Here's Why A Screenwriter Should Submit To Script Contests - Kelli McNeil

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  • Опубликовано: 27 сен 2019
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    In this Film Courage video interview, Writer, Actress and Voice Over Artist Kelli McNeil on Here's Why A Screenwriter Should Submit To A Script Contest.
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Комментарии • 109

  • @boodrow6969
    @boodrow6969 2 года назад +13

    This one's fun. At the end of the day, I think experience with contests is INSANELY subjective. Some people swear by it, others avoid it like the plague. It reminds me of the War of the Outline. Some writers say you HAVE to write an outline. Others say if you do, you're destroying your creativity.
    Welcome to the wonderful world of Art. It's a bitch.

  • @ericrenquist6494
    @ericrenquist6494 4 года назад +40

    I don't agree with men being able to fake it until they make it. I think it's mostly just personality type. I've never been able to do that. I also deal with imposter syndrome.

    • @Vstrum
      @Vstrum 4 года назад +5

      Eric Renquist Yeah agree, I think because she’s mostly comparing herself to men she figures it’s her being female that might be the difference. But I’m the same way as well

    • @darkparker7500
      @darkparker7500 4 года назад +1

      Agreed.

    • @dirgramsey6132
      @dirgramsey6132 4 года назад +12

      She even said she wrote a screenwriting book before finishing the program or selling a screenplay. That should be the definition of a screenwriter faking it until she makes it.

    • @BlindedBraille
      @BlindedBraille 4 года назад +5

      100% agree. I prefer knowing the trade then faking it. It seems like a rather silly comment to make. Everyone has their own apporach, gender has nothing to do with it.

    • @anthonysiebenmorgen7216
      @anthonysiebenmorgen7216 4 года назад

      Same

  • @filmcourage
    @filmcourage  4 года назад +5

    Do you submit to screenwriting contests? Why or why not?

    • @csseyhubbard123
      @csseyhubbard123 4 года назад +6

      Took a leap of faith and I just submitted a script to BlueCat's contest. (heard about it through your channel) Really excited to get some feedback.

    • @two-moonz2953
      @two-moonz2953 4 года назад +1

      @@csseyhubbard123 Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!! I submit this coming Jan 2020 to Nichols Fellowship.

    • @PermaPen
      @PermaPen 4 года назад

      I haven't, because I imagine it would just be a black hole: money in, script in, nothing out. I'd happily submit/pay if there were some guaranteed sensible feedback. Like paying for a review service that also happens to rank its entries and give a prize.

    • @C.Church
      @C.Church 4 года назад

      I am shooting for Nicholl 2020. Let's find out, though.

  • @reginaldpeters7407
    @reginaldpeters7407 4 года назад +4

    Very informative, love this interview.. I think as actor's it's easier to make a transition to being a writer. Simply because we've seen how plots can be changed for the betterment of the storytelling. Or for the character's development as being a instrumental piece within the story...

  • @jacksp8de
    @jacksp8de 4 года назад +4

    Imposter syndrome is not based on gender lol that personality trait is based on the individual. However I would like to read her work. I like the reverence in which she treats her craft. And she’s a winner 👍🏾

  • @rickharold7884
    @rickharold7884 4 года назад +2

    Interesting. Thx

  • @parap7697
    @parap7697 4 года назад +20

    Just a word of caution to Kelli: many of us have worked very hard and continue to work very hard to close the divide between men and women, in terms of mental abilities, talent, and creativity. Please don't reopen this divide with unfounded and divisive stereotypes. It's not good for anyone. You said it yourself, numerous times, "maybe it's just me." Yes, it's just you and a lot of other PEOPLE, regardless of gender. Some (men and women) work a certain way, some (men and women) work in other ways. It's not gendered. It's individual. Thank you for understanding.

    • @nathanlawrence7319
      @nathanlawrence7319 4 года назад +4

      I’m pretty sick of people continuing to make sweeping generalizations about huge groups of people, piggy-backing off stereotypes, and maybe applying a personal anecdote to an entire population of individuals. All colors and all genders are humans with an array of personalities and behaviors that change from individual to individual. Can we please stop saying ALL __ are __. No more, I’m so sick of it. Yes there are some consistent patterns within certain subsets or subgroups of a population, but please please please stop applying those things to the entire population. It’s not accurate and it’s getting old. Thanks

    • @daleandre7347
      @daleandre7347 8 месяцев назад

      Disagree. Why are you trying to make men and women the same animal? Appreciate and leverage the difference, don't pretend it doesn't exist. I don't understand the frequent lefty assertion that diversity adds color and new perspectives but boundaries between men and women must be eliminated. Does diversity of perspective and contribution matter, or not?

