Entered my screenplay 64 pages sci-fi to AFF. Rule broken? Yup, just like A Quite Place being 67 pages and that script had lots of pictures and no writing LOL. I did pay a reader and she fell in love with it (over all combined rating 4.7 out of 5, found the story tight, entertaining and jokes "spot on", and found 5 spelling errors). Let's see what happens in Oct. 2023.
thankfully i wrote assorted genre: action, horror, sci fi, drama, in and out of a SP. My goal is discovery - my expectations tempered by returning to querying agents as I have previous.
The law of attraction is crazy. Once you start noticing it is like universe starts playing with you. So just now, before I heard you say Tip 1 (socio-political issues are necessary for a story to go places regardless of the plot the theme needs to touch on a current affair that’s effecting people) I wrote that down having thought about it randomly. That is of course kind of a duh rule, but it’s just so funny that the last thing I wrote down is the first thing I see someone say in a video. Anyway. Thanks for all your help bud
Can't stress Tip #1 and #2 enough. Look at who the judges are and read their bios. That will tell you everything. If you don't do that preliminary research, you'll be wasting your time and hard earned money.
One thing I noticed is that US and UK have different spellings - quite a lot of them. I was recommended to go with US spellings for US and UK...well you get the gist.
Yes, but don't stress too much about it. It more impacts slang and common use things that throw readers out. Using "loo" instead of bathroom is okay because it's fairly well-known. Using "boot" instead of "trunk" is okay for the most part... but is beginning to border on "what does this word mean?" word use. Just be aware... but if you use "grey" instead of "gray," it's fine. No one cares.
First, a question: research for what specifically? However, if you're just trying to decide which contest to submit to, you want to research who the winners were and see if you can find their scripts to see if your script is similar in subject and tone. Most contests post the winning scripts somewhere because part of their contest is "industry exposure," and they want people to be able to find the script. Some contests do remove scripts after a set time, so you might have to dig. ...if that's not the info you are looking for, let me know specifically what you're wanting to research and I'll try to help.
For TV Pilot competitions, if it's n hour category, it should be 45-55 pages, but shoot for 47-49. For half-hours, between 25-30... 27 is best target. These are a little tighter range because they should generally be a half-hour or hour show, and with a page a minute, actual scripts come in around there. In reality, cable / streaming shows that are an hour have more flexibility and can be anywhere from 40-70 pages. Network shows, however, typically range in the 42-45 page range, depending on the show... that's in real life. Competitions you can go slightly longer. And if it does well, and anyone ever asks about your 53 page script, "Can you do this in 45 pages?", the answer is always "Yes!!" -Jacob
My script is 120 pages and it just placed quarterfinals of the Nicholl. I thought my page count was conservative lol uh oh. Guess we’ll find out for the semi 😬
I was going to disagree with plenty of your points, then I remembered you’re referring to idiot contest readers as opposed to agents/PODs etc-They aren’t looking for the same thing as contests. Promise.
Truth!! They are not... and this is one of the problems with learning to be a contest screenwriter. It IS a path to find success, but actual readers and reps are looking for completely different things.
I've noticed that contests are really only good for landing reps and getting noticed. Your screenplay may be awesome but like was said here, if it's not woke (flavor of the week) then it's not gonna win. So don't go in with the expectation to win - go in with the expectation that those movers and shakers in Hollywood will notice and reach out. That's what you should be after. Not writing some woke fare and maybe winning the contest but never getting picked up because it's woke and studios are catching on that woke doesn't sell.
@@BigDaddyJinx yes, as Disney and others are learning, WOKE is not perpetually profitable. Also, it takes a long time to get a script into production and then on the screen. By that time, flavor of the week has become very stale.
Format is how the different elements are laid out on the page. Screenplays look different than other story forms, and you should follow the general guidelines of screenplay format.
@@BigRedStripe I was at 140, for a contest I cut it down to 120 (very painful process) Now I see that it was for nothing, still 17 pages long, 17 is a BIG number, hahahaha...
Short answer: yes, but... If you are wanting to write for fun, then write what you love. If you want to be a professional, there will be things you write that you don't 100% love, but there should always still be something in there that excites you and that you love. For me, I love redemptive stories. If I'm writing a story, there is a broken character seeking redemption in it. Might be main character. Might be supporting character. But I find something to love about every story. And if your goal is to be a professional writer, there is this mental shift that has to happen at some point where you decide you're gonna write stories that others want AND include things, even if they are small, that you love. And if you view contests like production companies who are looking for a specific script, you will fare better in those contests. Yes, you might find a contest that totally gels with your passion project, but that's not the norm. (And as I'm writing all of this, I'm realizing this is a bigger topic... I should probably make a video about it.) Hopefully that's a little helpful. Not meant to be discouraging, but I can see how it might get read that way. My encouragement: find something you deeply love about every story you choose to write.
