that the StoryPros Awards Screenplay Contest (as well as the StoryPros International Screenplay Contest) should be on any aspiring screenwriter's submission list. The StoryPros contests are extremely well-run, and results are always announced on the scheduled dates. The people at StoryPros are very professional and respond to all inquiries right away. My screenplay, "Re-Entry," was selected as the First Place Winner in the Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror category of the 2010 Awards contest, but that is not the basis of my praise; long before I received this good news, I was thoroughly impressed with StoryPros and the way the people who run it genuinely care about helping new screenwriters achieve success. It's only been a week since I've won, but the guys at StoryPros already have been in contact with me about sending the prizes and making arrangements to promote my script. In my opinion, you can't go wrong entering this contest; I wholeheartedly recommend it.
Although I've done fairly well in a number of screenwriting competitions, Screenplay Festival was the most positive experience I've had to date. Some people may think that my opinion is biased because I was named as a winner, but the reality is that the people at Screenplay Festival were extremely professional and helpful even before I was named as a winner. All of their notifications and other messages were individualized, and they responded quickly and professionally to all of my messages. Plus, the structure of the contest with the genre categories is extremely beneficial because it makes sure certain genres don't get a "head start" above others. I'd recommend this contest to any screenwriter serious about trying to make a career out of a passion.
My screenplay was an Honorable Mention in Thriller/Horror. Since the results were announced, the contest coordinator has forwarded several requests for my script's logline. That's the best prize of all - I recommend this festival, and will submit my future scripts.
This festival was my first experience into the world of screenplay writing. I am happy to say that I'm glad I entered my screenplay and was even more excited to see it win an Honorable Mention! Thanks to the festival and its sponsors for a wonderful experience!
Just recieved an email from Filmakers, apparently thier email was down and they are sending the prizes within 7 weeks, so it does look like they are legit, but just a bit sloppy since it took them 5 weeks to send the email...
I managed a Top 10 Finalist in the recent contest (my first ever), but long before any such announcements I was sold of the professionalism of StoryPros.
For the additional fee of $40.00, I requested the feedback and received 3 solid pages of constructive, insightful and articulate story notes. Not just what didn't work, but also what DID, which is just as helpful.
Spending months staring at a script, you can start to doubt the more nuanced moments you include. But my reader picked up on and pointed out these subtleties, which can keep you from messing up things that are working just fine. Theirs' was not the work of a script skimmer.
Responses to questions were prompt and professional and announcements were right on time.
Next time I have a suitable script ready, I won't hesitate to enter again, and will certainly return to StoryPros for their economical and perceptive story notes.
While I'm here, kudos to MovieBytes for this great and helpful site. An excellent hub of information.
Carl
What the hell is going on with Filmakers????
They announce the winners of the 2009 contest, which I happen to have a script on (Ameristocracy) but I cannot contact them!
I've tried emailing them tons of times and with no response. And they do not even have a phone number, just an address.
Is this just one big scam??????
LOOK CAREFULLY AT THE RULES.... 1000 EURO TOP PRIZE.... BUT THE COMP ORGANIZERS RESERVE THE RIGHT NOT TO ISSUE THE PRIZE IF THEY DON'T THINK ANYONE IS WORTHY.... SURPRISE SURPRISE IN THE 2009 ANNOUNCEMENT ON MOVIE-BYTES THERE IS NO GRAND PRIZE WINNERS.. ONLY CATEGORY WINNERS.... AND WHAT DO THEY GET.... WAIT FOR IT .... A PLATE. JOY!!!
Finished quarter finalist last year and was very impressed with the management of the contest.
In fact, I have received requests much to my surprise
Contest:
Author: TJ Cimfel
Posted: 06/02/2010 01:16 PM
To be fair, the site is back up. Here's hoping they get more entries...
Contest:
Author: TJ Cimfel
Posted: 05/31/2010 02:22 PM
I submitted to this contest on a lark, as I had a short horror that seemed right in their wheelhouse. The results were supposed to be posted 5/24. When I checked, I saw that, due to low turnout, they were extending all the way to September. So, okay, that's cool. But when I checked in today, the site is down. Coupled with Phil's earlier comment, this does not bode well. Cue spooky music...
Contest:
Script Savvy is one of the best-run contests, in my experience. And I have been very pleased with the critiques I received from the contest, the quality was very high, a real bargain for the money. I wanted to obtain copies of winning scripts to see what standard of quality I must aim for, but the contest director was unable to send anything, they can only contact the author. I'd be interested in knowing if anyone else has obtained copies of winning scripts, and how they did it.
