Schoolyard Studio, located in a repurposed school building, is unveiling the largest soundstage in northeast Ohio. Schoolyard Studio is looking for up and coming writers with unique voices to submit a series pilot and bible to highlight the capabilities of the new studio.

The studio is home to a vintage chemistry classroom complete with blackboards, lab stations, and props as well as a vintage gymnasium with basketball hoops and theater stage. Classrooms, hallways, offices, locker rooms, and standing sets for medical and courtroom interiors are available. The 10,175 SF soundstage featuring a 100’w X 40’w X 20’h cyclorama wall is ready to boost the burgeoning Ohio film and television industry. Be a part of it! Submit your series.

The owner of Schoolyard Studio, Det Chansamone, an accomplished visual effects artist known for his work on series such as Suits, Grey's Anatomy, and features such as Spider Man 2 and Seabiscuit will provide consultation and expertise.

Robert Corna, known for his work as a director and producer with a wide range of experience working on major features such as, Captain America: Winter Soldier to small independent and documentary projects will manage the contest and provide feedback to the finalists. Corna, also a professor of Media and Film Studies at Birmingham-Southern College, is uniquely qualified to assist writers in achieving their production goals.

Awards & Prizes

The top three finalists will get the opportunity to be coached by industry professionals as they prepare a final pitch to be considered for the grand prize.

The grand prize winner will receive $1000 and the chance to produce their project as executive producer with the help of industry professionals at Schoolyard Studio.

Rules & Terms

All submissions must include the following:
• Series Bible or Pitch Deck which includes a detailed synopsis of the series (preferred episode count 6-8, not to exceed 20-25 pages/slides)
• Pilot Script (30 pages or 60 pages)

NOTE: This is a skill competition, but favor will be given to television series that can be produced at Schoolyard Studio and the surrounding community.
As a former school, Schoolyard Studio has unique features to consider when crafting your series.

• 10,175 SF Clear Span Soundstage, 23’ Clear to Rafters
• 100’w X 40’w X 20’h Cyclorama Wall
• 18’ X 18’ Elephant Door with Dedicated Driveway and 220+ Parking Spaces
• Mill Space, Storage, Green Rooms, Wardrobe, Production Offices
• Vintage Chemistry Classroom with Blackboards, Lab Stations, and Props
• Vintage Gymnasium with Basketball Hoops and Theater Stage
• Multiple Classrooms, Hallways, Lunch Line, Commercial Kitchen, Locker Room, Restrooms, and Offices.
• Standing Sets for Hospital and Courtroom Interiors
• Located in a small town with a main street near rural farms and a thriving Amish community but less than an hour from downtown Cleveland.

Must be 18 years of age or older to enter competition. Entrants under 18 years of age will be disqualified.

All submissions must be in English. Non-English submissions will be disqualified.

By entering the Schoolyard Studio TV Pilot Writing Contest, the entrant indicates their entry is an original work that does not infringe on the copyright of others, and is not optioned, purchased, or in production. Entrant indemnifies Schoolyard Studio and its employees, subsidiaries and partners and holds them harmless from any claims regarding infringement or dissemination of materials.

Plagiarized or non-original written materials will be disqualified.

If a submitted script becomes optioned or purchased between the time of submission and the conclusion of judging, that script will be disqualified.

While not required, the Schoolyard Studio TV Pilot Writing Contest recommends protecting original works by registering with the WGA or The Library of Congress before disseminating or submitting to any contest or third party.

Once a script has been submitted, contest administrators will not accept revisions or substitutions. If an entrant wishes to resubmit, they must reenter the contest. Participants may enter the contest multiple times but there is no discount for multiple entries. Check your work before submitting.

Entrant’s completed submission authorizes Schoolyard Studio and the contest administrators to use any trusted third-party online cloud-based services and/or databases for hosting, managing, and/or transmitting entrant’s submission file(s), including FilmFreeway.

Entrant acknowledges that a completed Schoolyard Studio TV Pilot Writing Contest submission grants Schoolyard Studio and contest administrators permission to promote the competition, submissions, and writers’ names and/or images to third parties on all their digital and/or social channels, including but not limited to: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Tik Tok, Schoolyard Studio website and newsletter.

Entrant/writer(s) understand that there is no guarantee of representation (by an agent or manager) and/or production.

If a screenwriting team wins, prizes will be awarded to the screenwriter submitting the project. It is the responsibility of the submitting screenwriter to share or divide the prize.

Notification of winners and finalists will be sent by email. It is the responsibility of the winners to redeem any prizes and provide current contact information and mailing addresses for prize redemption purposes. Prizes must be redeemed within 30 days of notification. If winners do not provide necessary information for prize redemption or fail to redeem prize within 30 days of notification, prize will be forfeited. Be sure to provide accurate information.

Award recipient(s) is responsible for any taxes.

All fees are non-refundable.

The Schoolyard Studio TV Pilot Writing Contest and its administrators reserve the right to make any necessary changes, delays, or cancellations.