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Contest Rules Contest Application Word Doc or PDF 2002 Screenplay Winners Announced!
1st place - Cash prize of $1,000
2nd place - $500
3rd place - $250
DEADLINE: Postmarked no later than August 1, 2003.
WINNERS ANNOUNCED: September 25, 2003
FEE: $30
APPLICATION: Read the contest rules HERE. Download an application in WORD FORMAT or as a printable PDF FILE.
Address to which scripts should be sent, or for more information:
Nashville Screenwriting Competition
c/o TN Screenwriting Assoc.
P.O. Box 40194
Nashville, TN 37204-0194
(615) 316-9448
www.tennscreen.com
Many people ask what criteria is used to grade entries to screenplay competitions. The guidelines outlined below have been assimilated from other contests and serve as our preliminary checklist in TSA judging. This list is found in your TSA Membership Packet, given to new and renewing members as of April 1st, 2000. Remember, these just scratch the surface, but are essential if your script is to make a good first impression.
BASIC PRESENTATION AND FORMATTING - 2 points each
1. Two paper fasteners
2. No writing or illustrations on cover
3. Title page correctly formatted
4. Twelve point type, Courier font, dark and readable
5. 90 to 130 pages in length
6. Pages correctly numbered, numberless first page
7. Dialogue correctly formatted
8. Description correctly formatted
9. Correct spacing between lines
10. No writing on spine
11. Overall good condition, no stains, no tears
12. Everything written in present tense
13. Free from excessive poor spelling, grammar, and typos
14. FADE IN: precedes first scene
15. All characters names in Caps upon introduction ONLY
16. Description is free of run-on sentences
17. Description is free of camera directions
18. Brief description of primary charactersMost of these concern a script's physical attributes, but are very critical when you send a script to contests, production companies or agents. That last one is potent. It's your first opportunity to make each character come alive on the page. Don't bore with words like "beautiful", when you can reveal their inner character as "spunky"; an entrance that "lights up the room like a Supernova" or paint your antagonist as a man "who’d swerve just to hit a dog". Use this to your advantage.
| If you're a Hollywood executive and you would like to be on "our network" list to read the winning script, just email us and we'll be happy to contact you. Thanks! |
TSA OFFICIAL RULES FOR 2003 SCREENPLAY CONTEST
This screenplay competition is open only to writers who are not earning a living writing for television or film. Entries must not have been optioned or sold prior to August 1, 2003. Entries must be the original work of the applicant(s). If based on the work of another author, applicant(s) must attach a statement attesting to their rights to said adaptation. Winning scripts will be verified by TSA. Screenplays which have previously reached semifinalist level and beyond are not eligible for resubmission. If an entry involves two or more writers as applicants, award will be divided equally among them. The script must be in US Motion Picture Industry format for standard screenplay. To follow industry guidelines, please consult any popular screenwriting text for assistance. Pages should be three-hole punched, bound between card stock covers and fastened by 2 or 3 metal brads. ONLY the TITLE of the screenplay should appear on the front card stock cover, written or typed. A second title page should be included with TITLE, AUTHOR(S), ADDRESS & PHONE NUMBERS Submissions must include the two sentence synopsis. |
AWARDS 1st place 2nd place - $500 3rd place - $250 REQUIREMENTS a completed and signed application your script $30 check or money order for each submission ( may be totaled) payable to: TSA Script Competition no faxes please, |
We strongly
suggest that you register your screenplay with the
Writers Guild of America and/or copyright your material with the Library of
Congress.
Writers Guild of
America
7000 West 3rd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(310) 550-1000
RETURNS & ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Screenplays will not be returned under any circumstances
Include a self-addressed stamped postcard for each submission
if you wish acknowledgment of the receipt of your screenplay.
Click
HERE for Official Application Form in pdf format
While viewing the document hit "print frame" to print the application
from your browser window.
(Note: You will need the Adobe Acrobat viewer to view this document on your
computer. You can download Acrobat for free here.
Or click here to download
the Contest Application in Word format.