Here they are. In no particular order... the semi-finalists for this years contest. 2010
Below The Waist- Ian Simpson
Driving Top Down - Elvis Wilson
Lethal Remission - Thom Ferrell
Stone Angels- Tim Steed
The Youngest Convict —Julie Umbreit
The Happy Valley Mafia - Jason Allen
Revolutions per Minute- Chris Farran
The Voyeur - John Bengel
Final judging begins now. We will be announcing the winners soon!
Stay Tuned!!!!
Annita Pieroni - the comment I posted was true. I have absolutely no reason to lie the way you obviously have.
Fellow Screenwriters,
Paul Harvey and Donna Milazzo are two seasoned pros who offer experienced, fair judging with some great prizes.
However, never, EVER expect them to meet their deadlines. During 2008 and 2009 they were always 2-3 days late.
I was going to enter this competition, but geez. I don't know now. So much drama. Which should only be kept in screenplays.
Contest:
I was fortunate to win this contest in 2009 with my script, "The Writ Writer." The Divebomber contest is a unique opportunity to have your script adapted as a radio drama. The administration was great. They kept me updated on the progress in setting up the actors, sound effects and musical score. My favorite part of the collaboration was being able to cast an actor friend from Los Angeles, Rafael Noble, in the lead "voice" role. Additionally, they gave me updates on the production and sought my input, even tiny details. They were very attentive and professional. Truly unique.
Contest:
James, I have to disagree with your point regarding scores -- I have scored well, then average, then poorly, so I doubt SS is manipulating scores so people keep entering their contest. Now...I have had problems with their feedback at times, but it's obvious they read our scripts carefully, so I can't complain -- an honest opinion is an honest opinion. Doesn't, of course, mean we have to agree with it.
Contest:
Beware! I have entered this contest for the last two years. Ranked high a few times. The feedback is good. However, my perception is this... At first, they rank you high, but not high enough to actually win. Therefore, you keep submitting. I've always got at least 53/60. Once I deliberatley sent an old original script which was awful!!! And I got 54/60!!!!
If you keep submitting, you will SLOWLY increase your score. All the while handing over the cash.
Also they favour the family/romance/comedy genre. Just scan the last 13 months of winners!
Overall I give in a 4.5 out of 10
Contest:
I emailed this contest in early 2010 requesting to read the top three winners. I belong to a group of 130 filmmakers in Southern California and thought one of the screenplays might work as a group project. They never responded nor did they request any information from me. I know most screenwriters want to see their work produced more than the monetary prize.
Terrible experience. I entered a script that's won & semifinaled in several contests and has 3 pro coverage "recommends".
They got my fee but couldn't find my script. A month and two emails to them later, they said resend the script.
The supposed feedback that they advertise...
"All entries get FULL FEEDBACK on their screenplay and their film from the pros."...
was just a bunch of incomplete sentences riddled with typos from several different (obviously amateur) readers and basically made no sense at all.
Good Luck if you enter this one!
Contest:
Not much I can add to most of the comments. Donna and her people run a great contest. I'm still amazed at the depth of the notes I got from the February contest. They were incredibly detailed and insightful. I've received an HM on two scripts the last couple of years and got several read requests. One came MONTHS after I placed but Donna had kept up with my script and passed on a contact. Top notch in all respects. Wonderful way to vet an early draft to keep you "between the ditches," even if you don't expect to win or place in the contest itself. Outstanding.
Eric, may be too late to be helpful but my script, THE KNUCKLEBALLER, won the festival's debut competition last summer. I was always kept in the loop by Pat and he delivered the prizes on time. I wasn't able to attend, so I don't know about any of the events themselves.
Contest:
Though I'm a bit tardy in my remarks, let me chime in and say that my experience with the festival was very positive. I won in 2009 with THE KNUCKLEBALLER, and the folks that ran the festival went out of their way to welcome me and keep me informed on all aspects of the festival. The receptions were extremely classy as were all the events, especially the awards dinner. I would definitely attend again if I were lucky enough to land in the finals the next time I submit. Great festival.
Contest:
Status Update: MAY 2010
THE 2009 COWRITE SCREENWRITING CONTEST HAS CONCLUDED - WE ARE NOW IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO SELL THE REWRITTEN COWRITE SCRIPT!
