Download our 2019 Screenwriters' Calendar to stay on top of this years' most important screenwriting contests, events, awards, labs, etc.
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Download our 2019 Screenwriters' Calendar to stay on top of this years' most important screenwriting contests, events, awards, labs, etc.
Hi, I was wondering if there is any advice you could give to someone who wants to be a screenwriter without going to film school? Are there certain types of contest best for amateur screenwriters? Books to study on?
Hi Anon,
First and foremost, my advice would be to write and read a lot of scripts. Final Draft is the standard software, but there are lots of free alternatives. (Word even has a template that’s actually really good.) Forming or joining a writers room is a great way to keep writing and get feedback on your writing.
Reading good scripts is crucial and there are thousands of fantastic scripts floating around on the internet. I recommend starting reading the scripts of your favorite films. Another good place to start is the resource drive (link in bio). It has nearly 200 scripts you can download and read for free and you can also request scripts you’d like to read but can’t find.
There are lots of screenwriting contests to enter wherever you are. Some of the top screenwriting contests in the business include the Nicholl Fellowship and the Austin Competition. There are lots more you can look at here. There are also many local screenwriting competitions you can find with a quick internet search. Often these have a much smaller amount of applicants and often some cash prizes as well.
And finally, some texts for screenwriting I recommend are:
The Hollywood Standard - for formating
The Tools of Screenwriting - for general storytelling
Creating Unforgettable Characters - for character development
Screenwriting is Rewriting - for, you guessed it, rewriting a script
Happy writing!
Jules
Capital Fund Screenwriting Contests
To get noticed when you have a great passion of writing yet no connections, it is important to think about the best Screenwriting competitions for your needs and desires. Capital Fund Screenwriting Contests gives enormous chances to creating screenwriters and their fulfillment as experts.
Not all screenwriting contests are worth entering, but we've created a specially curated list of the very best screenwriting competition among the few worth spending your money on.
Ken Miyamoto breaks down what a screenwriting contest scam is and isn't — and simplifies how you can differentiate the good from the bad.
Eventually... this script will see the light.
Chelsea Watkins, winner of The Writers Store Spotlight Screenplay Competition, discusses her writing strategies and winning a screenplay contest.
Woohoo! The script is getting out there. Bottomless holes, we all want one.