@@BigRedStripe Thanks for such a lengthy and thought out reply! Very insightful. It’s just hard to know what to do when you hear people in the industry saying that the studios want to see something unique, but you’re right about finding passion in the stories. I know for Page i submitted a horror short and I’m not familiar with the kind of shorts they prefer, but I’m assuming horror isn’t their wheelhouse lol I will take your advice and do more research before submitting. Thank you!
Unless your writing something very unique there should be great places for it. Like he said they have preferences so try those first and not the ones that are completely different. Comedy to horror you know. And unless it's completely different it may decrease your chances of winning but probably not dramatically. Besides it might be really good.
ikr. and there's no creativity behind it like congratulations you're gay. and im gay and I still don't care I just want interesting characters, not social fuckiing warriors
Yes. Overwritten as f***. It would be good if people come up with new concepts and new story ideas. But the writers got stick to the LGBTQ content only because they are the hot topics and just because they want to win the contests
@@ScreenRafa Indeed. Write woke content if you want to win a contest. Write non-woke content if you want to land reps and get the best chance to have your work produced. Woke doesn't sell. Hollywood is slowly catching on.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Entered my screenplay 64 pages sci-fi to AFF. Rule broken? Yup, just like A Quite Place being 67 pages and that script had lots of pictures and no writing LOL. I did pay a reader and she fell in love with it (over all combined rating 4.7 out of 5, found the story tight, entertaining and jokes "spot on", and found 5 spelling errors). Let's see what happens in Oct. 2023.
How did it go?
thankfully i wrote assorted genre: action, horror, sci fi, drama, in and out of a SP. My goal is discovery - my expectations tempered by returning to querying agents as I have previous.
Yeah. Query managers and production companies. Agents aren't interested until money is on the table.
The law of attraction is crazy. Once you start noticing it is like universe starts playing with you. So just now, before I heard you say Tip 1 (socio-political issues are necessary for a story to go places regardless of the plot the theme needs to touch on a current affair that’s effecting people) I wrote that down having thought about it randomly. That is of course kind of a duh rule, but it’s just so funny that the last thing I wrote down is the first thing I see someone say in a video. Anyway. Thanks for all your help bud
This material is of superlative quality. Any aspiring screenwriter should view all videos produced by this creator. Maria sent me.
Thanks Mosquito... and thank Maria for me.
I'm a Black List recommended writer and I learned a few things from this video, so, thank you! (Liked and subscribed)
I appreciate the sub, and I'm glad I was helpful.
How was you overall experience with the Blacklist?
Than you Jacob Thank you 😀😀😀
You're very welcome. Thanks for the suggestion of the topic... was a fun one to do.
6/28 your knowledge and passion is very much appreciated..Thanks again and stay healthy
This year: I wish I knew last year what I know now. Next year: I wish I knew last year what I know now. Lesson: We never stop learning!
It's like knowledge always comes a year late. Damn!! Hahahaha
Thanks for your insight.
Worthwhile information, for sure.
Very helpful! Thank you for this.
Great job!
So much good advice in here.
Can't stress Tip #1 and #2 enough. Look at who the judges are and read their bios. That will tell you everything. If you don't do that preliminary research, you'll be wasting your time and hard earned money.
One thing I noticed is that US and UK have different spellings - quite a lot of them. I was recommended to go with US spellings for US and UK...well you get the gist.
Yes, but don't stress too much about it. It more impacts slang and common use things that throw readers out. Using "loo" instead of bathroom is okay because it's fairly well-known. Using "boot" instead of "trunk" is okay for the most part... but is beginning to border on "what does this word mean?" word use. Just be aware... but if you use "grey" instead of "gray," it's fine. No one cares.
Thank you for this. I didnt know any of it!
Happy to help!
Good one!
Thanks for this! How should we start our research?
First, a question: research for what specifically?
However, if you're just trying to decide which contest to submit to, you want to research who the winners were and see if you can find their scripts to see if your script is similar in subject and tone. Most contests post the winning scripts somewhere because part of their contest is "industry exposure," and they want people to be able to find the script. Some contests do remove scripts after a set time, so you might have to dig.
...if that's not the info you are looking for, let me know specifically what you're wanting to research and I'll try to help.
Another great video y'all.
Thanks, Thomas. I appreciate that a lot.
What are the rules for tv pilot competitions? 30-50 pages length? Do you need to attach a treatment or something?
Wow I feel stupid now. I'm also working on a t.v. series and never thought about competition's specifically for them.
For TV Pilot competitions, if it's n hour category, it should be 45-55 pages, but shoot for 47-49. For half-hours, between 25-30... 27 is best target. These are a little tighter range because they should generally be a half-hour or hour show, and with a page a minute, actual scripts come in around there.