  • @SWW978
    @SWW978 4 года назад +20

    It's all about who you know.

  • @TheJuzi
    @TheJuzi 4 года назад +7

    I have entered lots of contests and i have WON lots too, just a week ago i won the Grand Prize at the NYSC Thriller Catergory, in the last 4 1/2 years i have won 23 various contests with 7 different scripts but i have still not sold/optioned a script. Ask me anything.

    • @TheJuzi
      @TheJuzi 4 года назад +3

      @@g.a.r3058 Hello there, none of the 7 scripts that have won contests have become films(so far). The script becomes part of my 'portfolio' to hopefully become a movie further down the line. I don't waste much time starting a new project and generally write 2/3 new scripts per year. I only started writing US themed scripts about 4/5 years ago, before that i wrote for British Theatre for several years and had quite a few plays produced. Hope that helps.

    • @TheJuzi
      @TheJuzi 4 года назад +1

      @Patric Cox I don't think the writing process in any different for any particular genre. I always start by writing a treatment, usually 7 pages, 4 pages of that are the plot outline, 1 page for act 1, 2 pages for act 2 (1 for each half of act 2) and 1 page for act 3. I don't start the script until the outline is correct/working. Then i produce a step outline from my 4 pages of plot/story and start the script on the first step. I work through each step, there's usually about 45-60 steps. If your step outline is correct before starting you will never become blocked or stuck. After finishing the script i pay for feedback from a pro script reader, i take the notes and re-write the script. Only then would i consider entering it into a competition.

  • @intelligentdesign8994
    @intelligentdesign8994 2 года назад

    I feel a whole lot better now. LOL. Thank you.

  • @ajtaylor8750
    @ajtaylor8750 4 года назад +10

    I recently stopped submitting all my screenplays into contests just because I wanted to become more professional as a screenwriter, and didn't want to rely on contests in order to get my work noticed. I want to comment on something Kelli said, which is that men usually fake it till they make it, and I disagree because it's quite the opposite. I think men are much more planned out and methodical in their approach, where as women have imposter syndrome, something she admitted to having when she first entered the craft.

    • @watchfuleye4709
      @watchfuleye4709 4 года назад +1

      blcklst.com/ It's been said that many successful movies were purchased off of blacklist. I will say be careful though. I was a novel writer and despite writing an sensational work of art, I was unable to get accepted by any literary agents. I then learned that the majority of people who submitted their querys. despite them possibly having a great novel, most get rejected. So it doesn't appear to based off of talent. But check out that site, it's been said to have goo reviews. I'm working on screenplay now so i cant offer my opinion. But I dont expect much success because like those who are connected are the ones who really make it. But if not, I'll just write for fun.

    • @jdamagedgoods
      @jdamagedgoods 4 года назад +6

      No, you stopped submitting to contests because you didn't like the feedback you were given.

    • @jdamagedgoods
      @jdamagedgoods 4 года назад +5

      @Mr Glass his ego is about as fragile as your name.

    • @rawo2187
      @rawo2187 4 года назад +2

      jdamagedgoods right, as a writer you should use every platform available to get your work noticed. At least you would think so right ?

    • @jdamagedgoods
      @jdamagedgoods 4 года назад +3

      @@rawo2187 i think the statement made originally by AJ about no longer submitting because they want to become "more professional" is contradictory. If you are submitting to a top 10, even top 15, writing competition the feedback you will receive from their readers will help you get to that "professional" level. Even if the readers themselves have not written anything of note, they read scripts all the time so they have a good idea of whats good, whats bad, where this or that could be better.

  • @Wordsley
    @Wordsley 4 года назад +1

    These Rock!

  • @kylelittle6050
    @kylelittle6050 4 года назад +5

    As soon as I heard "me too movement" this video ended!

    • @kylelittle6050
      @kylelittle6050 4 года назад

      @DarthYuYevon spot on! I thought it was about story right, in general the more I watch these videos the more I just want to make my own stuff no matter how crappy it it it actually seems like a better alternative.

  • @Angels-3xist
    @Angels-3xist 4 года назад +4

    Why not write a book and have a chance at all?

