Happy Friday!
Spring has sprung, and it’s time to get your script or TV pilot out into the market!
Entering screenplay and TV pilot contests is a great way to get yourself noticed by the industry. There are many good contests, and Moviebytes.com is a good place to start.
This week I had the pleasure of judging the script for the prestigious Writer’s Voice awards at the New School. What impressed me was that all of the entries showed real potential and it was hard to decide who the winners should be. I also recently was a judge for The Electric City Screenplay Contest.
I thought it would be useful to share why the winners won. They followed these steps:
Do make the deadline, and follow up that they received your material.
Do read the requirements and meet them exactly. If they want a script and logline, give them that. If they want an excerpt, give them that. If they ask for a synopsis, try to keep it one page. Hint at the ending, but don’t give it away. If you have a trailer, look book or bible, ask if they would like to see these additional materials.
Do write a good cover letter. The letter should summarize who you are and what your story’s about. Use the cover letter as a way to form a potential professional relationship.
Do have a few people read the script before you submit. Only make changes if you get 2 or more comments on the same line or scene.
Do have your screenplay proofed and make sure it’s perfectly formatted. There’s a 17-page screenplay format manual in my How To Write A Screenplay in 10 Weeks book.
Good luck, and get busy!
Here’s to your successful writing!
Professor Marilyn Horowitz
