1. All submissions must be received by 11:59 PM July 31, 2011 (final/late deadline).
2. Submitted screenplays must be the unproduced, unoptioned, and original work of the writer(s). There must be no dispute about the ownership of submitted screenplay(s) or the writers' right to submit screenplay(s). Adaptations of previously published material are acceptable if the material is public domain, or if the writer can provide written proof of his/her right to adapt the material into screenplay form.
3. Screenplays by more than one writer are eligible, but only one prize will be given per winner, and it will be the writers' responsibility to distribute the prize. If writers of a script are unable to agree on the distribution of a prize, their script will be disqualified.
4. All writers of submitted scripts must be at least 18 years of age.
5. Screenplay must be in English, submitted in a standard format such as PDF, .rtf or .doc. Hard copies must be printed single or double-sided 3-hole white paper with the pages numbered, fastened with 2-3 brads and blank cardstock covers. All scripts must have title, name of writer(s) and contact information on the title page. Scripts should be between 90-130 pages and no longer than 150 pages in standard spec screenplay format. Please add an additional $10 for screenplays over 125 pages. Font must be 12-point Courier, Courier New or Courier Final Draft. No other fonts will be accepted.
6. All submissions must contain eligible screenplay(s), a completed application, entry fee, and, if you want notification that we have received your materials, a self-addressed-stamped postcard. Hard copy submissions sent via USPS or a courier service (UPS, FedEx, etc.) must not require a signature upon delivery.
7. Judging will be performed by trained readers, industry professionals. The finalists' scripts will be read by Jim Cirile and selected industry professionals. The decisions of the Judges will be final.
8. Writers On The Storm may substitute alternative prizes of equal or greater value in place of previously announced prizes.
9. Round one scripts are awarded a grade by our judges for both script and for writer. These grades are: pass, consider with reservations, consider, strong consider, and recommend. Only scripts that receive a 'consider with reservations' for script or better (roughly the top 10% of all submissions) advance to the quarterfinal round. Unfortunately, screenplays that receive a 'consider with reservations' or better for writer will not advance. Thus it is entirely possible that you receive a consider for writer but a pass for script. What this means is that the analyst found the writing craft to be very promising, but the script itself needs more work. This is actually fairly common. While the script will not advance to the quarterfinals, it is validation that the reader felt there was talent on the page.
10. Entry fees are nonrefundable. Make checks payable to Coverage, Ink.
11. Questions regarding the Writers on the Storm Screenplay Contest should be directed to contest coordinator Portia Jefferson via the contact form on this site.
12. Eligibility: All writers who have made less than $10,000 career earnings as a screenwriter are eligible to enter.
13. All prizes will be awarded within 6 weeks of announcement of the grand prize winner (11/21/2011).
14. All winners will be responsible for their own U.S. income tax payments and withholding.
15. Please read and understand these Rules and Regulations. Failure to adhere to the contest guidelines will result in disqualification and forfeiture of entry fee.

SAMPLE FEEDBACK

Every entry to Writers on the Storm receives feedback. This feedback will be sent to everyone approximately six weeks after the end of the contest via e-mail. The feedback form gives you a quick idea of what the reader thought of your script and explains why your script did or did not advance.

Please note that if you enter the contest via submitting your script to Coverage, Ink for analysis, you do not receive this feedback form -- you will instead receive a full-blown script coverage report 10 days after your submission (sooner if you request a rush.) This means that you have the option of revising the screenplay and resubmitting it before the contest end date, thus bettering your chances in the contest -- if you're willing to do the work..

Don’t confuse this feedback with the kind of in-depth analysis you get from Coverage, Ink. The feedback form is just a little taste which will hopefully clue you in to what areas of your script are working and what areas may need a bit more attention (in our reader’s opinion.)

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Many thanks for participating in WRITERS ON THE STORM! 

GRADE: 

Consider with Reservations (script)

Consider (writer)

TITLE:  NO LEFT TURN UNSTONED

AUTHOR(S):  Aubrey Carlson and Alex Mason

CATEGORY:   Screenplay

GENRE:   Stoner Noir

LENGTH:  110 pp.

LOGLINE:   In a city where science and magic clash and humans top the social food chain over their magical counterparts, a stoner private detective risks it all to investigate the death of a gorgeous female hover-race driver.

READER’S COMMENTS:  While the hybrid of fantasy and investigative noir may limit the audience somewhat, the strong writing and incredible creativity makes this a solid read.  Snoop Froggy Frog is a complex, compassionate hero, well-drawn and sympathetic.  The structure could be a little tighter in places, particularly the early half of Act II, but overall, this is a compelling piece of writing and a gripping read.  Great work!

“Stormie” Factor – Does the reader connect with the material, see something special in this script?

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