  • @jonathangriffin8060
    @jonathangriffin8060 4 года назад +3

    I have submitted my screenplays to screenwriting contests. I do this because I would like to know if they have any potential and if it has any potential to be seen on the screen if the screenplays that I write places in the contests I submitted them to. I have sent two separate short film scripts to an inexpensive screenwriting contest. One in 2016 and it was a semi-finalist in 2017 and the other was sent to the same contest in February of this year and it placed as a semi-finalist in August. I am happy that they did have the potential to be semi-finalists in the contest I had submitted them in. I sent my first feature screenplay into a contest through WeScreenplay and asked for feedback. I got the feedback a couple of months later and I got an email from them and said when I finish the rewrite, I could send it to them again. I am in the process of rewriting the screenplay now. So, scriptwriting contests are a good way to see where on the hierarchy a writer is and how they can get better if their script needs work.

    • @ShootMeMovieReviews
      @ShootMeMovieReviews 4 года назад +1

      Consider this: the most popular movie in the world has never sold to more than 10% of the public. Of those who bought tickets, no movie has appealed to all viewers. If you give your script to ANY reader, chances are at least 90% that they will dislike it even if it's as good as the best movie ever written. Entering contests frequently can help get your name recognized in certain circles (and often if you haven't built this reputation you won't be seriously considered regardless of the quality of your work), but I would suggest you spend your energies elsewhere.

    • @jonathangriffin8060
      @jonathangriffin8060 4 года назад

      @@ShootMeMovieReviews If what you say is true, then that's why the writer asks for feedback to make the script better to where it can have some success. I don't know you very well, but I do know that when you started out, your first script wasn't bought right away and it took you a while to get to where you are now. Also, if the writer does place in a contest, then, they should network and get together with other writers or industry people. When I placed in the contests, my next step was to go to a site run by folks who have success in the industry for people who enjoy all aspects of filmmaking. So, writers should not just rely on contests; especially if their script places in them. They need to network and communicate with the people within their network. I have been on a filmmaking site for four years and have a network of other creatives. As a result, I have been chatting with a film crew and a film composer as a result of networking. So, that is where my energies are spent.

  • @trentbell2718
    @trentbell2718 4 года назад +2

    Men also feel imposter syndrome- that is what "fake it til you make it" means, you be an imposter til you no longer are. So Kelli kinda contradicted herself there.

  • @JustGeorgeRay
    @JustGeorgeRay 4 года назад +7

    She seems very impressed with herself.

    • @JustGeorgeRay
      @JustGeorgeRay 4 года назад +1

      @DarthYuYevon I guess she was waiting through 3 years to see when her script would be relevant. I've been working and revising my feature script for 6 years, 3 years is nothing.

    • @JustGeorgeRay
      @JustGeorgeRay 4 года назад +1

      @DarthYuYevon I'm not even close or considering trying to make it in Hollywood. Just want to make my own films independently like most of the herd.

  • @howardkoor2796
    @howardkoor2796 4 года назад

    Kelli is delightful

  • @gianttwinkie
    @gianttwinkie 3 месяца назад

    I submitted one to a contest and they said all the characters sounded the same. That is when I was turned off from getting reviewed. My characters were very different. I had the same screenplay reviewed by a professional and asked about the character voices. He said they were great. His big issue was that I needed things that happened in the screenplay to be more earned. He was exactly correct. I had a backstory that I never mentioned in the story that affected what happened on screen. That was not in the festival review. Sadly, you can't get noticed by having a professional review your script. So I may enter with the hope of getting noticed. Not so much for the review. I also may forge forward and try and make it myself.

  • @ShootMeMovieReviews
    @ShootMeMovieReviews 4 года назад +15

    As a produced screenwriter, I strongly disagree that contests are worthwhile. In essence, they are an opportunity to pay someone to read your script who has no intention of producing it, instead of sending it to a producer who may do so. They take advantage of naive hopes and siphon money from the pockets of writers who often can't afford it, usually offering no prize greater than maybe a couple thousand dollar value. Instead send queries and put your script in the hands of producers. If you 'win' with them, you sell your script. And they don't charge you money to read your submission.

    • @jonathangriffin8060
      @jonathangriffin8060 4 года назад +1

      @Shoot Me Reviews I have a question for you. What should a novice writer do if producers don't accept query letters from novice writers? There are many people in the industry who do not accept query letters from novice writers. I know this because I have tried this method and they have said that they do not accept query letters from new writers without representation. The method you have described does not guarantee that the producer will even look at the writer's script; much less a query letter. And if the new writer doesn't know anyone in the industry, that makes it even more difficult for them to get a career in the industry. That's why screenwriting contests exist. And there have been lots of success stories from writers who have entered screenwriting contests. Also, if you do want to be in this industry, sometimes you do have to spend money in order to get your career off the ground. So, again, contests are a good way to get into the business. All the writer has to do is research the contests and choose which one is right for them.

