Message Board

Assume you've seen the message regarding delays on their website by now. I entered but have heard nothing yet.

Also received notification today from America's Best and have already left a message asking about number of screenplay entries. If I find out anything, I'll keep you posted, so to speak.

Check again and keep your fingers crossed for those of us who have entered their competition (see taoslandandfilm.com). Winners are posted for 1998, but not for 1999, and last update was posted May 25, 1999.

For those of you who aren't familiar with The Writers Foundation because you haven't requested an entry form for America's Best Screenwriting Competition, this is straight from the brochure:

"The Writers Foundation, Inc., a not-for-profit, educational and charitable public foundation, is dedicated to supporting and encouraging writers of all disciplines. The Writers Foundation strives to focus attention on the importance of writers in our society and the immense contributions they make to our worldwide community."

For those who haven't already done so, I encourage you to send an SASE so you can receive an entry form and read more about The Writers Foundation, as well as the letter from Robert Cope, the president.

Furthermore, as the officer of a small corporation operated by my husband and myself, I can assure you that an operation doesn't have to be big to be legitimate. But maybe I'm just naive.

Received quarter-finalist notification last year in a letter dated August 15. Maybe this will give you some idea of what to expect, if anything.

Congrats on being a semi-finalist co-author in the Scriptapalooza competition, Aaron! Why didn't you just say so in the first place? And what a great title -- can't wait to see it.

Recommend you stay at the Driskill if rooms are still available and it's within your budget, especially if that's where the conference is being held this year. I went the first three years and the conference was really beneficial, but it became so BIG that it became frustrating just to find a seat at any given seminar...However, it still provided me with lots of avenues for inspiration, which is of primary importance to any writer.

That's the Austin Heart of Film Festival and Screenwriter's Conference to which I'm referring, not the other one.

I like the fact that they distributed loglines of the entries throughout the industry last year when I entered, although I don't know whether they still do so. As a result, I was contacted by a producer in the Chicago area. I also like what they stand for in general.

Have entered and can share the info I have if you tell me how to get it to you, but a visit to their website would probably serve just as well.

Yes, indeed -- kudos to Frederick and moviebytes.com. I know I will be forever grateful!

Going out on a limb to add a more positive note, I entered my screenplay in several categories last year and received enough really nice film festival posters to make my office look like an aspiring screenwriter works there.

Of course, having earned one honorable mention, four quarter-finalist and one semi-finalist notification from other organizations, I simply rewrote and re-submitted, although not to them or any other organization that expressed no interest in my work.

I make it a point never to take lack of interest personally because the process is so subjective in nature. I know there are people out there who do have an interest and I have every intention of finding them.

Meanwhile, I'm grateful for whatever I receive along the way, whether it's a notification letter or a certificate or a few posters with really great graphics that brighten my day when I walk into my office ready to write.

Que sera, sera!

Having already entered and received results from their synopsis contest, I suggest that you consider entering it first because it's a relatively easy and inexpensive way to gauge their reaction to your work. Judging from the low marks they gave me, I have lots of work to do before I even think about entering their screenwriting competition. But that's okay..."One monkey don't stop no show!" (Bette Midler)

Sounds like announcement dates are as important to you as they are to me. Just got an e-mail from Marc Madnick at Final Draft noting that announcement of winners will come sometime in October due to influx of scripts, as well large amount expected in last two weeks.

So has anyone received a quarter-finalist notification from the Nicholl Fellowships' screenwriting competition, which are due sometime in July?

Having also entered Square Magazine's screenwriting competition, I can only say I'm just hoping for the best at this point. However, it's good to know there are others who join me in keeping a finger on the pulse...

Congrats to you, Darryl!

For those of you who didn't receive a letter because you didn't enter, surely Greg Beal wouldn't mind my sharing the following info: The Nichol Fellowships had 4,150 entries this year, with a record 244 advancing to the quarterfinal round. Their method of scoring is really interesting as well. Just wish the entrants had access to the scores afterward because I believe we would surely benefit from them.

Does anyone have any information to share about Stormline and Rich Cody? Can anyone recommend the best resource to learn more about production companies, producers, etc.? If Hollywood Creative Directory is the hands-down favorite, is it worth the investment for novice screenwriters if you have to purchase a new one every year?

Does anyone have any information to share about Stormline and Rich Cody? Can anyone recommend the best resource to learn more about production companies, producers, etc.? If Hollywood Creative Directory is the hands-down favorite, is it worth the investment for novice screenwriters if you have to purchase a new one every year?

Considering the fact that earlier this week Fran hadn't even cashed the check I sent in early June, I doubt she's out shopping for a BMW.

