I was shocked to see that there were already well over a hundred screenplay competitions online when I tried to launch the BlueCat Screenplay Competition as a new one in 1998. That was twenty years ago! There are a lot more today, though I can’t tell you how many have come and gone since then.
screenplay writing contests are rarely well-regarded. Why?
as they are a scammer!
Although it isn’t a true generalization, certain experiences are more valuable than others, much like in the movie and television industries. Some screenplay contests provide actual benefits to writers, while others do not.
What should a writer search for in the plethora of screenplay contests, fellowships, laboratories, festivals, grants, and competitions available? What makes the greatest different from the rest? Is there a single justification for submitting your script?
When selecting a screenplay contest, you may want to take into account the following:
The judges are who?
Are you aware of the person responsible for assessing the scripts? What credentials do they possess? Do they write themselves? The scripts are read by whom? Who employs the readers? Could you look up the contest organizers on Google?
It is crucial that a contest be transparent. Even if they have a huge cash prize, what does it say about the competition if you don’t know who is in charge of it?
What happens if they mention business people who judged the scripts? Do you know what their responsibilities are? Are all the submissions read by them? Or just the ten best?
Is your script read all the way through?
Do you have evidence that they read your complete script before entering a contest? Do you think that’s important? It may not be. You could feel at ease with a contest where you read the first thirty pages and then decide. Once more, their adjudication procedure may be supported by their past performance. However, when submitting to a contest, it would be reasonable to anticipate that the audience will read your script through to the finish.
Does the competition have a track record of identifying authors who go on to pursue careers?
Contests with a track record of past winners becoming professional authors are reliable. Upon closer inspection, some of the alumni highlights may stand out as more noteworthy than others. Examine the prior winners’ careers. Do they work as professional writers now? Have you personally viewed the alumni’s work? Consider the history of their “success stories.” And consider why you’re participating in screenplay competitions if they have no history.
How frequently do they hold contests? What is the duration of their existence?
It is incredibly thrilling to submit to several of the first-year contests. Additionally, you might not be interested in contests that have been in existence for decades. However, the older contests have often been tested whereas the new ones have not. Remember that there may be exceptions.
Does the competition take place more than once a year? Various specialized competitions? For instance, participating in a genre contest is enjoyable. However, how successful can they be in deciding all of these competitions? Who’s to say they can’t manage them all effectively? However, the more well-known and sizable contests only take place once a year. There is a reason they don’t have an 8–12 month submission time. Why?
What are the opinions?
Look for reviews on message boards and social media. Ask forum and writing group members about their contest-entry experiences. Don’t decide not to enter after hearing the first negative comment about the tournament. A writer may feel personally offended by the criticism they got or disappointed that they didn’t make it farther in the competition. Do the same research you would if you were evaluating a new eatery or educational institution.
Verify if the contests adhered to their deadlines. Check Google to determine whether they have previously made deadline extensions or delayed releasing the findings after promising to do so. Why would a competition postpone the announcement of its results or prolong its deadlines? Are screenwriters interested in that?
Search for local competitions
Here’s a hint: check for competitions hosted by the state’s film offices. Or there may be a screenplay competition being held by your city’s chamber of commerce. Typically, industry professionals who grew up in the area judge these competitions. Additionally, there won’t be many scripts in competition with you. Participate in every local writing opportunity.
What do you get?
Certain contests include financial awards, industry connections, and/or comments. Take a close look at the rewards. Is that cash when they say $100,000? or worth? Sometimes the real amount of money they are offering as a reward is far less when you include a $3000 picture editing program. Which businesses do they guarantee a partnership with? Check out the managers’ representations on IMDB. Examine the competition’s awards at all times.
What is the price of them?
You would need a sizable money to join every contest because there are so many of them. Examine the expenses associated with each submission. What is the discount for early entry? Some contests charge more for added services, such as feedback.
You should have a clearer notion of whether you want to enter a contest after reading these criteria. However, there is one more crucial factor to take into account that is sometimes disregarded.
When they’re not promoting and requesting admission money, how do they help writers?
This is most likely the best method for assessing a writing contest. Every contest’s goal is to assist authors. Do they? If paying for the opportunity to get their assistance is worthwhile, then that’s great. What else are they up to? Do they provide anything that might benefit you as a writer? Some contests aim to encourage authors via hosting panels and conferences, creating blogs, and producing films. Is it cost-free? Why not? Look through your list to discover what the screenplay competition offers authors in addition to a “SUBMIT NOW” link and a sales position. This is the best method to see how the contest is run from the bottom up and how it will work best for you.
Screenwriting contests are ultimately not for everyone, but they are crucial in identifying and nurturing potential, which benefits both the authors and the industry as a whole. And lastly, the audience, for whom screen and television writing is intended.