2nd Annual Television Drama Writing Contest

THE WINNER HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED!

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A Development Exec from Imagine Entertainment has joined the judging panel!

Stage 32 is excited to present our 2nd Annual Television Drama Screenwriting Contest!

Open to Television Pilots!

The winner will meet with an amazing judging panel including

Executives from ABC, Think Tank Management, NBCUniversal & more!

This contest is accepting submissions of hour-long pilot scripts NOW through June 1st, 2022.

TV Dramas are easily the most talked about type of media right now. Streaming has made it so easy to become obsessed with shows like INVENTING ANNA and PEAKY BLINDERS. Not to say that network dramas aren't still killing it - classics like HOUSE, MD or LAW & ORDER are some of the most binged shows by those who watched them week to week and brand new fans, and current shows like GREY'S ANATOMY feel unstoppable, even after 18 seasons. Whether it's gossiping about SUCCESSION with your coworkers or live-tweeting the Cassie/Maddy showdown on EUPHORIA, we know you're talking about TV Dramas.

So give us something new to talk about and submit your TV Drama Pilot today! Our 2nd Annual Television Drama Screenwriting Contest has an absolutely incredible judging panel, with judges and their clients having worked on shows like THE X-FILES, HOUSE OF CARDS, HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER, VIKINGS and more! The best part - they can't wait to read your script. Winning meetings with the writers, producers and executives behind these shows and getting to pick their brains could launch your career!

What Type of Scripts Can I Enter?

We're looking for Television Drama pilots and any sub-genre or subject. This includes period pieces, true stories, procedurals, fantasy, mystery, romance, and anything else you can think of! This contest is open to hour-long television pilots for limited or recurring series. Please no pilots over 65 pages. 

Judges' Credits & Company Credits Include:

NEW! Feedback & Resubmission Option

Would you like immediate feedback on your submission and the option to make changes and resubmit? Using our NEW Feedback & Resubmission Option you will get 3-5 pages of coverage/notes back in 5-days with a guaranteed option to resubmit one (1) revised draft of your script up to 10 days after the Final Deadline! See what elements of your script are working and what still needs to be developed. You can position yourself for the best chance of success - all for an additional fee of only $99.

This option is good for a one-time use and is non-refundable/non-transferable if you do not enter an updated draft. See full terms in the Rules Section.

Congratulations to our Finalists!

Congratulations to our Finalists!

Congratulations to our Semifinalists!

Congratulations to our Quarterfinalists!

The Grand Prize Winner Will be Flown to Los Angeles to meet with:

Justin Pollard, Writer/Producer & Historian (VIKINGS, PEAKY BLINDERS)

Tom Drumm, Owner/Manager, Think Tank Management (INVENTING ANNA, SCANDAL)

Brad Carpenter, Producer (BOARDWALK EMPIRE, FOSSE/VERDON)

Sara B. Cooper, Television Writer (THE X-FILES, HOUSE MD)

Anna Henry, Development Executive (THE DEUCE, HOUSE OF CARDS)

Nathan Varni, Director of Current Network Programming, ABC (GREY'S ANATOMY, HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER)

Creative Executive 399 (ZOEY'S EXTRAORDINARY PLAYLIST, NEW AMSTERDAM)

Sara Ray, Writer & Executive, Barbara Hall Productions (MADAM SECRETARY)

Katherine Guerra, Development Executive, Imagine 

If you reach the Finals, you still get massive exposure to decision makers!

ALL FINALISTS will receive a FREE MONTH OF THE MEMBER'S ONLY STAGE 32 WRITERS' ROOM and will be in a Stage 32 Look Book which includes their script title, logline & bio mailed to over 500 industry executives including, managers, agents, producers, development executives, and financiers! Stage 32 Look Books are some of the most sought after talent resources for the industry and have helped secure meetings with places like Verve, Good Fear, 3 Arts, APA, Echo Lake, Amazon, UTA, CAA, WME, First Friday, Pathfinder, The Cartel, Art/Work and many, many more.

