Feb 19, 2021
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Aug 31, 2021
Aug 31, 2021
Compete in your own space!
7 Genre Categories & 7 Winners
We’re looking for ALL emerging screenwriters! Whether you’re just beginning or a seasoned writer ready to redefine your career, we can elevate you to the next level. We’re searching for the most authentic and unique scripts in seven broad genre categories.
The winner of each genre category will receive $2500 cash. Of the seven scripts selected, one of you will go on to win the Grand Prize and receive an additional $7500 for a total of $10,000. You will also be accepted onto the ISA Development Slate, where the Development Team will get your script in front of top industry pros from companies like:
The Top 7 Scripts Will Be Read by Top Agents, Managers & Producers
This season's readers include:
Sheila Hanahan Taylor (Breaking In, American Pie, Final Destination):
One of the few people in Hollywood who is both a full-time film producer and full-time educator, Sheila’s main priority when she is not on set is helping the next generation of filmmakers find their creative path. With over 25 feature films under her belt, including Universal Studio’s recent box office darling BREAKING IN, and the $2 Billion Worldwide grossing AMERICAN PIE and FINAL DESTINATION franchises, she has also had movies awarded in competition at Toronto, Seattle, Miami, Chicago, Mill Valley, Tumbleweeds, Heartland and many other worldwide fests. Upcoming projects include the sixth installment of New Line Studio’s FINAL DESTINATION franchise; horror film SISTERS OF SAMHAIN, in partnership with Cinestate/Fangoria Films, Bloody Disgusting, and Grade A Entertainment; and the high-tech thriller ENTRY LEVEL, in partnership with Culmination Films and 13 Films. Previously, Sheila spent almost a decade running the room for the Fox TV Writers Lab, where she oversaw the development of over 75 original pilots and helped staff new voices into network shows. Currently, she sits on multiple University and Workshop Boards, runs screenwriting and producing labs around the world, has been an instructor in the Graduate and Professional Programs at UCLA film school for 20 years, is a specialist on Pitching and Branding, and believes everyone has a story to tell.
Farrell Ingle (Homestead, Saltwater Cowboy):
A writer-producer whose recent credits include sci-fi thriller HOMESTEAD with Gunpowder & Sky and SALTWATER COWBOY starring Glenn Howerton with FX and USA. He has worked in the writer’s room of the Marvel Disney+ series MS. MARVEL and on the run of production for DEADPOOL 2. Previously, he was a development executive with 87eleven and Zucker Productions.
Diane Drake (What Women Want, Only You):
Drake is an accomplished screenwriter, writing instructor, story consultant, author and international speaker. Her first produced original script, ONLY YOU, starring Robert Downey, Jr. and Marisa Tomei, sold for one million dollars, while her second produced script, WHAT WOMEN WANT, starring Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt, is the second highest grossing rom/com of all time. Both films have also been remade in China featuring major Chinese stars, and WWW was recently again remade as WHAT MEN WANT with Taraji P. Henson. Prior to becoming a screenwriter, Diane served as VP of Creative Affairs for Academy Award-winning director/producer Sydney Pollack. She is a member of the Writer’s Guild of America, and recently released her debut book on screenwriting, ”GET YOUR STORY STRAIGHT”. She teaches screenwriting through the UCLA Extension Writers Program, has served as a judge for numerous screenwriting contests including the WGA Awards and the Humanitas Prize, and serves as a mentor at the Rocaberti Writers Retreats in France and Italy.
4 more to be announced soon!
Last season's readers included:
MJ Cabellero – Director Of Production at Blumhouse (Sharp Objects, The Loudest Voice, The Purge)
Janet Jeffries – Development Executive at Lawrence Bender Productions (Greta, Hacksaw Ridge, Silence, Trumbo, Good Will Hunting, Pulp Fiction)
Daniel Seco – Literary Manager at Schemers Entertainment, formerly at Resolution and CAA.
Audrey Knox – Literary Manager at Cartel with clients on Lucifer, Happy!, Black Lightning, and Grown-ish.
Sandino Moya-Smith – Vice President of Production at MGM
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Categories: Feature / TV Pilot
Genres: Action/Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Historical/Bio, Horror/Thriller, Mystery/Crime, Sci Fi/Fantasy
Grand Prize Winner
(Selected from 7 Genre Award Winners)
- $7500 Cash ($10,000 Total Including Genre Award Winnings)
- Invitation onto the ISA Development Slate, where the team will work with you to further package and champion your winning script to more industry execs for a full year. Over 80 scripts from Development Slate writers have been produced or optioned.
- 1 Year ISAConnect with access to Writing Gigs and Industry Pros
- All Additional Category Prizes
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Genre Award Winners
(7 Winners Selected from 7 Genre Categories)
- $2500 Cash Each
- Genre Winner's Scripts Will Be Read by Top Agents, Managers & Producers
- ISA Development Slate Consideration
- ISA Development Slate Evaluation (for a New Script)
- 12 Months ISAConnect with access to Writing Gigs and Industry Pros
- All Prizes from Finalists
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Finalists (Top 10 of Each Genre)
- Live Online Class with Max Timm "The Craft: From Concept to Character"
- 6 months ISAConnect with access to Writing Gigs and Industry Pros
- ISA Logline Review
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Semi-Finalists
- 3 months ISAConnect with access to Writing Gigs and Industry Pros
- Digital Copy of "(Not Just) Another Book on the Craft of Screenwriting"
FAQ: https://www.emergingscreenwriters.com/rules-faqs/
For any other questions, please email us: Info@EmergingScreenwriters.com
Take Your Screenplay to the Next Level with ISA-Certified Professional Script Feedback
Screenplay competitions like Emerging Screenwriters are a great way to take a chance on your dreams through your creativity. However, unless you win the Grand Prize or one of the Genre Awards, you may never know how your script actually compared – and even if you do find success, you won’t actually know what it was about your script that caught the judges’ eyes and set you apart. That’s where Professional Script Feedback comes in.
In this business, doors only open every so often, so when you walk through you want to make sure you present the best version of what you have to offer. You don’t just want your screenplay to win a competition – you want producers and agents to read your screenplay and say, “I want THIS.” Script Feedback will give you that insight into those industry minds before you even get the appointment.
General Feedback (2-3 Pages) $59, normally $69 – You know your work inside and out, now it’s time to get a second opinion. We’ll read your full script, and you’ll receive a detailed personalized critique on what we see, what we think, and suggestions on where to go next. Focus on plot, dialogue, characterization, format, length, plot sequencing and how to focus the narrative. Plus, dialogue & character improvements.
Deep Dive (4-5 Pages) $79, normally $99 – This offers more than the General feedback with analysis on every aspect of the script. Examination of plot, character, format, marketability, etc. Suggestions and recommendations of other helpful screenplay resources.
ISA-Certified Script Readers are experienced industry professionals with a variety of success in screenwriting, producing, and literary management. They are here to empower you to improve your work based on their well-informed perspective and how it relates to the structure and technique contained within your script. We strive to give you something more than just a pat on the back; we’re here to propel your script to the front of the line.
FAQ: https://www.emergingscreenwriters.com/rules-faqs/
For any other questions, please email us: Info@EmergingScreenwriters.com
Click "UPGRADE AND SAVE" after completing
the entry form to redeem.
(If you have posted a Writing Gig, please click the red GIG REQUESTS button to view your submissions. If you are a writer and want to be considered for the TOP 25, you must be an ISAConnect Member)
