Part XII: Conquering the Contest Season; Popular Judging Guidelines
Geno Scala
Former Director/Official of Academy Awards Show; Founder of The Script Mentor Screenwriting Program; Creator of The 20-Day Screenplay Video Series; "GHOSTWRITER TO THE STARS".
Every contest is as individual as the entities that operate them. The entry fees fluctuate from venue to venue, from as low as $10 an entry to as much as $100. The amount of winners and the prizes for each contest vary as well. Some contest offer cash money, others offer money plus services or prizes. Other still offer none of the above, but perhaps a screenplay read or a guaranteed meeting with a producer or agent. The script readers for the contests are vastly different, as well, as are their particular backgrounds and qualifications.
One thing is pretty much constant, however, and while the order of priority may change from one contest to the next, many of these are critical areas in which you’ll need to concentrate on when reviewing your screenplay prior to submitting.
In other words, this is what the judges are probably looking for:
1) FORMATTING and PRESENTATION: Should be in spec screenplay format, and include correct and proper grammar, punctuation and spelling.
2) PREMISE/CONCEPT: If the concept creates an expectation, you best deliver (great concept, poor script). If the concept isn’t highly marketable, then it probably won’t do as well (good script, poor concept).
3) THE “HOOK”: What is so different in your story that separates it from almost every other story out there?
4) THEME: The message to your story. What main point do you want the audience (or reader) walk away knowing?
5) STRUCTURE: Three-act (most common) story-telling, with a "Save The Cat" or "Heroes Journey" formulaic structure (as most readers are familiar with these).
6) CHARACTERS: Different, non-cliché, individual compelling voices with clearly- defined goals for the main characters.
7) PLOT: Action, events, conflicts, and turning points that propel the story forward.
8) DIALOGUE: Individual and unique character, realistic for each situation, and properly relays the tone.
9) MARKETABILITY: Overall audience appeal; four-quadrant interest preferably.
10) GENRE: Did you select the correct genre and sub-genre for your story? Genre matters.
Chances are that if you hit the nail on the head with each of these points, you’ll have an excellent screenplay. However, it is also the overall interpretation of these points that is beyond our control.
Each contest “grades” differently as well. Some will provide clear, concise notes regarding the overall benchmarks and how you rated in each category; others simply provide a summary. The summary will probably mention and discuss most of these areas as well.
You probably do not know, and never will know, who the individual was that read your screenplay for a particular contest. Some entities will identify their readers and their qualifications, but you might not know who the actual reader was. Most times, the reader won’t know who the writer is, as well. As the better scripts ascend the ladder of readers to higher place finishes, the reader generally ends up being a producer or ultimate decision-maker in the business, and these are the people you really want to impress. Personally, I give a lot of stock in those who have won or have done well in some of the top-tier and/or second-level contests. This means that a number of different people with varied backgrounds, education and taste, all agreed that your screenplay was worth reading on that particular day.
And liked it. To me, that’s equivalent to winning the screenwriter lottery.
THIS WEEK'S PROMO: Pamela Millican-Hartnoll- MAKING BROKEN BEAUTIFUL
"Sharing my latest win; I am excited to share that I have just published, and now released on Amazon - my biography showing you how to use pain, adversity and trauma to motivate and succeed rather than letting that suffering .. caused by others wounded behaviour ... deplete or sabotage you somehow. We are all born to succeed, and when you understand that all pain and challenge no matter how it comes, is simply a signal for growth, for you to step outside your comfort zone and reach a whole new level that you never thought or believed you could - that's when you start winning, and that's when you start using that wonderful tool we all have called imagination, bringing you a whole new level of life."
"Many people would consider my early life a nightmare, it being one of abject poverty and constant abuse, with complete abandonment by my whole family at fifteen years old...Their neglect became my source of strength and power. I took my pain and suffering and used it, not only to motivate me, but to drive me to unleash the true badass and power within me."
WRITER'S BIO: Mr. Scala spent 22-plus years in the Hollywood community, and was the Executive Director for the 72nd Annual Academy Awards, as well as The Soul Train Awards, The Grammys, The Blockbuster Video Awards Show and The Saturn Award Show. Today, he and his writing team are actively working on several ghostwriting projects for his celebrity clientele as well, including the adapting the novel "Making Broken Beautiful" by Pamela Millican-Hartnoll; a tragic story of excessive abuse and redemptive success; and biopics of early rock pioneer Jimmie F. Rodgers and iconic folk star Harry Chapin- all while continuing to mentor new writers and self-published authors.
Geno has two screenplays produced into feature films; "Assassin 33 A.D." and "The Tombs". Both are currently available on Amazon Prime.
Graduated from CSULB BA in CW minor in screenwriting. Learned structure. 3 features ready. Many more on the way. Need an agent and a job.
4 年Good post.
Portrait Artist, Narrative Illustrator DM for rates and details??????
4 年Great insight Geno Scala - one repeating theme I noticed is the "marketability" aspect. It's important that the writer think like a storyteller AND a business person. And since a lot of business comes from getting folks to trust us, and trust is built on stories and experience, we end up circling back to a good marketer being a good storyteller. Does that make sense? Thus, if you're wondering if your script will succeed, think of how a good marketer will tell the story. If that seems unclear, your story may be unclear also. Hahaha, and that was the rabbit hole I went down today :) Thanks for that, Geno! Best, Shani, The Art Bard
Former Federal Agent and SWAT Sniper Turned Screenwriter
4 年I must say, I am not a fan of screenwriting contests at all.
Degree in Psychology, interested in Behavioral Investing and Neuromarketing (Consumer Behavior and Marketing). Lately interested in Cybersecurity and screenwriting (speculative writing)
4 年Thank you for your suggestions!