Our full field was relatively small to start (as expected in the first year) but we managed to have six amazing finalists. Over the course of a long weekend (our residential), we worked with the group and worked individually.
Their three-minute pitches vastly improved from their original submissions. After questions and critiques, their five-minute pitches made a further leap forward. Additional feedback took their following twelve-minute pitches to a solidly professional level.
Quite honestly, each pitch would have been a deserving winner. In the final analysis, and in an astonishing precedent-breaking development we named two winners. The judging panel was enthusiastically unanimous that both pitches MUST win. It’s never happened in a decade of competition in the UK, and we certainly never expected it would happen here in SA
It was quite literally a magic moment both for the winners and for the competition. One winning story (The Second) is set in rural Kwazulu Natal in the dying years of apartheid. It is a profound story of hope in the midst of chaos and violence. It was pitched by our youngest ever winner, Mpumelelo Kheswa (22) and will be our first ever film in a foreign language (Zulu). The other, pitched by Howard James Fyvie, ( Ramsey) is our first animation and comedy. It retells the story of Abraham and Isaac from the perspective of the ram. “Ramsey” believes he is destined for greatness and that this will be as a stand-up comic. (It is a hilarious dark comedy!)
I am so proud to be working on the development of both short films.
Here are our finalists–
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There are a lot of dubious screenplay competitions out there but this one is worth entering–
The BlueCat Screenplay Competition: Deadline: November 15th ($65)
Discovering and Developing Writers Since 1998
Founded by a writer, the BlueCat Screenplay Competition’s passionate commitment to develop and discover the unknown screenwriter continues to define our work today.
Our Winners and Finalists have been signed by major talent agencies like UTA, CAA and WME, sold their work to studios like Warner Bros., Paramount and Universal, and won major awards at the Sundance, Berlin and Tribeca Film Festivals, all after being discovered by and winning BlueCat.
We provide each writer who enters BlueCat two written analyses, ensuring each entry is reviewed by two readers, while supporting screenwriters of all levels and stages of development with the constructive feedback all writers require.
SUBMIT YOUR SCREENPLAY: http://www.bluecatscreenplay.com
AWARDS
Grand prize $10,000, with four Finalists winning $2000 each.
The Cordelia Award will be given to the best screenplay from the UK and will win $1000.
The Joplin Award will be given to the best screenplay from outside the USA, Canada and UK and will win $1000.
One writer will be awarded a live, staged reading with professional local actors at Screenplay Live in Rochester, New York, as part of the 360|365 George Eastman House Film Festival. The prize includes travel, hotel and a $250 stipend.
“How great to get these analyses — and from astute and careful readers. Their comments both encourage and challenge me to really examine how to make this script as good as it can be. Thanks again! – Cornelia R., 2012 Entrant
Visit our website to learn more about the BlueCat community, watch videos on screenwriting, read interviews and articles on the craft, meet our readers and more!
SUBMIT YOUR SCREENPLAY: http://www.bluecatscreenplay.com
BlueCat Screenplay Competition
]]>For all those who are having a hard time being heard above the fray–
]]>Dear WGAW members –
I am delighted to let you know that the Writer Access Project is returning. Inaugurated last season, this project is designed to identify excellent diverse writers with television experience and to bring these writers’ scripts to the attention of showrunners, creative executives and agents for consideration during staffing season. Writers with previous television writing experience are invited to submit a spec script and spec pilot in one of five categories: minority writers; writers with disabilities; women writers; writers over age 55; and gay and lesbian writers.
Last year twenty-eight writers or writing teams were selected as Writer Access Project “winners” and their work was made available to showrunners, network and production company executives, and agents. In addition the group was offered a fascinating talk from an experienced showrunner about how best to promote oneself in a meeting. We received 160 submissions and 150 producer-level writers served as judges in two rounds of judging. The overall response to the project, based on surveys of participants and judges, was extremely encouraging. We intend to continue to build the program with increased publicity and promotion to the entertainment community when this year’s winners are selected.