Too bad "The Spy Next Door" starring Jackie Chan has already come out.
It's going to be hard to sell ANOTHER "Spy next door" movie.
Contest:
I was the winner of the 2010 California Independent Film Festival (CAIFF) Slate Award for Family Secret - one of four finalist for Best Screenplay.
Marti Connell was the Filmmaker Liaison Director. Marti was quick to respond to my questions concerning the event and was very, very helpful prior to and during the festival. What a wonderful lady. The CAIFF was a fantastic experience. Their organizers were fantastic and friendly. I strongly recommend this festival both in terms of entering a project and attending!
Contest:
frist class all the way
fun people
I posted a comment in 2006, but feel compelled to post another one after I contacted George Marshall, 8 years after my 'win', requesting once again a copy of the DVD of my script that I was promised many times over. He PROMISED again to send it, put a staff person in charge of it, and after months of runaround, blew me off.
So here are my updated comments:
It's a waste of time to enter the Rhode Island Int'l Film Festival's screenwriting competition. Total waste of time and money. Not one read resulted from it, nor did the RIIF make one minuscule effort to promote my screenplay. All I won was grief on my part over the fiasco, expense, and nonsense of being a winner in this totally useless contest other than an inglorious entry on my bio.
As part of my win, I was teamed up with the director from Hell who proceeded to destroy 20 minutes of my script; never received ANY of the promised prizes (oh, I am so missing that engraved clock right now!); and was never even given a courtesy copy of the 20-minute video made by the RIIF based on a scene from my script.
The guy who runs the show, George Marshall, likes to play passive-aggressive/vindictive games, thinks he's a big shot -- and I suppose he is, in his very small festival. His sidekick, whose name I forget, never followed through on anything despite his big smiles and bigger promises.
Of the many wins that screenplay and others have had, I haven't found another contest to come close to the aggravation and bullshit of the RIIF.
Excuse me...that's something you "rarely" get from other screenwriting contests. :)
Just another update: I actually heard back from ScreenplaySearch within two days of my post. Their feedback was helpful and informative. They have also been kind enough to notify me when other agents/managers/producers are reading my material, and that's the kind of service you really get with other screenwriting contests.
Contest:
I placed 2nd or silver in February's contest. What I liked most about this contest is these people communicate with you. What a nice way to do business. So far - they seem to be doing what they said they would. I'm happy with it.
Contest:
Every year I send out numerous scripts to contests, and then, while working on the next project, I wait, anxiously. And I wait ... and I wait ... and I wait. Then the day comes to hear about how I did ... and I continue to wait.
BUT WAIT! There's no waiting with Script Savvy. What?! No Waiting? Nope. These smart folks have figured out how it feels to be us. This monthly competition has a fair prize for the monthly winner and when you figure it all out they're putting tens-of-thousands of dollars a year in cash and "stuff" into the pockets of us baby writers.
They process the scripts fast, are polite, correspond with the contestants and show great class in how they run their business.
One of the best things you can do is purchase the screenplay analysis. Eight to ten pages of concise critique and at the end there's a 24 point scoring sheet that provides a 1-10 evaluation of your work.
Donna White, the contest coordinator does a super job of making this work and for my money this is one of the best programs going.
Has anyone had any previous experience with this comp?
Author: John Wood
Posted: 04/17/2010 02:45 PM
I was surprised by the report card. I gained much more from it than I thought I would. It was very helpful.
I'm taking your suggestions and making changes to the script. I plan to send another in the near furture.
Thank you,
JW Wood
Ms. Lee,
Our apologies you did not feel your feedback was satisfactory. The fully two pages of page-by-page notes and the page of detailed analysis surely must've indicated to you that our analyst had indeed read the script; additionally, it must be noted that very little of the analysis was given over to any salient discussion of it being a "love story" or otherwise, but dealt mainly with character and plot dynamics. We must humbly disagree with your characterization of our feedback process as "irresponsible", given the countless kudos and thank you's we've received from feedback recipients. I think that if you look it over again, in the fullness of time, you'll find it has many valid points -- but if you do, and you still find it without merit, please contact us and we'll do what we can to remedy the situation. Thank you!
Compared with the analysis I received from BlueCat Competition this contest is so irresponsible making us wonder whether the person gave the feedback has ever read the script properly at all. The feedback kept discussing about the problems as a love story whereas my script is not at all a love story! It makes us think the person who gave the feedback does not have an understanding for sophistication in life and human relationship, and nor does she/he understand the intrigues of cultural difference. To us this is a good lesson.
