The #1 Mistake Writers Make When Entering Screenplay Competitions

The #1 Mistake Writers Make When Entering Screenplay Competitions


Most people think the #1 mistake writers make when entering screenplay competitions is poor writing. I think that is closer to #2. The #1 mistake is submitting a script that is not marketable which also means interesting. In the movie industry it’s CONCEPT, CONCEPT, CONCEPT. A great concept will beat out a better written low concept script in most cases. The thing is that all scripts are rewritten at some point so the concept has to be great before you even get to that point.

The main reason people enter contests is to get noticed. The production companies who request to read the contest winners are looking for marketable material first, good writing second. What attracts them to want to read your concept is an interesting title and logline of the concept. They won’t know if it’s written well until after they have requested to read it. If you don’t have a great title and great logline hence great concept, they probably will never find out how great a writer you are. In contests, if your writing is great but the concept is not marketable, you may final but you probably won’t win. Even to garner the attention of an agent you need a marketable concept. For the Nicholls Fellowship competition, you definitely need both. Many dramas do win but I guarantee these aren’t your average dramas, there’s something definitely special about them. Just look at the winners that have been made into movies over the years.

In order to create a win-win situation, write a very good marketable script that you are passionate about! Save the low concept passion projects for after you have an established career and have made a name for yourself. When you get to that point, you can basically write what you want.

These are just my opinions so take what you can use and disregard what you can't. This works for me and I must be doing something right if I've won a screenplay competition and had 3 other entries make it to the finals. The thing is don't beat yourself up if you don't think your idea is high concept or totally marketable. This comes with practice. Plus, the industry is very subjective! No one knows what they want until they see it.

For more information regarding how to make your concept great, check out my book, The #1 Secret to Sell Your Screenplay to Hollywood.

Write right and write on!