faq

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: How do I participate?

A: Submit your “entry” in the comments section of the challenge post (using “scrippets“). Learn more in the “about” and “rules” sections.

Q: How much does it cost?

A: Nothing. Nada. Never will. It’s about getting writers to write, to think about writing, to discuss writing.

Q: Why should I participate?

A: Screenwriter’s Challenge is run by screenwriters for screenwriters. It’s a fun excuse to write something “on assignment”, to read and comment on fellow writers’ entries, to participate in your community. It might generate interesting conversation around particular writing challenges, or points of format. It may force you to try something new in format or style. Perhaps you’ve been stagnant and need a kick in the ass. In the end, maybe you shouldn’t. It’s really up to you. But we hope you do.

Q: Who defines the challenges?

A: Our Referees are offered the opportunity to define the parameters of their challenges. If they prefer, we do it for them.

Q: The challenge says my entry must be limited to  (x) pages. Your Scrippets tool doesn’t display page breaks. How do I know if I’m in compliance?

A: Write your entry in Final Draft, or MovieMagic, or FiveSprockets, or CELTX, or Zhura, or WORD, using industry standard formatting. Keep it under (x) pages. Then copy and paste into Scrippets. Simple, right?

Q: What do I win?

A: Bragging rights. Satisfaction. A sense of accomplishment. W00T! (We may someday be able to offer something more. But that shouldn’t be your motivation… writing should be your motivation.)

Q: Who keeps the rights to my work?

A: You do. We just want the rights to keep it on the site in the context of these challenges. Otherwise, it’s yours to do with as you please. If it’s turned into something wonderful that you’re going to pursue and develop, we’re stoked that we had a hand in getting the ball rolling. Good on ya. (Go get it registered when it’s ready – WGA and Copyright.)

Q: I live in (x). Can I still enter?

A: Um… yeah, I guess so. Don’t see any need to restrict based on geography right now. But unless otherwise noted our referees will be applying any formatting standards as relevent to the U.S. industry.