Submission Options

Recent Success Stories

Robert De Niro Starring in Contest-Winning Script

Contest-winning screenplay Killing Season by Evan Daugherty went into production February 2012, starring Robert De Niro and John Travolta. 

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

Evan Daugherty Sells Spec for $3 Million 

              

After introductions by Script Pipeline to manager Jake Wagner, contest finalist 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 is due for a June 4th, 2012 release. 

Shortly after Script Pipeline's intro, Evan landed a major assignment with Warner Bros. to rewrite an adaptation to He-Man.
 

  

Most recently, he was hired in July 2011 to adapt the young adult novel Divergent for Summit Entertainment (Twilight), and sold a pitch to NBC, Afterthought, in October 2011.

Read Evan's Script Pipeline Interview 

Tripper Clancy Hired by 20th Century Fox

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

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

Other Success Stories

Notables include:

• 2003 winning script Slammin' sold to WB for six-figures.

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

• 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 Chadwick Clough first brought the project to Darko, and the film was released in 2010.

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

• Finalist Kevin Jones signed with Zero Gravity Management.

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

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

• Finalists Dennis Widmyer and Kevin Kolsch sign 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.
  

• 2011 Finalist script Shed optioned by producer Josh Goldstein.

Numerous more writers have optioned their work, found paid writing jobs through Script Pipeline introductions, and garnered management or agency representation through Pipeline industry contacts. 

View More Success Stories

 

About the Competition

With more major writer success stories in the past two years than any other competition, the 10th 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.

The contest-winning script Killing Season, starring Robert De Niro, went into production in January 2012. Former contest winner Evan Daugherty sold his spec Snow White and the Huntsman to Universal for $3 million, and 2010 winner Tripper Clancy was hired by Fox as a comedy writer after securing representation with Script Pipeline industry partner FilmEngine.

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 industry circulation to approximately 200 qualified industry contacts.

All top 20 finalists receive:

• Phone or in-person consultation with Script Pipeline to discuss the screenplay and receive additional, detailed notes

• Individual assistance in polishing the finalist script before circulation

• Personal introductions to active managers and producers looking for specific types of writers

• The opportunity to send other screenplays or treatments to Script Pipeline for review by our Director of Development

The intent is to not only support dedicated screenwriters, but funnel upper-echelon material from current and previous finalists to our industry network.

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.

As in previous years, all judges are either industry professionals, Senior Analysts from Script Pipeline's Writers Workshop, or hand-selected readers with a minimum of five years experience specifically in feature film development.

For those interested in judging for the Script Pipeline Competition, E-mail us. Please note that we will only consider applicants with a minimum of five years experience or active industry executives.

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 WINNERS (4):

• $14,000 total cash ($3,500 each)
• Winning script recorded by iScript
• Plus ALL the finalist prizes listed below. . . . 

FINALISTS (16):

• $3,200 total cash
• A seat for Script Pipeline's Secret Door Pitchfest in August as a recognized contest finalist to pitch your script to high-level companies ($11,000)
• Guaranteed circulation to 200 companies
• 5-year memberships to Script Pipeline's Writers Database ($10,000)
• Featured 'Script Pipeline Recommend' listing on InkTip

EVERYONE who enters the competition is eligible for the following prizes (randomly selected; value in parentheses):

• 12 copies of Final Draft 8.0 ($2,500)
• 10 one-year subscriptions to Script Magazine ($250)
Magazine ($60)
• 10 listings on InkTip ($400)
• 10 free entries to the Secret Door Pitchfest ($5,500)
• 10 full script consultations from Script Pipeline's Writers Workshop ($6,500)
• 5 half-hour consultations from Script Pipeline's Writers Workshop ($2,000)
• 10 technical edits from Script Pipeline's Writers Workshop ($3,500)
• 10 Script Pipeline Writers Workshop Development Notes ($3,000)
• 20 Script Pipeline Writers Workshop Overall Reviews ($4,000)
• 100 entries to the 2013 Great Movie Idea Contest ($3,000)
• 50 two-year subscriptions to Script Pipeline's Writers Database ($10,000)
• 30 five-year subscriptions to Script Pipeline's Writers Database ($15,000)
• 20 ten-year subscriptions to Script Pipeline's Writers Database ($20,000)

Companies Reviewing Finalists

For over 12 years, Script Pipeline has secured the most valuable 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, Madhouse Entertainment, FilmEngine, Darko Entertainment, CAA, Morgan Creek Pictures, Gold Circle Films, ICM, Jerry Weintraub Productions, The Gersh Agency, Arpil Entertainment, The Radmin Company, Smokehouse, Lakeshore Entertainment, Icon Productions, Overbrook Entertainment, Film Colony, National Lampoon, Content Film, After Dark Films, Principal Entertainment, Mosaic Media Group, Intrigue, 3 Arts, Abstract Entertainment, Lawrence Mark Productions, Mandeville Films, Energy Entertainment, Myriad Pictures, Original Artists, Odd Lot Entertainment, The Alpern Group, Shoreline Entertainment, Bold Films, Spyglass Entertainment, AEI, Paradigm Literary Agency, Karz Entertainment, 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 / Clea Frost

Email: Competition Coordinator

Phone: 323.424.4243

Address:
Script Pipeline
7223 Beverly Blvd. #205
Los Angeles, CA 90036

FAQs

WHEN IS THE LATEST TO SUBMIT?

Final deadline through Script Pipeline is May 1st at midnight.

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 2012, we will announce the 4 Grand Prize winners during the 2012 Script Pipeline Awards Ceremony in Los Angeles,CA. At that point, loglines/scripts are circulated to over 200 companies looking for new material.

CAN 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?

Yes, 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.