Previous Stage 32 contest winners have gone on to have great success! Most recently, the winner of our 1st Annual Action/Thriller Contest, Gregg Guest, booked a writing job on a feature through Stage 32. Winner of the 6th Annual Television Writing Contest, Layla O'Shea, booked a job as a script doctor through one of the judges of the contest! To check out more of what Stage 32 can do for you, take a look at our Success Stories page!

Justin Pollard (Judge) - Writer & Historian,

Justin Pollard is a writer, producer and historian. He has worked in the industry for many years as a historical consultant on projects like THE TUDORS, PEAKY BLINDERS, WATCHMEN and QI. While working as a historical consultant on VIKINGS for Amazon Prime, Justin also became an associate producer and writer for the show. He's currently working on the follow-up show, VIKINGS: VALHALLA, after taking a break to work on Disney's MULAN. 

Tom Drumm (Judge) - Owner/Manager, Think Tank Management

Tom Drumm is the owner of Think Tank Management, and manages more than 20 high profile clients. His clients are known for acting and writing, and have worked on projects like SHAUN OF THE DEAD, SCANDAL and DEAR WHITE PEOPLE. Most recently, his clients have been hired to write for INVENTING ANNA on Netflix, and HOW I MET YOUR FATHER on Hulu.

Sara B Cooper (Judge) - Television Writer,

Sara B Cooper is an accomplished and experienced TV writer and producer with over 30 years in the industry writing for standout shows like THE X-FILES, CHICAGO HOPE, HOUSE, and HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREETS. Over her storied career, Sara has learned from and worked with TV icons like Chris Carter, David E. Kelley, Tom Fontana, David Mamet, and Eric Roth. Beginning her writing career on science fiction shows like STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION, Sara has been able to pivot to other genres like police procedurals, medical dramas, and even feature films like LARA CROFT: TOMB RAIDER with Angelina Jolie. Sara continues to write and consult on many TV projects in both the U.S. and Canada and serves as a writing coach and mentors young writers through the WGA and WGC.

Brad Carpenter (Judge) - TV Producer,

Brad Carpenter is an Emmy nominated producer who for over fifteen years has built a stalwart reputation as one of television’s most sought after and effective producers specializing in post-production. Brad has overseen a slew of massively successful series including HBO behemoths BOARDWALK EMPIRE and SEX AND THE CITY, Showtime’s hit NURSE JACKIE, USA Network’s critically acclaimed THE SINNER, FX’s Emmy-winning FOSSE/VERDON and most recently LITTLE VOICE for Apple TV with executive producers J.J. Abrams and Sara Bareilles. Brad continues to produce upcoming TV shows, including the new TV fantasy drama INK MAN, currently in development. Few producers out there are as practiced and knowledgeable about the intricacies of TV post-production as Brad, and as a long-time member of Stage 32’s community, he’s thrilled to share what he knows.

Nathan Varni (Judge) - Executive Director, ABC Current Network Programming, ABC - Disney

Nathan Varni is Executive Director, Current Programming, ABC Entertainment Group/Disney.

Mr. Varni oversees all creative and day-to-day management on ABC’s primetime series including Will Trent, Grey’s Anatomy, Station 19, The Conners and General Hospital. In past seasons, Mr. Varni served as the covering executive on Alaska Daily, The Company You Keep, Rebel, The Baker and the Beauty, How to Get Away with Murder, Grand Hotel, Once Upon A Time, Scandal, Cristela, The Middle, Kevin (Probably) Saves the World, the revival of Roseanne and also serves as the network/studio executive on ABC’s long-running daytime drama series, General Hospital, currently celebrating 60 years on-air, where he has oversaw 3000+ episodes of the series, including multiple Daytime Emmy Awards for outstanding daytime drama series. Mr. Varni joined ABC in comedy current programming working in development and current programming and worked on a vast number of both comedy and drama series including According to Jim, Samantha Who?, Better off Ted, Cougar Town, Castle, V, 666 Park Avenue and three seasons co-covering Happy Endings.

