ROADMAP WRITERS PRESENTS
Roadmap Writers is proud to announce the launch of its inaugural JumpStart Writing Competition. The competition is open to both feature scripts and original television pilots. Roadmap Writers - a leader in screenwriting education taught by executives and literary representatives currently working in the industry - have helped 58 writers get signed to representation in just two years with companies that include CAA, Gersh, Circle of Confusion, APA, Gotham Group, Zero Gravity, and more!
Much like our educational programs this competition is designed to give writers exposure to industry professionals who can help jump start their writing careers!
JUDGES
We are proud to showcase our judges from some of the biggest companies in Hollywood. Our judging panel for this year’s competition includes:
Coordinator, LuckyChap Entertainment
Literary Manager, Good Fear
Coordinator, Verve
Literary Manager, Circle of Confusion
Feature Film Coordinator
Literary Manager, Mosaic
Creative Executive, Covert Media
VP of Development, Bron Studios
Literary Manager, Echo Lake Entertainment
Literary Manager, Lee Stobby Entertainment
Literary Manager/Producer, Bellevue Productions
Literary Manager/Producer, Kersey Management
WHY SHOULD I ENTER
We’re more than just a competition. Our competition is designed to offer writers ranging from Grand Prize Winners to our Top 20 a variety of opportunities to connect with industry professionals beyond just our winner’s announcement. Whether it’s through one-on-one virtual meetings, executive pitching opportunities, Q&A’s, or webinars, we are here to advocate for these writers for months after our final announcement. Your success is our success, and we are always in your corner!
Through our educational programs, we work with some of the biggest agencies, management companies and production companies in Hollywood. Now we bring the same level of industry access from our virtual classrooms to our competition.
INCLUDED - GUARANTEED SIGNING PRIZE!
In our quest to help writers jump start their writing careers, we are thrilled to announce our partnership with literary manager Chris Deckard and his management company Fictional Entity to offer a guaranteed signing prize! What does this mean? It means that Fictional Entity will guarantee to sign at least one writer/writing team from our JumpStart Writing Competition. This amazing opportunity is included with your entry into this year's competition. All entrants are eligible to win the Guaranteed Signing Prize, so even if you don't finish in the Top 50 or above you are still in contention for this prize!
PRIZES
GRAND PRIZE (2)
Runners-Up (2)
Top 10 (each category)
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Three months Premium Membership to Roadmap Writers Network
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1 Free Open Pitch Session credit. Choose to pitch to execs or reps.
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15-Minute Marketing & Strategy Call with Roadmap CEO and Director of Operations
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Featured on Roadmap Writers Website
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Featured in our JumpStart Competition Booklet which will be circulated to over 300 execs
Top 20 (each category)
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One 60 Minute Group Strategy Webinar with an Executive
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Featured on Roadmap Writers Website
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Featured in our JumpStart Competition Booklet which will be circulated to over 300 execs
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One 60 Minute Strategy Webinar with an Executive
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Featured on Roadmap Writers Website
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In person meeting with 5 of our judges
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Airfare to Los Angeles*
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$250 credit towards hotel accommodations
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A Roadmap month mentorship with an executive of your choice (choose from our list of available execs)
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1 Virtual General Meeting with an industry professional each month for up to a year until you are either signed to representation or option your script
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One year of Roadmap Writers Network Premium Membership
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Copy of Final Draft
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30-Minute Marketing & Strategy Call with Roadmap CEO and Director of Operations
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Featured on Roadmap Writers Website in an exclusive video interview
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Featured in our JumpStart Competition Booklet which will be circulated to over 300 execs
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Virtual meeting with 3 execs
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One year Premium Membership to Roadmap Writers Network
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Copy of Final Draft
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3 Free Open Pitch Session credits. Choose to pitch to execs or reps.
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30-Minute Marketing & Strategy Call with Roadmap CEO and Director of Operations
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Featured on Roadmap Writers Website
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Featured in our JumpStart Competition Booklet which will be circulated to over 300 execs
Top 50 (each category)
We will select one pilot and one feature script Grand Prize winner.
*Airfare expenses for the Grand Prize Winners will be up to $500 for domestic flights and $750 for international flights.
DEADLINES
Early
Ends May 31st
$45
Regular
Ends June 30th
$60
Late
Ends August 5th
$75
Feedback Notes
Add to your entry & receive 1-2 pages of analysis on your script.
+$4O
Have multiple scripts? No worries, multiple entries welcome!
ANNOUNCEMENT DATES
(Dates subject to change)
Top 50 (quarter-finalist) - October 2nd, 2018
Top 20 (semi-finalist) - October 18th, 2018
Top 10 (finalists) - November 1st, 2018
Grand Prize Winner - November 28th, 2018
SCORING
Submissions will be judged based on the following criteria. The below explanations of each criterion is by no means an
exhaustive list, but just an example of some of the questions readers and judges consider in each category.
Premise/Concept
Is it unique/original? Is it a new spin on a familiar story? Is it commercial? Is it a festival-worthy indie? Is it clear whether the pilot is a network, cable, or streaming show? Can it succinctly be explained? Do the actions and obstacles advance the story?
Characters
Are the characters fully developed? Is their purpose or struggle clearly identifiable? Do they have a clear and complete arc?
Are they multi-layered? Are the characters relatable or accessible to the reader?
Dialogue
Do the characters have a distinct voice? Does the dialogue elevate the scene? Does it heighten the overall story?
Does it propel the story forward?
Story
Is the story compelling? Does it serve to propel the characters and events forward in a meaningful way?
Structure
Does the story have a clear beginning, middle and end? Does it have the appropriate structural beats? Is the script formatted properly? Were there extensive typos?
Voice/Style
Does the writer use interesting word choice and sentence structure? Do they have a unique way to view and relay what’s happening in the story?
RULES
Read our full list of rules here.
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