High Concept Screenplay Program (HCSP)

January 12, 2024

Script Submissions are CLOSED!

CONTACT: Director at [email protected]

DESCRIPTION:

The High Concept Screenplay Program welcomes all genres and aims to discover, honor and reward different approaches, eclectic points of view and unique voices in screenwriting. A high concept screenplay:

has a great premise – the idea is king (e.g. “Big”)
has a memorable title – it conveys what the movie is about (e.g. “Wedding Crashers”)
has a visual logline – you can see the movie (e.g. “40 Year Old Virgin”)
has universal appeal – all demographics “get it” (e.g. “Star Trek”)
has clear conflicts, high stakes, a hook, a ticking clock and/ or a twist (e.g. “Liar Liar”)
has a succinct, descriptive “pitch” of 25 words or less (e.g. “Seven, Home Alone”)

PROCESS:

Phase One: Two readers will evaluate your screenplays and provide written feedback analyzing structure, story development, characterization, dialogue, format, as well as overall impressions. If recommended by two readers, the script will advance to Phase Two.

Phase Two: Loglines of feature and/or screenplays that receive a double recommend from Phase One will be forwarded to our list of agents, managers and producers.

Please note, our readers will read your entire script and you will receive two detailed evaluations from two different readers. (All evaluations will be returned in the middle/end of January 2025).

**The Scriptwriters Network reserves the right to publicize the writer’s name and selected screenplays.

**As an educational organization, SWN’s High Concept Screenplay Program’s objective is to better assist you in achieving your goals of becoming a better writer by providing positive, constructive detailed feedback/evaluations on your entire script.

PRIZES:

Loglines and/or Scripts will be eligible to be read by industry professionals including studio executives, production companies, agents and managers based on their request from interest in the logline and genre.
Receive a one year membership or a one year membership renewal to the Scriptwriters Network (SWN).
Winners will receive a 4-month InkTip Pro Membership. As an InkTip Pro Member, thousands of filmmakers can find and read your scripts, and you’ll be able to pitch directly to production companies every week. With over 3,000 options and 400 movies made, InkTip is the place for independent film.
The winners will meet one-on-one with a Writer and/or Producer, Virtually.
The winners will meet with a Literary Manager, Virtually.
Winners will receive a Pitch Boot Camp class and consultation with Ms. Sargent, SWN’s President.
If winners have other finished projects, they will be eligible for consideration to air on our partner’s Roku Channel.
SWN/We are in the process of retrieving funding and supporters, in order to produce the winning scripts.
Prizes are subject to change.

ELIGIBILITY and ENTRY RULES:

HCSP is open to both SWN members and non-members who are 18 years of age or older.
All scripts must be wholly original works of the writer or writing team, unproduced and un-optioned.
Submitted scripts must be registered with the Writers Guild of America and/or the U.S. Copyright Office.
Interstate and international entries are allowed.
Do NOT put your name or contact information anywhere on the script or title page you submit.
- Personal information should ONLY be included in the entry form, so that scripts remain anonymous.
- Title is only allowed on the title page.
Please conform to the industry standard script format.
There is no limit on the number of entries. Please complete a separate submission for each script.
Scripts are to be submitted in PDF format only.
Scripts are to be submitted in the English language only.
Electronic submissions must be posted by midnight on the entry deadline.
Submissions that do not meet the full requirements will be disqualified.

SUBMITTING SCRIPTS:

1) Go through the PayPal button below with a credit or debit card. You can pay as a guest user if you are not registered with PayPal.

– SWN Members will then be directed to log-in with their membership info to access the member rate.

– Non-members will have access to the non-member rate.

2) After submitting the required information on PayPal, click to return to the SWN page, where all entrants will be directed to upload their scripts in a PDF format on the following page.

3) Check the box confirming that you agree to the competition rules and regulations.

4) The script submission will now be accepted.

5) Confirmation of completion of entry and receipt will be sent via email.

6) Any questions, please email the Director at [email protected]

Entries occur once per year.

There are NO REFUNDS.

Final results are announced in the middle/end of January 2025.

**All evaluations will be returned in the middle/end of January 2025.

NEW READERS:

We are always looking to expand our pool of experienced readers in HCSP. Please contact us at [email protected] for details.

QUESTIONS:

Please contact the Director at [email protected]

INDUSTRY CONTACTS:

Producers, production companies, agents, and managers who would like to read winning scripts may join our list by completing the Industry Contacts form. It can be downloaded from the documents section below. In the interim, please check out our previous winners.