Message Board

I've been using moviebytes for over a year and I just found this bulletin board! Okay, okay, a little slow I guess.

Still haven't seen a date announced for the next round and nobody responded to Stephen Hoover, so....guess it will happen when it happens. Good luck one and all. Sent a congrats email to Irin for placing 5....unbelievable.

Good luck to you too Robert! Hoping for the best, but at this point, happy to update my writing resume with three more semifinals. Besides, in family category, we have to contend with Irin's Junior Detectives, which has done very well in many contests...it already beat out my strongest script, Artifice, in A Feeding Frenzy. When I saw it in Family, my reaction was, "uh oh, I think I'm in the deep end of the pool!"

Kind of cool to find this community and communicate with other folks in the contests. Whether I advance or not, at least I can still pull for other people on this board. Easy to empathize because you know how much effort they put into their work! Again, best of luck!

Hi Robert...I also took a last minute shot as the contest was divided by genre, which has some appeal. Only entered two...one in Action/Thriller and one in Comedy.

I assume we're up against each other in comedy again! Best of luck...hopefully we'll both advance.

Steve

I need to check this board more often! Thanks for the congrats Janet...had no idea that my entries advanced!

Congrats to the Backstreet Screenwriting gang...saw a bunch of compadres...good luck everyone....Steve

Hi James...I did a Google search on the address and it popped up as a possible "Spring Break Scam." Interesting that the same mailing address appears in this other item. Sounds fishy....Caveat emptor. Steve

Here was the link and here was the write-up from one poster: http://www.eventspeak.com/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?forum=7&post_id=9753

Re: Spring Break Promos #6 Just popping in

Joined: 2006/2/16 18:03 From Georgia Group: Registered Users Posts: 2 Yes, this IS a scam!!!!!! I called the REAL National Event Staffing and they said that this guy does not work for them, and they're been getting MANY calls from other girls about this too.

I got the same email too here it is:

"We would like to contract you to work the Pacifico spring break promotion in Acapulco, March 13-20. You will be traveling with seven other models, rooming with one, and working either a day-time pool party (10am-3pm), or a night-time cantina promotion (7pm-12am) each day. The uniform is a Pacifico bikini with boy-short bottoms, a wife beater tank (optional), and a mesh-back trucker cap (optional). All accommodations at the resort including food will be covered, and you will be payed by check on the final day of the promotion. You can learn more about the product at www.mexicoviapacifico.com. If you already have a valid passport, we will just need to get your alcohol permit/work visa processed asap. Please forward your full legal name, date of birth, current address, contact phone number, passport number and expiration date or drivers license number/state and expiration date. We will file the sponsored paper work for you, but you will need to send a certified check/money order to the processing agency to cover the fee's. The cost of the permit is $195.00, and there is a $75.00 processing/expiditing fee. ($270.00 total) The permit takes about two weeks to process, so it needs to be recieved no later than next Monday, January 25 in order to get it back by mid-February. Make payment payable to Stamper Holding, and attach referrence# 336641314. Send it to: Stamper Holding, 7095 Hollywood Blvd, Suite 809, Los Angeles, CA 90028. Once your permit is processed, you will be provided with a contract and travel details. If you have any questions in advance, please give me a call.

Jay Bullock National Event Staffing (424)249-2317"



Hints that this is a scam: **He is emailing you from a ROCKETMAIL account how unprofessional is that?? (nationaleventstaffing@rocketmail.com) **3. Stamper Holding is not a real place (google it, you won't find it). **That phone number is his cell, **He wants the money like, right now.

Wow.. i feel very sorry for the REAL National Event Staffing company because this guy is going to wreck their reputation.

I can't believe you skeptical, cynical people. Irin, I just gave my bank account number to a philanthropic, Nigerian Prince who's trying to move his $$ from Nigeria to the U.S. secretly. I get ten percent of the $100 mil just for being a nice guy. You folks need to be more trusting.

Actually scary if people actually fall for that sort of thing...although someone said there's a sucker born every minute (P.T. Barnum maybe?). Nice catch on this screenplay contest...thanks for the heads up. Steve

P.S. Should the state attorney general be contacted for this type of thing...it would be nice to shut them down....we can't in good conscious go accusing anyone/everyone of wrong-doing (it just ain't right), but if we're 99% positive....hmmm.

