Tips & Advice on Conquering The Contest Season- Part II: Selecting Your Contest

22445_thank-you-jim-carrey-award-the-mask_200sThere are as many opinions about the benefit, or lack thereof, of contests as there are contests itself, and there are literally hundreds of screenwriting contests available every year. Only a handful are truly worth your time, energy and money, and deciding which ones are worth entering is purely subjective, but the following is MY process that I’ll share:

(NOTE: Please think twice before entering ANY contest if your screenplay is not absolutely perfect. Contact us at The Script Mentor if you need help getting your project to that point, but if not us, try someone — anyone — that you trust!)

1) Determine what your budget is going to be for the year. When I enter, I average $500 for that particular year’s worth of entries.

2) Sign up for MovieBytes.com. I’m a paid member (WinningScriptsPro) and it is a very helpful and informative site and service. They list most major contests, and offer ways to easily enter and track your entries.

3) Investigate each contest, including user reviews. User reviews are very enlightening, I assure you.

4) Determine what the prizes are and if that is what you are looking for. For me, cash prizes, recognition and exposure were my goals. I’m less concerned about “table reads” or free airfare to someone’s seminar in Cabazon, CA. Some will include “cash and prizes”, and the actual cash will be small, while the “prizes” may be $5,000 worth of their assistance in marketing your screenplay. This is a red flag for a money-grab.

5) Calendar EARLY BIRD DEADLINES. You can save significantly if you enter early.

6) Spend any extra money on an occasional feedback. It might double the entry fee, or more, but in most cases, it is well worth it.

7) Read, accept and learn from the feedbacks, but do not dwell on them. Understand that not everyone is going to like it, and not everyone is going to hate it. Chances are, the reader probably knows a bit more than you, especially in the bigger, more prestigious contests.

8) Read all of the contest rules. Some REQUIRE cover pages with info; some others PROHIBIT them. DO NOT get caught with your contact info anywhere on the script (including title page) or you’ll be disqualified.

9) Get confirmation on your entry, and save it.

10) Document your script entries*. If you don’t use a contest entry program, create an Excel spreadsheet, and document script, contest name, date of submission, cost, fee for feedbacks, date of finals and any other pertinent information.

 

*Contest entries with feedback are tax deductible as a business expense (refer to your tax professional for details).

 

 

 

Visit These Amazing Southern Film Festivals in 2016

vintage video cameraIf you’ve never attended or submitted your work to a film festival, there’s no time like the present. The benefits are plentiful, and in one place, you get a chance to see brand new movies, possibly present your own projects, meet fellow industry professionals and build contacts with groups of people with incredible resources. The cities and organizations which host them, as well, see an influx of revenue from tourism and general popularity. Yet many of the more renowned fests are not in the southern part of the United States. That is not say they are not excellent–they absolutely are, and quite a few of those listed below are popular within the industry. However none were included among the four stateside festivals listed on Indiewire’s ranking of the best in the world. Still, it’s important to recognize and build on the local art in our southern communities, and to draw attention the wealth of great talent showcased here.

SPRING
Atlanta Film Festival
Location: Atlanta, GA
Dates: April 1-10, 2016

For almost 40 years, this festival has attracted some of the industry’s top talent and consistently brings an international spotlight to work in the south. The festival is one of only three in southeast of the United States whose submissions qualify for an Academy Award. Here, you will undoubtedly see a number of unique and wholly creative projects.

Submission Deadline: During the fall of the year prior

Full Frame Documentary Film Festival
Location: Durham, NC
Dates: April 7-10, 2016

For non-fiction lovers, this festival is a haven of sorts. Every year, Full Frame introduces to the world some of the most riveting documentaries from around the world. Its style and objective is to continue to introduce modern pieces from burgeoning filmmakers. In doing so, the festival attracts some of the more creative features in the industry.

Submission Deadline: During the fall of the year prior

Nashville Film Festival
Location: Nashville, TN
Dates: April 14-23, 2016

This Nashville is the oldest running festival in the south, and provides a home to different types of film across all genres. One of the more remarkable things about the Nashville Film Festival is its year round programming and affiliation with the area’s high schools and universities. The festival’s prizes also include a number of lists.

