Sunday, May 21, 2017

Scott Stoops @hellastoopss, Manager at Good Fear, Offers Screenwriting Contest Tips! @roadmapwriters Co-Hosts

Great chat with Manager Scott Stoops and RoadMap Writers' Joey Tuccio giving tips on contests and querying! Enjoy! @jeannevb

Read the transcript below or on the Storify site.

Scott Stoops @hellastoopss, manager at Good Fear, offers screenwriting contest tips! @roadmapwriters co-hosts

Scott Stoops @hellastoopss, manager at Good Fear, offers screenwriting contest tips! @roadmapwriters co-hosts

Great chat with Manager Scott Stoops and RoadMap Writers' Joey Tuccio giving tips on contests and querying! Enjoy! @jeannevb

  1. @HellaStoopsS @roadmapwriters *pours margaritas*... let's get this chat started! Shoot Qs out about #screenwriting contests! #scriptchat
  2. I suppose it's good that there are so many; but hard to differentiate all of them #scriptchat
  3. I worked 1 contest, saw bad scripts advanced by easy graders and good scripts knocked out by nitpickers. Luck of the draw. #scriptchat
  4. How do I know which entry category to pick? As a black female, should I always enter the "Diversity" category? #Scriptchat
  5. @ScripTipps it's so subjective. Can be demoralizing for writers. Any tips for finding the right contest for the project? #scriptchat
  6. How do recommend using a finalist placement (in a prestigious pitch contest) to get reads from managers & producers? #scriptchat
  7. Page 20 is too late for your "big moment" to impress contest readers. You must hook them in the first 5 pages. #scriptchat
  8. @Ms_T_Marie I would select the category that best fits the genre you are writing in right? #scriptchat
  9. @rdlln Great question. Honestly everyone is so hungry for material if you are a finalist or win you will be read already #scriptchat
  10. @jeannevb I kinda agree with mazin & august, the only ones that matter are nicholls and maybe austin #scriptchat
  11. @HellaStoopsS @rdlln but you can add a contest win to your querry letter which might get ppl more interested to read #scriptchat
  12. @ScripTipps AFF has last yrs 2nd rounders reading the first batch of script. That's a no-go for me. #scriptchat
  13. @ScripTipps @jeannevb Launch Pad is also good, it's generally more commercial scripts than Austin or Nicholls #scriptchat
  14. @HellaStoopsS trouble is they only announce the winner (at least that's what they did last year) This year's hasn't been chosen #scriptchat
  15. @roadmapwriters YES to Launch Pad being great! I was in Top 25 & they got me a ton of reads & connections. #scriptchat
  16. @collinlieberg @HellaStoopsS Austin, Launchpad, Script Pipeline and Final Draft (I think) have pilot competitions #scriptchat
  17. PAGE is great. They really care about their winners. I agree with Scott, Script Pipeline is great too. #scriptchat
  18. @HellaStoopsS @roadmapwriters in contests, do you think judges forego marketability of concept for a better written story? #scriptchat
  19. Good to hear good things about Launch Pad. I hadn't heard of them. I'll check it out. #scriptchat
  20. @HellaStoopsS @roadmapwriters Q: What would you suggest a finalist/winner do to capitalize on the possible heat from a contest? #scriptchat
  21. @jeannevb @HellaStoopsS @roadmapwriters Depends on the competition. Nicholls definitely yes. Others I think it just depends #scriptchat
  22. Slamdance is also a really respected contest. They care more about the writer's voice vs marketability. #scriptchat
  23. @SarahAlexis4 @HellaStoopsS @roadmapwriters If ppl don't reach out, I would send out query letters asking if they want to read #scriptchat
  24. @SarahAlexis4 Make sure you only highlight the important contests when querying. Too many contest wins work against you. #scriptchat
  25. @rdlln @collinlieberg @HellaStoopsS Yes, we have a first look w/ UCP and they are excellent. They are champions of new voices #scriptchat
  26. @roadmapwriters @SarahAlexis4 Totally agree. A laundry list of semi-finalist placings is just too much to read. Select 1 or 2 #scriptchat
  27. @collinlieberg @HellaStoopsS Yes, lots of TV writing fellowship-type programs out there at the same level as Nicholls #scriptchat
  28. Hi @HellaStoopsS and @jeannevb I was wondering what would be the best #screenwriting competition for TV scripts? #scriptchat
