The 4TH Annual $50,000 Kairos Prize for Spiritually Uplifting Screenplays Announced!

Sponsored by The John Templeton Foundation, MOVIEGUDEÆ announces the 4th Annual Kairos Prize for Spiritually Uplifting Screenplays. The primary purpose of the prize is to further the influence of moral and spiritual values within the film and television industries. Set up to help inspire first-time and beginning screenwriters to produce compelling, entertaining and spiritually uplifting scripts, the winning scripts are read by top execs in addition to the monetary awards.

PRIZES: Grand Prize: $25,000 • 1st Runner Up: $15,000 • 2nd Runner Up: $10,000

DEADLINES: Oct. 27th, 2008 (Standard); December 1st, 2008 (Late)

For complete information please visit www.kairosprize.com

12 years of screenwriting has taught me some things that I want to share. I’ve made money as a screenwriter, columnist, and non-fiction writer. When I started all those years ago on the Internet as this “Schmuck with a keyboard” I never thought I would get as far as I did; though I still really never made it all the way….yet. So I feel like I am the perfect one to give you some advice. I am still one of you to an extent and still on the fringes trying to fight my way in.

1) PATIENCE – there is no way to overstate this important trait that you MUST develop if you ever wish to make money (as I have) as a screenwriter or any kind of writer, period. It took me 4 years to get an agent; another 2 years to lose the agent; 5 years to make money as a writer; 6 years to get my first option; 7 years to quit my day job; 10 years to get my first assignment; 10 years to make good money (once) as a writer; 12 years to realize that what I know is really not much.

2) CHARACTER – and I am not talking about the ones you create at midnight in the throws of a creative convergence. I’m talking about YOU! Your character as a person and your psyche. You have to learn to live with yourself no matter what ends up happening. On no less than 3 occasions I was convinced that I was going to have my movie made. Had funding & contract (if it weren’t for that cast approval thingy); had Deal Memos on 2 occasions and it all added up to only more frustrations. I gave up twice only to realize I love to write.

3) TALENT – Ok, I put this third as we all know there are a lot of marginally talented folks making lots of money in Hollywood. I think talent is right there with:

3a) CONTACTS – It’s a WHO you KNOW business. What was it I read recently? Oh yeah, only about 4 or 5 percent of Hollywood’s screenwriters get the top screenwriting gigs. They are the ones making all the money because they are the ones who have the contacts. Are you serious about making it as a writer? Well, you can start with the online stuff, independent route, and that can get your foot in the door. But ultimately, you have to go THERE…

4) BE A STUDENT – not in the take classes continually sense (though I do teach online at 4screenwriters.com and taking 1 or 2 can help :). But as you develop your craft you must always be reading, writing, and watching. Improve your craft (art) by always being on the KNOW. Watch movies, read screenplays and books, read those Hollywood insider mags and websites, and always be writing. (ABW).

5) COMMITMENT – This goes with Patience and Character, but we all know there have been lots of folks who succeeded without a lot of heart or commitment. But for us, you and me, we gotta have the heart to go on every stinking day.

6) THICK SKIN – I have had some of my writing literally thrown away in front of me. I have had my ability as a writer questioned (and maybe rightfully so). You have to be able to take constructive criticism, that’s a no-brainier. It’s that egomaniac, bug-eyed, red-faced producer who froths at the mouth when they don’t get what they want though they can’t communicate what it is they really do want. And when they start spitting trying to sputter out their contempt for you…. Ah, Joy.

7) USE THE INTERNET WISELY – there’s a lot out here that can help you, use it. It can be your foot in the door. But don’t let it become your crutch. Sometimes, a lot of times, just reach under that desk and pull the plug. Grab a notebook and a pencil and go outside and:

LIVE LIFE – you will become a better screenwriter if you get out of that apartment, duplex, condo, whatever, and go out and smell the flowers or the dogshit. You need to experience life in order to fill that well of knowledge, emotions, and experiences that you can tap into and use in your writing. It takes more than creativity or imagination to be a writer. It requires that you hurt a little, bleed some, and heal over time. It requires that you live a little…

9) YOUR CHARACTERS – Ok I have to mention the actual craft and art that is screenwriting. What I have learned? Well, it’s not so much about gimmicks or hooks, though they are important in certain respects, but at the end of the day can you write great characters? Can you write the kind of characters that rapture your audience (reader) and make them forget what is around them? Craft them well, make them real; not too real as they are after all supposed to be a little better (or worse) than the rest of us.

10) GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION TO GIVE UP – so long as it is only temporary.

Take a class from Chris: >>>> Click Here.

Cheers!

Chris

Now Accepting Entries!

StoryPros 2nd Annual International Screenplay Contest

http://www.storypros.com/08IntlContest.html

Over $11,000 in CASH & PRIZES plus invaluable promotion to over 3,000 entertainment professionals! Our winners get read! Most of our last contest’s winners had multiple requests for their screenplays by major Hollywood production companies and managers.

- Creative Screenwriting Magazine recently rated this contest with an “A” grade equal to Slamdance, Scriptapalooza, Page Awards…even their OWN contests!

- Also one of the highest rated contests on Moviebytes.com.

· GRAND PRIZE – Over $3,400 in Cash and Prizes
· SECOND PLACE – Over $2,300 in Cash and Prizes
· THIRD PLACE - Over $2,100 in Cash and Prizes
· FOURTH PLACE - Over $1,800 in Cash and Prizes
· FIFTH PLACE - Over $1,800 in Cash and Prizes

All winners receive a CASH PRIZE as well as software and services from the sponsors listed below.