    • @ShootMeMovieReviews
      @ShootMeMovieReviews 4 года назад +1

      @@jonathangriffin8060 If a producer doesn't accept unsolicited material, I wouldn't expect them to read my script. You should target producers who make the kind of movie you've written, and do what you can to get a foot in the door. If you think contests help, go for it. I however, do not think they do. Or at least they do extremely rarely.

    • @jonathangriffin8060
      @jonathangriffin8060 4 года назад +1

      @@ShootMeMovieReviews I hate to say this, but your method seems like how writers got movies made in the 80s when you could just get in touch with producers via query letters. But times have changed. There are other ways for screenwriters to get their work out there. There are lots of videos on RUclips that explains what I am saying. And if your method works for you, great, but it may not work for someone else. The point is: Do your best to get your work noticed. Remember: There is more than one way to do that.

    • @ShootMeMovieReviews
      @ShootMeMovieReviews 4 года назад

      @@jonathangriffin8060 Hate it all you want. If you think it's a good idea to pay people to read your script, go for it. I'm not stopping you.

    • @jonathangriffin8060
      @jonathangriffin8060 4 года назад

      @@ShootMeMovieReviews Call it whatever you want. You just need to understand that there's more than one way to get your work out there and every writer does things differently.

  • @isaacbarlow8247
    @isaacbarlow8247 4 года назад

    I have and I still do...I do the local thing in which I placed twice and I have done the abroad thing, I was a finalist in Italy...lol. So I do and although this year I have been writing ( at least 5 new scripts a year) I have to budget my time along with money...because some contests aren't cheap..lol.

    • @bradebronson8835
      @bradebronson8835 4 года назад +2

      5 feature length scripts per year? Thats awesome and very challenging to accomplish. Good Job.

  • @joeroberts6243
    @joeroberts6243 4 года назад

    Can someone please tell me how and where to submit my short film to a competition?

    • @C.Church
      @C.Church 4 года назад +1

      Step one: Google.

    • @eypoy1
      @eypoy1 4 года назад

      Fillmfreeway

  • @jag5798
    @jag5798 4 года назад +2

    I look for competitions that aren’t trying to sell a behind the scenes service.
    I don’t want to end up on a Rolodex, fighting with spam afterwards.

    • @roathripper
      @roathripper 4 года назад +2

      that s the problem right there. You send it in - and you're 'databased'.

    • @nathanlawrence7319
      @nathanlawrence7319 4 года назад +1

      Surely not all contests are like that though right? I mean some must be legit and are useful for recognition, making connections, and getting work right? They can’t all be traps to try and sell us services right??

    • @wakkowarner8810
      @wakkowarner8810 Год назад

      Apply to colleges because I don’t think colleges running competitions will spam you. Just make sure you are submitting it to a real college, and not a diploma mill.

  • @danbee998
    @danbee998 4 года назад +10

    Grouping all men into a "fake it till you make it" group and women learning before doing something is repulsive. Smart people, regardless of gender, learn craft. Her generalizing men this way is absolutely disgusting. You can hear the pride she takes in her accomplishments (I had to cringe listening to this one). I recall not liking her, at all, from a previous video. I think I will forego her future "insights."

    • @darkparker7500
      @darkparker7500 4 года назад +1

      She sure loves to be politically correct.

    • @jacksp8de
      @jacksp8de 4 года назад +2

      I noticed it too, and I disagree with her but I wasn’t disgusted by it sheesh lol everybody is so outraged over nothing these days

  • @jdamagedgoods
    @jdamagedgoods 4 года назад +4

    Keep in mind there is no right answer as to enter contests or not. Her experience may not be the same for others. I personally think you should enter a top 10.

  • @C.Church
    @C.Church 4 года назад +1

    It is puzzling why so many are focused on one gender opinion (she didnt say it was a rule) while bigger issues are here. Her phone literally blew up! 🔥 Safety first--avoid competitions!

  • @ShogunOrta
    @ShogunOrta 2 года назад

    And if this was cuz i wrote that book, that thing is an effing curse.

  • @dirgramsey6132
    @dirgramsey6132 4 года назад +5

    She published a book before she even finished the screenwriting program. But men fake it until they make it?