However, when I e-mailed her to get a physical address for FedEx delivery purposes, I was told to mail my screenplay to the p. o. box provided on her website.

While I understand p.o. boxes might be a way of avoiding personal deliveries and while I dislike making negative predeterminations, I've since decided not to send any more entries to p. o. boxes unless the competition is really well established and has a really great reputation.

Regarding p.o. boxes, please note:

Although it's off the subject (Fran Harris Fantasy), the only other competition I entered with a p.o. box is Cyclone's...Also, LA Films International has so far failed to respond to my request for a physical address rather than a p.o. box, so that's one competition I'll skip.

However, on a more positive note:

Cheryl Read at Laughing Horse Productions in Seattle very graciously provided a physical address last year when I entered their competition. Also, although Monterey Film Commission has a p.o. box, I was left with a good impression of their competition.

Now back to the subject at hand...

I entered Fran Harris's competition because I live in Texas and want to support as many Texas-based screenplay competitions as possible, especially those operated by women like Fran Harris whose profiles interest me.

Any info? Any comments?

Found a submission request May 14 that had an April 1 deadline. Oops!

A standing ovation for the two authors of RUNAWAY BRIDE, the most entertaining movie of the summer...and maybe the year!

Did you actually see RUNAWAY BRIDE, Tim, or was it just too commercial, formulaic and otherwise lacking in pseudo-intellectualism?

Personally, I'll opt for a really good laugh any day over being frightened out of my wits...

Peter, truer words were never spoken...I'll take NOTTING HILL any day over EYES WIDE SHUT. (See comments about Josann McGibbon and Sara Parriott.)

If anyone happens to hear anything about the status of their "finalist" notification, which was actually more like a semi-finalist notification, please let me know. Thanks!

The brochure says winners will be announced in July 1999, but we all know how that goes. And I would still like to know how many entries they had in the screenwriting competition, if anyone stumbles across the information.

Am relying on fellow visitors to this website to spread the word if anyone happens to hear from Disney this month regarding their finalist status for the Disney Fellowship. Thanks!

They didn't respond to my e-mail request for a physical address for a FedEx delivery so I decided not to enter. (The post office has delivered a couple of scripts in unacceptable condition -- soaking wet in one case and open envelope in another -- so I prefer not to use the postal service.) My recent experience has been that the few competitions with p.o. boxes will provide a physical address for a FedEx delivery.

Saw it on TV recently and really enjoyed it. Does anyone know who the writer(s) is(are)?

Saw it on TV recently and really enjoyed it. Does anyone know who the writer(s) is(are)?

Hilarious -- laugh-out-loud funny -- if you enjoy droll humor, don't miss it!

Sent my synopsis to a prodco with a new listing here (thanks to the kind and gentle souls at moviebytes!) and received an immediate response saying they would be happy to review my screenplay, so I FedExed it in short order. My multiple-part question is:

Do I wait for a response from the prodco that expressed an interest before I e-mail my synopsis to other prodcos whose project descriptions match that of my screenplay?

Exactly what do prodcos mean when they say they're looking for projects that haven't been "shopped around"? And is it to my advantage that my screenplay hasn't been "shopped around"? And does entering screenplay competitions count as "shopping around"?

A note of appreciation to anyone who cares to take the time to answer my question(s)!

FYI: Our letters arrived July 19, little more than a month ago. But having waited for more than one competition to finish the judging process long after the date announcements had been promised, I can sure understand your frustration.

A sincere note of appreciation to the Austin Heart of Film Screenplay Competition for being organized enough to stay on schedule regarding notifications. (Mine arrived today.)

Square Magazine's Aug. 21 notification date for all entrants has come and gone. Does anyone have any new info?

Aaron and Eric,

Inquiring minds want to know --

When you list your notification from America's Best on your resume, will you refer to it as a semi-finalist or finalist notification? (Feel free to say if it's none of my business!)

Although the letter we received referred to it as a finalist notification, I have been referring to it as a semi-finalist notification because the top 50 finalists would be selected from our group.

However, I must say I like the positive spin they put on it!

Same here. I'd feel as if I was over-promising, otherwise.

Hey, Aaron, great detective work! Would you care to do the rest of us a big favor by telling us the name of the competition in which you had this experience? And if you don't want to go public, please consider e-mailing me with the name. Thanks!

Have read two of the required four screenplays. However, I find graphic violence to be offensive, so I may never gain access to the good screenplays if I have to read any of the remaining ones posted.

