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Cynosure Screenwriting Awards

Cynosure

Contact

3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 850
Los Angeles, CA 90010
310-853-0796 (voice)

Web:
http://broadmindent.com
Email:
cynosure@broadmindent.com

Contact: Andretta Hamilton, Contest Coordinator

Report Card

Overall: 4.5 stars4.5 stars4.5 stars4.5 stars4.5 stars (4.4/5.0)
Professionalism: 4 stars4 stars4 stars4 stars (4.0/5.0)
Feedback: 4 stars4 stars4 stars4 stars (4.1/5.0)
Signficance: 4 stars4 stars4 stars4 stars (3.8/5.0)
Report Cards: 20    
Have you entered?
Submit a Report card

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Objective

The Cynosure Screenwriting Awards seek to expand the scope of mainstream cinema by recognizing and rewarding screenplays in two distinct categories: screenplays which feature compelling female protagonists; and screenplays that showcase diversity (ethnicity, race, gender, sexuality, disability, etc.).

Deadline/Entry Fees

Expired. Previous Deadline: 09/30/2023

WinningScripts Pro $5 Off Coupon

Notification: December 2, 2023

Rules

  • Must be at least 18 years of age to enter.
  • Open to all writers in any country, however all entry fees must be paid in U.S. dollars.
  • Scripts by multiple authors are accepted, and any awards, if given, will be divided equally among those writers. All writers must sign the entry/release form.
  • Screenplays may not have been previously optioned, purchased or produced.
  • More than one script may be submitted, provided that a signed entry/release form and application fee accompanies each submission.
  • Scripts may be submitted under one category only. If the script qualifies for both, choose the category that best describes the overall spirit of the screenplay.
  • Scripts must be the original work of the applicant(s). If based upon adapted material not in the public domain, applicant(s) must attach a statement attesting to their rights to make such adaptations. Sponsors do not investigate or attest to the authenticity of an applicant's statement of authorship or rights.
  • Scripts must be registered with the WGA or with the US Copyright Office.
  • Entries must be accompanied by a signed ENTRY/RELEASE FORM, application fee, and (optional) self-addressed, stamped postcard for acknowledgement of receipt of submission. No other materials will be accepted.
  • The Competition is not responsible for submissions that are lost, stolen or damaged in transit. Decisions of the judges are final.
  • Sponsors, their families, and associates are ineligible for any prizes in the Cynosure Screenwriting Awards.
SCRIPT GUIDELINES
  • Screenplays must be in English only, and may be of any genre. Please do not send originals.
  • Screenplays must be in standard U.S. screenplay format, between 90 and 130 numbered pages.
  • If submitting via mail, scripts must be fastened with two or three metal brads, and bound between two blank card stock covers. No handwritten or faxed manuscripts will be accepted. Double-sided scripts are encouraged.
  • Title page should include author's name, address, email and phone number. The author's name must not appear anywhere inside the script itself.
MAILING GUIDELINES
  • If submitting by mail, make checks or money orders out to the Cynosure Screenwriting Awards. Please send completed application form, entry fee and script to:
    Cynosure Screenwriting Awards
    3699 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite #850
    Los Angeles, CA 90010
ONLINE SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
  • Please see website for online submission guidelines.

Awards

Awards: There will be one $5000 Grand Prize winner. This winner can come from either category. Additionally, the Grand Prize Winner will receive an advisory meeting with an established Hollywood Producer, Agent or Manager. The First Runner-Up from each category will receive a cash prize of $500. The Second Runner-Up from each category will receive a cash prize of $250. For a list of additional prizes, please visit the website, www.broadmindent.com.

Cynosure

Contact

3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 850
Los Angeles, CA 90010
310-853-0796 (voice)

Web:
http://broadmindent.com
Email:
cynosure@broadmindent.com

Contact: Andretta Hamilton, Contest Coordinator

Report Card

Overall: 4.5 stars4.5 stars4.5 stars4.5 stars4.5 stars (4.4/5.0)
Professionalism: 4 stars4 stars4 stars4 stars (4.0/5.0)
Feedback: 4 stars4 stars4 stars4 stars (4.1/5.0)
Signficance: 4 stars4 stars4 stars4 stars (3.8/5.0)
Report Cards: 20    
Have you entered?
Submit a Report card

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Contest Comments

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Cynosure Screenwriting Awards

