Which is it better to have when seeking representation: A bunch of contest wins and never having your work produced, or no contest wins but have had your full-length work produced? Thanks.
Screenwriting : Contest wins or produced by someone? by Kevin Birnbaum
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Produced. Always produced. Unless you win the Nicol.
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Thank you, Craig!
Kevin Birnbaum Contest wins can launch a writer's career (check the comments: https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/Rejections-from-competitions), but I think having a full-length script produced (with no contest wins) is better (as long as the movie isn't bad). I think having a produced credit holds more weight with agents, managers, executives, production companies, etc. because they can SEE your writing skill instead of just reading it.
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Kevin Birnbaum as “RB”, our fearless leader would say, “do your homework”. There are lots of contests out there that will NOT help you get your work Produced. You’ve then got to ask what a contest win actually means!
As Craig D Griffiths has said, writing scripts is about getting them Produced. There are great opportunities here on Stage32 to meet the right people to achieve that end.
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I ain't into filmmaking so my currency is finished script...and that can bring me references on more than one level...
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Kevin, I'd rather get scripts of mine produced despite my having had no contest wins...and the clincher for me was finding out things I've written have resonated more with people here on Stage 32 (and on other platforms like Script Revolution) than with the judges who worked screenwriting contests I've sent stuff to.
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Hi Kevin, accolades can be a tool to use when seeking representation, but most of it comes down to whether your voice and work connect with the agent/manager you're meeting with. As the contest manager at Stage 32, I'm obviously a little biased about contests, but what I'd say regarding entering contests is to make sure your subject matter, genre etc. is what would appeal to the judges of that particular contest. That way, you have a better chance of resonating and connecting with them, and therefore finding representation.
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Produced. for sure. Unless you mean short films... then Contests. Or Unless, you won Nicholl and the film you produced sucked and didnt get distribution... then Contest Wins.