David, Have entered numerous competitions and have had more personal success with smaller ones, most of which offer little prize money. At the same time, I've managed to accumulate a string of seven semi-finalist, quarter-finalist and honorable mentions for my resume. Also, the notifications I've received -- especially the very first one! -- have provided a little extra boost of encouragement during times when I needed it most. Meanwhile, I continue rewriting...but not with prize money as a primary motivator.

Eric, if you haven't picked up your snail mail, don't read this until later.

But if you have, allow me to be among the first to congratulate you for making the Top 100 in this year's America's Best!

Also, since you and I are based in the same state, maybe we could exchange localized information if you're willing to exchange e-mail addresses.

Please e-mail information and/or experiences re: this company. Thanks!

Thanks to the kind and gentle souls at moviebytes as well as Hollywood Lit. Sales, I received an immediate request for a script and two immediate requests for a longer synopsis after e-mailing a query letter with a two-sentence synopsis. Of course, my initial e-mails were responses to their postings for very specific kinds of screenplays. (As we all know, targeting your message to the right audience will always get a bigger response than a general inquiry.) However, for those who have failed to respond via e-mail, I plan to try Frederick's snail mail approach.

Terry, Regarding the timing of competition entries with reference to deadlines, please note:

My former acountant has a theory that the sooner you file your taxes, the more likely you are to gain the attention of the IRS via an audit, and the later you file, the less likely you are to gain their attention.

Based on his theory, my own theory regarding screenplay competition entries has always been the sooner, the better. However...my most recent competition notification directly contradicts my theory!

Also, I recall a situation in 1994 in which Max Adams ("Excess Baggage," 1997) was the winner of both the Nicholls and the Austin Heart of Film competitions, at which point I seem to recall "Excess Baggage" was optioned.

I've always wondered if, in a similar situation, one could possibly postpone signing any options arising from the first competition until learning the final outcome in any subsequent competitions that show an equal amount of promise. (Of course, as a novice screenwriter, my imagination does tend to go off on tangents.)

The bottom line is -- maybe there are options regarding options!

By the way, Terry, congrats on your recent successes! Success stories like yours are always good to hear.

Has anyone who entered their competition received the feedback they promised to all entrants?

My e-mail inquiry was returned and I have received no response to the message I left on their machine. Am waiting to see if snail mail will bring the critique promised all entrants, which I thought would justify the otherwise exhorbitant $100 entry fee. Although the number of entrants remains unannounced, I suspect the number was less than expected due to the entry fee.

Thanks, Stevie, sounds good to me.

And on a related note, a question for our fearless leader Frederick:

I noticed the Agency Screenplay Competition's posting has been removed from the list of competitions. Any idea why? (Past experience tells me that most postings remain on your website from year to year.)

Stevie, Received an e-mail today from Marilyn in Diana Christopher's office saying that critiques would be mailed when they receive them from the judges.

Regardless of whether your screenplay won or lost, you should have received a letter from Disney and America's Best by now. Not sure about Writer's Network, though...

Whatever happened to compassion, acceptance, respect and tolerance?

Here's an excerpt from a poem by Mexican poet Amado Nervo in which he speaks of the journey's end:

"Because I see at the end of my rough road that I was the architect of my own destiny; if I extracted the honey or the gall from things it was because I put the taste of honey or gall there; when I planted roses, roses always grew."

I would add only this: Is it possible to be a really good screenwriter (storyteller) without appreciating the uniqueness that dwells inside each of us?

My notification letter from The Writer's Network competition last year was dated October 1, which is the date they promised finalist notifications this year, according to The Writer's Network materials I have in my files.

I realize their posting at this website says September, but competitions sometimes fail to update their info at this website, so it's a good idea to keep files and to cross-check the info whenever possible.

My recommendation is to write a really provocative two- or three-sentence synopsis. Sit down at your keyboard and don't get up until you've written twenty or thirty different variations with various sentence structures and the most compelling adjectives you can produce, not only out of your head and heart, but also out of your thesaurus.

I recently rewrote my synopsis because I was bored with the previous one. Afterward, I generated several responses, including the following rejection that brightened my day considerably: "Your pitch was eloquent...one of the most well worded we've received." (It's always nice to improve the quality of the rejections you get!)

Rodney King?

Michael:

I would never stoop so low as to call myself a lady! However, I'm presuming your comment regarding "intolerance of his intolerance" was directed toward me as well as the other women on the board.

So, in response to your comment, please be aware that my rhetorical question of Sept. 22 ("Whatever happened to compassion, acceptance, respect and tolerance?) was intended to advocate tolerance of the intolerant.

Realizing that I might have left myself open to misinterpretation, I'll definitely weigh my choice of words more carefully from now on.

