Super-shorty post today, due to a small turn of events:
My fantasy-comedy placed 3rd in the Family/Teen/Animation category for StoryPros.
Not too shabby.
Previous scripts have made it to various levels in this contest, but this is the first time I got this far.
Feeling quite accomplished about it.
And this was an earlier draft. Several rewrites/polishes have taken place since, and I like to think it’s a stronger script now.
No idea how it’ll do in upcoming contests, but hope and confidence levels continue to hold strong.
Taking a little time to celebrate, then it’s back to the grind for the sci-fi adventure (which is almost at the halfway point)
I also want to acknowledge and thank all the amazing and talented writers who provided me with an abundance of notes and feedback that helped me get the script to what it is today.
Hope everybody enjoys a piece of pie with my compliments.
They say failure is the best teacher, and boy did I learn my lesson these past few weeks.
As you might be aware, a lot of the past few months were all about the animated fantasy-comedy spec. Many drafts, revisions, and polishes have taken place. My primary objective was to have what I hoped was a quality script that might have a chance with some of the big contests.
I felt it was ready, so I sent it in, along with to a few smaller contests – just to see how it might fare.
Its track record now stands at 0-2 for those smaller ones, one of which focused on fantasy (and sci-fi). If the script couldn’t even make the quarterfinals in that, it definitely doesn’t bode well for the more high-profile contests that get thousands upon thousands of entries.
Also adding to this sad-but-likely conclusion was getting some notes back after the script had been entered in said contests. The notes were brutally honest about what worked and what didn’t.
Simply put – there were problems that I hadn’t addressed, and it just wasn’t ready.
Thus another rewrite took place, with this year’s contests already being written off. It’ll be quite surprising if anything positive happens with any of those.
I don’t think I was jumping the gun in entering it in the contests. Was I more confident than I should have been? Maybe, but I still think it’s a solid piece of work – especially after this latest rewrite.
There’s still one more set of notes on the way, so there will most likely be another draft, and I’m seriously considering getting some professional feedback for that one a few months down the road.
It bothers me that this year’s contests already seem to be wasted, but I accept that this is how it worked out and I’m pretty good about getting back up on the proverbial horse. The positive spin/silver lining is that this gives me more time to prepare for next year.
Once all the work on this script is finished – which hopefully won’t take too long, I’ll return to the rewrite of the sci-fi adventure – and based on this experience, will dedicate more time to making sure it’s REALLY ready to send out.
Heeding my own advice and encouragement to other writers, I will keep pushing forward.
-As of this writing, the WGA strike is still going on.
You’ve got a script you’re quite excited about. You’ve slaved away on it and now can’t wait to show it off to the rest of the world.
But you want to make sure it’s as good as it can be, and that means getting feedback.
Who do you ask?
Is it:
A – a professional script consultant
B – somebody in your network of writers
C – a total stranger you just met. Like, minutes ago
And the answer is…?
Okay. Pencils down.
It would be nice to think that common sense, logic, and professionalism would influence your answer.
A and B are both correct.
Unfortunately, there are some who think it’s C, and are very adamant about that decision.
I was recently on the receiving end of such a scenario. A writer had asked to connect on a social media platform, I accepted, and within a matter of minutes received links to a trailer and pitch deck for their script.
I responded with a blunt “thanks”, to which they said they were looking for help to improve the script.
I said I’d try to think of some suggestions for consultants and services they could check out.
They were hoping I’d do it, to which I responded “I charge for notes too”.
They took that as “I accept your offer, and will now work with you!” and sent an NDA for me to sign.
I’m sure you can guess what my reaction to that was.
I tried to end it by saying that starting a connection with “Thanks! Read my stuff! Help me!” was not the way to go. Shockingly, they failed to get the point and kept going.
There were a few other issues that came up, so let’s just say the rest of our exchange proceeded to go downhill like an out-of-control bobsled on fire.
FOR CRYIN’ OUT LOUD – DON’T DO THIS!!
I get it. The enthusiasm. The heightened adrenaline. The hope/daydream that anybody who reads your script will immediately proclaim it “best ever!”
