The Stage 32 Third Annual TV Drama Contest isn’t over yet, but they just announced their Finalists — that’s the Top 10 of all entered scripts, which were in the thousands. And my pilot, a true-story drama titled “The Last D.B. Cooper,” made the finals! Woot-woot!

Am I surprised? Re-thinking contests? You betcha!

The Stage 32 contest is a success for my script, and could shine a little attention on my career. That’s all I ever wanted from a contest. So, making it to the finals is a win, and was one of the reasons I entered this particular contest. It’s very nice when a contest awards the top ten scripts.

Whatever comes with the next step, Stage 32 announces the one Grand Prize Winner in two weeks, I’ve already won something of value; as have the other nine finalists. Why? Because Stage 32 will promote our scripts, and the writers, to over 100 industry executives, agents and managers. (After the Writers Strike, of course!) And they will act as go-between if any interest comes from the promotion.

Stage 32 sends out a Lookbook promoting all the Finalists. The info contains a logline, writer picture and bio. And they have a track record of script requests and new relationships coming out of the promotion. What more could you want from a contest???

So, if anyone’s keeping track, my TV pilot made it to quarter finals in one contest, semis in another, and nowhere in a third… and it was only the fourth contest where it found some champion readers!!! I feel like that is a true representation of the industry and how it goes when you get out there to market your script. You try every avenue that you can, and most don’t work, but a few do. You just never know which ones lead to success… so you MUST keep trying them all!

Bottomline: Contests are useful tools for screenwriters.

A few caveats:

  1. Make an entry fee budget, and enter early.
  2. Enter contests that will help you get what your script needs – feedback, money/prizes, professional eyes, mentorship, or potential industry partners. You might want all of those benefits, but not every contest delivers.

The thing contests will NEVER be able to do for you? Tell you when to give up on a script or your writing. A contest placement should never even factor into how you think about yourself or your writing career. Only one, maybe two, people read your script during the first round. That’s ONE opinion. Never make a life decision based on one opinion. No one in the script contest community would ever want you to do that!

Use contests as a tool. They are a bit of a lottery, and like all gambling, when they payoff, it’s amazing! When they don’t, get back to writing!