Writers on the Storm Screenplay Competition 2009
We encourage submissions from any and all genres, from comedy to horror to science fiction to drama and everything in between. As in real life, we never know what’s going to happen–no particular genre has an edge. What our judges are looking for is an engaging premise, well-executed, with compelling characters, sharp dialogue and a satisfying ending. We want your best work without regard to genre or budget.
MISSION & OBJECTIVE
WRITERS ON THE STORM is Coverage, Ink’s annual writing contest. We are dedicated to finding the best and brightest new writing talent out there. Our first-ever contest in 2006 took off like a rocket, smashing expectations with 907 entries. We found ten dynamite scripts, and several of those writers got meetings and built industry awareness. Two of our top ten are being shepherded by managers as developing talent. In the past few years, we’ve only grown bigger and better, and this year we’ve teamed up with even more sponsors to present our greatest contest yet!
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Batten down the hatches – the STORM is upon us! Welcome, friends, to the fourth annual Writers on the Storm screenplay competition. It’s been a pleasure to bring this contest to you all for the past few years. I’m honored that over 1,400 of you trusted us with your material last year!
From the beginning, we set out to make WOTS stand out from the glut of contests out there. We keep our entry fee as low as possible and offer some pretty beefy prizes (how about 10 grand cash to the winner?) We hand-pick the best sponsors — companies we ourselves use (we’re all writers here, too!) and this year we’ve got, as of this writing, 18 cosponsors — including Writers Boot Camp, offering $4,500 in Creative Cash to our top 3. Quite simply, this is the most development-heavy prize package you will find anywhere!
And yep, we give every entry feedback, and yep, if you enter through Coverage, Ink, entry into the contest is free. And yep, we have over 140 companies on our list who’ve requested our top ten list. But the main thing is, it’s all about the learning. Everyone here at Coverage, Ink/Writers on the Storm — we’re here in the trenches with you. We are writers, too. We’ve learned the hard way that it takes a lot of freakin’ hard work to break in, and that working with people who know what they’re doing can be key. We are dedicated to helping you get your craft to the level it needs to be. Embrace the learning, my friends!
So please check out our PRIZES page to learn more about the great companies participating in WOTS 4, and also check out our new WINNERS page to see what’s up with winners past! And now, better get your raingear, ‘cause the STORM has hit!
–Jim Cirile
Founder, Writers on the Storm
ORGANIZERS:
Anna Siri (Festival Registrar) ; Jim Cirile (Director) ; Portia Jefferson (Coordinator) ; Portia Jefferson (Coordinator)
GENERAL RULES
Writers on the Storm – Rules and Regulations
1. All submissions must be submitted online or postmarked by the deadline date.
2. Submitted screenplays must be the unproduced, unoptioned, and original work of the writer(s). There must be no dispute about the ownership of submitted screenplay(s) or the writers’ right to submit screenplay(s). Adaptations of previously published material are acceptable only if the writer can provide written proof of his/her right to adapt the material into screenplay form. Adaptations of works in the public domain are admissible.
3. Screenplays by more than one writer are eligible, but only one prize will be given and it will be the writers’ responsibility to distribute the prize. If writers of a script are unable to agree on the distribution of a prize, their script will be disqualified.
4. All writers of submitted scripts must be at least 18 years of age.
5. Screenplay must be in English, submitted electronically as either a PDF, Word Word, .rtf, or Final Draft file, or for hard copies submitted by regular mail, they must be printed single or double-sided on 3-hole white paper with the pages numbered. Hard copies should be fastened with 2-3 brads and blank cardstock covers with the title, name of writer(s) and contact information on the title page. Scripts should be between 85-130 pages and no longer than 150 pages in standard spec screenplay format. Please add an additional $10 for screenplays over 125 pages. Font must be 12-point Courier, Courier New or Courier Final Draft.
6. All submissions must contain eligible screenplay(s), a signed and completed application, entry fee, and, if you want notification that we have received your materials, a self-addressed-stamped postcard. Hard copy submissions sent via USPS or a courier service (UPS, FedEx, etc.) must not require a signature upon delivery.
7. Please read and understand these Rules and Regulations. Failure to adhere to the contest guidelines may result in disqualification and forfeiture of entry fee.
8. Judging will be performed by trained readers, industry professionals and professors at UCLA and USC film schools. The finalists’ scripts will be read by Jim Cirile, the Coverage Ink team and selected industry professionals. The decisions of the judges will be final.
9. Writers on the Storm may substitute alternative prizes of equal or greater value in place of previously announced prizes.
10. Entry fees are nonrefundable. Make your check payable to Coverage, Ink.
11. Questions regarding the Writers on the Storm Screenplay Contest should be directed to contest coordinator Portia Jefferson (writerstorm@gmail.com).
12. Eligibility: All writers who have made less than $10,000 career earnings as a screenwriter are eligible to enter. Coverage, Ink associates and friends and family thereof are ineligible. Previous contest winners are fine, as long as you have not earned more than $10K.
13. All winners will be responsible for their own U.S. income tax payments and withholding. Writers on the Storm will issue a 1099 form for tax purposes to the winner.
14. Writers on the Storm reserves the right to disqualify any contestant for any reason. If we do so, contestant will be notified and any fees paid will be returned to contestant forthwith.
PRIZES here
