SHORT SCREENPLAY COMPETITION

Base Fee:

• $30 Submit by May 18, 2007

All entries include online feedback

RESUBMISSIONS


Base Fee:

• $20 Screenplay Resubmissions (what's this?)



ADDITIONAL FEES



• +$1 per page in excess of pg. 30
• +$15 Early Announcement Option (what's this?)



COVERAGE FEES



• +$40 Online Coverage Service Available in 1-2 months (what's this?)



RUSHED COVERAGE SERVICE



• +$70 Coverage Available in 1-2 weeks (do not combine with Coverage Fee)



SECOND READER OPTION


To guarantee that a second reader reviews your script, we give you the option to ensure an extra read (click for more information):


• +$15 guaranteed second reader (without coverage)
• +$50 Second Coverage from different reader
• +$80 Second Rushed Coverage



DISCOUNTS*



• -$5 Students
• -$5 International Submissions
• -$5 Multiple Scripts (per script)

*cannot be combined or used with promotional discounts

1. Completely read through the entire entry procedure, rules, guidelines and selction rpcess. Then create a Slamdance.com Account that includes your current contact information, or sign in using an existing Slamdance.com Account.
2. Select the "create new application" option and fill out the information on your screenplay. Make sure that when filling out the online application you select the "Short Screenplay" option. When you have completed the form, select "save application" (you may update any application with new information at any time throughout the competition).
   (a) If you are resubmitting, select the "Resubmit" button that appears next to your existing screenplay title instead of selecting "create new application". If you would like to be considered for The Duke City Shootout Prize (what's this?) select the button on the application
3. Select the "Print" option that appears next to your new screenplay title. This should print out your Application and Screenplay Cover.
   (a)Bind the Screenplay Cover to the front of your screenplay. Do not bind the Application or payment to your screenplay.
   (b) Sign the Competition Release Form at the bottom of your Application, include in your submission package.
   (c) If you choose, you may also include a logline (or short synopsis) and notes to the reader bound within the script just behind the Screenplay Cover: example.
   (d) If you cannot print the Application or Screenplay Cover from our online system, please fill out a hard copy application and recreate a cover page based on this example. If you have any technical difficulties email dave.
4. Choose from the following payment options: Credit Card Authorization Form (Mastercard and Visa); Check or Money Order made out to Slamdance. You may use one payment for multiple submissions
5. Include payment, printed application and screenplay/s and send to:
   Slamdance Screenplay Competition
   5634 Melrose Ave.
   Los Angeles, CA 90038.

ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OPTION


Follow all of the above steps, but instead of sending us a hard copy of your screenplay/s you may choose to send us an electronic (pdf) version by e-mail or send us a copy on CD. If you choose to e-mail, send a (pdf) version of your screenplay to coverage@slamdance.com. In both cases, but especially if you decide to e-mail us, please make sure that your (pdf) is properly compressed (ideally no larger than 1MB). In both cases, if you can also fill out a credit card authorization form and application electronically, include them in your e-mail or send them on the same disc with your screenplay; or you can fax the application and credit card authorization form to: (323) 466-1784. If you choose to pay by check, or cannot fill out the information electronically, you need to send an application and payment via mail. In any case, do not include a copy of the screenplay cover. Also, when formatting your screenplay, please do not include any contact information in the version that you send us (all contact information will be included on your application). When identifying the document you send us, please use the name of your screenplay (and the ID number if possible). If you send by e-mail, please include the name of the screenplay, your name and screenplay ID in the text of your e-mail.

WARNING! The Slamdance office only a has one fax machine working on one phone line that will no doubt be jammed by screenwriters submitting material at the last minute. If the fax machine is busy, don't worry about it. We're flexible; e-mail your submission by the end of the day of the 18th, but feel free to fax us your application and payment during the weekend or Monday the 21st. Please do not fax us the cover page for your screenplay, as it explains above, if you are submitting electronically, we don't need it.



SUBMISSION PACKAGING


Screenplays should be bound with brass brads (if that is not possible, the next best thing is to send an unbound script that is three-hole punched). Please include a Slamdance-style Screenplay Cover page on top (and a logline/synopisis and optional notes to reader if you choose). You do not need to use a card stock cover. Please do not include contact information bound inside your screenplay. Your printed application and payment should be in the same package that you send to the Slamdance office, but not bound inside your screenplay. Packages can contain multiple submissions. Submissions should be organized and bound in the following order:


• Front Page - Screenplay Cover
• Page 2 - Logline & Optional notes to reader
• Page 3+ - Screenplay Submission



PDF PRINT OUTS



• Please do not provide additional print outs of the Hard Copy Application or Screenplay Cover if you print them from our online system.
• Hard Copy Application
• Screenplay Cover
• Logline and Optional Notes to Reader
• Credit Card Authorization Form

1. Screenplays must not have been previously optioned, purchased or produced
2. Screenplays must not have received awards from other competitions over $500
3. Screenwriters who have had previous screenplays produced and distributed by non-independent means are ineligible
4. Screenwriter/s must sign the Competition Release Form on the application printout and include it with their submission to be considered at any level of competition
5. Screenplays must be in English, formatted with 12-point courier font
6. We only accept checks made out to Slamdance that drawn funds from an American bank and Money Orders or Traveler's Checks in US funds. To pay by credit card, fill out a Credit Card Authorization Form, and send it with your application and screenplay
7. Checks returned to us for whatever reason will incur a standard $25 fee on top of the original entry fee that must be paid, even if you choose to pull your script from the competition
8. Short Length Screenplays will be charged a processing fee of a $1 per page in excess of 30 pages
9. Screenplays must be copyrighted or registered material

