Submission Options

Recent Competition Success Stories

Robert De Niro Starring in Contest-Winning Script

Script Pipeline Screenwriting contest-winning screenplay Killing Season by Evan Daugherty coming to theaters in 2013. The action film stars Robert De Niro and John Travolta.

CEO of Script Pipeline Chadwick Clough introduced Evan to Jake Wagner, who earned an Executive Producer credit on Killing Season. 

Evan Daugherty Sells Spec for $3 Million

Winner Evan Daugherty sold Snow White & the Huntsman to Universal for $3 million in the Fall of 2010 (view trailer). 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 summer 2012.

Shortly after the Script Pipeline screenwriting contest, Evan landed a assignment with Warner Bros. to rewrite an adaptation to He-Man.

He was also hired to adapt the young adult novel Divergent for Summit Entertainment (Twilight), and sold a pitch to NBC, Afterthought, in 2011.

In September 2012, it was announced he would be one of the writers and executive producers on an adaptation of the DC comic franchise Midnight Mass.

And as of February 2013, he's working on an adaptation of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles--Michael Bay to direct, Megan Fox to star.

Interview with Evan and Executive Director Chad Clough
Read Evan's Script Pipeline Interview

Tripper Clancy Hired by 20th Century Fox

2010 Script Pipeline contest-winner Tripper Clancy signed with Script Pipeline partner Jake Wagner following a top-four finish in the contest. His winning comedy script, Henry the Second, is in development with 21 Laps (Shawn Levy).

Just a few months after the screenwriting competition ended, 20th Century Fox selected Tripper to join their feature comedy writing team to help develop new material.

Other Success Stories

Notables include:

• 2003 Script Pipeline screenwriting contest winning script Slammin' sold to WB for six-figures.

           

• The Living Wake, Script Pipeline's first produced film, starring Academy Award-Nominee Jesse Eisenberg, was released theatrically in 2010. From Variety: "A stunning feature debut. Scene after scene of dialogue recalls Tom Stoppard."

• Finalists Sean Fallon and Charlotte Barrett had their first feature, Virgin Alexander, produced after their placement in the Script Pipeline contest's top 20 sparked interest in the project.

• Brian Watanabe's "Recommend" script Operation Endgame was produced with Zach Galifianakis, Adam Scott, Ellen Barkin, Ving Rhames, Maggie Q, Bob Odenkirk, and an ensemble cast. Script Pipeline owner Chadwick Clough first brought the project to Darko Entertainment, and the film was released in 2010.

 

• Writer Rob Nelms was hired to pen the script Between after introductions to a director by Chad Clough. The film premiered at Sundance and later aired on Lifetime.

• 2012 winner Jason Kaleko signed with manager Jake Wagner (Benderspink).

• 2012 & 2009 Finalist Kevin Jones signed with Zero Gravity Management.

• Sleeping Beauty by Tony Boland, a 2010 finalist, was optioned.

• Finalist Matt Altman signed with APA and Parallax Talent Management.
  

• Winner Tyler Smith (Henchman, 2011) signed with WME.

• 2011 finalists Dennis Widmyer and Kevin Kolsch signed with Kersey Management.

• Screenwriting and TV Writing Finalist (2008, 2010) Julie Anne Wight published her first children's book through Script Pipeline industry contact and publisher Intuary.
  

• Finalist script Shed optioned by producer Josh Goldstein.

• Craig Weeden, a 2011 finalist, adapting the comic series Painkiller Jane with top writer/inker Jimmy Palmiotti (Ultimate Spider-man, Jonah Hex).
  

Numerous more writers have optioned their work, found paid writing jobs through Script Pipeline introductions, and garnered management or agency representation through Pipeline's extensive industry network of over 200 companies.