Submission Deadline: The beginning of the year; passed for 2016

SUMMER
Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival
Location: Birmingham, AL
Dates: August 26-28, 2016

Sidewalk is known for its affordability and relaxed, unpretentious style. The festival has also been lauded by audience members and filmmakers for the remarkable creativity of its selections and the unmatched southern hospitality of everyone in the town and a part of the organization.

Submission Deadline: March 6 (Late), April 1(Extended)

FALL
Louisiana Film Prize
Location: Shreveport, LA

Dates: September 30-October 2, 2016
This zany, wildly creative festival is all about the short. Artists in the area converge to create an incomparable experience for filmmakers and festival goers. Of the 20 films that are selected, one goes home with a cash prize of $50,000, making it one of the biggest prizes on the circuit. With just 4 years under its belt, it has already made a name for itself and hopes to continue doing so.

Submission Deadline: July 12

5 Movies Worth Seeing Right Now

With awards season just around the corner, many pundits are making predictions about what is likely to be honored by organizations like the Academy of Motion picture Arts and Sciences, otherwise known as the Oscars. Many are good at such predictions, using what and who the Academy has awarded in the past as some sort of scale. Nevertheless, this blog is not about what will or should be honored, rather it is a list of great movies which have come out this year, many of them within the last couple of the months, that should be seen by viewers and movie lovers.

  1. Geno Scala's image for the Martian Movie

    20th Century Fox

    The Martian: America’s fascination with capturing outer space appears to be making a resurgence. Given the 2013 release of the award-winning, Gravity, and the highly anticipated return of Star Wars this winter, this incredibly popular film captured audiences globally, because of growing interests. The film is shot beautifully, with the support of a more than stellar cast and expert direction from none other than Ridley Scott. While literary lovers typically lament when movies are adapted from books they love, there weren’t many with a lack of appreciation for this production, and for good reason.

    Geno Scala's image for the film Spotlight

    Open Road Films

  2. Spotlight: This film is as bold as the true story it’s based on. Yet, it balances somehow, with incredible poise, the controversial subject matter, leaving the audience to judge for themselves who is at fault. With a spate of power-house actors on the cast, one might assume that there would be clashing of some sort, or that one would inevitably outshine the other, but that doesn’t happen here. Consequently, a large part of the film’s success should be attributed to the film’s director and co-writer, Thomas McCarthy. Bring this film to life in the way that he did is true artistry.

    Geno Scala's image for the movie Chiraq

    Amazon Studios, 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks

  3. Chi-Raq: This is one of the more creative films to be released this year, which had movie critics raving that Chi-Raq is the Brooklyn native, Spike Lee’s, best film in years, decades, perhaps. Based on the classic Greek comedy, Lysistrata, the film expertly uses satire to carry its message of the staggering amount of murders happening on Chicago’s south side, as a result of gun violence. While unbalanced with regard to pacing and story development, the film is incredibly poignant and relevant, and, as previously stated, beyond creative.

    Geno Scala's image for the movie Room

    A24 Films

  4. Room: Also based on a novel, this movie is an emotional roller coaster from beginning to end. Any film that can keep the audience intrigued, even when it knows the premise, is exactly why people enjoy the art of movies. The relevance of the story itself cannot be understated, in light of very similar events that have taken place in the news within the last few years. And not unlike Netflix hit, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, but certainly with a different approach, the movie allows us to understand the emotional toll but incredible strength of the victims which endure abductions and kidnapping, and relate to them as more than mere headlines.

    Geno Scala on Amy Winehouse Documentary

    Altitude Film Distribution

  5. Amy: This is the only documentary on the list; it needed to be included. This movie shows the gone-too-soon British pop star’s rise and demise. The importance of the film is its ability to highlight the beast of the industry and other contributing factors to one’s ruin and, in this case, death. Yet, it’s not all pain and sorrow. The innate, raw talent of the singer is carefully highlighted, and the director is careful to center her love of music as her ultimate passion, which suggests it, rather than the horrendous way she passed, should be her legacy.