GUIDELINES

1. Please print the Application and Screenplay Cover from the Slamdance website. If you have trouble using our online system to print, create a Screenplay Cover based on the provided template and fill one a Hard Copy Application
2. Do not include your name or contact information bound in your screenplay
3. Should you choose to provide a Logline and Optional Notes to Reader please do not include a separate title page or any additional synopsis, bios or treatments
4. Only include contact information for the Primary Contact on your online application or hard copy application
5. In the event of multiple writers, list all additional co-writers; awards will be divided equally among co-writers
6. We prefer that screenplays be bound using standard brass brads. However, we still accept unbound screenplays, scripts printed on A4 paper, etc. Please try to print your script on three-hole punched
7. Include a self-addressed stamped postcard for delivery confirmation. Do not call the Slamdance office to confirm the arrival of your script
8. Slamdance is not responsible for screenplays or coverage stolen or lost in transit
9. You may include multiple screenplays in the same mailing, and pay for multiple screenplays using one payment.

WHAT'S THIS?

Online Feedback


Everyone who submits a script to Slamdance will get a response from our readers that includes a log-line & genre suggestion and an indication of the strongest and weakest categories. Feedback is minimal compared to the extensive notes provided with our Online Coverage Service. To view a sample of the feedback provided for every entry, use this link Sample Feedback.

Online Coverage Service


Slamdance Online Coverage is broken up into five different catagories. It includes a comprehensive story breakdown/concept summary and goes on to address "what works", "what doesn't work" and "how it can be improved". These three categories are the heart of the coverage and should be used for further revisions. The final category is to give the screenwriter an idea of "what is the next step" in their writing career. This will address media, films, screenplays, production companies and agencies they should be aware of as well as any words of wisdom from an industry professional. Slamdance coverage will give you insight into the mind of a reader who reads a few hundred screenplays a year and will assist in crafting the submission into something that can advance in any competition and impress agents, reps, and producers. Online Coverage will be available within one to two months from the time you submit. The earlier you submit, the sooner you will receive coverage. An e-mail will be sent to the address that you provide when the coverage is available. To view sample coverage use this link: Sample Online Coverage Service

Rushed Coverage


Online coverage will be available within one week of arriving in the Slamdance office. All of the above details apply to the Rushed Coverage Service. The cost is in addition to the base fee: ($30-$40) plus an additional $80. Do not include the fee for basic coverage service ($50). An e-mail will be sent to the address that you provide when the coverage is available. To view sample coverage use this link: Sample Online Coverage Service

Resubmissions


We offer a resubmission discount for those resubmitting work from past Slamdance Competitions. Sign on to the Slamdance website using an existing user ID and password; right beside the application title of the original submission there will be a resubmit button. Select this option and fill out a new application.

Early Announcement Option


Select this option if you would like to know the status of your submission before the official announcement of our Semifinalists on August 20, 2007. If you submit by February 16, 2007 and pay the additional fee (+$15) you will be informed of your status on April 6, 2007. If you submit by May 18, 2007 and pay the additional fee (+$15) you will be informed of your status on July 6, 2007.

Second Reader Option


We encourage you to select the multiple reader option. Based on the comments and score of the first reader, a percentage of scripts will go on to be read multiple times for finalist contention. But to guarantee that a second reader reviews your script, we give you the option to ensure an extra read. Keep in mind that quality scripts will be read multiple times regardless of the additional fee.

Optional Notes to Reader


Please provide textual information or issues you would like addressed by the Reader in your online coverage (300 word max). For an example of what the layout we would like you to use, click here.

SCRIPT REGISTRY

We want to protect your work and the integrity of our competition. To register your script with the Writers Guild of America, west, visit www.wga.org or call (323) 782-4500. Registering your screenplay with the Guild secures your work with the world's leading intellectual property registration service. You can register your work 24 hours a day online, by mail or in-person at the WGAw headquarters in Los Angeles.

SELECTION PROCESS

The first two readers will determine whether the screenplay will be passed on to the second round of the competition. Over half of the screenplays submitted make it to Round Two. From those screenplays, the top 200 will be chosen as Quarterfinalists. Then fifty semifinalists will be selected and ultimately the top 10 will be announced at the Writers Guild of America in September.

Scoring Details


Screenplays that are submitted to the Slamdance Screenplay Competition as well as our Online Coverage service are judged using five technical categories: Character, Dialogue, Story, Structure, and Originality. We also use what is called a "Sparky" score that is meant to gauge the reader's emotional response. These scores are used to determine what scripts make it the quarter & semifinals and the top ten, as well as focusing the critique on the areas in need of the most revision. Please note that number scores will not be revealed to the screenwriter, nor will the score sheet ever be available for review. To view a sample of the score sheet that our readers use this link: Sample Score Sheet

Slamdance Readers


Slamdance Readers are all industry professionals and all have a combination of the following qualifications: professional coverage background, production/development executors, fellow competitions readers, professional writers, writers assistants, Slamdance alumni filmmakers and screenwriters, playwrights and journalists. For more information on a private script consultation with a Slamdance reader, click here.

• 1st Prize: $500
• The Duke City Shootout Special Prize: A Production Package worth $50,000 for a short screenplay under 15 pages
• The 1st place winner will receive Final Draft screenwriting software
• The 1st place winner will receive a subscription to Script Magazine
• The top three finalists will receive a prize package that includes 2007 Festival Passes good for all screenings and parties at the Slamdance Film Festival in Park City, Utah (January, 2008) and merchandise from the Slamdance Shop
• Each year production companies, studios, agencies and managers request to read our top scripts.

Enter today!

SEND ALL SCRIPTS:

2007 Slamdance Short Screenplay Competition
5634 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90038

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS:

Phone: (323) 466-1786
Fax: (323) 466-1784
E-mail: screenplay@slamdance.com
FAQ: Screenplay FAQ