Prior to joining ABC, Mr. Varni worked in series development at Regency Television (Malcolm in the Middle, The Bernie Mac Show). While at Regency Mr. Varni assisted with the creative coverage of NBC’s Windfall and FOX’s New Amsterdam. Prior to his time at Regency TV, Mr. Varni worked in reality series as a story assistant for series such as America’s Next Top Model, The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, High School Reunion, For Love or Money and The Next Great Champ. Game show experience includes working on 65 episodes of GSN’s Whammy! The All New Press Your Luck. Mr. Varni served as a production assistant and then Exec Producers assistant on the CBS sitcoms Listen Up and How I Met Your Mother.

Anna Henry (Judge) - Producer & Development Executive, Idle Hour Entertainment

Anna Henry began her 20-year career as a development executive at Nickelodeon, working on the development and production of animated television series, pilots and features, including the cult hit “INVADER ZIM.” She crossed over to prime-time television working at CBS and ABC in drama development and programming, then freelanced as a creative consultant for a number of production companies before serving as Director of Development at a boutique literary management and production company representing writers and directors.

Anna is currently an independent producer through her company, Idle Hour Entertainment. She set up a historical fiction series as a German-Canadian co-production, and is currently in development on several other projects focusing largely on international and diversity (women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+) writers and stories. In addition, Anna is a sought-after script consultant and screenwriting instructor. As a manager and consultant, her clients have worked on shows at virtually every broadcast, cable and streaming television network, and have set up projects at Amazon, Starz, HBO, Sony, Fox, EOne, ITV America, OddLot Entertainment, Corus, and others. Anna teaches writing for television at Loyola University Chicago and UCLA Extension. She enjoys having a close collaboration with writers in refining scripts, expanding their range of material, and finding the best home for each project. Anna is a graduate of USC’s School of Cinematic Arts.

Sara Ray (Judge) - Development Executive & Writer, Barbara Hall Productions

Sara Ray works directly with creator Barbara Hall developing new series under her overall deal with CBS TV.

Sara was formerly a writers' room of the CBS political drama, "Madam Secretary" under Show Runner, Barbara Hall. Hall's other credits include writer, creator and producer positions on shows including "Judging Amy", "Homeland", "Joan of Arcadia", and more!

Sara began her career as at the Don Buchwald & Associates Agency, who represent clients including Lucy Davis, Sonya Balmores, Stephanie Beatiz , and Richard T Jones. Sara then went to work at CBS in Current Programming, working on dramas and comedies for CBS, as well as The CW, Syfy and other networks.

Her experience in development at these studios and networks equipped her with a keen eye for great screenplays and a deft hand for giving notes. Now she's looking to help aspiring writers and discover great scripts.

Creative Executive (399) (Judge) - Manager of Production and Development, Keshet Studios

This executive is the Manager of Production & Development at Keshet Studios. Most recently, he’s wrapped production on an upcoming Apple TV+ drama series, ECHO 3.

He was a former Comedy Writer and previously worked in Development at NBC and Universal Television. He’s supported executives at Universal Pictures, Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, and even The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

 

He’s a strong media & communication professional with a B.F.A. in Film & Television from Savannah College of Art and Design.

Katherine Guerra (Judge) - Imagine Entertainment

Katherine Guerra works in development at Brian Grazer and Ron Howard’s Imagine Entertainment on both scripted and unscripted projects and was an Associate Producer of John Bronco Rides Again (Hulu) and lead Researcher on the Oscar-shortlisted documentary Coded: The Hidden Love of J.C. Leyendecker.

Previously, Katherine worked with award-winning documentary director Keith Maitland on Dear Mr. Brody (Discovery+), and at companies Atlas Entertainment, Creative Artists Agency, and Mosaic.

A Texas native, Katherine received her degree in Film and Television at the University of Texas at Austin where she studied under Matthew McConaughey in the Script to Screen program.