What a lot of writers, both new and those still learning, fail to comprehend is that part of being successful at screenwriting is establishing and maintaining professional relationships. You can’t just jump right in with a total stranger and say “You don’t know me, but I want you to help me”.
Would you want to be on the receiving end of that? Of course not. So why do some writers feel it’s a savvy move? If anything, you’re sabotaging yourself before you even get started.
It’s essential to take the time to build your personal network, and one of the key phrases here is “take the time”. Nothing happens in the blink of an eye. It requires patience, tact, and civility.
Putting in the time and effort to be a good screenwriter isn’t only about the writing. Knowing how to play well with others is just as important.
Be nice to people. Treat them how you’d want to be treated. Help them out if/when you can.
Normally, one would say “Don’t forget to write!”, but that seems a bit off in this scenario
Starting a few weeks ago, and continuing into the coming months, the results of numerous screenwriting contests will be made public.
For the most part, my scripts won’t be part of them. I’ve opted to skip the 2020-2021 season to focus on creating some new scripts and fine-tune some pre-existing ones.
Contests and I have had a rocky relationship. The primary reason I enter is for industry access (or at least the potential for it). As nice as a cash prize is, I’d much rather my award be my scripts shown to a manager or production company.
Naturally, even that’s not a guarantee of success. Somebody could read a script that’s done exceptionally well in a contest – even win it – and decide “I like it/It’s good, but not what I’m looking for.” This has happened to me, and even a few writers I know who’ve claimed a finalist spot in some prestigious contests still couldn’t make anything happen with it.
Them’s the breaks, and usually means it’s back to square one. But not this time.
I don’t have anything against contests. They can help motivate you to work towards beating a deadline. Some of them might lead to something, but many just mean you get a nice set of laurels. And no slight to smaller contests, but I’ve seen lots of comments from reps and prodcos that contests don’t really matter that much to them. What’s important is if they like the script and want to do something with it.
Additionally, those contests fees can get pretty steep. I try to keep things on the lower end (early bird deadlines, discount codes, etc) because the fees can really add up. And this isn’t even taking into account paying an additional cost for “notes” – something I don’t usually do anyway.
Added bonus for me – I also shell out some shekels for 6-8 half-marathons each year. You think screenwriting contests are expensive? Ha! Many of the races I’d signed up for for later this year have been cancelled or postponed until next year. So not having to pay for races or contests definitely works in my favor.
So that’s it for me and a temporary “so long”. At least until around this time next year. Until then, it’s all about the writing. My scripts are good, but I know they can be better.
Since deciding to step back, it’s kind of nice to be able to consistently delete the barrage of emails announcing “LAST CHANCE TO ENTER!” or “CLICK HERE FOR SPECIAL DISCOUNT CODE!”, and then get right back to work. I won’t say it’s still tempting to want to enter, but it is getting easier to read an email from a contest, and then kill it without hesitating.
Interesting side note – it would seem I entered 2 of my scripts in a pair of contests several months ago. In fact, one was in October of 2019. Turns out each advanced through the contests’ respective first rounds.
Since I adhere to the “send it & forget it” rule with my scripts, guess my putting more emphasis on the latter half of that phrase really came into play. As one friend put it – “you seem to do better in contests you forgot you entered.” Can’t argue that.
So now that I don’t have contest deadlines or announcements to deal with, I can focus on these two new scripts. Both have been percolating for quite some time, and I figured lockdown and shelter-in-place were the ideal times to jump into both.
Would I have been able to dedicate so much time and effort if the world hadn’t changed? Possibly, but having the opportunity to do so has definitely worked in my favor.
The latest draft of one script is out with a batch of savvy readers, and the other is still in the outline phase. Feeling pretty confident about both.
I’m more than content to let the 2020-2021 contest season pass me by as I write and write, then rewrite, and then write some more.
For all you writers looking to enter contests in the coming year, you now have one less competitor to worry about.
Apart from writing, what are you doing to help yourself get there? There’s only one person who can be the most effective in helping you move forward. And you already know who it is.
Part of every writer’s journey is the inevitable frustration and disappointment. Some days it will be very powerful, and learning how to survive and endure it is all part of the process.
Maximum Z 