I suspect both Janet and Martin are correct (yeah, I'm always the diplomat). Clearly some contests are much more organized and "ready" for the late onslaught than other contests. Like Janet, I also had a number make semis and finals last year....some I entered early....some at 10 minutes to deadline. Similar success rate regardless, but it may have been that I was entering the more organized contests late. I think I entered two in Screenplay Search on the very last day. Both made semis. That said, it really felt somewhat "risky" submitting late and I'm really trying to avoid that this year.

How 'bout those New Orleans Saints?

There. End of thread. Probably a good idea before you get the absolutely self-admitted maniacal card carrying Libertarian ranting on his soapbox about bloated, inefficient government (me). I can do that elsewhere, let's talk screenwriting.

No, I doubt you're ever 100% safe.....but I've signed quite a few "boilerplate" type releases when I've submitted requested material. That said, all of my scripts are both registered with the Writer's Guild and the U.S. Copyright Office. I suspect most on this board have signed releases when submitting material.

Congrats Scott!

Really crazy coincidence...I've never been to New Zealand and all of my scripts are bombing everywhere...big time! Coincidence? I think not.

Yes, kidding. Seriously...Script Savvy folks are awesome. I got numerous reads off of an honorable mention there. Hope you do even better....Steve H.

I agree with most everything posted thus far. Also agree that if you add feedback to the criteria list, Script Savvy and A Feeding Frenzy are tops. I also got a number of script requests when placing in those.

Note to Janet...I also read the comments for each of the contests. Sometimes there are just a handful, and they all go something like; "best contest I ever entered!". If you check all comments ever generated by these handful of commenters, you'll find it's their only comment. Fishy. Probably the organizer(s) and friends.

I'm offended. Why a hot dog? Why not Kielbasa? How typical, going after good old American fare so as not to offend the Polish people. Wait a second, as someone who is Jewish and of partial Polish decent, I have to disagree with Script Savvy on this one (and I have raved about their critiques). A few folks referenced Mel Brooks (The Producers) which is a good point....Bottom line: I think you should go with your gut (and hopefully I didn't offend anyone by not saying "go with your heart"). Nope, not a big fan of political correctness.

Janet...no reads at all? Argh! I've had some luck using an e-query service. There are a few out there. Not thrilled with an impersonal "Dear industry professional" query, but I've found if I put enough time into the query and it very succinctly and cleverly describes the script, it can entice them and I'll get requests. Sometimes only 4 or 5, but hey, it's better than nothing. I recommend putting some effort into the query - figure out a way to make it stand out from the thousands of queries they receive - hit send and hope for the best. Getting read has resulted in a couple of "we like your writing, what else have you got?". Good luck! Steve

Congratulations MBers...well done! Steve

I need to visit this board more often! Thanks everyone and congratulations to my fellow MBers! Hopefully we'll keep rolling...Steve

Congratulations Robert! Looking for you in the top 3 June 1. Good luck...Steve

Congratulations Robert and Susan....was pleased when I opened the email from Story Pros! Way to go...Steve

Still can't believe Hoover got 4 in there! Amazing....way to go!

I think we've all deduced that there is a bit of subjectivity when you have a script that makes finals in one contest and can't make second round of another. Robert said he didn't advance...was wondering if he entered "Picture You and Me", which just won Story Pros. That would be proof right there regarding subjectivity.

It's also clear that the competition is very tough....there are a lot of good writers just on this board based upon the same names popping up in later rounds fairly consistently. I've read a few scripts from a few folks and my first thought when reading them was "holy crap, no wonder it's so hard to win....this is freaking good."

Bottom line I get from all of this is: don't get discouraged when not advancing in a contest (although I'm familiar with that crappy feeling), use the energy when you do advance as a "kick in the ass" to get your new projects moving forward (KEEP WRITING), and continue to support your friends on these boards and writing groups. It's easy to empathize with compadres struggling to do the same thing, and, the networking could lead to something someday. You never know. Good luck to everyone who advanced. Steve

Was anyone stunned by not advancing based upon the notes they received....or vice versa and advance unexpectedly after receiving mediocre coverage?