In reality, cable / streaming shows that are an hour have more flexibility and can be anywhere from 40-70 pages. Network shows, however, typically range in the 42-45 page range, depending on the show... that's in real life. Competitions you can go slightly longer. And if it does well, and anyone ever asks about your 53 page script, "Can you do this in 45 pages?", the answer is always "Yes!!"
-Jacob
Excellent video, sir!
Thank you kindly!
My script is 120 pages and it just placed quarterfinals of the Nicholl. I thought my page count was conservative lol uh oh. Guess we’ll find out for the semi 😬
If the story is interesting, page count doesn't always matter. But generally shorter scripts do better... still, good luck!!
I was going to disagree with plenty of your points, then I remembered you’re referring to idiot contest readers as opposed to agents/PODs etc-They aren’t looking for the same thing as contests. Promise.
Truth!! They are not... and this is one of the problems with learning to be a contest screenwriter. It IS a path to find success, but actual readers and reps are looking for completely different things.
@@BigRedStripe 💯 agreed.
I've noticed that contests are really only good for landing reps and getting noticed. Your screenplay may be awesome but like was said here, if it's not woke (flavor of the week) then it's not gonna win. So don't go in with the expectation to win - go in with the expectation that those movers and shakers in Hollywood will notice and reach out. That's what you should be after. Not writing some woke fare and maybe winning the contest but never getting picked up because it's woke and studios are catching on that woke doesn't sell.
@@BigDaddyJinx yes, as Disney and others are learning, WOKE is not perpetually profitable. Also, it takes a long time to get a script into production and then on the screen. By that time, flavor of the week has become very stale.
What do you mean by format?
Format is how the different elements are laid out on the page. Screenplays look different than other story forms, and you should follow the general guidelines of screenplay format.
10:40 😂😂
I think 10:42 made me laugh more than I should've
Haha!! Not sure where I first heard that... was a long, long time ago, probably in a galaxy far, far away.
Some great points but If the script is bad ass most of this won't matter.
I was ok until the 105 pages... Damn!!
Yep... magic number. (103 is better!!)
@@BigRedStripe I was at 140, for a contest I cut it down to 120 (very painful process) Now I see that it was for nothing, still 17 pages long, 17 is a BIG number, hahahaha...
Wouldn’t you just be writing to sell and not what you kind of love and know?
Short answer: yes, but...
If you are wanting to write for fun, then write what you love. If you want to be a professional, there will be things you write that you don't 100% love, but there should always still be something in there that excites you and that you love. For me, I love redemptive stories. If I'm writing a story, there is a broken character seeking redemption in it. Might be main character. Might be supporting character. But I find something to love about every story. And if your goal is to be a professional writer, there is this mental shift that has to happen at some point where you decide you're gonna write stories that others want AND include things, even if they are small, that you love.
And if you view contests like production companies who are looking for a specific script, you will fare better in those contests. Yes, you might find a contest that totally gels with your passion project, but that's not the norm. (And as I'm writing all of this, I'm realizing this is a bigger topic... I should probably make a video about it.)
Hopefully that's a little helpful. Not meant to be discouraging, but I can see how it might get read that way. My encouragement: find something you deeply love about every story you choose to write.
@@BigRedStripe Thanks for such a lengthy and thought out reply! Very insightful. It’s just hard to know what to do when you hear people in the industry saying that the studios want to see something unique, but you’re right about finding passion in the stories. I know for Page i submitted a horror short and I’m not familiar with the kind of shorts they prefer, but I’m assuming horror isn’t their wheelhouse lol I will take your advice and do more research before submitting. Thank you!
Unless your writing something very unique there should be great places for it. Like he said they have preferences so try those first and not the ones that are completely different. Comedy to horror you know. And unless it's completely different it may decrease your chances of winning but probably not dramatically. Besides it might be really good.
There is way too much LGBTQ content out there. It's coming out of my ears. Please DON'T write such stories! It's way too overdone.
ikr. and there's no creativity behind it like congratulations you're gay. and im gay and I still don't care I just want interesting characters, not social fuckiing warriors
Yes. Overwritten as f***. It would be good if people come up with new concepts and new story ideas. But the writers got stick to the LGBTQ content only because they are the hot topics and just because they want to win the contests
No writer should downplay LGBT themes just because you think it's "overdone."
@@KernelHughes another brainwashed person spotted 💀
@@ScreenRafa Indeed. Write woke content if you want to win a contest. Write non-woke content if you want to land reps and get the best chance to have your work produced. Woke doesn't sell. Hollywood is slowly catching on.
I actually did all of this except writing out the numbers. Thank you🫡.