  • @flirtwd
    @flirtwd 4 года назад

    I’ll never submit my stuff to a contest.

  • @Rubrick23.
    @Rubrick23. 11 месяцев назад

    How do woman think men just fake it. You clearly have to do the work. Study. I mean this is why its hard having any sympathy for women especially when you're trying to understand and learn from a woman and then she automatically just misses you as a character on or everything is just handwritten for you'll be okay

  • @xianthegaian4060
    @xianthegaian4060 4 года назад

    I'm not a fan of fake it till you make it either, the more YOURSELF you are the better, we need more originality and less "lifestyle echoing "..... I prefer the saying (be yourself and prepare for the wealth) ......no disrespect to Steve Harvey but not all of us can "fake it till we make it" 🤔

  • @DIEGOPSYCHE
    @DIEGOPSYCHE 4 года назад +1

    She's pretty....I love writing scripts. It just engages my mind. I want to finish my second script.i don't submit my scripts because I don't feel confident in my ability to write. And that is I need to get over.

  • @roathripper
    @roathripper 4 года назад +6

    screenplays are not written to sit in a drawer - forget these shady contests and film your screenplay yourself!

    • @bradebronson8835
      @bradebronson8835 4 года назад +3

      Yes.. I'll use my 200 million dollar budget script and shoot it on my Iphone

    • @bradebronson8835
      @bradebronson8835 4 года назад

      @@faa9261 I know you're new to RUclips so I'll educate you.
      When someone makes an initial comment and there's a reply. Unless there's a specified reply name before the comment, it's meant for the person who posted the original comment. Like for instance, I placed DIAR in front of this particular comment.
      But my initial comment had no DIAR in front, so it was meant for Roath. Yeah, just simple, self explanatory comment rules that you didn't understand. I hope you understand them now.

    • @bradebronson8835
      @bradebronson8835 4 года назад

      @@faa9261 I didn't know it was such hard work for you. It's all good though.

    • @bradebronson8835
      @bradebronson8835 4 года назад

      @@faa9261 What's wrong? Why you so frustrated?

  • @Darfaultner
    @Darfaultner 4 года назад +7

    Too many butthurt guys on this post. She was just saying that guys are more likely to jump in and give it a go. I think she’s right. Offended men, lol

    • @dirgramsey6132
      @dirgramsey6132 4 года назад

      DanteDarcangelo couple of virgin white knights on here too ❄️

    • @trentbell2718
      @trentbell2718 4 года назад

      Some of us are just tired of the "men have it easier" thing, especially when it is the very first thing said in the video.

  • @quanah
    @quanah 2 года назад

    sexist statement 😒

  • @convolution223
    @convolution223 4 года назад +2

    sexist

  • @darkparker7500
    @darkparker7500 4 года назад +3

    Sure, there are lots of fake male screenwriters, but there are also lots of fake female screenwriters.
    I am a male, and before I started writing scripts, I educated myself. This said education is continuous. It never stops.
    No matter what their gender, serious writers never fake it. They might have poor scripts, but they are genuinely passionate about storytelling, learning the craft of storytelling, and honing their skills.
    There is something really wrong with many folk, such as the interviewee, in filmmaking today. Too much focus on being politically correct. Not enough on the craft.

    • @Darfaultner
      @Darfaultner 4 года назад

      dark parker triggered

    • @darkparker7500
      @darkparker7500 4 года назад +2

      @@Darfaultner Same goes to you. We all get triggered. The question is whether getting triggered is objectively rational or not.
      In this case, it is.
      Stop cutting people down when they are correct, or when they point out something incorrect. And please, enough with the white knighting.

    • @bradebronson8835
      @bradebronson8835 4 года назад

      @@Darfaultner Beta

    • @Darfaultner
      @Darfaultner 4 года назад

      @@bradebronson8835 I don't play hierarchy games, lambsy

    • @Darfaultner
      @Darfaultner 4 года назад

      There was nothing politically correct or incorrect with what she said. She simply observed that guys are more likely to jump in the deep end. And that's true. Guys are more risk-takers; it's in our DNA. You are the one who made it politically motivated.

  • @AmericanActionReport
    @AmericanActionReport 4 года назад +2

    Her accent is hard to understand. The video needs subtitles.

  • @JillRobertsIsmyGF
    @JillRobertsIsmyGF 4 года назад +2

    it's not men's fault that we're just naturally better at everything than women