View More Success Stories

FINALISTS POSTED: July 1st, 2013

About the Competition

With more writer success stories in the past two years than any other competition, the 11th Annual Script Pipeline Screenwriting Contest sets its sights on discovering up-and-coming creative talent and connecting them with top production companies, agencies, and managers. Script Pipeline's position as an industry facilitator has proven remarkably successful in recent years, with numerous writers finding representation and gaining valuable introductions to studio-level producers as a direct result of Pipeline assistance.

Most recently, 2008 contest-winning script Killing Season, starring Robert De Niro, will be released in 2013, and winner Evan Daugherty's spec Snow White and the Huntsman sold to Universal for $3 million, later turning into a box office hit. Script Pipeline partner Jake Wagner (Benderspink) signed 2010 winner Tripper Clancy, who was hired as a comedy writer by 20th Century Fox, and 2012 winner Jason Kaleko.

Last season, over 3,500 screenplays were entered in the Screenwriting and TV Writing competitions combined, making it one of the most-entered contests worldwide. Beyond prizes, winners are given circulation to approximately 200 qualified industry contacts.

All top 20 finalists receive:

• Phone or in-person consultation with a Script Pipeline development executive

• Assistance in polishing the script before circulation

• Personal introductions to active managers and producers

• The opportunity to send other projects to Script Pipeline for review by our Director of Development

The intent is to not only funnel upper-echelon material to the industry, but foster the careers of our finalists long after the contest ends.

Judging Process

Judging criteria is based primarily on the overall quality of writing, including storytelling ability and fundamental screenplay components (e.g. dialogue, plot, structure, and characterization). Concept marketability and originality is also taken into consideration.

Script Pipeline 2013 judges include:

JC Spink - The Hangover, A History of Violence
Tripp Vinson - Journey to the Center of the Earth, The Rite
Jake Wagner - Benderspink
Michael McKay - Lakeshore Entertainment
David Boxerbaum - Paradigm
Sean McKittrick - Donnie Darko
Michael Ohoven - Capote
Kevin Turen - Infinity
Irene Yeung - Vertigo Entertainment
Aaron Hart - Verve
Christina Frieberg - Mosaic Media

For other industry execs interested in judging for the Script Pipeline Competition, email us. We will only consider applicants who are active producers, agents, and managers.

Submission Guidelines

• Contact information (name, email address, etc.) preferred, but not required, on the cover page.

• PDF, Final Draft (.fdr), or Microsoft Word (.doc) preferred.

• Script should be a feature-length screenplay. All genres, styles, and lengths are fine. If it's a multi-part series, please send only the first part.

• No limit on entries.

• Simultaneous submissions are fine (i.e. you can enter other screenwriting contests with the same script).

• Previous Script Pipeline competition entrants welcome to enter again and guaranteed fresh reads from a new judge.

Competition Rules

Read full competition agreement.

The following are some general rules:

The Script is completely original with me. I am the present and exclusive and sole owner of all right, title, and interest in and to the Script; and I have the exclusive, sole, and unconditional power and right to submit the Script to you subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the rules of your screenwriting competition. (If the Script is adapted from another medium, I am enclosing documentation verifying my right to make such an adaptation).

- The Script has not been produced, sold or optioned.

- I am at least eighteen (18) years of age.

- I have not sold or optioned any film screenplay to any entity or individual greater than $15,000.

Prizes

GRAND PRIZE WINNER:

• $20,000 cash
• Direct circulation to companies in Script Pipeline's industry network
• 1-on-1 consultation sessions with a development executive
• Plus ALL the finalist prizes listed below. . . .

Runner-up:

• $1,000 cash
• Direct circulation to companies in Script Pipeline's industry network
• 1-on-1 consultation sessions with a development executive
• Plus ALL the finalist prizes listed below. . . .