Saw some notes that looked strong and the individual didn't advance. Mine were very predictable. They clearly liked two a lot and were pretty luke warm on the other two, so I had no surprises (which was actually fine with me).

Thanks for the examples. I did resubmit one of the entries and attempted to use their comments. The subsequent notes were even less flattering, so I knew that one was dead in the water! I signed up for Gordy's workshop and might use that one for the class.

''&.average pro script -- average -- coming across his desk is 99 times out of 100 better than the contest winning scripts he sees.''

Stephen,

No doubt there's a jump from top amateur to pro ranks, but that is complete rubbish based upon the crap that's being produced. I suspect I know which consultant fed you that line&.just watch the trailers for the movies being produced. Lots and lots of garbage. Steve

Some good points in here. I can imagine that a script can be ruined by the time it makes the big screen. That said, watching the trailers does leave me scratching my head quite a bit and saying "you've got to be kidding."

Marketable and Amazing? always pick one or the other. Crap! No wonder this is so diffilcult. That's actually a very good point. Probably lots of amazing scripts out there that they're certain would never make a ripple in the marketplace when produced.

Blue Cat announces semis in two days.....good luck everyone.

Don't know what to tell you bro. I just checked the comment board for Fade In...pretty mixed reviews. The lack of returned phone calls is a concern. Emails could have gone to a spam folder. Steve

I haven't stumbled across "Writing Comedies for Dummies" yet, but...

There are many different types of comedy, some subtle and some not so subtle. Definitely no formula. I'll be laughing so hard while writing something, but the key test is for my wife to read it. If she laughs too, it stays in the script.

I was flying cross country a few weeks ago and was working on a script....I couldn't stop laughing at one scene. People probably thought I was completely insane. The scene was purely slapstick, but not visual. You could see what was about to happen, but then the POV switched to someone witnessing the event. The sounds were there and the reaction of the spectator were visible, so you knew what was happening. Fun stuff. Bottom line is don't be afraid to go over the top. Be silly. Be crazy. Let loose (with the writing, not flatulence, although, that can be funny too). Bottom line...have fun. P.S. You said you were a serious guy...even if you took a character that was serious....and took it to the complete extreme, completely over the top, hell, make him morbid...that could be funny.

Congrats Andrew! At least we have won Moviebyter to root for.

I crapped out, 0 for 3. My weakest of the three made top 10% according to the P.S., the middle one received two positive reads and the strongest got nada, zero, zilch in the P.S. department. It is a political satire that has really pissed off a few readers....and has done very well in contests if I can get past their bias.

Mike...how've you been?!?!

Congrats on advancing, that's awesome.

As for the political satire, those that can get past page 10 have called it extremely well balanced. If they lean too much one way, they might not make it that far. The good news is that it's generating some interest of late. We'll see!

Way to go with the new script. I just completed two new ones...going the Script Savvy route to get the notes so I can strengthen them. Good luck...hopefully you'll make it to Semifinals! Steve

Thanks everyone! Congrats to the other m-byters - it looks like we're well represented!

Don't despair Irin, you've been on an incredible roll lately. You shouldn't even view this as a bump in the road. I think my next script will be called, "When I grow up, I wanna be just like Irin Evers." Not quite as long a title as your Staten Island script, but close!!

Awesome Robert! Way to go....Steve

I got 3 rejection letters (and a received a 4th rejection where I took a stab at Latitude award). Still waiting on script #4 and no mail on Monday. It is my one that's done the best elsewhere (Artifice), so hopefully.....

Whatever! Good luck to my comprades who are still awaiting that "other" letter - I hope it's a phone call for you instead!! To those who already know for sure they came up completely empty, hang in there. I tanked with a few scripts that have done very well in other contest. Luck of the draw (readers) sometimes and the competition is tough, as we all know.

"I'm curious- is it worth going to Austin if you're a second rounder? Or is it better to go as a semi finalist? "

I've heard nothing but positives on this contest. I'm considering going if my other script made second round. Second round is still top 10%.