We have made some improvements to the program based on input from last year’s participants:
1. The deadline for submission will be November 30, allowing greater time for preparation of the required materials.
2. Current active and Post-current active members are eligible to submit (see more details in the Guidelines).
3. We intend to announce the winners of this year’s project earlier (by mid-March) to allow more time for showrunners to read the work of WAP winners.
There are some additional changes in the Guidelines and requirements for submission, so please review them carefully. The Guidelines and Application can be found at: http://www.wga.org/content/default.aspx?id=3436
Please contact the WGAW Diversity Department if you have any questions: [email protected] or 323-782-4589.
We hope many of you will submit your material for consideration as part of this program and that you will benefit from the experience.
Best,
Kimberly Myers
Director of Diversity
Writers Guild of America, West
7000 West Third Street
Los Angeles, CA 90048
I just returned from the fabulous eQuinoxe Germany International Workshop at Schloss Elmau near Munich. The next workshop will be held in Ireland in April. Here is the official information
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]]>SPRING 2010
Sixth Intl. Screenwriters´ Workshop & Master Class
Dear Writers and Producers,
The Call for Projects for our 6th. International Screenwriters´ Workshop & Master Class is beginning. Our new online application is available now on our website.
Deadline for applications is 12. November 2009.
The International Screenwriters´ Workshops are geared towards writers with experience with at least one feature script produced. The workshops only deal with screenplays for the cinema. Scripts should be at an advanced stage (recommended is at least 3rd. Draft) of development in order to get the full advantage out of the one-on-one meetings with the advisors.
• EU/EEC Writers who have had at least one script produced are eligible to apply
• Screenplays for cinema may be submitted beginning immediately (1st. Drafts are not accepted)
• There are no fees for the selection process.
• Scripts may be submitted in German or English in industry standard format and pagination
• If project is pre-selected, an English translation for the international jury must be provided in 14 days.
• If your project is invited, the workshop assumes travel, food and lodging for the writers.
• If your project is accepted, producers should plan to attend the end of the workshop.
Travel costs are not covered for producers, however, food and lodging costs are assumed
• The workshop is held in the English language.
New Application Process:
The application will be available on our website.
To apply: 1) please send an email to: [email protected] requesting a password for an application with project name, 2) a password will be sent to you per email, and 3) upon receiving a password, one can revise and save the application online before completing (printing out, signing and submitting per post).
Timeline:
Projects pre-selected for the international jury will be informed early February 2010.
The international jury selection will be the beginning of March.
Workshop scheduled for late April 2010
Our website is helpful to browse, should you require additional information,
please don´t hesitate to contact us by email or phone.
Best wishes,
Your éQuinoxe Germany Team
NEWS:
HELEN written and directed by Sandra Nettelbeck received THE VOICE AWARD 2009 with “The Soloist”, “Michael Clayton” and “Lars and the Real Girl”
FOR A MOMENT, FREEDOM written and directed by Arash T. Riahi is the Austrian candidate for Best Foreign Language Film and is the recipient of 22 international awards
www.ForAMomentFreedom.com
éQuinoxe Germany e.V.
Feilitzschstrasse 1
D-80802 München
+49 89 38 47 60 27
I spent the day with the finalists for the Angelus Film Festival. The grand prize is $10,000. There are several other money prizes. Also included are screenings at the DGA, trips to Sundance, the Toronto Film Festival and a special festival in Prague or Rome. If any readers are still in film school, read on and check out this wonderful organization.
The 208 winners were announced today. I was the featured speaker at this happy event. And we had a wonderful lunch prepared by Chef Brian from “Top Chef.”
Here is a bit more about the organization:
Voted “Best” Student Film Festival by MovieMaker Magazine, the Angelus Student Film Festival draws entries from graduate and undergraduate students of film from around the world. The future of the film industry gathers each year during the Angelus Student Film Festival to showcase their films of artistic excellence that reflect human dignity. With over 500 entries, from over 100 film schools, in over 20 countries, Angelus Student Film Festival draws a diverse, passionate audience of college students and those working in all areas of the film industry.
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