Sponsors include: Inktip.com, Movie Magic Screenwriter, Writer’s Boot Camp, Truby Writer’s Studio, Movie Outline software, Writer Guard, Screenplay Format Guide, Great Dialogue Software, The Film Connection, Supernotecard for Screenwriting Software.

Need more reasons to enter?

§ Low entry fees! Enter before Sept. 30th for only $30!
§ 2-3 pages of professional feedback, development notes, and suggestions for improvement are also available on your entry for a nominal fee.

Early Deadline: Sept. 20th, 2008
Regular Deadline: Oct. 31st, 2008
Final Deadline: Nov. 30th, 2008

CLICH HERE for complete contest details or to ENTER NOW: http://www.storypros.com/08IntlContest.html

About Us: StoryPros is Hollywood’s premier screenplay analysis service owned and operated by award winning screenwriters and professional studio readers. Join our E-zine newsletter mailing list for free articles, news, product reviews, event listings, exclusive discounts, and job leads every month!

“I’ve always been mystified as to why (or how) anyone in their right mind would want to fall into the hole that has become the Internet in order to sell something as personal as a screenplay. But there is actually a logical step-by-step process one could follow in order to separate the wheat from the chaff. If you’ve been looking for another way in, Christopher Wehner has just opened the door.”
— Scott Frank, Screenwriter GET SHORTY, OUT OF SIGHT.

“Christopher Wehner has written the ultimate marketing guide for screenwriters on the Internet. Writing a query letter, getting an agent, soliciting production companies online… Chris covers it all in depth. The agency guide and production company listings alone are worth far more than the cost of the book.”
— Erik Bauer, Managing Editor Creative Screenwriting magazine.

Students have sold and optioned screenplays. Chris’ student D. Martin Watson has his first movie in the CAN! Class does indeed include step-by-step instruction on the do’s and don’ts of querying agents and producers, help with writing your own query letter, marketing strategies, pitching advice, where to find agents and producers who are willing to listen to you (just once though!), and a listing of current producers, agents, and companies looking for material!

To sell your screenplay, click here!

Screenwriting 101
http://www.4screenwriters.com/screen_101.html

Professional instructor!
Published author & writer

August & September, 2008 class

Rated “Top” Online Screenwriting Class by Screenwriter’s Monthly

Screenwriting 101 is an online class for beginning writers or writers wanting to brush up on the fundamentals. For four weeks you will interact and study under the guidance of your instructor to jump start your writing and hit the ground running. (Register below).

The class presents the fundamentals of screenwriting: character development, plot development, structure, conflict, and dialogue. Mainly focused on beginners or anyone who wants to brush up on the fundamentals. Students gain enough knowledge to continue writing their screenplay, start their first screenplay, and finish.

Course Certification?: Yes!, you receive a certification of successful completion!
Course Format: Online & instructor based
Course Length: 4 week(s)
Cost: was $150, NOW: $75
Deadline: 8/15/08

For more information and read testimonials or to register:
http://www.4screenwriters.com/screen_101.html

Why take a class? Every year about 50,000 or more screenplays will be registered with the Writers Guild of America and other services. Less than 1,000 will be purchased by Hollywood studios and producers. The competition is fierce. You’re competing with professionals as well as everyone else. Start your screenwriting career (or first screenplay) by taking a professional level class taught by a professional.

Class Breakdown:

Finding the Heart of your story
Plot or Character driven, which is best?
Cause and Effect (Characters and Plot)
Thinking about Characters
Fully fleshed Characters
The Paradigms of a Story
Screenplay Structure
What is Structure and why is it important?
What Structure best suits your Story?
Structure and Genre
Classic Structure: Linear, Journey, Chase, Search
Types of Alternative Narrative Structure
Writing your first ten pages
The Setup: the or else scene
Establishing genre and drama
Connecting the Audience
Case Studies
Looking Ahead towards your Second and Third Acts (setups and payoffs)
Writing the Scene
Types of Scenes
Scene Dialectics
Ins and Outs
Functions
Structures
Sequences

Who is the instructor?

The instructor is Chris Wehner, a published author, journalist, critic and professional screenwriter. He has worked in the field for over 10 years. He was recently Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Screenwriter’s Monthly and VP of Development for MoviePartners. Currently his screenplay, EL CAMINO, is in development with Area 51 Films in Los Angeles and is scheduled to go into production this year. He recently optioned his latest script, THREESOME, to producer Ted Melfi and is also scheduled to go into pre-production this year. His book, “Screenwriting on the Internet: Researching, Writing & Selling Your Script on the Web” was a Top Seller at The Writer’s Store and his latest book “Who Wrote That Movie?” has received praise as well.

For more information and registration:
http://www.4screenwriters.com/screen_101.html

THE MOVIE DEAL! Screenplay Competition Deadline is fast approaching! August 15th is the deadline but you can still save $10.00 on your submission! We’ve extended the discount deadline for ScreenwritersUtopia.com Friends until the end of the Regular deadline!

Enter NOW before the entry fee goes up! Use the PROMO code: WU7248 on the ‘Enter Now’ page at http://www.TheMovieDeal.com to save today!

GRAND PRIZE: The winning writer of The Movie Deal! Screenplay Contest will receive an honest-to-gosh PRODUCTION DEAL!

www.TheMovieDeal.com

*To use code, go to the ‘Enter Now’ page on our site or use Withoutabox.com for $5.00 off.