10 Things To Consider Before Submitting A Script

Gino scala's favorite picture of writers at work

1. Open strong
Start with a bang. Decision makers read tons of scripts daily (and nightly) make sure yours gives them a reason to continue; time is literally money in Hollywood. While tradition has suggested it’s important to hook the reader in the first 10 pages, experts have suggested that scriptwriters cut that time in half to make it interesting. To do that, create conflict quickly and make it interesting. You only get one chance.

2. Keep description short and sweet
As a writer, you know how every detail about the story and how it should be carried. Thus, it’s hard not to exact every bit of intricate detail to put into the script to ensure that reader sees what you see. Boil the info down to the basics and allow the reader to fill in the blanks.

3. Mix it up
Yes, it’s been nearly a century since the silent movie; no one’s suggesting that. However, it’s very important to keep a balance between dialogue and action. Consider what you would want to see on the screen. A show or movie with people just talking at each would be boring to viewers. The same goes for the readers of your script.

4. Think outside the box
If you’ve seen it before, chances are everyone’s seen it before and nobody wants to see it again. Creating an entirely original piece is difficult but rewarding if you’re looking to make progress. Start with the absurd and boil it down to something worthwhile once you’ve allowed your creativity to flow. The same old, same old is just that.

5. Employ the Goldilocks Method
No script should be too short or too lengthy. Give yourself enough space to tell a good story, in full, and nothing more. Flesh out any details that are necessary to the plot or character; likewise, remove any extraneous moments and ideas. Make it “just right”.

6. Proofread, Proofread, Proofread Again
Any grammatical errors, misspellings or improper punctuation is the wrong first impression and could automatically become trashed, even if the content is good. Proofread everything, but not just once. Let the script sit for a while then go back with a fresh set of eyes, or even find a trusted friend or partner that can take a look at it for you.

7. Less is more
As a creative, it’s natural to have so many ideas as well as urges to get them out. When it comes to characters. Less is more. Spend your energy developing individual characters instead introducing 20 different ones. Readers won’t always be able to make the connections between new characters and those previously introduced. A confused reader is an uninterested reader, and as stated before, the goal is to make everything as clear as possible.

8. Make it interesting
Another way to keep things interesting but simple is including conflict in your storyline. As often as possible, create a need, a desire, or an actual conflict/fight for your characters.

9. Pace yourself
One thing to remember however, is to not use all of your good conflicts in one place. It’s important to make sure that every part of your story, from beginning to middle to end is interesting and relevant. One of the biggest problems for screenwriters is inability to maintain interest throughout the entire script. Remember, balance is the most important thing for this work.

10. Finish well
The way the story ends is just as important as the beginning. Some even suggest writing the ending before the beginning, that way you have a map for how to get there. Otherwise, you’ve done everything else right from above, then you get to the end, and you’ve lost your way, or don’t resolve the conflict. Always have a good, clear goal. Think of it as an opportunity to seal the deal. If someone’s made it to the end of your script, they’re interested. Make it worth their while.

Three Survival Tips For Entering The Entertainment Industry

Image of Filming CameraThe business and politics of film industry can be a murky, intimidating world to enter, even for the most passionate and committed artists and potential filmmakers. As in most professional realms, mentorship is absolutely crucial in regards to finding your footing and making the most of every opportunity you are lucky enough to enjoy. The Script Mentor exists to provide support to aspiring and rising screenwriters for just this reason. However, some broader knowledge is widely available online that applies to more than just writers, but to people interesting in filling just about every role in the entertainment industry. Barbara Freedman Doyle, who – in addition to establishing herself as a successful coordinator and production supervisor in television and film – has served in leadership roles of various film departments at the University level, curated a list of things you need to know to make it in the film industry. Although Geno Scala and his presence in the world of arts and entertainment have been most heavily centered around scriptwriting, these general insights serve him (and everyone) well as gentle reminders about the reality of breaking into the film industry and finding success therein.

Reputation Is Everything

In every business where people are wheeling and dealing with any level of frequency, your reputation will make or break you. This is especially true in a relatively close-knit, small, and exclusive industry like film and television. It is an intimate enough industry that many (if not most) negotiating happens verbally. Any established presence can contact just about any other party with just a phone call. Everyone, especially the kinds of people who make the most important sorts of decisions behind the camera, talk all of the time. What all this constant communications means is that there are no secrets. It is one thing for information like your typical job title and pay rate to be public knowledge. In the entertainment business, however, people can and will discuss so much more. This can include how hard you work, if you are honest, and how you treat people.