  29. #1 advice - submit to any and every contest, so many ppl are out there looking for good material, great work will always rise #scriptchat
  30. @jeannevb @HellaStoopsS @roadmapwriters Really tough. Short film is more a launch pad for a director than anything else #scriptchat
  31. If you say you placed or won too many, execs wonder why it wasn't made yet or why you aren't repped. It's a red flag to them. #scriptchat
  32. @jeannevb @HellaStoopsS @roadmapwriters Generally not looking for short scripts, more short films that can become features #scriptchat
  33. @HellaStoopsS Disagree. You'll go broke, and the industry only seeks out Nicholls winners, or Sundance labs, etc. #scriptchat
  34. @HellaStoopsS Q: Reading as a judge or mgr, what hooks you, keeps you reading? What turns you off/slows your read? #scriptchat
  35. @SarahAlexis4 @HellaStoopsS Is it well written, is the premise fresh & interesting, after 15 pages do I need to know what's next #scriptchat
  36. @ScripTipps @HellaStoopsS From experience I disagree. Have signed and sold from practically every contest. #scriptchat
  37. Too much text in the first 15 pages of a script is often an instant turn off for contest readers. #scriptchat
  38. @HellaStoopsS @ScripTipps Doesn't matter what the competition is, just matters if we can find the script and if it's good #scriptchat
  39. @SarahAlexis4 @HellaStoopsS Showstoppers: Absurd amount of typos, lack of clarity, nothing interesting happening by page 5. #scriptchat
  40. Contests that honor more than just the grand prize winner is a big plus. #scriptchat
  41. @roadmapwriters Totally. And usually we will find someone in the semis or quarters that was more commercial #scriptchat
  42. @HellaStoopsS what's biggest mistake a writer who wins or places high in a contest can do? Mistakes to avoid? @roadmapwriters #scriptchat
  43. @HellaStoopsS Good 2 hear someone's looking at the other contest's winners. Not what I'm hearing from anyone else. #scriptchat
  44. @roadmapwriters Why wouldn't this be a red flag against the execs for not knowing/pursuing quality material? #scriptchat
  45. I hear a lot that the qf's and sf's in the bigger contests are more appealing than the winners. #scriptchat
  46. @ScripTipps @HellaStoopsS We want to find new voices, gotta look everywhere! :) especially where others aren't #scriptchat
  47. If you enter your #screenplays in multiple competitions how could you protect your ideas from plagiarism?@HellaStoopsS #scriptchat
  48. @jeannevb @HellaStoopsS @roadmapwriters not having a clear vision of your brand as a writer, not having the next idea #scriptchat
  49. @roadmapwriters Q: What else should writers have prepared if they get a read/meeting off a contest? ie Other scripts, loglines? #scriptchat
  50. @JazzBeeP @HellaStoopsS Don't worry about it, plagiarism is few and far between in my experience, esp if you have records #scriptchat
  51. @JazzBeeP @HellaStoopsS Register with copyright office. But honestly it's the last thing ppl need to worry about. #scriptchat
  52. @BlackSitcomDad @HellaStoopsS Summer and end of the year when people have time to read and are looking for new material #scriptchat
  53. @SarahAlexis4 Other loglines are crucial. Know your brand. Even things you are still working on can be brought up. #scriptchat
  54. @HellaStoopsS @BlackSitcomDad But really any time outside of pilot season. Personally I'm always looking & reading #scriptchat
  55. @SarahAlexis4 @roadmapwriters A few other ideas, don't bring up "trunk scripts" that u wrote yrs ago, interested in what's next #scriptchat
  56. @HellaStoopsS is truly a champion for writers. I know from first hand experience. #scriptchat
  57. @jeannevb In my experience, the only four contests that will further your career are Austin FF, Nicholls, Tracking Board, Tracking B. #scriptchat
  58. @HellaStoopsS not a lot of contests for animation. Any advice for animation writers in the feature space? #scriptchat
  59. @HellaStoopsS your logline, and maybe one or two highlights of awards/contest wins. Only thing that matters is the script tho #scriptchat
  60. @jeannevb @HellaStoopsS Probably have to google it, I don't know any specifically just for animation. sorry :/ #scriptchat
