Comments on: Screenwriting contest announced

By: Franklin

Franklin — Fri, 15 Apr 2005 07:48:08 +0000

I don’t think you should waste time and bits posting screenwriting competitions. Most of them are scams, anyway, including the ones that feature noted judges. Most are for-profit ventures, and while the winners get cash prizes, nothing really happens with their screenplays or aspiring careers in the field.

By: Richard Brunton

Richard Brunton — Thu, 14 Apr 2005 20:19:22 +0000

Hey Tom you are right though, his movies haven’t been that great!

Luke, the reason is that I saw this competition and wrote the post about it. I haven’t seen any other competitions since I’ve been writing here. Actually I’ve never seen any other competitions.

Feel free to list them if there are others running.

By: tom

tom — Thu, 14 Apr 2005 12:13:09 +0000

Ach, I was just being snarky. I’ve had a fairly good relationship with script competitions down the years (not film, TV), and they’re definitely a good way for talented writers to get noticed – the key thing is not to think that anything beyond being noticed is guaranteed. The chances of anything you submit making it even a little way into development whilst still in a recognisable form isn’t too good. It’s a very small foot in a very big door… but that’s a hell of a lot better than nothing.

I still say this guy’s movies suck, though. :-)

By: Richard Brunton

Richard Brunton — Thu, 14 Apr 2005 10:45:10 +0000

Oh come now Tom, he’s actually made movies and has been paid for them, I would guess the screenwriters sending in their scripts haven’t.

On that alone I would say he qualifies. Mind you, maybe there is another way the screenwriters could get their scripts made?

By: tom

tom — Thu, 14 Apr 2005 05:38:29 +0000

So... the scripts will be judged by Mark Canton - producer of such hits as Red Planet and the Get Carter remake? Presumably the twist is that, if he chooses your script, you've lost...

By: Luke

Luke — Thu, 14 Apr 2005 03:18:37 +0000

Honestly just curious: why post about this screenwriting contest and not about any one of the hundreds of others that happen every year?

By: Simone

Simone — Thu, 14 Apr 2005 01:05:06 +0000

I can come out now and say it, I was working on a screenplay with my sister but “Mr and Mrs Smith” beat us to it, so that’s my first screenplay down the drain. *cries*

I wish I had an archive of ideas even for a film pitch but it just doesnt come that often, I’ll check this out Rich and let you know! *winks*

By: Joseph Simmons

Joseph Simmons — Thu, 14 Apr 2005 00:27:16 +0000

Finally unknown screenwrites can get their work noticed without moving to Los Angeles.

I think I’ll try at this, I’ve been working on a screenplay for about six months but this is the motivation I need to get my shit together and write it.