Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Q. This may be a loaded question, but what's your opinion on screenplay contests?

My opinion is that most of them exist to put money in the pocket of the people running the contest. Last year I posted the list of contests I think are legit. There may be others. Generally I think that any contest that isn't affiliated with a studio or network is not much use. It is something to put on your query letter, but honestly, what gets your script read is a great hook. Saying you were a semi-finalist at the Austin Heart of Film Contest will not get your hookless script bought.

Just look at the economics. You run a screenplay contest. Top prize is $5,000. You get 1000 scripts and you charge $50 a script. You have raked in $50,000. Like those numbers?

Sometimes I think I should run a contest. But I need my self respect more than I need the money.

8:24 PM

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