Thanks Heather and Irin...I'm leaning towards going. Steve

I just made reservations so look forward to meeting some moviebyters there! ARTIFICE made second round but that was the end of the road. It's still in semis at Page though....just enough to remain hopeful! Later! Steve

Robert...I just read your tale of woe!! I'll take a Sharpie and write "Perennial 2nd rounder" on your badge!! See you there....Steve

From what I can tell, it looks like Irin, Melissa, Heather and Stephen Hoover are still waiting for notification. Here's hoping you four made it through to semis! It seems they could have done the notifications a little better. The waiting must be excruciating.

Looking forward to meeting some of the gang in Austin. Irin directed me to the article Heather wrote a few years ago re: AFF. It's very helpful and I recommend it. On Irin's and Heather's recommendation I went back and upgraded to a producer's badge. I rationalized that there would be food at the additional events for producer badge holders, which would reduce meal expenses (work with me here, I had to sell this to my wife). The discount on the Producer badge for 2nd round was helpful too. Thanks you guys! Steve

Irin wrote: "Can't we just buy Austin Film Fest t-shirts to make it up to our wives?! "

I like it! "My husband went to Austin Film Fest and all I got was this steenkin' t-shirt." Sounds like a potential line from Machete II - quick, send it to Alvaro. He'll owe us big time!

We should start a new thread in a couple weeks to determine who's attending from moviebytes. If Heather starts the thread, wait until after having coffee!

See you in Austin Marjory. Looks like MB will be well represented there! Steve

Congrats Stephen! Just sent an email too but this is more public. Way to go! Steve

Congrats Stephen, Heather and Melisa! Irin...what's the story bro? Why are they torturing you?

Paula....thanks for the tips! Very useful.

Irin...are you back with us yet? Will shoot you an email. It stinks the way this thing went, but trying to figure out a way to get you to go to Austin. It will definitely be worth it based upon all the comments posted, some of which are your own!

Holy Cow....that's some awesome generosity. Since everyone is feeling so generous, I thought I'd jump in to the fray.

Irin, Michael...you can BOTH buy me a beer in Austin. Wow, that really does feel pretty good!

Seriously, I'm buying...good luck with the child care Irin. Steve

already sent Mike congrats....congrats to John, Chris and Scott too!

Irin....a ping pong paddle and hip waders. But if we show up wearing the same thing, this could be really embarrasing.

Both my entries advanced. One was a brand new, first draft...the other is much more mature! Good luck everyone.

Well done Mark!

Cheryl and James,

Don't waste your time. Here's a compilation of comments:

http://www.moviebytes.com/ContestDetail.cfm?CommentsTab=TRUE&ContestNumber=807&UserNumber=57376&UserComments=TRUE

MBers rule! Congrats Marjory, James and Scott! Steve

Austin was awesome. And yes, Irin was losing his voice. My strategy was to make very controversial political comments when he'd lost his voice so he could only screech in protest. Unfortunately I lost my voice too!!

Really glad I went. Met the whole moviebytes gang (and their cohorts who haven' been on moviebytes or are lurking) and now it's nice to match names with faces. What a great group of folks we have. Met tons of people outside moviebytes too, including finalist Shane McCabe of Ireland. He's an absolute wild man. We really hit it off. I kept getting texts and calls from him the whole conference; "where the F are you?" Definitely a mover and shaker and making inroads in the industry. He introduced me to a few folks too, including "Randy" as he called him. How the hell was I supposed to know it was Randall Wallace?

Anyway, spoke with Randall Wallace at length about Secretariat as I'm a horse racing historian and my wife and I were in horse racing for nearly 25 years. I had to be careful not to nitpick the movie on accuracy as we enjoyed it very much. Actually mentioned that the historian in me caught places where the movie deviated from reality, but the writer in me could explain why they did it. There was one item I really wasn't crazy about - he said they wanted to do it the way I suggested, but copyright laws made it cost prohibitive. He's very down to earth and it was a treat to talk with him. John Woldenberg was at one of my roundtables and he was quite nice and helpful. I later saw him back at the hotel and he took me over to meet Phil Rosenthal and Monica Horan (Everyone Loves Raymond).

Congratulations Marjory! Steve

Who's Stephen Hoover?

Obviously kidding! Good luck bro. Will remain in touch....Steve

Thanks you guys! It was actually Margie who turned me on to attempting a short when we met in Austin. Never tried one before.