Meanwhile, everyone, I'll look forward to someday seeing the same level of passion in your work that you invest in airing your opinions.

Having entered numerous competitions, including many of those you referenced, I can say that my experiences have been mostly positive ones, mainly because I wholeheartedly love the challenge.

If I were in your position, I would first submit my entry, then toast myself for having the courage to compete.

But if you're not into competing, then go the "Who's Buying What" route. Either way...

"The race is not to the swift, but to those who keep on running."

Try the next Fantasy competition, for which the deadline is December 1. I received my script analysis today for the earlier competition,which was well worth the investment.

Excuse me, Kevin, but as a former member of the Fourth Estate with a lifelong career in communications, I support D.G. and anyone else who wants to speak their mind.

It would be really great if the visitors to this bulletin board were as forthcoming with their profiles as they are with their opinions...

Michael, Thanks for the thought, but bowing isn't necessary. An ordinary handshake will do just fine, although I don't think that's what you had in mind.

Frederick,

Given the fact that not all competitions provide quarter-finalist and/or semi-finalist notices, please consider listing notification categories for each competition. (Am assuming entrants would benefit from extra encouragement provided by q-f, s-f and honorable mention notices.)

Also, where applicable, please consider listing last year's planned vs. actual notification dates. Such a reference might help entrants anticipate when to expect results and might reduce amount of e-mail to competitions when they miss their notification dates, as some do.

Frederick,

In addition to a category for competitions that provide notification to others besides finalists, I also suggest a category for competitions that are open only to writers who have not earned money writing for TV or film. (For example, this is the primary requirement of the Monterey Co. Film Commission's competition.)

Surely there is more than one competition that makes this requirement, and surely there are other novices like myself who would like to benefit from having the playing field leveled somewhat!

And is it just my imagination, or is there a recognizable difference between a competition open to everyone and a competition open only to writers who haven't earned money writing for TV or film?

Ah, there's nothing like the smell of a good conspiracy theory to stir up the status quo!

What if Leonard Parker is really DG's alter ego? (DG said he was going salmon fishing, but maybe he took a laptop with him!)

And could Samson Ellis be the screen name of a wealthy and benevolent humanitarian who wishes to hide his true identity? (Having once written deposition summaries for one of the many Howard Hughes lawsuits, I strongly suspected he might have staged his death...)

Seriously, the grain of truth that lies therein is that we're all promoting ourselves via the messages we leave on these boards, whether we recognize it or not. Can anyone know for sure who's posting messages? And who's reading them? And given the unknowns, is there any logic in finding fault with self-promoters and/or fault-finders? Are we jousting with windmills or what?

Anyhow, Leonard Parker, whoever you are, I wish you all the best that the world has to offer.

And now, here's an excerpt from David Garza's "Butterflies" ("Just Say Love," 1991):

"Utter lies are like butterflies They just both die in a couple of days.

Keeping your opinions to a quiet little hush is like brushing your teeth with a razor and shaving with a toothbrush."

Does anyone have any positive, constructive networking advice for those of us who would just as soon endure the dentist's drill as attempt to promote our screenplays face-to-face with industry pros?

(Sidenote: Have shared an elevator with Shane Black, bought a beverage for Chris McQuarrie, sat at the same luncheon table as Whit Stillman, talked with Al Reinart, and corresponded briefly via e-mail with Pen Densham, yet here I sit...now you know why I like screenplay competitions so much!)

Totally. Amazing. And. Totally. Mesmerizing.

Did anyone enter? Has anyone heard anything about the outcome?

Anyone heard anything? Anyone know anything? Anyone?

Any news?

Left a phone message earlier this month which was not returned. If they aren't in a position to furnish what they promised, then at least they could provide information regarding the status.

Still waiting for critique promised a couple of months ago.

Still waiting...

Hello...anyone home?

Tried to contact Ms. Christopher today via a cell phone no. that turned out to be someone else's now. Left another message.

See the Agency Competition is no longer among those listed, for whatever reason. For those unaware, she conducted a competition last year with a $100 entry fee and promised a critique that never arrived.

It's been almost a year since I submitted my screenplay, so my patience has been exhausted. Caveat emptor - let the buyer beware.

Persistence pays off and there's a reason for everything, as my mother used to say.

Diana just returned my call. Long story made short -- I have records that my check was cashed and my FedEx delivery was received, but there seem to be no other records of my entry in the competition. I am re-submitting my screenplay along with a request for a critique. Hopefully I won't have to wait another year to get it.

Please share any experiences you might have had with this organization, positive or otherwise. Thanks.