Hello all!
I just wanted to share a very funny and embarrassing lesson I learned after submitting my story to the 6th Annual New to Animation Screenwriting Contest.
According to the poor reader who gave me coverage notes, I formatted the thing "egregiously". They couldn't've been more correct. I submitted a 278 pager (which I will now refer to as The Big Boy of Doom), formatted as a stage play with novelization mixed in, and chapters instead of episodes. Yikes. I looked up a REAL script and I actually burst out loud and laughed for a few moments from the difference.
I just want to say... I am so sorry to the reader for having to trudge through my warzone of a file, but thank you so much for the crucial and ruthless feedback about it. Seriously. I have since downloaded Final Draft, have a 27 page pilot script that I plan to try and push to 30 pages, and will continue writing the rest in script as an OPTIONAL read until the deadline. I know I'm only getting judged for the pilot, but I want to supply more of the story just in case they wanted to keep reading in their off-time.
Moral of the story, even The Big Boy of Doom can be fixed, so don't be discouraged. Don't be daunted. Do your best, submit what you have, take criticism with stride, and IMPROVE yourself.
And to that absolute UNIT of a reader? Thank you, and keep your eye out for the new and improved Age of Eden because I'm gunning for the win and I'll make sure it stands out like a bolt of lightning in a storm with your guidance.
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Hey, Christopher Cote. Welcome to the community. Thanks for sharing that. Hope it helps other writers. I know what that's like. I submitted a script to a contest way back (like a few years after I started writing scripts or something), thinking it was ready, but it wasn't ready at all. Haha
Stage 32 has a blog that'll help you navigate the platform and connect with creatives and industry professionals all over the world. Producers, directors, writers, actors, and more. www.stage32.com/blog/how-to-successfully-navigate-the-stage-32-platform-...
And the next Community Open House is tomorrow August 27th. It’ll also help you navigate Stage 32 and connect with creatives and industry pros. You can get your questions answered live. Here's the link to sign up free: www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32-s-august-community-open-house Even if you can't make it live, sign up and you’ll get the recording in your Education Library when it’s available.
I suggest using a photo of yourself as your profile picture. People will feel more comfortable networking and collaborating with you if they know what you look like. You can upload a picture by clicking the gear symbol in the top right-hand corner and selecting “Edit profile” in the drop-down menu, then clicking the red button underneath your location and choosing "Update profile picture."
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I'm glad to know I wasn't alone in this, as I assumed, but it's nice to hear it nonetheless.
It was definitely eye opening seeing what had to be done instead of what I had, but it was definitely necessary for having my script viewed by professionals. I will absolutely sign-up for that open house, sounds like a fun time to get some answers I don't know the questions to. Age of Eden is kind of my first story period, so soaking up other people's opinions and experiences will be great to have in the arsenal. Count me in.
As for the picture, I was kind of hoping to stay anonymous--to be judged purely on work and experience, but ultimately, I understand that in a networking scene it will be difficult to deal with. It's also the brain's trained way of filtering bots out from "legit" accounts on other social media platforms so, I get it.
Hope to see you at the open house!
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Congratulations on writing your first story, Christopher Cote! See you at the Open House! And here's a blog for up-and-coming screenwriters I suggest checking out: www.stage32.com/blog/the-questions-up-and-coming-screenwriters-need-to-a...
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Hey Christopher Cote love to hear it. For all contests, it's always best to submit in screenplay format, so good on your for downloading Final Draft and diving in. Think the suggestion to shoot for a 30 minute episode carved out of the project is a terrific one to take! Onwards and upwards, best of luck in the contest!
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My heart stopped on that page count!!!
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Carly Crickenberger Imagine the poor soul that gave me the coverage notes LOL. He quoted from page 271, though. I take that as an absolute win for the story.