"What you will be doing will be
a mystery to most people. Creation, even to the creator, is a mystery. I hope
you love what you do."
--Neil Simon, playwright, screenwriter
The
Hollywood Symposium Screenplay Contest is open to unproduced,
feature-length motion picture screenplays between 75 and 150 pages long.
All genres are welcome.
Screenplays will be assessed and rated in
eight key areas:
Please consider carefully our TIPS on each area under
judging scrutiny.
From preliminary
judging rounds, a group of finalists will be chosen. Out of the finalist screenplays
will be selected a 1st place, 2nd place, 3rd place, and honorable mentions. 1st place, $3,000
plus software and services; 2nd place, $500 plus
software and services; 3rd place, $200 plus software
and services.
A numerical
summary (average) of judge scores in these eight key areas will be sent to the writer of
each screenplay submitted. As much as we would like to do it, there just isn't time
or staff enough to provide a complete written critique of each script. But it's
hoped that this score summary information will give writers a general idea of their screenwriting strengths, and point out areas in need of improvement,
as adjudged by a group of highly knowledgeable film professionals.
Sixth
annual contest early deadline is April 15, 2004. Application
fee is $40. (With a late application fee of $60, the late deadline
is June 1.)
Stories can be
set anywhere in this world, or beyond it. Documentaries are ineligible.
Scripts in TV
long-form seven-act format (two hour Movies of the Week) are also eligible, but no
mini-series, episodic television, sit-com, treatment, or short-form material will be
accepted.
It is strongly
suggested that writers submit their screenplays well before the deadline. The
earlier your script arrives, the more time judges have to assess it.
Finalists will be
announced approximately the end August. Winners will be announced approximately
the end of October.
There is a $40
non-refundable application fee for each script submitted. ($60 if submitted after
April 15.)
Send scripts and all
other required application material to:
The Hollywood Symposium
22817 Ventura Boulevard #101
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
"The secret is to get the joy
out of the process of writing the line and nailing the scene and it's there, that's where
the joy is."
--Anna Hamilton Phelan, screenwriter (Gorillas in the Mist, Mask)
[ OVERVIEW ] [ WGA ] [ JUDGING ] [ DIRECTOR ] [ RULES ] [ APPLY ] [ TIPS ] [ IN TOUCH ] [ FORUM ] [ THE SAGE ] [ WINNERS '99 ] [ WINNERS '00 ] [ WINNERS '01 ] [ WINNERS '02 ] [ HERE'S WHY ] [ WINNERS '03 ] [ WINNERS '04 ] [ THS 2005 ]
