by John | May 17, 2021 | WMC
The deadline for the WriteMovies Spring Contest is in just one week on May 23rd! Don’t forget to enter for your chance to win the Grand Prize of $3500 and more!
As the industry slowly gets back to normal, the demand for spec scripts and the potential opportunities for screenwriters in 2021 could be huge. The pandemic has changed the world and the movie industry along with it.
Back in the ‘90s, the spec script had a golden age. As reported by gointothestory.com, there were 173 spec scripts sold in 1995, a staggering number compared to modern-day figures. We think there’s potential for these numbers to increase again because of the pandemic and the way film distribution has worked during this unstable time.
Streaming services are vital in the present day and are the most popular way that people consume films and TV shows, with services like Netflix producing their own films and releasing them exclusively on their own platforms. At the same time, major production companies were unable to put their films into cinemas during the pandemic.
As a result, these companies started releasing their movies on VoD and streaming services instead, sometimes for a higher fee. What does this mean for screenwriters? Well, with people able to easily consume new films at home without even needing to get up off the couch, there will be a constant demand for new films and scripts.
This, in turn, means that a film’s opening weekend and box-office numbers won’t be the only thing producers look at, and they’re far more likely to take risks on spec scripts because of the constant demand from streaming and VoD.
Here at WriteMovies, we make sure all our winners are in the best position possible when pitching to the industry. Click here to enter before the deadline and have a chance of winning our 2021 Spring Contest!
by John | May 10, 2021 | Updates
If you missed the deadline for the WriteMovies Sci-Fi and Fantasy Award, there’s no need to travel back in time – we’ve extended the contest for another week, giving you until May 16th to enter!
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by John | May 7, 2021 | WriteMovies Academy
Want to know what producers want from writers? You’re in luck – that’s exactly what WriteMovies’ Director Ian Kennedy is going to be discussing in a new online session on May 13th. Find out how to work with industry decision-makers and succeed as a professional screenwriter!
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by John | May 6, 2021 | Industry Diary
The past month in our Industry Diary: It’s been a long year, but we’re always looking to get our scripts pitched to industry. As productions get back on their feet, here’s an update about what we’ve been up to lately:
- One of our winners provided an excellent new draft of his powerful script yesterday, refined following our latest free Development Notes to get it pitch-ready. We’ve immediately sent the script on to Oscar-winning producers who asked to see the new draft once ready. Really excited to see what they think of it!
- I attended the WGGB Open Session discussing the impact of Covid-19 and Brexit has had on the industry, and information and guidance people can receive in the future. I also heard stories from people’s personal projects that were postponed, cancelled, or fortunate enough to be adapted to go ahead during the pandemic.
- Making enquiries through IMDb Pro with potential producers about some of our winners such as END OF THE LINE, RIDING WITH CHARLIE and MAKE THE WEATHER. You can read all about the writers and the scripts in the articles linked.
- We’ve been communicating with our latest winners to get their work pitch ready. All our winners have now received Development Notes from our analysts and are hard at work on new drafts of their scripts. We’ve also been putting together one-page pitches for them, a key tool for us when pitching.
- One of our recent winners is reworking their script into a different format after an expression of interest from one of our contacts, who is looking to pass on sci-fi scripts for an award-winning Hollywood professional to direct. Loglines for all our winners scripts were also sent out to top producers for consideration.
by John | Apr 26, 2021 | WriteMovies Academy
We’re halfway through our online Introduction to Professional Screenwriting Course, but it’s never too late to join. The next session in the course is coming up this Thursday, April 29th: Second Drafts!
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by John | Apr 19, 2021 | WriteMovies Academy
Presenting a new online session taught by WriteMovies’ Director, Ian Kennedy! On May 13th, find out What Producers Want From Writers, with unique insights and tips for both pitching and writing from the very top.
To become a successful screenwriter, you need to work with the people who actually turn scripts into movies: producers. That means you need to get their interest, and you can’t do that unless you know what they’re looking for!
This online session from WriteMovies’ Director Ian Kennedy will teach you what producers and commissioners want from writers, and involves a 1 hour presentation followed by a Q&A session. Find out what he’s discovered from his experiences pitching to top producers, along with hints and tips from WriteMovies Elite Consultants.
You will learn:
- Coming up with a concept that producers can’t ignore
- Which elements of a script matter most to executives
- The commercial aspect of a script
- Why the first 10 pages are the most important
- The dos and don’ts of approaching producers
- How to work with producers and establish a strong working relationship
What Producers Want From Writers costs $30 and takes place on May 13th at 12pm PDT (3pm EDT / 8pm GMT). Click HERE to sign up now!
by John | Apr 16, 2021 | Our Winners
The winner of our Winter Contest is an action-packed cyberpunk epic, chronicling William Shakespeare’s interpretation of the rise and fall of ancient Rome: WHEN IN ROHM by Vanisha Renée Pierce!
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