social media

A few words about contests

Maximum Z Austin Film Festival, Black List, career, community, contests, Nicholl Fellowship, PAGE International, screenplay, screenwriting, script, social media, writing , , , , , , , , , , ,

Social media has been quite abuzz for the past week or so with the latest announcements from some script contests of note. Many a writer is celebrating – and a few lamenting – their individual results.

To every single writer out there, regardless of how your script did – be proud and take a moment to celebrate the fact that not only did you finish a script, but you were also confident enough to put it out there and see how it fared.

If it advanced – great! If not – that’s a shame, but IT DOES NOT MEAN YOUR WRITING IS BAD. Sometimes a reader connects with a script, sometimes they don’t. It’s totally out of your control.

That’s how contests go. I’ve seen a lot of writers say that their first-time entry advanced and an almost equal number saying that a script that placed (or won) last time didn’t advance whatsoever this time.

It’s always a crapshoot.

A lot of writers pin their hopes on doing well in a big contest, seeing it a possible entryway into working in the industry. I don’t know the actual numbers, but I believe that has happened maybe a few times over the past 20ish years, and a wide range of results for everybody else.

I used to be part of that starry-eyed group. I’d send in my script, hoping for the best. Most of the time, I’d get the email of “Thanks for entering! Unfortunately,…”. Maybe I’d be lucky and advance to quarterfinals or even semifinals, with a very rare finalist every once in a while, but never the big prize of overall winner.

After yet another letdown, I vented my frustration online, to which a friend replied “Contests are a waste of time and money. How many contest-winning scripts have actually been produced? I’d rather write a script that somebody wants to make than one that wins a contest.”

That last part really stuck with me.

So much that I’ve drastically cut back on entering contests, which has also saved a significant chunk of change. Those fees really add up.

Apart from a few free entries courtesy of membership in the ISA, I didn’t enter any this year. If I do any next year, it’ll most likely be PAGE and Austin (despite my AI experience from last year). The whole Nicholl-Black List thing seems ridiculous and exclusionary, not to mention not very cost-efficient.

I’m not going to throw shade on any writer who continues to enter contests. If you like doing it, more power to you. And I make a point of offering congratulations to writers I know who advance. For writers I don’t know, I offer a ‘like’ or a thumbs-up or whatever. Even a little recognition goes a long way in helping somebody feel proud about what they’ve accomplished.

Contests are okay, but just not as much for me anymore.

Boundaries, people! Know them

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It’s happened again. A writer I connected with on a networking platform sent the initial “Nice to meet you” note, followed very soon after with a pitch deck for one of their scripts.

I skimmed the first page with the intention of not going to the second page, and couldn’t get past the logline.

It needed work, so in an effort to be helpful I offered some suggestions of how it could be improved. This led to several back and forth messages, first my reactions and comments, then their latest attempt. I want to make a point of recognizing that each message ended with a variation on “Thanks so much for this. I really appreciate it!”

In the end, I like to think they finally got what I was trying to explain and figured that was that.

Nope.

Two more messages came in regarding two other projects, asking for my thoughts/feedback.

I wrote “I  helped with the logline. Anything beyond that is getting a little excessive. I suggest becoming part of a writing group and gradually getting your work involved that way. Good luck!”

The response: “Thank you”. Since then – nada.

I get it. You’re an eager just-starting-out screenwriter and you’ve connected with another writer with more experience. Why wouldn’t you want to start seeing if they think your stuff is any good? I was the same way when I started, and learned how to do it and definitely how NOT to do it.

The writer in this most recent scenario started out strong, then let their overzealousness trip themselves up.

I posted about this on social media earlier this week, and one response was along the lines of “When that happens to me, I tell them my rates for any additional work. That usually shuts them down.”

Don’t think I didn’t consider it.

One of the things the screenwriting books and lessons don’t emphasize enough is that relationships in this business are just as important as knowing the craft.

Get to know somebody. Become a peer. Present yourself as somebody worth knowing. Ask to read something of theirs. Offer to help in some capacity (if possible).

Wait until you’ve established a professional connection before asking them to read something, and definitely include “if you have time” – because sometimes they don’t.

