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The Screenplay Challenge is Back!

Last year, this blog hosted a screenwriting challenge wherein participants created, developed, and wrote a short film in 6 weeks. I was really impressed with the scripts that came out of the challenge last year so I’m bringing it back this July!

I’m improving upon last year’s structure and would like to know what would you all would like to see done differently this year. Some questions to consider:

Do you need more time to develop the story? To write?

Would you rather develop a feature film? A TV pilot?

Would you be interested in a workshop group to get feedback/critique on your project? One-on-one workshopping?

Would you like a prompt for your story?

Even if you didn’t participate last year but you want to participate this year, please leave a comment, message me, or drop a note in my inbox on what you would like to get out of this year’s challenge. I want to give you all the best opportunity to create something you are proud of and to help you grow as writers.

#screenplay challenge #poll #sort of #feedback is greatly appreciated

Screenplay Challenge?

Hey all! I’ve wanted to try a screenwriting challenge for a while and have suggested it before. Since I now have over 2,000 followers (thanks so much!) I wanted to see if there was more interest.

The goal would be to complete a short film script (30 min or less) over 6 weeks so you can have something complete and useful to your career.

If you would genuinely participate, like or reblog. If this gets over 100 notes, I will kick off the challenge ASAP.

Leave an ask or message me if you have questions/comments/concerns.

#screenplay #filmmaking #screenplay challenge #writing #screenwriting #short film

Screenplay Challenge Masterlist

The challenge: to write a complete short film screenplay from start to finish. This challenge is based on a television class I took last year, and is made up of weekly assignments that work toward completing the screenplay.

Start Date: July 1, 12:00am (CT)

General Requirements

Anyone with any level of experience can participate.

Your completed script must be 30 pages or less (preferably less). Quantity does not equal quality!

You must submit each weekly assignment if you want to be eligible for the prize. (See below for submission details.)

Your finished script must be in the proper format. You can use any software you want (even Word). There are lots of free options.

How to Submit

You can submit via tumblr or email.

For tumblr, submit a picture.

For email, send a document, picture, or pdf to [email protected].

Your work does not need to be readable in the picture unless you want feedback (see feedback section).

If you submit every week, you will get a prize (A promotional post for you, your blog, and/or your screenplay OR design a banner for your blog.) More importantly, by the end of the challenge you will have a completed script for your portfolio!

*If you don’t submit every week, you won’t be eligible for the prize. However, please feel free to still submit, participate, and/or ask for feedback. (This includes latecomers as well!) This challenge is for you!

Feedback

If you would like feedback from me for your script, your submission must be readable and you must indicate that you would like feedback.

It will take me 2-4 days to get back to you with feedback so the earlier you submit, the sooner I will get back to you.

You get one session of feedback per week. I will clarify my notes, but I will not reread your submission.

Weekly participants have top priority for feedback, but I will give feedback to everyone who asks.

Weekly Breakdown:

Start Date: July 1 at 12:00am (CT) End Date: Aug. 11 at 11:59pm (CT)

For a screenplay between 1-15 pages: Week 1: Brainstorming and pitching (5 ideas) Week 2: Outline one idea Week 3: Treatment Week 4: 1st half of the first draft Week 5: 2nd Draft Week 6: 3rd Draft

For a screenplay between 15-30 pages: Week 1: Brainstorming and pitching (5 ideas) Week 2: Outline one idea Week 3: Treatment Week 4: 1st half of the first draft (pgs 1-15) Week 5: 2nd half of the first draft (pg. 16-30) Week 6: 2nd Draft

I will be answering questions in the ask box about the challenge until it starts on July 1. (Please do not put questions in the comments, I might overlook them.)

Happy Writing,

Jules

#screenplay challenge #masterlist #screenwriting #requirements #writing #breakdown #feedback

Looking for someone to give you feedback for this week? @lordsighron has offered to critique some scripts!

#feedback #screenplay challenge

Someone asked about team writing in regards to the screenplay challenge.

I am not opposed to a team writing (just choose one blog to submit stuff under). However, I highly encourage you to try the challenge yourself because the challenge is built in a way that is meant for individual writing. I think it might be difficult with multiple people writing the one script. Individual writing also gives you a chance to work on every part of the script as it develops.

#ask box #screenplay challenge #team writing #individual writing

Are we allowed to send excerpt of our screenplay if it's longer than thirty pages?

Hi Anon,

You can send an excerpt of a screenplay, however, if you want to be eligible for the prize at the end, the final screenplay has to be 30 pages or less.

There is a 30 page cap because short films submitted to festivals are rarely longer than that. (In fact, usually, the shorter the film, the more likely it is to get in!) In addition, page limits are something screenwriters have to learn to work with (especially in TV or commercial work).

If you are having trouble when we get to the draft-writing weeks, I am more than happy to help you figure out how to get it under the limit.

If you would like to turn your short script into a longer one outside of the challenge, be my guest! I am even willing to give feedback on that longer script. But for the challenge, it can’t be over 30 pages.

Best,Jules

#ask box #screenplay challenge #page limit #script length

is it ok if we submit less than 5 pitches

Hello Anon,

Unfortunately, you have to submit at least 5 pitches in order to be eligible for the end prize. There are a few reasons for this:

It acts as a buffer/backup. Some ideas, while good, don’t fit well in a short film. Sometimes they are better as a feature, short story, poem, etc… so you need multiple ideas in case the first doesn’t work out.

It makes you brainstorm. Writers need to constantly write and be thinking of new stories to tell. Otherwise, they don’t have a job. Coming up with 5 pitches helps you get into that mindset.

It prepares you for the rest of the challenge. Each week, you will have to set aside time to write and think about your story. The 5 pitches is the smallest assignment. Each week builds on the last and you have to think and write a little more each time. The more you do early on, the more it will help you later.

If you are having trouble coming up with ideas, feel free to message me and I will see if there is anything I can do to help.

Best of luck to you,Jules

#ask box #week 1 #pitches #screenplay challenge #brainstorming

Note about the Screenplay Challenge

It is more than just a challenge. It is a learning experience. Since it is based on a class, this challenge will aim to teach people about screenwriting while actually writing something.

I will include resources, examples, and tips for each week. I will also be answering any questions people may have about it.

#screenplay challenge #learning