It was fantastic to get professional notes, and while I didn't win I came into contact with very helpful insiders who went the extra mile. I would recommend this contest to anyone.
I was really disappointed by my feedback this time - not because it wasn't very positive, it was just so generic it was useless. I contacted Heather and she basically told me to stuff it. She said BlueCat was a contest first and foremost - they weren't there to offer analysis. But that's not how they promote themselves. Anyway, from this interchange, I've decided never to enter again. Compared to the helpful feedback I got from StoryPros, BC should be ashamed.
I won an honorable mention in their Sci-fi category this March (2010) and had a very good experience. I didn't even know an honorable mention was possible, but it is and their were some prizes associated with it (mostly just the script analysis). The staff were also very prompt to answer my questions and were even nice enough to notify me when a manager asked to read my script.
Still waiting to my script analysis back from them, but it's barely been two weeks since the winners were announced. Overall I've been very happy with their service. I would definitely recommend this contest to others.
I was a first place winner in the May - October 2009, Teleplay Short "Different Worlds Together." I found the professionalism, and correspondence at TWP exceptional. It's well worth the small fee, and you are dealing wth people who really care. Thank you to James Fischer and the rest of the group for the time and effort.
Contest:
Very well run. Instant confirmation of entry from MAPID/Ken Choy with personalized information. Easy to understand instructions. Thorough rules, regs, releases. Very professionally run program. Organizer did not disqualify and sought to correct a submission error. Appreciated the looking out.
If Script P.I.M.P.'s a scam, we should all quit!
Aspiring writers will not find a more complete, (script to production) professional outfit than S.P. - As a recommended writer, I'm convinced that my first big break will come with their help and expertise. Only the contest winner among thousands of entries can be fully satisfied with the outcome. One may not be happy with certain things, but Script P.I.M.P a scam? I don't think so.
Script P.I.M.P. is definitely not a scam. I've been working with Matt Misetich for over a year on my first screenplay, and I am completely convinced of his integrity, as well as the overall honesty and professionalism of the company. Their quality standards are extremely high, and I can personally attest to the level of frustration that can produce. But dreams are not necessarily deferred because of fraud. As for changing deadlines and the like, (re: Steven Bloome) I'm guessing it's all laid out in all that fine print I never read. I consider myself very fortunate to have stumbled on Script P.I.M.P.
My script, Power Trip, just recently won the Comedy division of this contest and within ten days of the results, I was receiving calls from prospective managers for writing samples and meetings. I cannot say enough about the contest or the people who run it. Both have exceeded expectations with regards to opening doors. Will update if/when I sign with someone . . .
Jim Patton
Contest:
My recommendation - stay away from this contest. After my co-writer and I won this contest in March '09 and were offered representation, nothing further happened. It was a waste of our time and resources. There are many far better contests out there.
Just wanted to comment on two recent comments here:
1. Dan Gomez - I actually read all of Mr. Gomez' comments on all competitions and find it very disturbing that he would call Final Draft's competition a scam among other high profile competitions and herein tries to say that by our updating our website to 2010 deadlines we are a scam. We update our site annually at the beginning of the year and have done so for 15 years running. We spend a year reading & judging and by the time we announce winners it's time to start reading and judging the next competition.
2. Anton Hill - He won 3rd Place in 2006. If we treated him so horribly by sending his script out to a few agents (not part of his prize winnings) to see if we could help him further, why did he enter again in 2007 and 2008 and attend our events thereafter and send us thank you emails?! I never promised Mr. Hill that we would send his script out until we found him an agent.
Author: Tim Davis
Posted: 03/16/2010 12:44 PM
Even though I didn't make it through to the semi finals I found the staff to be professional and helpful.
The script consulting they offer is some of the most insightful I've received so far and gave me new enthusiasm to go back to the drawing board! I can recommend it to everybody.
Contest: CAPE
I am echoing the previous comments.
I emailed them twice to ensure that they received my entry and there was absolutely no response.
One masssive red flag: they take only money orders for entry fees. No checks. No credit cards. Thus you have aboslutely no way of determining whther they received your entry or for that matter, read it.
