Screenwriting : 2019 TSL Free Screenplay Contest update by Jim Boston

Jim Boston

2019 TSL Free Screenplay Contest update

Hi, everybody!

I just received an email from The Script Lab; it's just announced the 600 quarterfinalists for this year's Free Screenplay Contest.

The company looked at 5,500 entries.

I promised to update you (thanks, Phillip "The Genuine Article" Hardy, for the tip!) on how "Jingle Belles" fared.

"Jingle Belles" failed to reach the quarterfinals.

At least I took a shot.

Thanks, everybody, for the tools that allowed me to get "Jingle Belles" to the point where it could even BE entered in a contest.

All the VERY BEST to you!

Louis Tété

Next time Jim Boston , this isn't the end of your journey. No regrets, at least as you said you took the shot and that's already a win in itself. Wish you the best for what's coming.

Jim Boston

Hey, thanks, Louis! And I wish you ALL THE VERY BEST!

PJ Edwards

Meh, I wouldnt take that contest too seriously. Apparently they only read the first few pages. They gave me a 7/10 on "professional presentation" and 7/10 on readability when AFF and S32 coverage both praised those aspects of my script. You get what you pay for lol ;)

Imo Wimana Chadband

All a part of the process, Jim. One contest down, another to go :) That's how I look at it. Every one out the way just motivates you more to improve the craft for the upcoming ones. Keep at it bro. Love your spirit! Thanks for updating us.

Jim Boston

PJ, thanks for the heads-up on the TSL contest. I've also entered Script Pipeline's screenplay contest (got in a couple of months ago for $25). In addition, I'm hoping to get into one of Stage 32's competitions.

All the VERY BEST to you, PJ!

Jerry Robbins

PJ Edwards - I agree... When I saw "free entry" I didn't have too much hope with the quality of the contest. Just the same, I got 8/10 on presentation and readability, and 4 on everything else. Meanwhile, the same script got a "Recommend" rating from a very tough screen coverage service and is nominated for Best Screenplay in a festival this weekend. Jim Boston - I wouldn't give this contest loss a second thought. My two cents. :)

Paul Zeidman

Jim - right there with you. My western got passed over. Disappointing, but it was free, and there are so many other avenues to take.

John Ellis

Watch out, cynicism coming your way! :)

Contests are a waste of time (with the possible exception of S32's).

Your time and learning curve are better spent writing something you can shoot yourself (or with a few friends), putting it out there, learning as you go...

Rinse and repeat, going a little bigger each time

You'll learn so much (having on-set experience will improve your writing tremendously), and hopefully, gain a good reputation. Good work attracts like-minded people - the best way to network.

Just sayin'. :)

Dan MaxXx

enter contests with cash prizes. Signing with a legit Rep is a great first-step but you must earn $$$ income to make everyone happy and stay relevant.

Jim Boston

PJ, Dan, and John, I just wanted to let you know that I intend to enter Stage 32's contests next year.

A couple of months ago, I entered "Tin Mine" in Script Pipeline's 2020 Screenplay Contest. At that time, the entry fee was $25.

Wanted to enter last year...except car repairs and money for medical expenses prevented me from jumping into Script Pipeline's and 32's 2019 competitions.

I got so EFFING SICK AND TIRED of seeing these opportunities elude me...so I told myself that I was going to make sure that calendar 2019 wouldn't go by without my entering one of my screenplays into a competition.

And when I found out The Script Lab had a free contest, I entered. Matter of fact, I got in through Coverfly.

It wasn't exactly in vain, as things turned out: Coverfly sent me an email yesterday to state that "Jingle Belles" scored a 79 in the Coverfly system. (Maybe that doesn't mean anything to you, John, but...according to the Coverfly people, it's a start. And after getting questioned for setting "Pixie Dust" in the Twin Cities instead of a generic location, I'll take ANY good news along the way!)

My next move right now is to pitch...even if it's the cold kind of pitching.

Thank you, Dan, John, and PJ. All the VERY BEST to you!

John Ellis

Imagine Impact (Ron Howard and Brian Grazer) is one that I would recommend. The opportunities they offer are awesome. And in what I consider the true spirit of finding new voices - it's FREE!

Jim Boston

John, thanks a bunch for the news about Imagine Impact...I'm going to check it out!

Jim Boston

Checked out the Imagine Impact site...found out it was too late to apply for 2019. (But I'll try again next year!)

Stephen Olson

You might want to check out the past winners. They are not really New Voices.

Matthew Berkowitz

Hello everyone I am back after a long long time in limbo I hope everybody is well

John Ellis

Stephen Olson Yes, well there is that...but at least it's free. :)

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