  61. @jeannevb @HellaStoopsS great question - animation also seems not to rate well on the contest space #scriptchat
  62. If you're not using correct spelling and grammar, going to be harder to trust you as a storyteller, even in log lines/queries #scriptchat
  63. #scriptchat @HellaStoopsS @jeannevb @roadmapwriters By quick hello, you mean just like Hi this is my logline whaddya think basically, right?
  64. Look at newer contests with respected judges. Those contests have more to prove and (should) work harder to get writers success. #scriptchat
  65. @HellaStoopsS meant since there are not contests for animation, did u have any tips for ppl who write that genre to get noticed? #scriptchat
  66. Outside of contests @roadmapwriters has a lot of great events / opportunities for emerging writers to learn / pitch / be read #scriptchat
  67. @CrispyPhoenix Personalizing queries help. It shows the exec that the writer did research and cares about first impressions. #scriptchat
  68. #scriptchat @HellaStoopsS @jeannevb @roadmapwriters perfect - thanks - & ppl aren't too busy w/ traveling etc at end of year to read?
  69. @jeannevb @HellaStoopsS Pitch fest, the black list website, places where you can host scripts and get reads. #scriptchat
  70. @HellaStoopsS Do you ever take queries via Twitter, or email only? #scriptchat
  71. He gets a bad rap, but Scriptshadow's Twitpitch was kind of cool. Be interesting if a bunch of reps coordinated something like #scriptchat
  72. @rdlln Agree, the literary industry does it with #pitdark and others. Always looking for new material, the easier the better #scriptchat
  73. That's a really good point @Kin88E, but how do you know which contest gives feed back? @HellaStoopsS #scriptchat.
  74. @JazzBeeP @Kin88E contests w/feedback will list that option. It usually costs a bit more. @HellaStoopsS #scriptchat
  75. @JazzBeeP They should have it as an option (at an added cost) and some of the contest mentioned earlier offer feedback. #scriptchat
  76. @Kin88E @JazzBeeP Check the judges too, important whose feedback you are recieving #scriptchat
  77. @HellaStoopsS @roadmapwriters As new writer suggest starting with smaller contests for feedback or going straight to big one? #scriptchat
  78. I know the topic is contests, but are there any pitchfests that are legit/recommended? #scriptchat
  79. @collinlieberg @HellaStoopsS @roadmapwriters Some of the big ones have feedback. If u can afford, try some big, some small. #scriptchat
  80. @davideshannon1 True-Crime after Serial, Jinx, Making a Murderer is def very hot right now #scriptchat
  81. @ScripTipps @davideshannon1 Yeah. Another form of "IP" - scripts based on true events sell a lot, just depends on execution #scriptchat
  82. My 1st time Scriptchatting...it's been really informative! Thanks! #scriptchat
  83. @HellaStoopsS @roadmapwriters we talk a lot about grabbing reader in the beginning but what are common mistakes w/ endings? #scriptchat
  84. @HellaStoopsS Q: If you request a pilot to read from a contest, do you also want/expect a basic series bible at that point? #scriptchat
  85. @RoseAlexander34 a chat virgin! Welcome! Our tagline: Bring your tequila & leave your ego behind. :) *pours* #scriptchat
  86. @RoseAlexander34 Welcome! It's a fun group. I've been coming for about 2/3 months and see a lot of familiar tweeters #scriptchat
  87. @jeannevb @HellaStoopsS @roadmapwriters They might be forgiving of bad ending if they made it that far, loved it and can fix. #scriptchat
  88. @SarahAlexis4 As a rule I never submit a pilot without having a bible ready (if requested) #scriptchat
  89. I've seen managers want to meet a writer after only reading the first 15 pages. It's THAT crucial to master those pages. #scriptchat
  90. If you're new to the chat, remember we have transcripts & resources going back to 2009 on our site  http://scriptchat.com  #scriptchat
  91. Is there a consistent wow element shared amongst stand out scripts? Not looking for a magic bullet. What do they all do great? #scriptchat
  92. @HellaStoopsS @roadmapwriters Thanks so much for being here and for fielding questions. I appreciate the insights! #scriptchat
  93. Nice chatting with everyone! Good luck in those contests! #scriptchat

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