The following are the rules of the “Biz of Screenwriting 2 contest/class.”
Contest will expose entrants to the process of writing assignments and provide resources for learning that process. Contest finalists will be provided with prizes and exposure to interested parties in the industry.
1. Biz of Screenwriting Contest is a skill-based screenwriting competition wherein contestants submit scenes with varying criteria for up to five (5) levels of participation. Submissions are judged at each level. All contestants will have access to the first three (3) levels. Eliminations will be done before the fourth level and qualifying contestants will move on to the fourth level of the contest. Another round of eliminations will be done and those who qualify will move to the fifth level of the contest. The fourth and fifth levels of participation will have a subsequently smaller pool of qualifying contestants.
2. Contestants must be of at least 18 years of age.
3. Entry must be accompanied by a) a completed official entry form and b) the appropriate entry fee, paid via PayPal only.
4. Entering the competition constitutes permission to use the contestants’ names and likenesses and scenes/scripts/etc. for publicity and promotions with no additional compensation. Contest organizers reserve the right to publicize and promote any and all progress, development and success of the entered submissions/contestants.
5. SCENE SUBMITTAL
a. Scenes must be written in English and in industry standard format.
b. Scenes must be submitted in .pdf file format, electronically, using the official submittal form provided in the password-protected Contest Participant Area on the website. Links to various methods of converting files to .pdf format are provided in the FAQ.
c. Contestants may enter only ONE scene per level of participation written solely by the contestant. No substitutions of new drafts or corrected pages for scene entries will be accepted under any circumstances. Submissions will not be returned.
d. Levels One through Three: Contestants will be asked to write scenes with specific criteria, however the scenes submitted must be the original work of the contestant. Scenes must be no less than two (2) pages and no more than five (5) pages. Contestants must include their names at the top of page one of submitted scenes.
e. Level Four and Five: Contestants will be asked to submit an original scene from their own screenplay that is written by the entrant that is not based, in whole or part, on another author’s work and the entrant hereby asserts that nothing in the submission entry infringes on any copyrights or trademarks, or violates any person’s rights of privacy or publicity. Scenes must be no less than two (2) pages and no more than five (5) pages. Contestants must include their names and full contact information at the top of each page of submitted scenes.
f. Contest organizers assume no responsibility, if for any reason, the submitted entries cannot be read by the judges, including damage sustained in file formatting or for lost, late, misdirected, damaged, incomplete, or illegible entries. No refunds will be provided for failure to adhere to competition rules.
g. Contestants are solely responsible for submitting their scenes by the deadlines, per Pacific Standard Time, as posted on the contest site and e-mailed to entrants.
h. Contest organizers assume no responsibility if the contestant does not receive e-mails to the e-mail address with which they entered the contest. Contestants are solely responsible for checking the contest site for information regarding each level of participation and their deadlines, whether or not they receive e-mails for the contest.
6. Contest Deadlines: Early entries must be received by or on [Early Date] to qualify for the $40 entry fee. Regular deadline entries must be received by or on [Regular Date] to for the $45 entry fee. Late deadline entries must be received by or on [Late Date] at a $50 entry fee.
7. Level Deadlines: Notification of Level deadlines will be posted on the password-protected Contest Participant Area and sent out to contestant supplied e-mail addresses.
8. JUDGING
a. Submissions will be judged at each level of participation for advancement from the first three levels to the next levels.
Approximately 5-15% of contestants will advance to Level Four
Approximately twelve (12) contestants will advance to Level Five
b. Contestants that do not advance, drop out, or are disqualified will lose access to the password-protected Contest Participant Area upon the start of the next level, starting with Level Four.
c. Judging criteria and results of the skill-based Biz of Screenwriting Contest are the sole discretion of the contest organizers and sanctioned judges. Each Level has its own set of requirements and unique judging criteria. Disclosure of the requirements and unique judging criteria is at the sole discretion of the contest organizers.
d. Contest organizers may not be held responsible for any errors or omissions on the part of the judges.
e. All judging is final, in accordance with article f.
f. Disputes regarding scorings may be made to scorings for Level 3 judging results only and only within two (2) days of the conclusion of the judging results. Any disputes are acknowledged and handled solely at the contest organizers’ discretion. If a dispute is acknowledged, then the disputing contestant may pay a fifteen dollar ($15 US) fee to have their submission scored by an alternative judge. Results from the alternative judge are final and overwrite the scoring made by the initial judge. Contestants may submit no more than one (1) dispute per contest and must accept the scoring of the alternative judge as final.
9. PRIZES
a. Contest winner will submit one scene from a script that has not been, or currently being, sold, optioned, or produced. The submitted scene will be displayed for perusal by interested parties. The scene cannot be altered or swapped out after submission; it is suggested that the winner provide all desired editing and polishing before submittal.
b. Contest finalists will submit one scene from a script that has not been, or currently being, sold, optioned, or produced. The submitted scenes will be displayed for perusal by interested parties. The scenes cannot be altered or swapped out after submission; it is suggested that the finalists provide all desired editing and polishing before submittal.
c. The Grand Prize “Producer Meetings” are done as part of a group event with the ProSeries Alumin and are not one-on-one meetings with producers.
d. As part of the Grand Prize, contest organizers cover up to $1000 (US) in travel and hotel expenses.
e. Contest organizers may substitute alternative prizes of equal or greater value in place of previously announced prizes without prior notice.
10. Contest organizers reserve the right to modify the rules, regulations, and dates governing the contest at any time without prior notice. Modifications will be updated in all relevant areas and listings regulated by the contest organizers.
11. Judges, Producers, Sponsors, and Contest Organizers are not eligible to enter the contest. Biz of Screenwriting Contest is void where prohibited by law, and all contestants may enter only when in accordance with the law.
Join the Biz of Screenwriting 2 Contest/Class.