Objective

Deadline/Entry Fees

Eligibility

Rules

1. Must be over 18 years of age.
2. Must be a resident of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota or Wisconsin. Proof in the form of a driver’s license or utility bill must be presented upon request.
3. In case of two or more writers, one must reside in the Midwest.
4. Any script from the action, comedy, drama, family or horror genres will be accepted.
5. Multiple entries are accepted, provided a signed entry form and payment is attached to each submission.
6. Screenplays must be the original work of the author. Adaptations will not be accepted.
7. Adaptations of works in the public domain are permissible.
8. All screenplays must either be registered with the WGA or copyrighted by the Library of Congress.
9. The screenplay must not have been previously optioned, sold, or produced.
10. Absolutely no refunds.
11. All screenplays must be in English.
12. Screenplays, once submitted, will not be returned.
13. Entrants retain all rights to their work.
14. Once a draft is submitted, that is the official draft. No substitutions will be accepted.
15. Writer understands and accepts without reservation that he/she/ is an independent contractor and CSN is not responsible for withholding any taxes or payments to any government agency, at any level, be it state, local or federal.
16. All screenplays must fall between 90 and 120 pages.
17. Winners of this competition grant Chicago Screenwriters Network the right to use their likeness and names for the purpose of publicity and promotions with no additional compensation. We reserve the right to promote any and all progress, development and success of the entered scripts.
18. Agents, managers and producers are under no obligation to read, represent, option or purchase any screenplay submitted to them.
19. Attempting to contact or influence any Chicago board members and/or readers about your entered screenplay will result in immediate disqualification.
20. No contact information (name, email address, etc.) on the cover page. Title of your screenplay only. Under no circumstances should you include your name or contact information within the body of your script.

Awards

GRAND PRIZE

• 4-day/3-night trip to L.A. (includes airfare for one and hotel)
• Meetings with at least 1 producer, 1 manager, 1 agent and 1 consultant
• Group includes: APA Agency, Benderspink, Lawrence Bender Productions, Periscope Entertainment, William Morris Endeavor, Madhouse Entertainment, Industry Entertainment, Original Artists, Paradigm Agency, NBC Universal’s Writers on the Verge, No BullScript Consulting
• Final Draft 8 Software
• VIP Package from Virtual Pitchfest (includes 10 pitches and a query letter)
• “On the Page: the DVD” by Pilar Alessandra
• CSN’s Crystal Star Trophy “The Sonny”
• Your script read by CSN’s industry friends
• Your script pitched by CSN for one year
• Mini-Critique/30 min. phone meeting with Kathie Fong Yoneda; valued at $300

2nd & 3rd RUNNERS-UP PRIZES

• $250 Each
• Your script read by CSN’s industry friends
• Final Draft 8 Software
• Two pitches from Virtual Pitchfest
• “On the Page: the DVD” by Pilar Alessandra
• Signed copy of “The Screenwriter’s Bible” by Dave Trottier
• A plaque
• A script consultation
• Your script pitched by CSN for one year

4th & 5th RUNNERS-UP PRIZES

• TBD! Check back soon!

Each finalist will receive one of the following books from Michael Wiese Productions:

• STORYLINE by Jen Grisanti
• THE SCRIPT-SELLING GAME by Kathie Fong Yoneda
• RIDING THE ALLIGATOR by Pen Densham
• STORY SOLUTION by Eric Edson
• TALK THE TALK by Penny Penniston (a Chicagoan)