How to Slay the Beast: Cracking the Code of the Big Break Screenwriting Contest
Picture this: you, lounging in a swanky office, pitching your screenplay to a big-shot Hollywood executive whose coffee costs more than your screenplay software. Sounds dreamy? Well, that scenario might not be as far-fetched as it seems if you play your cards right at the Big Break Screenwriting Contest. This is not your average run-of-the-mill talent show. It’s the American Idol for screenwriters, minus the teary backstories and Simon Cowell’s scathing remarks. Let’s dive into some winning strategies that might just help you become the next big thing in screenwriting.
The First Cut is the Deepest: Nail Your Concept
First things first, if your concept isn’t stronger than Hercules in a powerlifting contest, then back to the storyboard you go! The winning script in the Big Break Contest usually boasts a concept that’s as fresh as mint. Have aliens invaded your romantic comedy? Does your historical drama feature a forgotten hero with quirks and charms? If not, get back to brainstorming! An original and engaging concept isn’t just a good idea; it’s mandatory. This is your first hook to snag the judges’ interest, and remember, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.
Structure is King (or Queen)
Your script needs a spine. Like, literally. A strong structure that holds up the weight of your narrative without making it sag in the middle like a poorly made sandwich. Act structure is sacrosanct in Hollywood — tease them with an exciting setup, hit them with a twisty confrontation, and close with a satisfying resolution. Keep those transitions smooth. A clunky passage is like hitting a pothole on Route 66; it just ruins the ride.
Dialogue: Don’t Let it Drag-on, Dragon!
Here’s where many bright-eyed scribblers miss their mark. Dialogue is not just your characters talking about the weather unless it’s a climactic storm about to sink a fleet. Your dialogue needs to sparkle, pop, and explode in places. It should reveal character depth and push the story forward. If your dialogue feels as exciting as watching paint dry, guess what? The judges have about a gazillion other scripts that could potentially stain their minds with brilliance. Make yours count.
Characters Worth Rooting For (or Against)
Create characters that leap off the page and demand coffee with the judges. Dynamic, flawed, and relatable characters that one can root for or love to detest are your golden tickets. Whether it’s a villain with a cause or a hero with debilitating fears, make them compelling enough to stay with the reader well beyond bedtime.
Polish Until it Shines
Submitting your first draft, freshly typed and still steaming from the heat of your burning midnight oil, is a fabulous way to shoot yourself in the foot. Your script not only needs to be good, it has to be great. This means revise, rewrite, and then revise some more. Get feedback from anyone who knows their Tarantino from their Tarkovsky and isn’t afraid to hurt your feelings. Scour every line for cliches, typos, and those sneaky little plot holes.
Sweat the Small Stuff
Formatting might not be as thrilling as creating an explosive action sequence or a heartbreaking love scene, but in this contest, improper formatting is akin to showing up in a clown suit. It just screams amateur. Follow the standard screenplay format to the letter — Courier 12-point font, 1.5-inch left margin, 1-inch right margin and so on. Nail these basics to appear professional before they even read your electrifying opening line.
The Art of the Pitch
The Big Break Screenwriting Contest, like any other battleground in the war of wits that is Hollywood, isn’t just about what you’ve written—it’s about how you sell it. If you get to the stage where you’re pitching your idea, practice your spiel. It should be as tight and compelling as your script. Imagine you’re in an elevator with the busiest, most distracted producer ever. You’ve got mere minutes to convince them your script is the next big thing.
There you have it, future Spielbergs of the world. With a pinch of talent, a dash of persistence, and a whole lot of strategizing, your entry into the Big Break Screenwriting Contest might just be your ticket to Hollywood. Give it your best shot, and remember, every big-time writer started with a blank page and a dream. Now go fill that page with your unfiltered originality and who knows? You might just be the next big break.
