About the Contest
The 4th Great Movie Idea Contest connects you with top studio producers looking for new concepts to develop. The old adage "there are no rules in Hollywood" applies here.
But one thing is certain: pitching great ideas to executives is how films get made. The contest gives its winners the best industry exposure and development assistance possible, and Script Pipeline is proud to have A-level production companies and agencies reviewing our winners. Any subject matter or genre accepted.
LATE DEADLINE (Withoutabox Only): June 22nd, 2013
WINNER ANNOUNCED: July 15th, 2013
Recent Script Pipeline Success Stories
Movie Idea Contest Winner Signed By Producer
Shane Free, winner of the 1st Bi-Annual Great Movie Idea Contest, signed on with a major producer to develop his concept. Details are being kept under tight wraps until the project moves forward and is set up at a studio. Check back for updates.
Robert De Niro Starring in Contest-Winning Script
Contest-winning screenplay Killing Season by Evan Daugherty wrapped production in March 2012, starring Robert De Niro and John Travolta. Script Pipeline CEO Chad Clough introduced Evan to Jake Wagner, who earned an Executive Producer credit on Killing Season.
Evan Daugherty Sells Spec for $3 Million
After winning the Script Pipeline Screenwriting Competition, Evan Daugherty sold Snow White & the Huntsman to Universal for $3 million. It marked one of the biggest studio spec sales in years and
subsequently made Evan one of the hottest young writers in the
industry. The film was released June 2012.
Read Evan's Script Pipeline Interview
Other Success Stories
Notables include:
- 2003 winning script Slammin' sold to WB for six-figures.
- The Living Wake,
Script Pipeline's first produced film, starring Academy Award-Nominee
Jesse Eisenberg and comic Mike O'Connell, was released theatrically in
2010. Variety gave the film high praise: "A stunning feature debut.
Scene after scene of dialogue recalls Tom Stoppard."
- Brian Watanabe's "Recommend" script Operation Endgame
went into production with Zach Galifianakis, Ellen Barkin, Ving Rhames,
and an ensemble cast. Script Pipeline owner Chad Clough first brought the project to Darko, and the film was released in 2010.
- "Recommend" screenwriter Micah Barnett soldThe Rabbit to Warner Bros. for six-figures. Chris Tucker (Rush Hour) to star.
Script Pipeline contests have garnered more major success stories than any other competition, resulting in $4 million in writer spec sales.
View more writer success stories
Submit to the Great Movie Idea Contest
Guidelines & Judging
Written or video submissions accepted. For written pitches:
- Anything from a two-sentence logline to a 3-5 page treatment. Longer treatments also accepted, but please do not send full-length screenplays--summaries ONLY. Pitches may be emailed direct to
idea@scriptpipeline.com.
- Longer submissions are judged the SAME as short ones, so whatever length you think is best for your story. You can include a title and genre, but only the idea itself is critiqued.
For video pitches:
- Submit a link to the video after registration by emailing
idea@scriptpipeline.com. We prefer it be a private link on YouTube, Vimeo, or any other major video hosting site.
- Videos can be any length, but remember, shorter is typically better. No short films (or for that matter, features).
JUDGING
Judges are comprised of our full-time readers and industry partners, including active managers and producers, as well as Script Pipeline executives. Ideas are graded almost exclusively on originality and marketability.
Prizes, Deadlines and Results
GRAND PRIZE WINNER
- $1,500 cash
- Meetings with studio-level producers to discuss potential development.
- Consultation sessions with Script Pipeline executives to get your concept ready for circulation.
- Exposure to 100 production companies and industry contacts looking to develop new feature material.
RUNNERS-UP
- Additional consultations with Script Pipeline's development team to fine-tune their movie idea for potential circulation ($500 value).
PRIZES
- 20 Five-Year Memberships to Script Pipeline's Writers Database, a screenwriter resource tool ($2,000 value)
- 5 script or idea consultations with a Script Pipeline development exec ($1,000 value)
LATE DEADLINE: 6.22.2013
Competition Rules
Standard competition agreement.
And these general rules:
- Concept must be for a feature-length film. Ideas for TV pilots, novels, short stories, and any other creative medium are a no-go.
- It is highly advised that you register your concept with the WGA prior to submitting, however it is not required. Script Pipeline will NOT share your idea with anyone unless you’re chosen as a finalist AND give us explicit permission to do so.
- Previous Script Pipeline writers (Workshop, contest finalists, etc.) and former Great Movie Idea entrants are welcome to submit.
- Goes without saying, but the concept must be WHOLLY ORIGINAL and not based on an existing franchise. In other words, don’t send us the next Hunger Games installment. Come up with your own teen adventure epic.
FAQ/Contact
How should I format my entry? We'll accept anything from a logline (as brief as a sentence) all the way up to a full treatment. We'll also review video pitches through a private link or as an attached file. Usually, the best entries are a one-page synopsis or breakdown of your story, highlighting the unique elements of the pitch especially.
Previous winners and runners-up have sent everything from a 10-word logline, to a 2-minute video pitch, to a longer treatment with graphics and illustrations, so it's really up to you. Whatever format you prefer that best exemplifies your idea.
Will I be disqualified for a formatting reason? No. If for some reason we can't open the file, or there's an issue with the entry itself, we'll contact you immediately, and you'll be able to re-send.
If I win, do I need the completed screenplay ready? Not at all. If you do, great, but it won't affect the outcome of the contest. We're just looking for original, unique concepts. No screenwriting experience necessary.
Are you looking for a specific type of genre? No genre restrictions--anything you want to pitch is fine. Although keep in mind preference in judging is given to projects that would appeal to a more mainstream audience.
Can I submit more than one idea for the single fee? Is there a limit to the number of submissions? There is no limit to the number of entries. Each idea, however, is a separate entry fee.
What if the idea is from my existing script or novel? Am I still eligible? Yes. As long as the idea is original (i.e. your own creation) and intended to be a feature film, or if you own the film adaptation rights to a property that isn't yours.
Is my idea protected? No one outside of Script Pipeline's small team of judges will review your entry. For the winner, we will not send out their winning idea until we have their consent.
If I win, will my travel costs be reimbursed? How will the meetings with industry work? The writer will cover any travel costs if the meeting is in person. However, meetings with the production companies will likely be conducted over the phone.
Is the competition open to international entrants? Yes, absolutely. Anyone can enter.
Any other questions on the contest? Send an email to
idea@scriptpipeline.com.
Contest Directors: Chad Clough / Matt Misetich
Email:
idea@scriptpipeline.com
Script Pipeline
1304 N. Highland #272
Hollywood, CA 90028
Industry requests for the winning concepts should email industry@scriptpipeline.com.