Therefore, if you nurture a reputation for yourself as reliable, capable, and an overall positive workplace presence, more and more doors will swing open. Again, this may hold true in most industries, but in entertainment this reality is magnified and multiplied many times over. On the other hand, if someone has a negative experience working with you, then your reputation as difficult, high-strung, irrational, or just plain unpleasant will intensify your troubles finding work to an extreme extent relative to what you might experience working in a different field. It is important to realize that this is your employment and nobody is interesting in cutting you slack because you had a long day or were simply in a bad mood for whatever reason. Without a proven track record, your talent simply does not count for much. You have to deliver, and be prepared to follow through and execute every single time. It just takes one slip-up or one bad experience with one person to potentially sink your entire reputation (and career). Rationalizations for why you came up short once or twice just do not count and extenuating circumstances do not matter. Recognize that every decision you make and action you take is feeding into your reputation and take ownership of how people will describe you when, eventually, your name comes up on future projects.

History Trumps Friendship Every Time

An incredibly dangerous combination is for a word to be both overused and misused, which is exactly the case when it comes to the term, “relationship.” That is especially true in film and television. One of the most common anecdotes you will hear is that some person in a position of authority gave a lesser known individual a shot because they had “a relationship.” Another frequent scenario people in the entertainment business often quote is two people who always work together because they “have a relationship.” Sometimes producers won’t interfere or otherwise decline to argue with a director’s first choice for talent (behind or in front of the camera) because, although the producer might have a different preference, the director and the person in question “have a relationship.”

When it comes to the working world, relationships have little to absolutely nothing to do with friendship. If you are serious about breaking into film or television in any capacity, you need to be able to sever and separate your understanding of relationships in your personal sphere and what they are in the professional one. Working relationships are all about history. In the entertainment industry, turnover is incredibly high. Everyone is ambitious and has a dream, yet people who are here today will undoubtedly be gone tomorrow. This extreme degree of volatility is very deeply rooted into the very soul of the industry. As such, history – having worked or even just studied together in the past – can be a protection against the certainty that every production or project will be battling uncertainty at some point in the future. Shared goals, loyalty, and the all-around comfort of a “known quantity,” so to speak, can be an enormous source of strength in what is a very challenging and demanding line of work. Successful working relationships can sometimes involved a genuine friendship, but they are built and exist for so much more. Frankly, people will almost always choose working with someone who was unpleasant in a partnership that has previously produced success over someone who they sincerely like but with whom they have no working history at all.

The Decision Makers Play The Odds

Think about the view from the top of the proverbial food chain. The individuals who call the shots in film and television very much interact with projects that come across their desks as educated gamblers would. There is certainly a large amount of anxiety involved, given the amount of financial resource which can be on the line. Major decisions are nearly never spontaneous. In truth, even the smallest of details is often a carefully considered choice. This extends from the inception (which script they choose and who they choose to re-work any aspect of it) through production (every single tiny aspect of the filming and editing process) to its conclusion (marketing can be the difference between a box office bomb and blockbuster hit). As someone looking to break into the industry, this means everything you do needs to be crafted towards the purpose of minimizing risk. When considering who to hire, you want the person making the call to look at you and see that not only are you more talented, positive, and passionate – the most important thing you can be as a candidate is the safest choice. If these movers and shakers in the entertainment business are looking to stack the deck in their favor so that the project at hand is most likely to be a success, be sure you are doing everything in your party to make yourself an obvious asset. This harkens back to history as the basis of every working relationship. Thriving as an intern can be a struggle, especially since starting at the lowest possible rung on the latter is not necessarily going to be compensated immediately with the most inspiring financial incentives. However, your motivation should be the knowledge that one great reference can have the power to get someone to roll the dice and choose you. Once you have a foot in the door, the opportunities to work your way up are much more immediate and real. You need to do more than just tell people you have potential – if they are going to bet on you via the hiring process, you need to be sure your experience shows them that potential beyond any shadow of a doubt.