BE NICE. AND CONSIDERATE. AND PATIENT.

There is no doubt that this will continue to happen to me and many other writers. I will continue to be as helpful as I can – to a point.

-And for your further reading enjoyment, here are some relevant posts from the archives. Enjoy.

You don’t know me, but can you help me?

At least buy me a drink first

Some appropriately metaphorical posts

Maximum Z Buster Keaton, determination, draft, output, pace, perseverance, persistence, productivity, running, screenplay, screenwriting, script, social media, Uncategorized, writing , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

While I continue to chip away at progress for my assorted projects, I’ve been seeing more than a few posts from other writers on social media about their significantly faster results.

“I finished this draft in two weeks!”

“Just wrapped up my third script of the year!”

Jeez, I’m hoping to get three scripts done by the end of the year. If I’m lucky.

All of this reminded me that everybody writes at their own pace. Some people are more productive, some not as much. It all comes down to “just get it written”.

It also reminded me that I’ve written about this before, so thought this was a good opportunity to revisit a few of those posts, along with some that are kinda-sorta related.

Enjoy.

Run at your own pace

My race, my pace

It is most definitely NOT a sprint

Second half is all uphill

Comfortable shoes will also help

Not much time left…

Maximum Z acting, comedy, community, crowdfunding, directing, film, film festival, jokes, screenplay, screenwriting, script, short films, social media, thriller , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Just under one week to go for the crowdfunding for my thrill-omedy short film SHECKY.

The good news is the initial goal was achieved, so post-production is covered, and everything that comes in between now and the end will contribute to covering any unforeseen expenses plus potentially entering the film in some festivals. As of this writing, that’s only $419 away. Fingers crossed a few generous souls join the cause.

Tier rewards are still available, including:

– What’s the buzz? – $10 – social media shoutout

– Flavor of the Month – $25 – shoutout, copy of the script

– In the Spotlight – $50 – shoutout, copy of the script, copy of the film (after its festival run)

– The Punchline – $75 – shoutout, script, film, personalized video of me telling you a terrible joke

-On the Red Carpet – $100 – shoutout, script, film, video, 30-minute Zoom call for your choice of script notes, director’s reel notes, or acting reel notes

-Box Office Blockbuster – $250 – shoutout, script, film, video, 60-minute Zoom call, 1 ticket to screening of SHECKY in your area (if applicable)

-A-lister – $500 – shoutout, script, film, video, 60-minute Zoom call, 2 tickets

For those who’ve been following along, this project has been in the works for a long time. I’m thrilled that it’s THIS CLOSE to being done and can’t wait for people to see it.

I’m hoping all supporters of indie filmmaking, connoisseurs of terrible jokes, and the screenwriting community can find it in themselves to step up and chip in a few bucks. Every dollar really does make a difference.

Thanks, and donate if you can.

Finish line crossed. On to the next one

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It might not be too far-fetched to say there were more than a few times I thought this day would never come, but it did.

It took a while, but yours truly can now honestly and proudly proclaim to be

A WRITER WITH REPRESENTATION

(insert triumphant fanfare here)

I recently signed with a manager who really likes my writing and is incredibly eager to help me establish a career as a working screenwriter.

I’d connected with him on LinkedIn after responding to a listing asking for scripts to review and potentially promote. I sent the fantasy-comedy. He and his team really liked it. Their notes and comments are buried somewhere in my laptop’s digital folder for the script.

This led to several back and forth emails and lengthy Zoom calls. He wanted to know more about me, my writing, my goals, career plans, etc. I also got to know more about him and his background (started as a producer, sold the company and switched to managing).

He liked my work and what I had to say, both in my writing and as a writer. A little more back and forth, a revised contract, and voila.

I am officially a repped writer.

Fantastic as it is to say that, I’ve no plans to kick back and take it easy. On the contrary. Bigger and more challenging goals of getting my scripts out there await, along with continuing work on new projects.

And I am ready like you wouldn’t believe to take on all of it.

I would also like to add that I am truly overwhelmed and incredibly humbled by all the positive and supportive comments and notes of congratulations I received from across social media. That kind of support and encouragement means a lot, and I am very grateful for it.