High Concept Screenplay Program (HCSP) ~ Regular Deadline: June 22, 2021

Submissions are now open!

Regular Deadline: June 22, 2021 

CONTACT: Director – [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 of January, 2022).

**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).
• InkTip Script Listing: A listing of your script on InkTip so that producers and reps can find you.
• The top three winners will be selected to meet one-on-one with a Writer and/or Producer.
• NEW:  Invitation to attend the On Site Retreats by Nostos Screenwriting Retreats for the top three (3) winners of SWN’s script submission programs. This invitation is, in itself, very prestigious and exclusive. The top three (3) winners will be distributed between the five (5) retreat spots.

ELIGIBILITY and ENTRY RULES:

• The HCSP is open to both SWN members and non-members who are at least 18 years of age or older.
• All scripts must be wholly original works of the writer or writing team, unproduced and unoptioned, and, responsibly 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.
• Please conform to standard industry feature screenplay format.
• There is no limit on the number of entries. Complete a separate submission for each script.
• Scripts are to be in PDF format only.
• Electronic submissions must be posted by midnight on the entry deadline.
• Scripts are to be submitted in English language only.
• Submissions that do not meet the full requirements will be disqualified.

SUBMISSION:

1) Go through the PayPal button below with a credit or debit card. 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.

– Nonmembers will have access to the nonmember rate. Please apply any applicable discount code.

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

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

4) The script submission will now be accepted.

5) Check e-mail for successful completion of entry.

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

Entries occur once per year.

OCCURRENCE & SUBMISSION FEES:

• Early bird Deadline:  May 13, 2021
  • Member Fee – $59
  • Non-Member Fee – $91
• Regular Deadline:     June 22, 2021
  • Member Fee – $84
  • Non-Member Fee – $116
• Final Deadline:     July 31, 2021
  • Member Fee – $109
  • Non-Member Fee – $141
• Non-SWN Member Special:  
  • SWN 1-Year Membership & HCSP fee – $259

There are NO REFUNDS.

Final results are announced in January 2022.

**All evaluations will be returned in the middle of January, 2022.

NEW READERS:

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

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.

• Industry Contacts Form