A debate a friend and I were having on Twitter about screenplay competitions: If you enter a competition and you don't place, what have you learned (assuming you didn't buy notes)? My point was buy notes or the competition is useless (unless you win). His was, if you want notes, get coverage (who cares what pimply faced kid thinks of your screenplay). Would love to hear everyone's thoughts (actually prefer to read them...hearing them would drive me more insane).
Screenwriting : Competitions without buying notes: Worth it? by Randall C Willis
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All notes are opinion. Sometimes a pimply faced kid can have a great opinion of a screenplay. Sometimes someone a bit older who is paid to have an opinion has become myopic. My thought; reading opinions is a learning experience regardless of age or experience.
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(who cares what pimply faced kid thinks of your screenplay) This is very accurate, no matter what someone else posts. The first person to read your screenplay in a contest is just what you stated. I used notes until I was educated as to who was giving them. Every once in a while you'll see in the trades some contest looking for readers. Someone will now post. Oh no, not this contest or that contest. But they all do it. The last time this topic came up two women chimed in who must have been working for the contest they were touting. I couldn't see their complexion, but they were probably pimply faced;-)lol
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Dan. sometimes it is good to have others read your script as they might see an angle one overlooked or did not see. I received some "free coverage" on a TV pilot. I knew my story and characters were sound but just wanted another perspective to see if my hindsight was off. He agreed the story, characters, and plot were sound. Just some small formatting errors. At times for those starting out it helps to get the feedback so work does improve to industry standards every time. If I did not think I could do it, I would not be here right now. Even Peyton Manning stillgets advice from a QB coach.
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I don't care how many contests you enter, or how many notes you get. When a production company, agent, or manager finally reads your screenplay they will tell you how they want it. Everyone here is right in some measure, but as stated early, it's just someone's opinion. And we've all heard, opinions are like assholes, everybody has one.
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@Kent. If you got notes on your screenplay that were good, that YOU felt were accurate and then found out that the person giving those notes was a " pimply faced kid" would you disregard those notes?
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D.M. There's an exception to every rule. As I stated everyone here is right to some extent. Contests are big business in themselves, to the fact they have people on sites like this making claims as to their legitimacy. Some contests bring in 5000 entrees the cheapest $60 up to $120. Low end that's 300000, without counting notes cost, enough to send out people to push their agenda and poo-hoo Randall's post question. As you said, D.M., it's just an opinion is all I'm agreeing with here. I don't enter contests anymore, I have IMDb credit, which is the next step after contests. Not from a contest, but good old query letters.
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I was just curious about your statement, "I used notes until I was educated as to who was giving them. " Not a challenge. Not an argument. Just curiosity. To me it seems a good note is a good note regardless of who give it.
Love all of this feedback, folks. Keep it coming!
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I did not make the statement, I cut an pasted it from Randall, and I'm sure it was just for the humor in the description. There was no offence meant toward kids with pimply faces;-) Let me rephrase that to (younger people who have blemishes on their faces which is in referring to those with lack of education in the field of screenplays and their opinions on such). I put the period on the outside of the parenthesis incase someone had more to add.
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After spending money on a lot of contests, if I had saved that money, I could be my major backer in my own movie. This whole business is making me puke now and it's getting worse.
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Kent, I was curious about your statement, "I used notes until I was educated as to who was giving them. " You didn't say that? I apologize. I misread your comment.
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Yeah, this is a tough one because they all seem like scams, but someone wins, so...
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Baffled how the legitimate competitions are scams!? What's the scam bit, exactly? It's a competition. The scripts that are the most gripping stories, executed with care of craft, make the cut. If you specifically want notes, ask other screenwriters to read your work and get opinions, get coverage, work with a consultant. Read scripts.
I greatly appreciate everyone's input! And of course, look forward to the conversation continuing. All opinions/experiences valid.
To Lisa's point, this is definitely an early days (3 yrs for me) type of query...I appreciate that few seasoned writers are going to spend time waiting for notes from contests (if you even enter). On another peripheral front of this discussion, I appreciate the idea of going to peers, but many just starting out don't know who the appropriate peers are. As with any field, just because you are good at something doesn't necessarily mean you are good at giving feedback. As to production companies, managers and agents, I haven't yet figured out how to successfully kick in those doors...but I keep kicking! Regardless, let's keep this boat rocking, folks. And have a great weekend.