Author: Jay Levy
Posted: 03/04/2010 02:08 PM
I entered this contest and placed 1st in the horror genre -- I really have no complaints. it did take awhile for the quarter and semi-finalist rounds to go through, but, from what I understand, they don't have outside readers.
I'm like a lot of people here, trying to get my writing break -- however, one thing I've learned, almost everything gets delayed. If I submit a short story to an anthology, I know for a fact I won't hear back by their deadline. Why? Because, it's never happened. If you expect 100 stories, you'll get 1000 - does that mean you should read them less thoroughly?
Regarding contacts, I emailed them at least four times, as well as several phone calls and had very quick, concise communications with everyone involved.
The one thing I've noticed on this site is how quickly people dismiss a contest when they don't do well in it. Let's be honest, if they receive 1500 scripts, less than 2% are ever going to get named - it's just a fact. Everyone wants to win, but almost all of us are going to lose almost all the time -- that's the life of a writer.
Contest:
I entered the January, 2010 contest and I just got my feedback the other day. The notes were really good. One thing people should know -- this contest is very competitive! I scored a 54 out of 60 and didn't come close to getting an honorable mention. Donna White informed me that the winner and the honorable mentions for January all received 58 or 59! This is the second time I've entered and I've been very satisfied both times. It's a well-organized contest that gives really good notes at an extremely reasonable price.
My short film script made it to the finals last year. Not only did they give All Access Passes to the finalists, but offerred them to the semi-finalists also. It's not very often that the finalists get free entry but the semi-fi's too - not bad. Besides the script fee was only $10 for my category, so who can compliain? I have already rented on of the winning films from last year - so, I'd say that they are legit!
For contest results go to www.filmmakers.com. The semi-finalists have been announced and the finalists will be announced on March 24th.
Contest:
I just received my feedback from the Script Savvy team and I wanted to share my experience with the Moviebytes community.
My feedback was was very positive. My script received 50 out of a possible 60 points. Although I didn't place in the top four, I was amazed at the in depth analysis I received and how helpful the notes were.
I'm excited by the notes I received and they have given me a renewed excitement to bring to my next rewrite.
Script Savvy's basic notes, which will cost you about $60 bucks, are the best deal in all of Hollywood when it comes to receiving notes for a reasonable cost.
I had a concern about my script being received and Donna answered my email within 24 hours.
This contest is extremely professional and accomplishes exactly what it claims to do -- it gives new writers a chance to have their material exposed and helps writers improve their scripts via their readers feedback.
I will most certainly enter this contest again. A complete class act.
David E. Zukofski
Contest:
I just receive my synopsis and it was well worth the $100.00. If you are serious about writing this is a must. And since the contest is monthly if you do not have the money just save a little each week until you have it. The recommendations they give are invaluable. Every screenwriter should use this it is an great asset.
I won the teleplay/short contest. The Writers Place kept me posted all throughout the contest and afterward. They are very pleasant and professional to work with. I highly recommend their contest.
Also very happy with this competition. Between the time I entered the contest and when I was announced as a Finalist, I changed the title and adjusted the logline of my script. As soon as they announced the Finalists I requested that they change the title and logline, and it was done immediately. Very attentive.
I was also a finalist in the 2009 competition, and my experience with it was very good. The seminar that was given to the finalists was excellent (and as Stephen notes, wasn't even listed as a prize). Well worth it. And while a fairly new competition, I entered it in the first place because I heard good things about how Jim had run the Screenwriting Expo competition when he was there. He's continuing to run a well-organized competition with Champion.
While I entered the contest, these comments relate more to the paid analysis. There are two outstanding features of the analysis I received. First, the analyst assigned to my script was clearly very intelligent as was made clear by her/his perceptive comments and by the great and thoughtful detail the analyst got into.
Second, most of the other paid-for coverage I've gotten was poorly written to the point where the logline and synopsis created by the coverage analysts were very poor examples of any kind of writing. Basically, most of it was just 'phoned in' with poor grammar, descriptions that were simply wrong, and a retelling of my script that was very often confused i.e. it seems like they read it days earlier one time and were going by memory only when they constructed their coverage). I would have been embarrassed to have somebody read this coverage not because of what it said about my script but because it was just such bad writing.
The analyst for ScriptVamp who provided my coverage created a good logline and summarized both what I did and was trying to do beautifully with excellent grammar and with great care. She/he is obviously a great writer so it gave her/his suggestions much greater weight. It was such a pleasure to have an analyst take such great care in how she/he wrote.
