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Dear Screenwriter:
Have you watched any of the new fall shows? If so, perhaps this thought crossed your mind: "I KNOW CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT!"
Don't sit there on the couch complaining, put down that clicker and finish that TV script you hid in your desk drawer last fall. This issue features several fine TV script contests you can investigate.
On with Script Market News...
SCRIPT
MARKET
NEWS
October 25, 2002
IN THIS ISSUE...
WRITER Q + A => Release Forms
MINI-TUTORIAL => Screenplay Beats
MARKET TIP => TV Script Contests
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SCREENWRITER Q + A
QUESTION on SIGNING RELEASE FORMS ~~ Why do film companies require that I send a Release Form with my script?
~~ B. T.
ANSWER ~~ Many companies have been sued by writers who claim their stories or story ideas were stolen. Some claims are legitimate, others result from unfortunate timing. The production company has a project in development or in production that is similar to the story or story idea the writer submits to the company. Release Forms protect companies from lawsuits like these based on unfortunate coincidences.
You MUST sign a Release Form in order for most legitimate agents and production companies to consider your material. How do you protect your material from theft? Establish the date of creation.
You can establish the date of creation in three different ways:
-- Apply for the copyright to your material.
-- Register your material with the Writers Guild.
-- Register your material with one of the many commercial 'copyright protection' services.
The least expensive and most effective form of protection is registering your material with the Writers Guild of America. You don't have to be a member of the Guild. You can register scripts online now =>
www.wga.org/
I recommend the Guild. If your material is registered with them and a dispute develops over who created the material or when it was created, the Guild's legal staff will back you up at no charge. The U.S. Copyright office and commercial copyright protection services do not offer this kind of expert assistance for free.
So, bite the bullet and sign that Release Form AFTER you have registered your work to establish the date of creation.
To see a typical release form => www.writerscriptnetwork.com/release_form.php
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No more excuses...
Find out how YOU can get PAID to write!
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MINI-TUTORIAL
What
are Beats? How Can I Use Them Effectively in my Script?
Copyright (c) 2002, Lenore Wright
Last month I received this provocative question: "I have been studying screenplays and I'm having a problem finding out what a BEAT is. How do BEATS work within a screenplay?
Scenes are made up of 'beats'. Even the shortest movie scene will have several beats within it. Scenes in plays run much longer and may contain dozens or even hundreds of small beats that reveal character nuances, enhance conflict and move the plot along.
A beat is a contained moment. The beat changes when something happens to change the mood or the intent of the characters.
Directors and actors break their scene into beats to help them understand the emotion and subtext of the scene and so they can wring the most drama and entertainment from each moment in the scene.
A mundane example of a beat breakdown within a scene:
A Detective walks into an interrogation room to confront a Suspect.
Beat one: The silent interchange that occurs as the Detective enters and faces the Suspect.
Beat two: The Suspect harangues the Detective for making him wait so long.
Beat three: The Detective responds to this rant by holding up a piece of evidence that connects the Suspect with the crime -- a bloody shirt maybe.
Beat four: This physical evidence quiets the Suspect temporarily. He stews as he contemplates how to explain away the bloody shirt.
Beat five: The Detective goes on the offensive, probing deeper with questions about the shirt.
Beat six: The Suspect stops stewing and starts sweating.
Beat seven: The Detective circles the suspect as he talks, moving in closer, invading the Suspect's personal space. It appears that the Suspect is about to 'break'.
Beat eight: Instead of breaking, suddenly the Suspect grabs a pencil from the Detective's pocket and stabs him in the eye with it --
Great scenes have several beats with surprises and tiny twists of emotion, dialogue, gesture or action that reveal plot, character and emotion.
Look at a scene you've written that you feel works well. Break it down into beats, you'll see why it works. There is probably plenty going on to keep the audience engaged with the characters and their conflict.
Likewise, if you have scenes that aren't working, break them into beats and you might discover why. You need beats that will surprise and thrill your audience as they reveal the nuances of the characters and their conflict.
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Selling Your Work to the Movies?
Let www.breakingin.net help you!
Bombproof Query Letters =>
www.breakingin.net/tswquery.htm
Freebies for Screenwriters =>
www.breakingin.net/freebies.htm
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MARKET
TIP
TV
Script
Contests
=> ACCLAIM TV WRITING COMPETITION
This contest promises to introduce writers to the decision makers of the television and cable market. Winners will have their material read by experienced producers and agents in LA, NY and South Florida.
Two script categories: Spec Scripts for existing TV shows and original Pilots/Movies of the Week.
DEADLINE: November 11, 2002
INFO: www.acclaimtv.netfirms.com
=> CAPE FOUNDATION NEW WRITER AWARDS
Opportunity for WRITERS of ASIAN or PACIFIC ISLANDER DESCENT.
This contest is sponsored by the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE). They offer two writing categories: screenplay and TV script. The winners receive a cash award and an opportunity to pitch to an elite panel of entertainment executives.
DEADLINE: October 18, 2002
INFO => www.capeusa.org
=> ACCOLADES TV + SHORTS CONTEST
An outlet for emerging writing talent. Finalist judges include agents, managers and TV and cable industry executives. Awards: Over $3,000. in cash and prizes.
Three TV Script Categories: Half-hour Script for existing show or original Half-hour Pilot; Hour Script for existing show, original Hour Pilot, MOW or Mini-series; Short Film or Short Screenplay.
DEADLINE: November 12, 2002
INFO: www.americanaccolades.com/AccoladesTV.htm
=> SCRIPTAPALOOZA TV WRITING CONTEST
This well-established contest offers these script categories: Pilot Script for Original Half-hour Show and Hour Show; Spec Script for existing Half-hour Show and Spec Script for existing Hour Show. Cash prizes in each category plus consideration by established production companies.
DON''T MISS: Interviews with Previous Winners are on the Web site.
DEADLINE: November 15, 2002
INFO: www.scriptapalooza.com
=> THE PEOPLE'S PILOT
This contest is for ORIGINAL Network or Cable pilots, NOT scripts from existing TV shows. Check the guidelines for submission requirements. The winner receives a development deal from Brody Productions (based on the WGA Minimums) and agency representation.
DEADLINE: December 1, 2002
INFO: www.tvwriter.com/peoplespilot/
=> TVWRITER.COM SPEC SCRIPTACULAR
This contest (also sponsored by writer-producer Larry Brody) calls for Spec Scripts from EXISTING SERIES. Two categories: Half-hour Sitcom, One-hour Drama or Action.
DEADLINE: December 1, 2002
INFO: www.tvwriter.com
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Do a writing pal a favor and FORWARD Script Market News to them!
Bulk up on some of that Halloween candy you bought (just in case trick-or-treaters show up at your door) and then FINISH THAT SCRIPT.
Don't forget to nominate www.breakingin.net as a helpful site for writers. Vote by e-mail =>
wd-tools@fwpubs.com
Lenore Wright, Editor
Script Market News
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