Wrote it in about 45 minutes while flying home from there. Thought they were going to sedate me on the flight as I couldn't stop laughing. Later! Steve

This is too cool. Unfortunately won't be there to see the premiere. Congratulations Margie!

Awesome Janet! Way to go....Steve

Congrats everyone! Irin and I were emailing about the high rate of success of this bunch. Only 25% advance yet this group must be boasting a very high percentage. I know not everyone advanced, but I saw a number of folks were hitting at 100%. I went three for four (interestingly, the one I thought was the strongest and has done well elsewhere did not advance!)....but I'll bet as a group, we're in the 70-80 percent range. Unfortunately we'll (or I'll) be dropping like flies in the coming weeks as it gets really tough!! Had a semifinalist last year...would be cool to repeat. Good luck everyone....Steve

Congrats Irin and everyone else who advanced. I saw Heather and Kate made quarterfinals as well! My short made it through, and coincidentally, yesterday was our first day of filming it. Everything went without a hitch and we were right on schedule. Early detailed planning/scheduling really paid dividends. Second/final day of filming is tomorrow. Cast/crew of 17 and two long days of filming....for a measly 6-page script! Incredible. Good luck making semi's to the MBers that stil remain. Steve

Congrats Edward...and congrats to you too Margie!

Margie..day 2 of shoot went as well as 1st. Awesome crew and cast. And you provided the title way back when! Thanks again....Steve

Congrats Edward...and congrats to you too Margie!

Margie..day 2 of shoot went as well as 1st. Awesome crew and cast. And you provided the title way back when! Thanks again....Steve

Congrats Edward...and congrats to you too Margie!

Margie..day 2 of shoot went as well as 1st. Awesome crew and cast. And you provided the title way back when! Thanks again....Steve

Thanks Heather! It was a blast to film!

See you in Austin? I guess we're all waiting to see if we advanced before commiting. Steve P.S. Tell Kate I said hey.

Mine snuck in..looks like a pretty long list though! Congrats. Irin...are you in?

Got a note from Shane McCabe letting me know I advanced and that we're in the same genre.

Mine snuck in..looks like a pretty long list though! Congrats. Irin...are you in?

Got a note from Shane McCabe letting me know I advanced and that we're in the same genre.

Thanks y'all! Congrats TJ, Matt, Irin and June....and anyone else who advanced! If Irin beats me it won't be the first time! Good luck everyone! Steve

Congrats Lana, Margie, and Valerie!

Bummer Irin...not used to you not advancing. You just never know with these things. Guess we've both had some that went far in some contest and the same script goes nowhere in other contests.

Does anyone know how many entries they received?

Mine is a thriller....terrorist with a twist. Good luck everyone...Steve

Congrats on 2nd round Lana and Natasha....

Matt and Robert Keith Watson....way to go on semis! I crashed and burned this year but at least I have a rooting interest!

Irin....no repeat of last year with the torturous "lost letters?" That was crazy and disappointing.

Congrats everyone....I need to check these boards more often. I haven't gotten any email updates so didn't know I advanced until I just checked here! Val, Margie and Lana...I also noticed Shane McCabe is in there in our genre as well! Terrific guy...met him at Austin last year.

Shane is a riot. Quite a character....he introduced me to some guy named Randy when we were in Austin. "Randy Wallace....meet my new friend Steve Hochman. Steve meet Randy." When they started talking about Secretariat I asked what his involvement was with the film. They looked at me like I had two heads. "i uh..I uh directed it?" DIdn't realize it was Randall Wallace. Later on, everyone was calling him "Mr. Wallace" or "Randall" if they knew him well. But not Shane!

I was wondering too Natasha.....I received comments on my one submission the other week. They were quite strong so I was optimistic, but still don't know! Good luck...hopefully soon. Steve

Congrats y'all. I'm out but still have a rooting interest with you guys still alive. I shot Shane an email...they moved him from one genre to another and wanted to make sure he noticed and didn't mistakenly think he got bumped. Way to go! Steve

Congrats Irin!

I only submitted my strongest script which usually does well, but it didn't advance. No worries....later!

Congrats you guys!

Looks like the showdown between Irin and me never materialized...we both got bumped! Argh!

Kudos to Michael Coleman as well...he advanced in sci-fi!!