You've seen them- those amazing films where you sit at the edge of your seat. As a screenwriter, achieving that level of suspense and excitement can turn a good script into something special.
Are Screenwriters Becoming Obsolete?
In a recent editorial, Peter Bart, EVP and Editorial Director for Variety, postulated that writers are becoming obsolete. Just take a look at the credits from most of the new movies made these days, and you will likely find the credits for direct or producer to be that same as the screenwriter. That is not encouraging news for us screenwriters! Read more »
Common Format Mistakes- Scene Slugs
The fastest way to prevent interest in your screenplay is to use incorrect formatting. Given the simplicity and nearly flawless execution of modern screenwriting software, failure to adhere to the formatting norms is a fast track to the round file. Read more »
ASA “PITCH-IT” LOGLINE CONTEST
WIN, WIN, WIN
What can $6 get you?
Grand Prize Winner receives:
Free LIFETIME ASA Premier Membership ($285 value)
Free "Standard" Virtual Pitchfest package
(a $50 value- Includes 5 pitches to industry pros)
Your winning logline posted on www.AmericanScreenwriters.com for the world to see!
1 "Hot Logline" winner receives:
Free LIFETIME ASA Premier Membership ($285 value)
Your winning logline posted on www.AmericanScreenwriters.com for the world to see!
2 Runners-Up receive:
A free year of ASA Premier Membership ($99 value)
Your winning logline posted on www.AmericanScreenwriters.com for the world to see!
10 loglines will be selected at random to receive a personalized logline analysis and recommendation ($35 value)
COST?
ONLY $6 entry fee per logline
(Only $4 for ASA Premier or higher members)
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NON-MEMBER ENTRY
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ASA INSIDER MEMBER ENTRY
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Can you describe your screenplay in three lines or less?
If you can't, you will have trouble pitching it to agents and buyers. Your logline is the icebreaker that can get your screenplay sold amidst a sea of competition.
25 words. That's all you get. If you can't explain your story in a maximum of 25 words, you will probably never sell it because you won't get anyone to read it.
1. WHO
2. OPPOSING FORCE/ANTAGONIST
3. GOAL
Here is the logline from my most recent screenplay, Outside In:
A rogue DEA agent, accused of murder, must prove his innocence while hunting the drug kingpin who murdered his family.
20 words. Emotional. Succint. Hook. Line. Sinker.
CONTEST RULES:
- Contest is open to anyone 18 years of age or older.
- You may submit as many loglines as you wish, but each submission requires a separate entry form and entry fee.
- Determination of the winning logline(s) shall be at the sole discretion of the Executive Director of ASA (American Screenwriters Association). All decisions are final.
- Contests ends December 15, 2013
- Prizes shall be distributed within 30 days of selection of the winning logline(s).
- Submissions shall be accepted during the contest period only. Late submissions, as determined by the date notated on the entry form, will be rejected, and any fees paid refunded.
- Except as noted in the rules, submission fees are not refundable.
- Loglines remain the sole property of the creator, however by submitting, the creator assigns to Steven Kirwan and American Screenwriters Association to reprint or transmit the submitted logline on websites, in email promotions, and any other promotional communications. Such reprint or transmission will include full attribution to the creator.
Storylines Are Everywhere
Stories abound around us everywhere – in the news, on YouTube, TV and reality shows. It’s said that there are no new stories and as writers, it’s up to us to... Read more »
Don’t Give Up
Remember that screenwriting is a marathon, not a sprint. Are you willing and able to go the distance? I've won one contest for my thriller, "Delusional" but have not had a film produced yet. But I continue to write and network every day. My time is... Read more »
How To Improve Your Story Outlines
Outlining is an essential process to storytelling. It helps you organize your thoughts into a logical order and remove or change the ones that don’t serve the story. Think of outlining... Read more »
Woolly Writing
As much as possible, screen writing is best kept clean, clear and simple. If the story line is convoluted, labyrinthine, moves across time zones, or periods in time, has many layers of plot that weave in and out... Read more »
Rising Star Interview
Mildred (Squeaky) Moore on the Fast track in the entertainment industry
Strong*Confident*Enlightening
These are words that come to mind... Read more »
Fields of Dreams
It’s a proven fact, thousands of people flock to Los Angeles and New York yearly in hopes of becoming a star. Unfortunately, that dream can become quickly shattered once the reality of non-instantaneous success sinks in. To help combat this reality, I have compiled a small listing of jobs within the industry... Read more »
