I cannot make up my mind if I should enter the Silver Screenwriting Competition or not.
I have a script. A script that I feel has every potential in the World. At least now, when my second draft is done and I’m doing some overall polishing.
Could it be better? Probably.
Will I ever feel the script is perfect? Probably not.
So when to send it to a contest?
Right now I feel the script to be a marvel. If I look at it with a month of absence I’ll probably find flaws.
If I always find flaws when reading it after a time, I’ll never find the right time to send it to a contest.
I want so send my script to a competition to get feedback. To find out where I stand.
Have I a chance of winning? I don’t have a clue. Which probably means that I don’t stand a chance, or?
But if I feel that my script isn’t a winner, should I send it?
What do I have to lose?
The people reading, will they remember my name and every time they see a script by me the next ten years they will throw it in the waste basket?
I’ll have to write extremely bad to get that effect. I mean, how many names can a person cope?
So, when it comes down to it, is it all about money? Is the entry fee all that I gamble with?
7 comments:
You focus some questions which are basilar in the way you wish to obtain your best path (and for your script).
The script is never finished, but you know when it's good to show to someone as "almost-finished" script. You'll have always something to change, but at the some point you know it's down to some (redudant) details. So if your script it's on this phase, just do it.
But, and I'll say this to oppose what I said before, people will start to remember your name, so try that they remember in a good way.
Some years ago when I was even more fresh than I am today, I sent a play for a national contest. Today I wouldn't, because first I would change so many things, but in that time I sent it and guess what? I won a national award :)
Don't loose that chance if you believe in your work :)
Go for it. I started script writing so I could direct. What is your goal?
If you want to sell scripts the contest might be a good gamble.
Do you want to have your scripts made into a movie and money is a secondary goal at this point in your writing?
Still entering the contest would get a possible producer to see your script.
Is it good enough? Only one way to find out. Go for it.
If you read that script as if you were reading a script from a producer writer - and enjoying it in the same vein - it is ready.
If you want validation - to ensure that you are motivated to keep putting the work in, then feedback may be enough to do this, nevermind winning the big prize.
I put a short script called GAS into Shriekfest last year and it didn't win, but it did chart as a Semi-Finalist. When I got the feedback, there was no negative criticism of my technique; only praise.
That feedback was enough to make me keep going, when I was unsure if the effort was worthwhile and didn't know what standard I had attained as a writer.
If you can get feedback, is that not worth the money?
Sorry I meant 'Produced writer'
Wow! Many interesting responses. Thank you very much.
The overall feeling is I should enter if I feel that my script it ready.
One thing is absolutely certain and that is that no one will like my writing if I keep it to myself in fright that it's not good enough.
I'll proofread (again) and consider the situation.
You gave your own answer! Here.
One thing is absolutely certain and that is that no one will like my writing if I keep it to myself in fright that it's not good enough.
My advice: when you know that the script is finished, send it.
And once you've sent it, forget it.
Start or continue on with another project. Send it when you are able to let go of it, so it doesn't slow down your other work.
Thank you very much for your advice. It is a good idea. The hard part it to "know" when it is finished, but all you have is the gut feeling.
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