Note: structured reader feedback of the first 10 pages will be passed on to writers for all scripts entered into the LSC.
Just how do you get an agent in the competitive world of screenwriting? Two key methods are: (i) give your screenplays a compelling opening; (ii) build a CV with screenwriting competition wins.
"Screenplays have to be read by somebody, and in most cases the reader...knows whether the screenplay is of any worth within those first pages...At the beginning of a screenplay, you’ve only got about 10 pages..." (Michael Schilf of TheScriptLab.com). Here are more links to expert comments on how important the first 10 pages are: http://www.londonswc.com/?page_id=77
“There is a lot of luck in this business, but there is plenty you can do to increase the possibilities of your luck, which is being in the right place at the right time, getting involved in competitions...” (Jean Kitson, agent, MBA)
The London International Screenwriting Competition is a regular event that focuses on what gets your scripts read by agents in Hollywood or Soho: the first 10 pages. Winning the LSC is about making an impact FAST with your opening. If you think your script can catch the attention of the pros (who regularly have to deal with hundreds of scripts), then you've got a good chance of winning LSC, and vice versa. All you need to submit is the first 10 pages of your feature or TV script (or in the case of a short script, a maximum of 10 pages). They will be evaluated by, amongst others, professional readers and award-winning screenwriters.
“What a great competition and so so valuable to hone those first ten pages. I've already had a surge of new followers on Twitter...winning this has already helped me with spec emails and garnering more interest when networking.”
**NEW: LSC has teamed up with Artificial Intelligence experts in the U.K. For a slightly higher entry fee you can request an additional - cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence - analysis of your screenplay's text, benchmarking it to the writing style of the prestigious Hollywood Black List. This includes recommendations on how to make your writing style compete with that of those top paid screenwriters!**
NOTE: You can submit feature, TV or short scripts of any length, but only the first 10 pages will be judged.
Precise prize levels will be based around number of entries each month, so may go up and down:
Winner: £100 / $120
Finalists: Names announced on londonswc.com
Semi-Finalists: Names announced on londonswc.com
All of the above have the option of having their script hosted on londonswc.com
Note: Winners and Finalists are entitled to a 10% discount on LSC's full script coverage service, semi-finalists and selected writers to a 5% discount (see here for more details: http://www.londonswc.com/?page_id=81).