Finalists (18):

• $1,350 cash split amongst other finalists
• A seat to Script Pipeline's Secret Door Pitchfest on August 3rd, 2013 as a recognized contest finalist to pitch your script to high-level companies ($11,000)
• Exposure to 200 companies
• 10-year memberships to Script Pipeline's Writers Database ($4,000)

EVERYONE who enters the competition is eligible for the following prizes (randomly selected; additional prizes TBD):

• 12 copies of Final Draft 8.0 ($3,000)
• 10 Citizen memberships to the writing community Talentville with free script review ($1,500)
• 20 free entries to the Secret Door Pitchfest with personal pitch consultation ($12,000)
• 250 entries to the 2013 Great Movie Idea Contest ($10,000)
• 250 entries to the 2013 Great TV Show Idea Contest ($10,000)
• 150 entries to the 2013 First Look Project ($9,000)
• 100 five-year subscriptions to Script Pipeline's Writers Database ($10,000)
• 100 10-year subscriptions to Script Pipeline's Writers Database ($20,000)

Companies Reviewing Finalists

For over 12 years, Script Pipeline has secured the most valuable studio-level relationships in the industry for screenwriters. We receive hundreds of requests each year for the finalist scripts, resulting in unparalleled access to agents, managers, and production companies.

Our network includes: William Morris Endeavor, Benderspink, Heyday Films, Vertigo Entertainment, Madhouse Entertainment, FilmEngine, Darko Entertainment, CAA, Morgan Creek Pictures, ICM, Jerry Weintraub Productions, The Gersh Agency, Arpil Entertainment, Kaplan/Perrone, Smokehouse, Lakeshore Entertainment, Icon Productions, Overbrook Entertainment, Film Colony, Lionsgate, National Lampoon, Content Film, After Dark Films, Principal Entertainment, Mosaic Media Group, Intrigue, 3 Arts, Abstract Entertainment, Lawrence Mark Productions, Mandeville Films, Energy Entertainment, Original Productions, Odd Lot Entertainment, The Alpern Group, Bold Films, Spyglass Entertainment, Paradigm Literary Agency, Polsky Films, Kopelson Entertainment, Management 360, Smart Entertainment, and more.

View full list of companies here

 

Click here to view full list of companies

Contact Us

Contest Director: Chadwick Clough

Contest Coordinators: Matt Misetich

Email: Competition Coordinator

Phone: 323.424.4243

Address:
Script Pipeline
1304 N. Highland Ave. #272
Hollywood, CA 90028

FAQs

WHEN CAN I SUBMIT?

The 2014 competition will open September 1st, 2013.

CAN INTERNATIONAL WRITERS ENTER?

Yes, applicants outside the US are more than welcome to enter this and any Script Pipeline contest.

WHEN IS THE WINNER ANNOUNCED?

Finalists are announced July 1st and the full list is posted to the site. The Grand Prize Winner is announced August 3rd at the Script Pipeline Secret Door Pitchfest.

WHAT KIND OF EXPOSURE WILL THE WINNERS RECEIVE?

Script Pipeline has a long history of connecting finalists with the industry through personal introductions and general career assistance for our writers--more so than any other competition. In August 2013, we will announce the Grand Prize winner at the Secret Door Pitchfest in Los Angeles, CA. Afterward, loglines and scripts are circulated to over 200 companies looking for new material, and the winner is given personal introductions to a number of producers, agents, and managers.

SHOULD I PUT CONTACT INFO ON THE COVER PAGE?

Yes. We would prefer basic contact info--name, email, and phone--on the cover page.

DO I NEED TO COPYRIGHT MY SCRIPT?

Although it is not required to enter our competition, we recommend you register your work with a copyright service, such as the U.S. Copyright Office or the Writer's Guild of America.

WHAT IF I WROTE A PRODUCED FILM BUT DIDN'T GET PAID? AM I ELIGIBLE?

Absolutely. The rule is you can't have made more than $15,000 for writing. Just our way of preventing pros from entering. Short filmmakers, indie directors, etc. are all eligible.

ARE WRITING TEAMS ACCEPTED?

Two or more writers is fine. Only one writer needs to register.