Contact

3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 850
Los Angeles, CA 90010
310-853-0796 (voice)

Web:
http://broadmindent.com
Email:
cynosure@broadmindent.com

Contact: Andretta Hamilton, Contest Coordinator

Report Card

Overall: 4.5 stars4.5 stars4.5 stars4.5 stars4.5 stars (4.4/5.0)
Professionalism: 4 stars4 stars4 stars4 stars (4.0/5.0)
Feedback: 4 stars4 stars4 stars4 stars (4.1/5.0)
Signficance: 4 stars4 stars4 stars4 stars (3.8/5.0)
Report Cards: 20    
Have you entered?
Submit a Report card

Categories

Contest News

MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Tom Sinsky

An interview with screenwriter Tom Sinsky regarding the Cynosure Writing Competition.

Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?

A: Coaster Girl. The smartest kid in America wins a roller coaster design contest with a ride that jumps the track. She's then hired to design rides, but as she becomes more successful she also grows avaricious and less appreciative of her family. She even begins to admire the evil owner of a rival corporation. This billionaire kidnaps her and makes her design the ultimate ride. She does, but her ride also captures the villains and lets her return to her family.

Q: What made you enter this particular contest? Have you entered any other contests with this script? If so, how did you do?

A: Cynosure has two categories, "Best Female Protagonist" and "Best Minority Protagonist." I won Second Prize for "Best Female Progagonist" which had 100 more scripts than the minority category. Also, the contest coordinator informed me that the scores between first and second prize was the closest ever which was both frustrating and consoling. I'm waiting to hear from other contests.

Q: Were you satisfied with the adminstration of the contest? Did they meet their deadlines? Did you receive all the awards that were promised?

A: The contest coordinator Andretta Hamilton is a bright and wonderful person. She also has excellent taste in scripts!

Q: Were you given any feedback on your script? If so, did you find the feedback helpful?

A: Yes, I got feedback from four people which showed that each of them had carefully read it. Their feedback was helpful--I'm now improving my story by adding more tension to my protaginost's struggle to win the coaster competition in act 1.

Q: Has your success in this contest helped you market your script? Were you contacted by any agents, managers or producers?

A: Yes. One manager contacted me and on my own I've gotten it into the offices of nine successful producers, apparently because I added this contest to my sales pitch. I'm still waiting to hear from most of them and I would like to get it into even more producers' and agents' offices. The most exciting call I got was from Henry Winkler. I had met him when he visited a USC class and he said he'd read it even though he's not currently producing movies. He called back with an excellent and specific idea about how to make a scene better. My friends back in Milwaukee were impressed that I got two calls from Fonzie.

Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?

A: I have an MFA in Screenwriting from USC's School of Cinema & Television (class of 2001) and an MA in English literature, and a very wasted law degree. I'll be teaching one college course next semester. I have three other scripts--Cage Match, Warhol's Disease, and Dealing--that have advanced in other competitions a total of ten times.

Q: Do you live in Los Angeles? If not, do you have any plans to move there?

A: I have lived all over L.A. for the past 12 years. My wife and I are now in Pasadena and I can walk to five multi-plexes and six book stores!

Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?

A: I'm working on two scripts that I think will be my best yet. I'm also adapting James W. Huston's best-selling novel Balance of Power into a screenplay. The Washington Post wrote, "If you like Tom Clancy, Huston is a good step up." This novel and its sequel, The Price of Power, should one day be excellent movies and I hope I'll earn sole credit for the screenplays. Given my background (M.A.)in literature, I wish producers would let me adapt more novels.

Posted Saturday, January 10, 2004

Cynosure Screenwriting Awards

Contact

3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 850
Los Angeles, CA 90010
310-853-0796 (voice)

Web:
http://broadmindent.com
Email:
cynosure@broadmindent.com

Contact: Andretta Hamilton, Contest Coordinator

Report Card

Overall: 4.5 stars4.5 stars4.5 stars4.5 stars4.5 stars (4.4/5.0)
Professionalism: 4 stars4 stars4 stars4 stars (4.0/5.0)
Feedback: 4 stars4 stars4 stars4 stars (4.1/5.0)
Signficance: 4 stars4 stars4 stars4 stars (3.8/5.0)
Report Cards: 20    
Have you entered?
Submit a Report card

Categories

Submit Report Card

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