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To answer your question, Axel, I found out that 126 isn't good enough. A bit disappointing.

Nathan, thanks for the reply. I was in Comedy.

Figured it was close. Wish you the very best in the semis.

Top 10% in each category make the semis.

Here is the link, if it works.

http://www.fresh-voices.com/2011screenplaycompetition/2011scjudgingprocess.html

Nicely done, Paul.

Paul, and others, I'm an admitted newbie at this, so maybe you could give me some guidance.

I too submitted to Page before I really felt ready, mainly because their original deadline was March 31. Then, on the last day, they extended the deadline an entire month. I thought, geez, it would have been nice to have the extra time.

Why do contests extend deadlines, sometimes even "final" deadlines? Are some more notorious for it than others? (I didn't expect it from Page). Can you ever count on a deadline being extended? What is the best way to play this?

Thanks and best of luck to you and all. Scott

This is a strange world for me, because in every other endeavor I've been involved in, deadlines meant deadlines. Statutes of limitation at law, for instance.

IIRC, Page at one time called March 31 their "final deadline". Scriptapalooza, on the other hand said "April 19 in the final deadline, and it will not be extended", and they meant it.

I don't mean to pick on Page, as my overall experience with them has been good.

Thanks for the replies.

If Page does the right thing and simply makes full disclosure in advance that there will be multiple "deadlines", this conversation wouldn't be happening.

I'm up against you in Drama. I'm so honored and excited. Congrats and good luck in the semis.

Paul, thanks for the note and info.

I don't feel intimidated, but only because I'm like the little kid who isn't afraid of the ball until he takes one in the chops. Being a relative newbie, I'm not as familiar with our competition as you are.

I really like the atmosphere of this board, as the people are so supportive of each other.

Congrats and best wishes to all.

Marjory, Thanks! You made my day.

Mike, good luck tomorrow. We're head to head in SP Comedy.

Hi Paul,

I like #1, as I am much given to Shakespearean quotes.

I don't think #2, a knock off of Dostoeyevsky (sp?) works.

#4, "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished" has become a popular expression and might be ripe for a movie title.

Just my opinion. Good luck tomorrow, Scott

Gotta hand it to you, Paul. You've got... swagger!

Paul,

Thank you so much. You're a great guy--and a great writer.

All the best,

Scott

Paul, Zeke's in comedy, you're in drama. Wouldn't it be enough just to win your division? haha

"Diamond Express" and "Drum" look to be well credentialed (sp?) opponents, btw.

Thank you, Julia. It is a pleasure and honor to compete with you.

And I love the atmosphere of this board.

Paul, I assume you're on Blue Cat's mailing list.

Check out the story about "Zekeness" and his new film "Gaybe", which appears in the newsletter captioned "Selling Your Script".

Pretty funny.

Like his real last name is Apatow? haha

To Paul, Good luck tonight.

To Julia, If you enter Blue Cat in time for the Title Contest, be sure to vote for your favorite title(s). hehe

Maryann, You are quite persuasive on this. Think I will convert to double spacing. I think that is correct when writing ordinary prose anyway.

I wonder how much difference single vs.double spacing would really make in overall page count.

I haven't experimented with it, but I can't imagine it would be more than a page or two.

If this were a script, I would at this point have my comic relief character say:

"Why don't you guys get a room?"

http://messageboard.donedealpro.com/boards/showthread.php?t=68149

According to this post on Done Deal Pro, Page will email those who passed the First Round (25%) on July 9-10, in advance of posting their Quarterfinalists (10%) on July 15. Is this authentic? Maybe some Page veterans can tell us.

Thanks, Marjory.

Maybe I should break down and join Facebook.

Good luck to you also, although, from what I know about you, I doubt if you'll need it.

Like Paul, I borrowed two cents.

I thought about this one, intrigued that it is from the UK, but decided my ego can only take so many in which only about 2% survive the first cut.

Maybe next time.

Checking in. Got there.

Congrats to all others.

Fantastic, Julia. That makes twelve of us, if I've got the math right.

Dirty Dozen? Terrible Twelve?

Paul,

An interesting little horse race it should be.

Don't forget our friends Nathan (X2), Sundae (X3), Zeke, Minaskanian, a bunch of others.

A loaded field. Good luck.

Paul,

Quit your sandbagging. I figure I'm about to take another drubbing fron "The People vs.God". About my 4th.

I'd just like to hit the board underneath you for an exacta.

It's going to be a lucky day for someone with the $2,500 winner take all prize.

This is the first effort for what was intended to be a monthly event limited to 100 entries. It is put on by a reputable group, the Screenplay Festival organization.

