Television Outreach Program (TOP)

 

Submissions are now closed!

 

 

CONTACT:  Director at  top@scriptwritersnetwork.org 

 

The Television Outreach Program (TOP) is a Scriptwriters Network program to support undiscovered television writing talent. The program’s objective is to help writers improve their craft so that they may achieve their goals of obtaining representation, script development, mentoring and career counseling services, landing writing assignments, and/or selling their work.

PROCESS:

Phase One: Two readers will evaluate your script 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 scripts 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 full script and you will receive two detailed evaluations from two different readers. (All evaluations will be returned in the middle of January, 2023).

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

 

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

 

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).
  • The top three 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 top three winners will meet VIRTUALLY, one-on-one with a Writer and/or Producer.
  • The top three winners will meet VIRTUALLY with a Literary Manager.
  • The top three winners: Ten (10) Pitches on VPF, the platform for TV/Film professionals seeking scripts and writers to represent. With VPF, writers can submit Written Pitches to 500+ networks/studios, producers and agents with the assurance of a guaranteed response.
    • Winners will also receive a Pitch Boot Camp class with Ms. Sargent, SWN’s President, prior to pitching on VPF. 
  • Arc Studio writing software for the top three winners. Arc Studio goes beyond industry-standard formatting, offering real-time collaboration capabilities, distraction-free design, and advanced story-building tools.
  • The top three winners: SWN/We are in the process of retrieving funding and supporters, in order to produce the winning scripts with our production company. We want to make sure you have a chance, at least once, to see your project developed. 
  • Updates and changes to be added.

 

ELIGIBILITY and ENTRY RULES:

 
  1. TOP is open to both SWN members and non-members who are 18 years of age or older.
  2. SPEC SCRIPTS for half-hour or one-hour network or cable series in production as of the entry deadline are eligible.
  3. Pilot scripts for original series are also eligible.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Multiple submissions are allowed by an entrant or writing team per session.
  7. Scripts are to be in PDF format only.
  8. Scripts are to be submitted in English language only.
  9. Electronic submissions must be posted by midnight on the entry deadline.
  10. 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.  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 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 be directed to upload their scripts in a 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 – top@scriptwritersnetwork.org

 

Entries occur once per year.

OCCURRENCE & SUBMISSION FEES:

  • Early bird Deadline:  June 29, 2022
    • Member Fee – $59
    • Non-Member Fee – $91
  • Regular Deadline:     July 29, 2022
    • Member Fee – $84
    • Non-Member Fee – $116
  • Final Deadline:     August 29, 2022
    • Member Fee – $109
    • Non-Member Fee – $141
  • Non-SWN Member Special:  
    • SWN 1-Year Membership & TOP Fee – $259

 

 

 

There are NO REFUNDS.

Final results are announced in the middle of January 2023.

**All evaluations will be returned in the middle of January, 2023.

 

NEW READERS:

We are currently looking to expand our pool of experienced readers in TOP. Please contact us at top@scriptwritersnetwork.org for details.

 

QUESTIONS: 

Please contact the Director – top@scriptwritersnetwork.org

 

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.

 

 

 

Disclaimer: Participation in SWN events, programs, contests, classes and workshops is not a promise or guarantee of employment, and is intended for educational and networking purposes only.