Presenters (also the final judges for 2013 SWW Feature Contest) spoke for about an hour and a half (Judy Coppage of The Coppage Company, a literary consulting and producing company based in Los Angeles and Kyle Bowe of Dreyfuss / James Productions based in Los Angeles.)
The highlights:
Judy recommended entering contests, especially the one noted below since it is unique and offers mentorship.
Entrants write the first 15 pages of a feature script based on the logline given by an A-List screenwriter, then the top 10 finalists receive mentorship through the 12-week process of completing the script, which is then judged in the final phase of the contest.
Deadline to register is April 30th, but you have until Tuesday, May 7th to submit your script pages.
“The Industry Insider Screenwriting Contest can give you the tools and the resources you need to complete a saleable screenplay. But besides the experience and the mentoring you could receive, placing in this competition shows that you can take another’s idea and turn it into a winning script – a trait that’s truly valued in Hollywood, and serves as a priceless addition to your screenwriting resume.”
Industry Insider Screenwriting Contest (sponsored by The Writers Store)
General tips:
- It’s a good idea to have a broad portfolio of work across genres and mediums (TV, films, plays, webisodes, etc.)
- Need to have a strong belief in yourself and perseverance in the face of rejection
- If you are able to get a manager, work with them to choose an agent and/or lawyer when the time comes since the relationship between everyone needs to be considered. Agents and lawyers can come in with their own agenda, so it’s important that they be able to work with your manager.
- Amazon Studios taking submissions for new Instant Video series – comedy and children’s
- http://studios.amazon.com/getting-started/series
- Mentioned http://www.mydamnchannel.com/