It appears they've had some difficulties and this could be a one night stand, though I hope not. The $100 entry fee probably doesn't help.

Even after an extension and relaxing their entry procedure, they only got 57 entries. Part of their program is to publish a full list of those entered.

Despite its small number, this is an awesomely tough field, based on what I know about some of the players in it.

Good luck to MBers involved, and to the contest itself.

Time to man up and prove I'm a sport.

Even if I didn't prove I'm a writer.

Congrats and best wishes to all who advanced. Particularly to Mike, I think I have some idea how much this means to you.

Paul, I'll bite.

Please send me the script in PDF, Scott

Sounds like good info, but I'm missing something here.

To ask a dumb question, what is the market for shorts? Where are they exhibited?

Marjory, Thanks for the detailed reply, Scott

Julia, I would be pleased to have a look at it, Scott

I received two sets of feedback from Page judges.

Both referred to the need for "bolds" and "capitalizations".

Nice going, Marjory.

Nobody deserves it more.

Got there in Drama.

I agree with Lana. Nice to break a losing streak, after choking on the big ones.

Julia, looks like we're destined to knock heads yet again. No fair playing passive/aggressive, lol.

Good luck to all.

Paul,

Their rules said: "Sandbaggers need not apply".

Figured that's why you weren't there.

(Just kidding).

That is hard to believe, that you could WIN your genre in both StoryProsAwards and Fresh Voices, come in 2nd out of 57 in 100 Screenplays, yet fail to even make the Quarters in Scriptapalooza,

Shows what a craps game this all really is.

It could all turn on whether your first round judge ate his prunes that morning.

Interesting how the mental image you form of someone you've never seen compares to the real person when you see him or her.

Without spoiling it for anyone, I'll just say that some of my best friends on MovieBytes are going to be happy.

Paul,

Interesting stuff. Just out of curiosity, did you do this cross referencing by hand, or do you have some program that picks it up?

You roll on like the Columbia River. Keep it going.

Paul, "this writer in all likelihood prevented an undiscovered writer from advancing."

Good argument,counselor. You're hired.

Hard to believe 9.14 didin't make it beyond the quarters.

Someone said he made finals last year with under 9.

Looks like some grade inflation going on.

Thin envelope. Felt like I was applying to college again. Nicely done letter, though.

Paul, excellent! From your ever growing list of creds, this has to be a powerful piece.

Marjory, you define sportsmanship.

Best to all others who are still "in the game" anywhere.

Under the antitrust laws? Kidding aside, an outstanding accomplishment for Philip to have FIVE entries in the QFs, if I count correctly.

Congrats also to Nathan, Paul, James Edwards, any other MBers who advance.

Young girl picks flower, gives it to young boy at the funeral of his slain father.

"Braveheart"

Another from "Sixth Sense".

The entire sequence at the dead girl's memorial service where Cole Seer exposes the evil stepmom (Angelica Torn) as a diabolical killer.

He presents the red box containing the telltale video tape to the grieving father. The playing of the video. Dad smiles a bit observing his dead daughter at play, then his face gradually turns to puzzlement, anguish, abject horror and finally fury at what he beholds.

All eyes slowly turn to the bitch in the inappropriate red dress. A chilling, riveting scene with little or no dialogue.

Nice thread, Heather. Happy holidays to all.

Thanks for the post, James. Based on your recommendation, I'll be happy to have a look at it.

Good luck in future rounds.

See the names Goldman and Jackson on the semis board.

Nicely done, guys.

I'm getting the usual draconian emails from Page reminding me of the April 1 "Final Deadline".

Can they be counted on to invoke the usual 30 day extension at the eleventh hour?

How is everyone else playing this? Thanks.

Philip,

I saw you hit the board with FIVE products in a major contest, two of which went on to the finals.

No reason to let one person's opinion get you down. For you the glass is well more than half full.

Just my two cents.

Kat Lady (50s) squats at computer, F. U. P. A. impervious to her Spanx, scowls at notice on screen telling her she flunks the English section of her G. E. D. exam for not having a clue what a paragraph is.

Decided, against the advice of some vets on this board, to give this one a go, and I achieved some sort of distinction.

My comedy received a "0" in every single category. The reader called it "horrible" and said he/she had to stop reading after 60 pages. I feel so honored, much like John Belushi (pencils up my nose).

For the record, the same script is twice a semifinalist and once a quarterfinalist in better known contests during the past year.j

No problem, James. I'd probably take your recommendation again.

After playing this game for awhile and chatting with others on this board, it seems we all have some events we typically do well in and others, well, you know.

Good luck in this and other contests.

Further for the record, my script received two reads, the second of which fared slightly better.