Tag: Screenwriting

Shore Scripts – Feature Screenplay Contest

Organizer: Shore Scripts

Open to: All
A writer who has earned more than $30,000 (or equivalent currency) since 2010 in screenwriting fees is not eligible. (Contest winnings not included.)

Length: Recommended 80 to 120 pages

Genre or Subject: All

Prizes:

  • First place wins $4,000 plus other prizes
  • Second place wins $1,000 plus other prizes
  • Third place wins $500 plus other prizes
  • Fourth place wins $250 plus other prizes
  • Fifth place wins lots of other prizes

Deadlines: 
Early deadline: March 1st, 2018 – $45 Submission fee
Regular deadline: June 1st, 2018 – $50 Submission fee
Final deadline: August 1st, 2018 – $60 submission fee

Please read the rules before entering the competition

British to American Spelling
Advice, Grammar

UK to US Spelling

Phil Owens

Many people struggle when they need to write using a country’s spelling that isn’t their native tongue. After several years of looking up the differences, I now know most of them by heart. However, there are still a few that can catch me out. I thought I’d build up a translation table so I didn’t have to keep searching to check if I was right. I thought this might be useful to my readers, so here is a searchable table of the most common variances.

When moving from British to American English, there are some general rules that normally apply; Continue reading “UK to US Spelling” →

Script Template
Advice, Screenwriting

MS Word Script Template

Phil Owens

Following the interest from my Script Formatting Guide, I thought I’d knock together an MS Word template with the margins set and the most common format styles set up as shortcuts. If you’d like a copy, then just Enter your email below. Oh, I couldn’t find a suitable photo for this, so I thought I’d use one of a cute puppy.

MS Word Script Template (49 downloads)

It’s a very basic template, but if you would like anything added, then drop me a line.

Why not sign up as a subscriber and make sure you don’t miss any future articles or downloads.

Advice, Creative Writing, Screenwriting

How To Write Show Vs. Tell

Phil Owens

“Show, don’t tell” must be one of the most often heard pieces of advice writers hear. But what on earth does it really mean? I think it’s easier to start with an example; “John felt scared,” is a perfect example of ‘telling.’ The same thing but done as ‘showing’ would be, “John cowered.” By using the second example, you are showing the reader how John felt; it puts a picture in the reader’s head. And, this is the golden rule to try and follow. Continue reading “How To Write Show Vs. Tell” →

Grammarly Dissected photo
Advice, Grammar

The Grammarly Tool Dissected – A Personal Review

Phil Owens

Whether you’re a veteran or a virgin to the world of writing, Grammarly is one of those tools that can help improve your prose. As a proofreader, Grammarly is one of my sanity-checking tools. Even at the standard membership level, the functionality is useful.

Continue reading “The Grammarly Tool Dissected – A Personal Review” →

What's in a Script photo
Advice, Screenwriting

Components Of A Script

Phil Owens

One question every single fledgling scriptwriter asks is, “How do I write a script?” In this article, we are going to break a script down into its component pieces and explore what you can do to make them better. This article should be read in conjunction with How To Format A Script. So, without further ado, let’s get to it…

Continue reading “Components Of A Script” →

Shriekfest Horror Film Festival

Organizer: Shriekfest

Open to: All, 18+

Length: See below

Category(s):

  • Feature screenplay – Minimum of 45 pages
  • Short screenplay – Maximum of 45 pages

Genre(s): 

  • horror
  • comedy horror
  • thriller
  • sci-fi
  • fantasy

Prizes: No details yet on prizes

Deadlines: 
Early deadline: February 1st, 2018 – $45 submission fee
Regular deadline: May 1st, 2018 – $50 submission fee
Late deadline: July 1st, 2018 – $55 submission fee
Final deadline: July 10th, 2018 – $60 submission fee

Please read the rules before entering the competition

Advice

Advice and Guidance

Phil Owens

Even if I can’t help you with editing or proofreading, there are many articles on my site that I hope can help. My Blog section contains advice and guidance and is a growing resource to help new authors and screenwriters with many of the most common questions asked when starting to write.

Most of the tips are to do with grammar, but there will be the odd one for writing in general. These tips are to help you produce the best first draft you can and to avoid some of the pitfalls new writers often fall into.

At the bottom of all my posts is an option to Print, email, or convert to a PDF so you can keep the article for future reference.

One thing to note while reading my blog is that it is written using British spelling and grammar. Although, sometimes, I write using American spelling and grammar just for a bit of variation.

If you’re looking for an opportunity to guest blog, then I’m more than happy to chat.

The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards

Organizer: Page

Open to: All, 18+
Each writer or writing team may not have earned more than $50,000 or the foreign equivalent (jointly or individually) for work as a screenwriter and/or fictional television writer.

Length: See below

Genre or Subject: 

FEATURE FILM SCRIPTS

  • ACTION/ADVENTURE – All types of action scripts, war stories, westerns, and adventure tales (80-120 pages)
  • COMEDY – Light and dark comedies, romantic comedies, farces, spoofs, satires (80-120 pages)
  • DRAMA – All types of dramatic scripts, coming-of-age stories, dramedies, romances, tragedies (80-120 pages)
  • FAMILY FILM – Live-action and animated children’s tales, fantasies, spiritual movies, and heartwarming, “feel-good” stories for all ages (80-120 pages)
  • HISTORICAL FILM – Scripts based on true historical characters and events, biopics, docudramas (80-120 pages)
  • SCIENCE FICTION – Stories about time travel and space travel, advanced technology, extraterrestrials, post-apocalyptic and alien worlds (80-120 pages)
  • THRILLER/HORROR – Murder tales and mysteries, psychological thrillers, ghost stories, creature features, monster movies (80-120 pages)

SHORT FILM
Live-action and animated short film scripts of all genres (under 30 pages)

TV DRAMA
Pilot episodes for original drama series (50-70 pages)

TV COMEDY
Pilot episodes for original single-camera comedy series and multi-camera sitcoms (25-45 pages)

Prizes:

  • Grand prize of $25,000 plus other prizes
  • Gold place wins $1,000 plus other prizes
  • Silver place wins $500 plus other prizes
  • Bronze place wins $250 plus other prizes

Deadlines: 
Early deadline: January 15th, 2018 – $55 submission fee
Regular deadline: February 15th, 2018 – $65 submission fee
Late deadline: March 15th, 2018 – $75 submission fee
Final deadline: April 16th, 2018 – $85 submission fee

Please read the rules before entering the competition